By Phil Pothier
When daffodils with sunny heads
Break through the ground in flower beds,
It’s springtime!
When north bound geese wing into sight
With honking sounds of sheer delight,
It’s spring time!
When days are warm but cold at night,
Late in the day the sun is bright,
When maple sap comes out just right,
It’s spring time!
When all the wood you had is gone
And there’s no snow upon the lawn,
It’s spring time!
When birds are singing in the trees,
And warm winds blow with gentle breeze,
It’s spring time!
When winter blues is gone away,
Each morning brings a brand new day,
When mud is gone it’s time to say,
It’s spring time
By Clifton Jerry Noble, Sr.
April 1, Sunday. I took junk to the dump and, 7 -8 a,m, did our laundry, At 9:15 I picked up my mother at Sarah Gillette Home and took her to church in Montgomery. I went via Route 20 so she could see how high the Westfield River was as well as the little brooks. A kid had his ’59 Ford stuck in a soft hole beside the church driveway but road su-perintendent Ross Pease pulled him out with the loader. Sue Allyn sent a box of “Poppets” to baby, and my mother, Hester, brought him linen picture books.
April 2, Monday. With all the rain, water in our ten foot well is 8 feet 2 inches deep.
April 3, Tuesday. I took our Ford to Sarats in Agawam for motor tune-up. Mechanic also fixed latch so door will stay closed. They only charged $14.50. I went home at noon on vacation. Eliza-beth said she rocked baby 8:50 to 10 a.m. but the roar of jets flying over startled him so he couldn’t go to sleep.
April 8, Sunday. I got newspaper and read it while I did wash 7-8 a.m. I bor-rowed Look maga-zine from the laun-dry so E could see article about orches-tra leader Robert Staffanson whom she had met in Spring-field. Mrs Royle told Marian Cushman the choir sounded good. We rehearsed “Holy City.” Indigestion is giving me a headache.
April 9, Monday. One of Jerry’s booties disap-peared in Jean Watson’s wash. I phoned her at 6 a.m. to give her $922.85 figure of her last year’s earnings. Bootie was not found.
April 10, Tuesday. Severe indigestion pain kept me awake and made me consider going to Dr. Arenstam. When I prayed about it God’s answer was “No.” Later, five cups of Ovaltine and two calcium pills gave relief. I got a burn-ing permit from Mrs Hall. She had heard that the church was going back to a 9:30 a.m. service in May. I cut down one trunk of the butternut tree along with maple and ash saplings near well house and burned them. When E, baby and I walked down by brook we found a mayflower.
April 13, Friday. SNOW! I slept 3 ½ hours last night. Baby can stand alone. He makes believe he’s directing an orchestra.
April 14, Saturday. Laundry closes 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to connect electricity for dry cleaning machines. Uncle Ralph has been a singer and doesn’t realize how loud he talks. It upsets baby so that he threw up and E had a terrible time with him. After getting a permit to burn more brush. I walked with Uncle Ralph on Williston’s upper meadow. Despite snow there were lots of robins and flickers. My fire burned down well. After it was out I played records for baby.
April 15, Sunday. John Camp delayed the after-church meeting to change bylaws by being a stickler for legality. After dinner Hester took baby in chair by window to read his books to him and show him cars passing for canoe race.
April 17, Tuesday. I set out bleeding heart root I got at A & P.
April 18, Wednesday. From pictures in books H gave him baby can identify “ball,” “crib,” and “teddy bear.”
April 20, Friday p.m. the day after Patriots Day. there was almost no one in the Greenfield office. Folks were on vacation having a long weekend. Supervisor George Berry was not feel-ing well. Three times he tried to light the filter end of his cigarette
April 21, Saturday. I paid electric bill to Mr. Pero in Huntington, cleaned the garage, and cut and burned five saplings. I walked up road be-side brook with E and baby. He says “baby” now and seems to know he’s talking about himself. Today he is one year old.
April 22, Easter Sunday. Baby weighs 21 lbs 7 oz. Lots of cars were at Westfield churches. Hes-ter took five Easter baskets from Sarah Gillette Home to Lillian Cowles’ Sunday School class. There were 58 in church. Elizabeth had nice ham dinner. With warm air we opened windows. H took a nap on couch. Baby lay down in play pen beside her, while E made formula.
