April 22-Guided Earth Day Trek

The South Hadley Bike-Walk Committee (BWC) invites the public to celebrate our natural world and explore Bynan Conservation Area and its vernal pools on a special Saturday Earth Day Trek with South Hadley’s Conservation Administrator, Rebekah Cornell, and members of the Conservation Commission. 

Free Guided Earth Day Trek at Bynan Conservation Area
SATURDAY, April 22, 2023 at 1:00pm 
Parking available at Fairway Wholesale Distribution, 654 New Ludlow Road
Meet at 12:45pm at the dirt parking pull-off area adjacent to Fairway Wholesale
Bynan Conservation Area Map (PDF)

Come explore the various trails and ponds this town-owned land has to offer. Vernal pools are critical habitats that support unique and valuable wildlife communities. We will look for the egg masses of frogs, toads and salamanders at several stops along the Trek. We will also be joined by a professional ornithologist, so bring your binoculars to help make observations of birds, other wildlife, animal tracks, as well as native and invasive vegetation along the trail.

The Trek is roughly 1.5 to 2.0 miles in length and will take approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Be prepared for wet ground and light forest debris conditions. Protect yourself from bugs and ticks. The chosen trail route loop is relatively flat with only a few minor ascents and descents.

Meet at 12:45pm at the dirt parking pull-off area on New Ludlow Road adjacent to Fairway Wholesale Distribution, 654 New Ludlow Road, South Hadley. To reach the meet-up location, take Rt. 33 south and turn left onto Old Lyman Road, then turn left onto New Ludlow Road. Fairway Wholesale Distribution will be on the left and participants may park in their lot or in the small dirt pull-off parking area immediately after Fairway. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and waterproof footwear and, if desired, bring walking poles and binoculars, along with water and optional snacks. 

Participants of all ages and new Trekkers are always welcomed.

All events are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or ground conditions, and any cancellation notice will be posted on the day of the Trek by 10:00am on the Bike/Walk web page. To check for a weather notification or for more information, including links to a map of the Bynan Conservation Area, visit Bike/Walk on the Town website at: https://www.southhadley.org/bikewalk.

2023 Summit House Sunset Concert Series

This year’s summer series will be held in the Notch Visitor Center, 1500 West Street (Rt. 116) in South Amherst as the Summit House has been closed by DCR for renovations of the building over the summer. Performances are on Thursdays at 7:00pm and will include:

  • July 6 – The Green Sisters 
    Bluegrass to barbershop, blues, and country
  • July 13 – Dear Ella
    Vocal-led musical trio
  • July 20 – Ed Byrne Sextet
    Grammy-nominated Latin Jazz pioneer
  • July 27 – Jeff Barnhart
    Pianist and vocalist
  • August 3 – Gumbo Jumbo Dixieland Band
    Traditional jazz of New Orleans

Admission is $15 per person and advance tickets are go on sale May 1, and details about the artists can be found at: http://www.friendsofmhr.org/2023-summer-concert-series.html. 

For updates on the Summit House, concerts, and other information, visit the Friends of the Mount Holyoke Range on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/friendsofmhr. 

Rts 33/202 intersection: Zoning change hearing March 13

The South Hadley Planning Board will hold a virtual public hearing via Zoom at 6:30pm on Monday, March 13 at 2023 to discuss a petition to change the zoning of the property at the corner of Routes 33 and 202 (diagonally across from Plains School, at 280 and 286 Granby Road) from Residence A-1 to Business A. This would allow a Starbucks with a drive-up window to go in initially, with auto access to the property from both Routes 33 and 202. The plans also show a future retail/professional addition to the Starbucks building plus a separate, freestanding retail/professional building and parking area. Those who wish to comment on this proposal may do so at the hearing on Monday.

For the hearing agenda with the URL to join the Zoom meeting, see: https://www.southhadley.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03132023-4953

To view the documents, see the Granby road (280 & 286) link at: https://www.southhadley.org/1347/Zoning-Map-Amendment-Requests

April 20-FAC Owners Forum

Shadowbrook owners are invited to come join neighbors and learn more about our community’s financial needs, brainstorm important issues, and help identify priorities to guide future decision-making. Shadowbrook’s Financial Advisory Committee will host a forum at the library on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 6:30pm. Please save the date and plan to come. Additional details will be emailed to owners as we get closer to the date.

March 10-Gaylord Library Wine Down

The historic Gaylord Library will host its second Wine Down since the return of this popular community get-together last month, this time with a St. Patrick’s Day theme. Everyone over age 21 is cordially invited to come mix and mingle in the library rotunda on March 10, 2023 at 5:30pm. It’s a great way to connect with new people and catch up with old friends. The event is open to the public and the entry fee is $10. The Gaylord branch library is located at 47 College Street in South Hadley. Proceeds help to support the Friends of the Gaylord Library. For more information, see: https://gaylordlibrary.org/winedown.

