South Hadley Grant Updates

Town Administrator Lisa Wong reports that the MA Department of Revenue is granting South Hadley $50,000 in additional funding for the Elmer Brook culvert replacement on Pearl Street. Funding will go towards construction documents, specifications, and Chapter 85 bridge review. The total award is now $197,500. In addition, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has reviewed the Town’s letter of intent for an Urban and Community Forestry Challenge grant and has invited South Hadley to submit a full application due November 1, 2023 to create a tree management plan that will supplement the current tree inventory in progress funded by Town Meeting.

KYT Presents: History and Finance of South Hadley’s Fire Districts

Local community organization Know Your Town (KYT) will host an in-person event on the History and Finance of the South Hadley Fire Districts at the South Hadley Library on November 28.

History and Finance of South Hadley’s Fire Districts
Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 6:30 pm
South Hadley Public Library (Community Room)
2 Canal Street, South Hadley

South Hadley Associate Assessor Melissa Couture Rimbold and Kevin Taugher, Chair of the Board of Assessors, will provide an overview of why, when, and how South Hadley’s two Fire Districts, 1 and 2, were formed and how they are financed by property taxes and water rates. Kevin Taugher will give a history of their formation and Melissa Couture Rimbold will discuss how they are financed. 

The event, which is free and open to the public, will not address or entertain questions regarding current operations, budgets, personnel, or boards. For more information about Know Your Town, visit www.knowyourtown.org.

Oct. 20-22: Buttery Brook Park Fall Fest

Buttery Brook Park Fall Fest | Friday, October 20 to Sunday, October 22, 2023
Pickleball, Cornhole, Food Trucks, Beer Tent, and Music!

2023 Fall Fest Flyer (pdf)

Hosted by Pickleball South Hadley and the Friends of Buttery Brook Park, Fall Fest begins on Friday, Oct. 20 with afternoon Men’s Pickleball Tournaments. On Saturday, Oct. 21, Women’s Pickleball Tournaments begin at 9am, and Mixed Divisions start at 3pm, while a Cornhole Tournament begins at 11am. Deejay KStylex will spin the hits from 10:30am until 3pm, followed by a free concert with Band Acousticca from 3pm to 6pm. Food trucks and a beer tent will be open during the afternoon, until 7pm. On Sunday Oct. 22, Fall Fest concludes with morning and early afternoon Pickleball Tournaments for Men and High School/College. See the event flyer for schedule and other details. Come to the pickleball courts to support our competitors and enjoy the games!

Black Stevens Guided Trek on September 23, 2023

Black Stevens Guided Trek
SATURDAY, September 23, 2023 at 10:00am 
Meet at 9:45am in the parking lot at South Hadley High School (near Black Stevens Pond)
153 Newton Street (Rt. 116), South Hadley  
Black Stevens Trail and Trek Map (PDF)
More information about the Black Stevens Conservation Area

Join South Hadley’s Bike/Walk Committee for a free, guided Trek at nearby Black Stevens Conservation area, which is a large wooded area that sits between South Hadley High School (on Newton Street/Rt 116) and Plains Elementary School (on Granby Road/Rt 202). It is a very popular place to walk in South Hadley. The Trek, which will be led by Bike/Walk Committee members Jim Buckley and Pat Tracey, which will be approximately 1.75 miles long and take about an hour. There are some uphill portions to start the trek, which is a loop that begins at the Newton Street trailhead near the high school, travels to the area near Plains School and returns. The trail does have some elevation so the beginning will be uphill, while the return is mostly downhill. There are a number of raised roots along the way, so some care should be taken while walking.

Meet at 9:45am in the South Hadley High School parking lot near Black Stevens Pond and the trailhead on Newton Street (see the Trail Map). Wear long-sleeved shirts/pants due to mosquitoes/ticks, weather-appropriate clothing and safe footwear, and bring water, bug spray, and walking poles, if desired. New Trekkers are always welcomed! Attendees should bring water, and are encouraged to have some bug spray. Please note that construction on Route 116 for a culvert project located between the high school and the District 1 fire station may still be in progress. While the road has remained open, it may be preferable to approach from south of the high school.

