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By DAVID PARRELLA

I was dismayed to see uncritical coverage of a group calling for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine featured on the Recorder’s front page [“A call for peace talks rings out,” Feb. 25].

Recent discussions have linked rising natural gas rates in Massachusetts to the state’s energy efficiency initiative, Mass Save. However, attributing increased bills to Mass Save overlooks the program’s substantial benefits.The proposed 2025-2027 Mass Save Three-Year Plan entails a $5 billion investment from electricity and gas ratepayers, projected to yield $13.6 billion in benefits. This translates to a return of $2.72 for every dollar invested. The benefits encompass $5.4 billion in energy savings, $5.5 billion in greenhouse gas reductions, and $2.6 billion in non-energy advantages such as reduced maintenance costs and improved health outcomes.

It’s hard not to see parallels between Donald Trump’s deals with Vladimir Putin and the appeasement of Adolf Hitler by Britain and France in the 1930s. However, Trump is performing even more like the USSR and Italy, who went beyond acceptance and emboldenment of Nazi aggression to ally with Hitler and opportunistically mimic him. Like Stalin and Mussolini, Trump treats a disordered world as an exciting opening, and has talked of claiming Panama, Greenland, Canada, and Gaza as U.S. territory.

With all the confusion going on in the world today — all the negativism — it is such a boost to the psyche to open the newspaper to see a beautiful landscape photo taken by Recorder photographer Paul Franz or some nature shots by columnist Bill Danielson and contributors. Thank you for lifting my spirits, and I am sure the spirit of many readers.

By DANIEL CANTOR YALOWITZ

The mission of Training Active Bystanders is to weave the language and process of creative problem-solving into the fabric of the community by training active bystanders and teaching conflict resolution skills, and by implementing other forms of innovative dispute resolution. — Training Active Bystanders organizational mission statement

In an ongoing quest to find some beauty and grace in a troubled and troubling world, I was recently privileged — with a capital “P” — to attend a performance by the cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Full disclosure: I seldom listen to classical music, have no experience with other cellists, and am eminently unqualified to critique musical performances, but I have studied reviews by others more experienced in the field.

By JOHN PARADIS

If you are looking for a way to counter the outrageous denial by President Trump that Russia forcibly invaded Ukraine without cause and seeks to make it a Russian province, while insulting and attacking President Zelensky and all those who have heroically fought to preserve the integrity of Ukraine, here is an easy way: Send emails of support and encouragement to the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markova, at either or both of these email addresses: ukrembus@gmail.com or emb_us@mfa.gov.va/.

By SHIRLEY MAJEWSKI

Donald Trump’s priorities were obvious from the day he got inaugurated, when he seated three men behind him on the stage who, together, owned more wealth than the bottom half of our society. And this didn’t include the richest man in the world, who is now stripping many Americans of their livelihoods.

I am so grateful to have Green Fields Market’s presence in downtown Greenfield. It contributes to increasing the vitality of our downtown, employs more than 90 people, supports many local producers, keeps money in our community, and helps us know where our food comes from.

As a former federal worker (veteran), I wanted to submit to DOGE (Defending Oligarchs Grandiose Egos) my five bullet points on what I accomplished last week.

I am just sitting and wondering if President Musk is going to take his chain saw to the $757 billion in federal subsidies to the fossil fuel industry or the $20 billion that Space X gets in federal money?

The birds are chirping, the sugarhouses are open, and warmer temperatures will melt some of the ice that is currently covering our sidewalks, but overnight temperatures will create patches of dangerous black ice, so I wanted to put out there that walking will be dangerous for a little while longer. I’ve been hearing sad tales of broken hips, concussions, bruises and frustration.

By MAYOR VIRGINIA DESORGHER

By CARRIE N. BAKER

By RICHARD FEIN

A recent article in the journal Environmental Science & Technology relates colon cancer, lung cancer and human infertility to microplastics. These are tiny particles of plastic that come from the manufacture, use and disposal of plastic products. A story in the Boston Globe reports that people with microplastics in major arteries are more likely to have heart attacks and strokes.

This letter is addressed specifically to my fellow citizens who are wondering what’s happening outside the insulation of “business as usual.” It’s addressed to those among us who might have trouble believing something as enduring and trustworthy as democracy could actually be in danger of collapse, and that our own children may not enjoy the freedoms that we’ve imagined for them.