April 25, Wednesday. I spent vacation time trying to find someone to fix my tape recorder. Uncle Ralph recommended Milt King who was able to fix it and charged $2.80. I gave him $5. 1:15 to 4:45 p.m. I hiked in briefs to get tan. I asked God to guide my hike over the mountain, and got directions up Bear Den Brook and Pomeroy Road, then through woods till I saw cars and houses on Main Road, and finally came down through Brant lot along brook home. Sunshine made me feel happy and younger again.
April 26, Thursday. I stopped at SGH to see Hester and marked the hem of a light coat she is making before the supper bell rang. She sur-prised me by remembering and asking a ques-tion about the Pythagorean theorem. I got an althea plant at Woolworth’s and in evening set it out near the well house.
April 27, Friday. Up 5:15 I only had time to wash clothes so hung them out to dry when I got home. To Greenfield 7:02 to 7:55 a.m. I have to take S216 for appraisal to be turned in toward a new car. It was so dirty I had to take a bath. E opened windows to let a late breeze cool the house
April 28, Saturday. Up 4:45 a.m. Fisher-men were passing. To laundry 6:15 a.m. and to Westfield for readymix Saccrete to cement re-taining wall extension. Worked in red briefs. E and baby went with me to Westfield, A & P, Charkoudians and Russell Grocery. I set out phlox, carnations and lilies of the valley. Had puffed wheat and lots of milk and ice cream for supper.
April 29, Sunday. I persuaded Hester to come to church and help with anthem. A blind man with wife had their little daughter baptized. Baby skipped his morning nap. I took him in his room and held him. He was tired but wake-ful. Finally I pulled curtain and put him in crib. With thumb in mouth he went right to sleep.
April 30 Monday 10 to 2:30 I used church or-gan to record words and music for puppet show. E was disturbed because I did not get home at 12:30 as I’d told her, but she was interested to hear my recording
On July 29, 1955, the U.S. government announced its intent to launch artificial satellites into space. Five days later, the USSR responded, igniting the space race and setting off one of the greatest eras of engineering, perseverance, and human achievement. Now, more than 50 years after the last Apollo mission, Artemis II launched roughly three weeks ago and its crew has safely returned to Earth, marking the dawn of the Ar-temis era. Named for the twin sister of Apollo and the goddess of the Moon, Artemis represents more than a return to lunar exploration. It signals a shift from “visiting” space to “living” there.
But just as Apollo did 50 years ago, the latest launch reignited a familiar mix of excitement, skepticism, and big-picture questions. Watch-ing a skyscraper-sized rocket tear itself off the pad is awe-inspiring, but the spectacle is always followed by practical concerns: the cost, the en-vironmental footprint, the engineering choices that seem odd from the outside, and the debate over whether this is where public money should go. Artemis forces all of these questions into the open. Curious myself, I set out to understand the immense amount of thought behind every inch of the 322-foot spacecraft and what it takes to reach the stars.
One of the most common questions seen online during the Artemis II launch involved economic and environmental impact. With gas prices fluctuating and climate concerns rising, many wondered whether NASA’s fuel consump-tion affects the average person. The short answer is no. The long answer requires understanding how different spacecraft are from everyday transportation.
Artemis uses NASA’s Space Launch Sys-tem (SLS), an evolution of the Saturn V and Space Shuttle pro-grams. It relies on a multi-stage design assisted by two solid rocket boost-ers. These boost-ers provide 75% of the initial liftoff thrust, while the core stage’s four RS-25 engines lift payloads such as the Orion spacecraft. As each stage exhausts its fuel, it detaches, shedding weight and preserving momentum. From the start, the design maximizes efficiency—but what about the fuels themselves?
None of the SLS systems run on petro-leum-based fuels, meaning NASA is not tied to oil markets and rocket launches have zero statisti-cal impact on gas prices. The main engines burn liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, producing a highly energy efficient exothermic reaction that releases enormous energy and exhausts primar-ily water vapor—superheated H₂O. While the solid rocket boosters use Ammonium Perchlorate Composite Propellant.
Producing the fuels is also relatively light on energy consumption. Liquid oxygen is extracted from air around us before being compressed, purified, and cooled to –297°F, relying mostly on electricity. However, hydrogen is not as naturally abundant in our air. Traditionally, it is produced through Steam Methane Reforming, which for NASA’s purposes, uses around 15-20 million cubic feet of natural gas per year which is less then one hundredth of a percent of the 92 billion cubic feet used in the US everyday. NASA is also looking to replace this with electrolysis—splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electric-ity. This method requires no natural gas and cuts future missions from global fuel markets.