A decision to cancel for inclement weather will be made by 3:00pm on Friday, September 22. Should cancellation be necessary, information will be posted on the Town website, the Recreation Department site (southhadleyrecreation.org).

For more information about the Bike/Walk Committee, visit: www.southhadley.org/bikewalk

Fall Happenings at Shadowbrook

Shadowbrook Neighbors Group

LUNCH OUTING
Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 at 12:00pm — Johnny’s Bar & Grille
Join us at Johnny’s Bar & Grill, a local favorite at South Hadley’s Village Commons. Their menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, and pizza can be viewed at: https://www.johnnysbarandgrille.com/menu. If you’d like to carpool, please let us know when you RSVP.

OTHER EVENTS 
Shadowbrook Neighbors Fall Meet-Up
Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at 1:00pm at the ‘Green on the Hill’ 
Come and enjoy a casual get-together with neighbors, outdoors on the grassy area by the mailbox across from Unit 80. Bring your beverage and a chair, and an optional finger snack or dessert to share if you wish; we’ll have bottled water. Fall is a great time for an outdoor visit!

NEIGHBORS MEETING
Neighbors Group Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023 at 7:00pm — Please RSVP for address
These casual gatherings at a neighbor’s home are a wonderful way to connect with neighbors from all across our community!

For more about the Shadowbrook Neighbors Group, see: shadowbrookestate.com/social

Showcase South Hadley, October 6-8, 2023

A multi-day celebration of local arts and culture featuring live music, dance, art exhibitions, presentations, and workshops is planned for October 6-8, 2023. The festival will take place across multiple venues over the course of the long Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day weekend. In addition to the usual long weekend tag sales, you’ll find pop-up events all over town – in restaurants, schools, churches, concert halls, and other gathering spaces. Come explore South Hadley and discover something new! Watch for details to come at: southhadleyarts.org

Come to the Gaylord Wine Down on October 13!

Looking for a fun way to meet new people and connect with old friends? Come to the next Wine Down on Friday, October 13, 2023 from 5:30-7pm at the Gaylord Library, 47 College Street, South Hadley and mingle in the historic library rotunda. Unfortunately, the September event had to be canceled due to unseasonable heat that would have challenged our aging AC, but cooler weather is on the horizon! The event helps to support the Friends of the Gaylord Library, and everyone over the age of 21 is cordially invited; Entry fee is $10. We also plan to continue collecting school supply donations and donating raffle proceeds to Operation Backpack.

South Hadley Public Library-Fall 2023

Adult programs
Events are at South Hadley Public Library unless otherwise noted

Knitting Group—Tuesdays at 6:00pm
Join the library’s weekly Tuesday Night Knitters for some quality knitting and crocheting time. All skill levels are welcome. The group meets on the second floor in the Mandrachia Quiet Study Room but may move to a larger meeting room when available.

Hello Sunshine Book Club—First Wednesdays at 6:30pm (next meeting Oct 4, 2023)
Our monthly book club meets in the Trustees Room to talk about a selection from Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine book club.

Gatehouse Writers Group (Online Writing Group)—Fridays at 10:00am via Zoom
Our library writing group, the Gatehouse Writers, is a supportive peer-led environment open to all levels and styles. The group philosophy is a simple one: every person is a writer, and every writer deserves a safe environment in which to experiment, learn and develop their craft. This online group is led by Linda Rowland-Buckley and Richard Buckley. For information, contact Linda Rowland-Buckley at rowbuc1998@gmail.com

Mahjong at the Library—Alternate Fridays at 1:00pm (next meeting September 15)
Mahjong is a tile-based game that was developed in 19th century in China and has spread throughout the world. Our Friday afternoon group is for experienced players.

Spanish Conversation Circle—Saturday, September 16 at 10:30am
An opportunity for Spanish speakers to practice their language skills. Participants should have some basic conversational skills to join the group. This is not a language class.

Beginning Spanish for Adults – Wednesdays at 4:00PM, September 13 to October 4
Please note that CLASSES ARE FULL and registration has closed.

International Genealogy Research Class Parts 1 & 2—Wednesdays at 6:00pm, September 13 and 20
Presented by Dave Robison of Old Bones Genealogy
Confused on where to start searching for your ancestors from another country? Maybe the language is not in English: How do you start searching for that material? What websites are helpful and which can be troublesome? Learn how to work on international genealogy with these back-to-back programs! Call 413-538-5045 or click here to sign up.

