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By MADISON SCHOFIELD

COLRAIN — In her fifth year teaching kindergarten and fostering independence in Colrain Central School’s youngest learners, Grace Ahrensdorf has been named a winner of the 2025 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award.

By MADISON SCHOFIELD and CHRIS LARABEE

Four Franklin County towns have received Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Planning 2.0 (MVP 2.0) grants totaling $350,000 for climate change planning projects.

By DOMENIC POLI

The Franklin County Fair Museum’s chilly confines are filled with posters, brochures, ribbons and other pieces celebrating the history of the cherished event that started as a cattle show 177 years ago. But in December the museum added to its collection a first of its kind – an antique silver pitcher that made its way home from England, having been bestowed upon one of the Fairgrounds’ founding fathers on Jan. 3, 1863.

By THE REV. CINDY LAJOY

Are we living in a post-Christian era? Or a post-Christian dominance? Is the Christian church in decline? Or is it merely not the only game in town any longer? While we may be seeing the deconstructing of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs throughout our government and some enterprises, the data says that the diversity of spirituality is actually on the rise … and that may upset some folks. But should it? Does it matter that one religion “beats” another? Should we be fearful that the religion that tends to be most familiar to Americans appears to be on a gradual downhill slide? And perhaps the most important question of all, does God care whose “side” we are on, or does God care far more that we are trying to tap the Divine in whatever way works best for us?

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

CHARLEMONT — Some Mohawk Trail Regional School District member towns are considering filing a class action lawsuit against the state of Massachusetts for failing to adequately fund rural schools through Chapter 70.

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

COLRAIN — The sugarhouse at Hager’s Farm on Merrifield Lane sustained minor damage during a fire that was quickly extinguished Wednesday evening.

By SHERYL HUNTER

Saint Patrick’s Day is only days away, and for the band Ragged Blue, that means a busy weekend ahead. They’ll be playing Celtic music at a variety of shows this weekend.

By GARRETT COTE

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the 2025 Western Massachusetts Senior High School All-Star Game rosters Monday – and seven Greenfield Recorder area players made it across the three games scheduled to be played on Thursday, March 20 at the Hall of Fame in Springfield.

By TINKY WEISBLAT

Although strictly speaking I have little or no Irish blood (one of my great-grandmothers was Scots Irish), I still like to dress in green and make something Irish for Saint Patrick’s Day. This week I’m concentrating on Colcannon, basically gussied-up mashed potatoes. This dish adds lovely green vegetables to the spuds.

By RYAN AMES

AMHERST – The No. 16 UMass hockey team let a two-goal third-period lead slip away in its 2-2 tie against No. 5 Maine on Saturday night at the Mullins Center.

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — The Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew is in need of significant repairs after high winds knocked off parts of the roof last week.

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

COLRAIN — The Planning Board has told the applicants behind a proposed 125-foot cell tower on Call Road, a project the applicants say is crucial to improving service coverage, to conduct a balloon test seven days prior to a hearing that is tentatively set for April 1.

By RYAN AMES

As the great Michael Buffer would say, ‘Let’s get ready to rumble!’

NEW SALEM — Swift River School has kicked off sales for the 2025 Supermarket Sweep fundraiser.

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

BUCKLAND — The Mohawk Trail Regional School Committee has approved a $27.2 million budget for the 2026 fiscal year.

Good morning!Interstate driving isn’t what it used to be. There was a time when the next Dunkin’ Donuts past Richmond wasn’t until Jacksonville, when Jesus and country music dominated the airwaves and brake lights were the first warning of trouble ahead.

By HETTY STARTUP

In very tough times, we lean hard on community and faith. We did this during the horrors of Jan. 6 and on 9/11. In past decades, some of us drew deeply from our moral stance about civil rights and we need to do so again. Some of us prayed at vigils against the Iraq war and more recently held our faith communities close during the COVID-19 pandemic. These are, if you like, the chapters of our experience as people of faith. They may help us feel that we were there; they date and define us. May we prevail. In between, here are a couple of my chapters.

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

Stella Verlander, a Greenfield High School senior who plans to study political science in college with an eye toward an environmental law degree, is president of the GHS Sustainability Club. Verlander revived the club following pandemic interruptions, with the aim of educating people about issues related to conservation, climate crises, and political action. “Any obstacles are not about lack of interest,” she said. “The real problem is ignorance.”

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

SHELBURNE — The Mohawk Trail Regional School District has been ordered to turn over records relating to an investigation into alleged misconduct by a staff member to the state attorney general’s office.

HEATH — Residents can prepare for St. Patrick’s Day with “A Celtic Celebration” at the Heath Free Public Library, located at 18 Jacobs Road, on Saturday, March 1, at 3 p.m.