Overall, Artemis launches are surprisingly clean compared to other industrial activities. One launch has a carbon footprint roughly equivalent to a single transatlantic flight of a large com-mercial jet, and the entire global space industry accounts for less than 0.1% of worldwide carbon emissions. Even the byproducts of the launch tend to be minimal in impact although not with-out some caveats. While harmless in the lower atmosphere, water vapor injected into the upper atmosphere can linger and trap heat because there is no weather system to disperse it quickly. This warming is minimal and tends to dissipate in less than a week.
The solid rocket boosters are the “dirtier” component. Their propellant releases aluminum oxide, nitrogen oxides, and some hydrogen chlo-ride. These contribute to a localized, temporary carbon footprint and minor ozone depletion. However, the global impact is a negligible frac-tion of a single day of international commercial aviation.
Other questions concerns the rocket’s ap-pearance. The Apollo Saturn V was a crisp black-and-white icon. The Ar-temis SLS, by contrast, is a massive, utilitarian orange. It looks almost rusted, and with its price tag, some wonder why NASA doesn’t spend a little extra to make it look sleeker. The answer, as usual, is efficiency. The orange color comes from the spray-on foam insula-tion (SOFI) that protects the core stage. This foam pre-vents the super-cooled liq-uid hydrogen and oxygen from boiling off and stops ice from forming on the rocket’s exterior in which paint could interfere. Paint would also add un-necessary weight.
How unnecessary? A full coat of paint would add 600 to 1,000 pounds. That’s equipment, ma-terials, and extra fuel that otherwise couldn’t be carried. Every gram matters. NASA balances payload and propellant with extreme precision, and even small additions can affect mission safety and performance. Function, not aesthetics, wins every time.
Since we are on efficiency, why does Artemis tilt almost immediately after clearing the tower instead of flying straight up? The maneuver is called a gravity turn, and it is essential for reach-ing orbit. A spacecraft that flew straight up would require a rocket four to eight times larger to carry the necessary propellant to make a straight shot to the moon—an unrealistic and wasteful ap-proach. By tilting into a curve, the rocket uses gravity to help redirect its thrust from vertical to horizontal. At orbital speed, the spacecraft “falls” around the Earth, with the ground curving away beneath it. This trajectory allows gravity to become a tool rather than an obstacle, reducing the fuel required for orbit and later maneuvers.
So now we know the how but what about the why. Why are we taking multiple missions if we landed on the Moon in 1969 with less comput-ing power than a modern calculator? Why not go straight to a landing? The answer lies in the complexity of deep-space crewed flight and the goal of long-term sustainability.
Artemis I tested the rocket and spacecraft without a crew, validating heat shields, naviga-tion, and propulsion. Artemis II tested life sup-port and human factors. Artemis III will test the Human Landing System and Axiom Space Suits. Only after these steps are complete will Arte-mis IV attempt a crewed landing. Each mission builds on the last, reducing risk and gathering data. This is not a race; it is the construction of an infrastructure meant to last a century.
The final and most important question is why spend an estimated four billion dollars per launch when that money could address prob-lems on Earth? The question isn’t unreasonable. It’s a fair challenge, and one that deserves more than a hand waving answer about inspiration or achievement. The truth is that NASA’s bud-get is less than half a percent of federal spend-ing, with nearly all funding staying within the United States, and the economic return on that investment has historically been enormous. But the price tag isn’t just fuel and hardware. It reflects a decade of development, a workforce numbering tens of thousands spread across all fifty states driving innovation across industries unrelated to the Moon. It strengthens the com-mercial space sector—companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin—which lowers the cost of satellite launches and supports GPS, weather forecasting, and global internet.
Look at the time between Apollo and Artemis. Our blue marble has seen massive technological, medical, and civil revolutions—many driven by the extreme demands of space exploration. Apollo accelerated the development of integrated circuits, modern food safety standards (HACCP), and medical imaging technologies like CAT and MRI scans. It also led to camera sensors, electron-ic flight controls, cordless power tools, wireless health monitors and devices, ICU monitors, laser measurement systems, water purification tech-nologies, memory foam, flame-resistant fabrics, and fire-fighting foams. Aerospace manufactur-ing, robotics, materials science, and energy re-search all advanced because space forced them to.