Music Concert–Wednesday, September 27 at 6:00pm
Journey Through the Roots of American Popular Music with Jon Waterman
Enjoy a program of songs and stories about characters and events at the origins of blues, rock and country music. Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Jon Waterman creates and performs entertaining and informative programs with a historical theme. Each show is comprised of songs, stories, and a slideshow that relate to historical happenings and obscure, legendary, or infamous characters.

Gaylord Library | Virtual Sit & Stitch with Timna Tarr—Thursday, September 14 at 6:00pm
Log into this event hosted by Gaylord Library and spend an evening with your crafty neighbors. Bring your portable handwork of choice – quilting, crocheting, knitting, cross-stitch etc., and enjoy the company of fellow slow stitchers while you work on your project from the comfort of your own home. Pre-register at www.gaylordlibrary.org

Gaylord Library | Felt a Pumpkin with Anna Sunschauer (2 session program)
Thursday, September 21 and Friday, September 29 at 6:00pm
Come learn the art of needle felting! Gaylord staff member and fiber artist Anna Sunschauer will teach you how to sculpt fluffy wool fiber into 3D objects using felting needles. This is a beginner project. No prior needle felting experience is necessary, but it is recommended that all participants have good fine motor skills to avoid injury with the sharp needles. This workshop is open to teens and adults ages 12 & up, and is limited to 8 participants per session. All necessary tools and materials will be provided. Pre-registration is required. Register online at gaylordlibrary.org, by phone at 413-538-5047, or in-person by stopping by the circulation desk.

For more information visit:
–South Hadley Public Library at www.shadleylib.org
–Gaylord Library (branch) at gaylordlibrary.org

9/13/23-South Hadley Affordable Housing Forum

South Hadley residents are invited to attend a Community Forum at 7:00pm on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at the South Hadley Senior Center, 45 Dayton Street. This is the third forum to be held as part of a process to update the town’s Housing Production Plan (HPP) to discuss and analyze South Hadley’s current housing stock and affordability relative to our population and demographics. Your input is important!

The draft Housing Production Plan (HPP), developed by the Town in coordination with Outwith Studio, and an Executive Summary are available online: 

Hard copies are available for review at Town Hall (116 Main St. Room U6-Planning and Conservation Dept.), South Hadley Public Library (1 Canal St.), Gaylord Library (47 College St.), and South Hadley Senior Center (45 Dayton St.).

Comments on the draft plan may be submitted by October 25, 2023 via a Google form, available at: https://forms.gle/AJBHUMufKXuBoZJY9.

The Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing on the draft Plan via Zoom at their meeting on Monday, September 25th at 7:00pm. The agenda and meeting link can be found at: https://southhadley.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09252023-5173

For more information about the HPP project, visit:

Development of the Plan has been guided by an Advisory Committee, consisting of appointed community members, and will ultimately be adopted by the Planning Board and Selectboard following a public hearing process after which it will receive State review and approval. The process is established by the State Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, formerly the Department of Housing and Community Development, and seeks to demonstrate strategies to increase opportunities for affordable housing.

FALL 2023–FREE ONLINE SERIES ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING:
9/20, 10/19, 11/15 from 7-9pm on Zoom
To learn more about affordable housing in western Massachusetts, plan to attend a free online series this fall on three Wednesday nights from 7-9pm in September, October, and November, with guest speakers, including case studies from developers of nearby projects:
https://www.southhadley.org/1373/What-is-Affordable-Housing

Still have questions? You can contact Anne Capra, Director of Planning and Conservation at (413) 538-5030 x6128 or acapra@southhadleyma.go

Gaylord Library Wine Downs are back for fall!

Looking for a fun way to meet new people and connect with old friends? Come to this month’s Wine Down on Friday, September 8, 2023 from 5:30-7pm at the Gaylord Library, 47 College Street, South Hadley and mingle in the historic library rotunda. The event helps to support the Friends of the Gaylord Library, and everyone over the age of 21 is cordially invited; Entry fee is $10. This month we will be collecting school supply donations and donating raffle proceeds to Operation Backpack.