March 30-KYT Local Candidates Night

Know Your Town (www.knowyourtown.org) will host a Candidates’ Night for those running for Town offices in the 2023 South Hadley Town Election. The event will be held at 6:30pm on Thursday, March 30 in the Community Room at the South Hadley Public Library on Canal Street. Once 2023 candidate information is available (sometime after mid-March), statements and other details will be posted on the KYT website at: https://www.knowyourtown.org/election-info/meet-the-candidates. Candidates’ Night will also be broadcast live on Channel 15.

The 2023 Town Election, as well as both Fire District elections, will be held on Tuesday, April 11 at South Hadley High School, 153 Newton Street. Polls will be open from 7am to 8pm, and all precincts vote at the same location. The last day to register to vote in the Town Election is Friday, March 31, and the deadline to apply to vote by mail is Tuesday, April 4 at 5pm. For a list of offices that will appear on the Town Election Ballot and more information about voting, see: www.southhadley.org/620/Elections.

March 12-South Hadley Chorale Concert

The South Hadley Chorale is excited to be performing their first public concert since the pandemic! The public is invited to attend the concert at 3:00pm on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at Abbey Memorial Chapel on the Mount Holyoke College campus. The program will feature:

Joseph Haydn Lord Nelson Mass
Jennifer Two Oberto, soprano; Justina Golden, alto; 
Ethan Bremner, tenor, John Salvi, bass

Additional works by
Emma Lou Diemer, Gaetano Donizetti, 
Ralph Vaughan Williams, Guiseppe Verdi
Alexandra Ludwig, Conductor

Also featuring
South Hadley High School Concert Choir
Directed by Beth Ayn Curtis

General Admission is $20.00; Seniors $16; Students/Children 12 and under $5.00. Tickets can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com and will also be available at the door. Pre-sale tickets are available from Chorale members or the Odyssey Bookstore in at Village Commons for $16; $12; $5. This Program is supported in part by a grant from the South Hadley Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Gaylord Library Wine Downs are Back!

The historic Gaylord Library is happy to announce the return of its popular Wine Down community get-togethers. Everyone over age 21 is cordially invited to come mix and mingle in the library rotunda on February 10, 2023 at 5:30pm. It’s a great way to connect with new people and catch up with old friends. The event is open to the public and the entry fee is $10. The Gaylord branch library is located at 47 College Street in South Hadley. Proceeds help to support the Friends of the Gaylord Library. For more information, see: https://gaylordlibrary.org/winedown.

2023 Annual Town Election

South Hadley’s Annual Town Election is scheduled for Tuesday, April 11, 2023. On Election Day, all precincts vote at South Hadley High School, 153 Newton Street (Rt. 116). Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. 

Town Elections are non-partisan and candidates do not run with party labels. Any resident who is registered to vote in South Hadley is eligible to run for an elected position in town. To run for a Town Office, prospective candidates must first obtain nomination papers from the Town Clerk’s office and then collect signatures from local registered voters. Town-wide offices require 50 certified signatures; running for Town Meeting member requires 10 certified signatures from the candidate’s precinct (Shadowbrook is in Precinct A). Nomination papers are available until February 16 from the Town Clerk’s office and must be submitted by February 21. For a full list of positions and other Town Election details, see: https://www.southhadley.org/620/Elections.

On Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 10am to 12pm, residents are invited to come Meet, Greet, and Sign nomination papers for prospective candidates (signing is optional and doesn’t obligate you to vote for the candidate later) at the main South Hadley Public Library on Canal Street. Coffee and nibbles will be provided by the local organization, Know Your Town. For details, see: https://www.knowyourtown.org/archives/3060.

The Town’s two fire/water districts also hold annual elections. Shadowbrook is in District 1, and that election will also be on April 11 at the high school (Fire/Water District elections are in a separate room). For information about running for District 1 positions, see: https://www.shdistrict1.org/home/news/nomination-papers-available-january-30-2023.

Know Your Town Holiday Social–CANCELED

CANCELLATION NOTICE: As the forecast indicates 3-5 inches of snow in the evening is possible, a decision has been made to cancel the KYT Holiday Social planned for Thursday, December 15, 2022. KYT wishes everyone a happy holiday season and thanks you for your understanding.

…………………………………………..

Know Your Town (KYT) will host a Holiday/Seasonal Social on Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 6:00pm. The event will be held the Community Room at the South Hadley Main Public Library, 2 Canal Street in South Hadley. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts School and all are welcome to come mix and mingle with KYT member, friends, and South Hadley neighbors. 

If you are able to do so, bring one or more non-perishable food items for our local food pantry. Please be sure to check dates, as expired food cannot be used by the pantry. Your RSVP to Martha Terry at mterry@knowyourtown.org is appreciated to help us plan. We look forward to seeing you! For more information about Know Your Town, visit: www.knowyourtown.org.