There is also a geopolitical dimension. China has announced plans for a lunar base and is rap-idly expanding its deep-space capabilities. The Moon is becoming a strategic frontier. Stepping back now would mean ceding leadership in an arena that will shape communications, resource extraction, and international partnerships for decades.
Finally, while inspiration alone may not justify the cost, history shows that inspiration leading to action can reshape society. Apollo sparked a surge in STEM education. Artemis could do the same, motivating students to solve challenges Apollo never faced: growing food in lunar dust, recycling 100% of water, generating nuclear power in a vacuum. These breakthroughs will benefit Earth as much as space.
In the end, the questions people ask after a launch are good ones. They force us to justify the cost, confront environmental impacts, and explain engineering choices that aren’t obvious from the outside. But they also remind us why exploration matters. Artemis is expensive, im-perfect, and ambitious. It is also a testament to the idea that progress is rarely tidy. Humanity moves forward not by avoiding hard problems, but by choosing to face them.
April 2015
April 1962
Artemis II Crew. From left are: Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist; Victor Glover, pilot; Reid Wiseman, commander; and Christina Hammock Koch, mission specialist.
By Dave Roberts, Executive Director
Salmon Brook Historical Society
Gravestones are among the most enduring historical records in New England. Long after houses have vanished and barns have fallen, carved stone markers remain, quietly preserving names, dates, beliefs, and artistic traditions. In Connecticut, gravestone carving devel-oped into a distinctive re-gional craft that reflected both religious culture and the practical ingenuity of its people. Early grave-stones of the 17th and early 18th centuries were carved from local brownstone, sandstone, and slate. These materials were accessible, workable, and durable enough to withstand harsh winters. The markers were simple, with straightforward lettering and modest decoration, serving the solemn purpose of marking a life and affirming faith.
By the mid-18th century, gravestone carving had become more elaborate. Winged skulls, of-ten called death’s heads, symbolized mortality and the soul’s flight to heaven. Later designs featured cherubs or soul effigies, followed by urn-and-willow motifs that reflected changing artistic tastes. Borders grew more refined, let-tering styles evolved, and individual craftsmen developed recognizable styles. Each stone was carved by hand with chisels and mallets, guided by handwritten notes or verbal instructions from grieving families. Even the most skilled carvers sometimes made mistakes. A name might be mis-spelled, a date reversed, or spacing misjudged. Sometimes the stone revealed a hidden flaw only after carving had begun. Because stone cannot be erased or patched, a mistake often meant the gravestone was rejected.
Stone, however, was too valuable to waste. Quarrying and transporting it required real la-bor, and thrift was a way of life. Instead of dis-carding flawed stones, people often reused them as doorsteps, thresholds, steps, foundation blocks, or parts of farm structures. The carved side was sometimes turned downward or hid-den in a wall, the lettering out of sight but still present. Every so often, these reused stones come to light during building repairs or renovations. Someone removing an old step may notice faint lettering underneath, or a foundation repair might reveal a carved border embedded in mor-tar. These discoveries offer small but fascinating glimpses into both human error and the practical resourcefulness that defined early New England communities.
Across Connecticut, burial grounds them-selves tell a larger story. Early towns placed burying grounds near meetinghouses, reflecting the close connection between faith and daily life. As communities grew, smaller neigh-borhood cemeteries and family plots ap-peared. In rural ar-eas, it was common for a small fenced enclosure beside a farmhouse or on a nearby hill to hold several generations of one family. Granby reflects this same pattern. Scattered across town are historic cemeteries and small family burial grounds that document the area’s agricultural and industrial past. Their in-scriptions record familiar names whose descen-dants still live here today. These sites are sacred spaces and invaluable historical records that pre-serve genealogy, social history, and artistic ex-pression in stone.
Stone carving in northwestern Connecticut was often done by itinerant craftsmen or small regional workshops. One carver known in this area was E. Sturges of Hitchcocksville, now Ri-verton, whose work can still be found in local cemeteries. Like many rural artisans, Sturges left subtle signatures in his lettering and decorative details, small clues that historians and genealo-gists continue to study. The story of gravestones, however, includes not only those placed in cem-eteries but also those that were never used. Over the years, several unused or rejected gravestones have come into the care of the Salmon Brook Historical Society. Some contain carving errors, while others show natural flaws that made them unsuitable for their intended purpose. Rather than disappearing into a foundation or stone wall, these pieces were preserved and eventu-ally donated to the Society, offering a rare op-portunity to explore a lesser-known side of early craftsmanship.
The idea of interpreting these stones for the public came from SBHS Curator Martha Miller, who recognized that they tell a story visitors rarely hear. With her encouragement, volun-teers have begun developing a modest outdoor display at the Society’s Salmon Brook Street campus. The Historic Gravestone Interpretive Display will feature several stones arranged as a small educational vignette. It will not resemble a cemetery but rather a historical exhibit with signage explaining how gravestones were com-missioned and carved, how mistakes occurred, and how rejected stones were often reused. The display will also connect visitors to the broader history of Granby’s burial grounds and to local craftsmen such as E. Sturges. Clear signage will note that most of the stones were never installed on graves and that all were lawfully donated.
As with all preservation work, the Society is approaching this project thoughtfully. Each stone’s documentation will be reviewed, and the installation will ensure proper drainage, stabil-ity, and long-term pres-ervation. The goal is to interpret these artifacts respectfully while help-ing visitors better un-derstand the craftsman-ship and history behind them. Gravestones are deeply human objects that represent loss and remembrance, faith and family, artistry and labor. Even unused stones still have something to tell us. A misspelled name or flawed slab reminds us that history is shaped not only by grand events but also by everyday im-perfections. By sharing the story of these unused stones, the Society hopes to illuminate a small but meaningful chapter of Connecticut’s past, one that speaks to craftsmanship, thrift, and the prac-tical character of New England life.
The Salmon Brook Historical Society looks forward to welcoming the public when the new interpretive display opens on Sunday, July 24, at 4 p.m. at the 208 Salmon Brook Street campus. As always, its mission remains the same: to preserve and share Granby’s history—and sometimes that history truly is written in stone.
Dairy farming in Southwick entered a new era with the ar-rival of World War II. As the United States joined the con-flict, farmers were urged to increase food production to support American troops and their allies. At the same time, the farm labor force shrank as young men enlisted or left for factory jobs. Although farm boys could receive draft exemptions if they were es-sential at home, many still volunteered. With fewer hands available, the shift to electric milk-ing machines accelerated, and by the late 1950s the last of Southwick’s hand-milking farmers had retired. My brother Steve and I believe it was our neighbor George Steere on Vining Hill Road, who milked about six cows by hand, who held out the longest.
The return to peacetime brought what many consider the golden age of Southwick dairy farming. Between 1946 and 1970, the number of operating dairy farms reached its peak. Vet-erans returned to family farms or purchased new ones, and electric milking machines made it possible to manage larger herds. Tractors be-came standard equipment, allowing farmers to produce better hay and expand their acreage of chopped corn silage. Improved nutrition meant healthier cows and more milk.
During this period, markets for bottled milk were strong. Baby Boomers were encouraged to drink several glasses a day, and school milk programs flourished with government subsi-dies. Most children brought their weekly “milk money” to school, and I remember bottles cost-ing two cents a day, lat-er five cents. Home de-livery also thrived. Mr. Nutter and his Pioneer Dairy crew were busy supplying households and encouraging local farmers to produce more. Pioneer held the con-tract for Southwick Schools, stocked the dairy cases at Jones Market and Cantell’s Market, and sent delivery trucks throughout town. Wolfe Brothers on Coes Hill Road and Haas Brothers on College Highway both milked cows, bot-tled milk, and operated home delivery routes. Today we might call their work “value-added farming” or “field to table,” though those terms did not yet exist.
By the 1960s, however, a quiet revolution in dairy farming was underway. Herd sizes were increasing, and small-scale farmers were retir-ing as the cost of equipment and services rose. Families also sought a better standard of living, and well-managed herds often produced sur-plus heifers that could be added to the milking herd at little cost. At the same time, farmers rec-ognized that pasture feeding was inconsistent and difficult to manage for larger herds. Cows, like athletes, require balanced nutrition, and pastures varied too much by season and plant type. Moving large herds to and from pasture also became impractical.
A new system emerged: freestall barns paired with milking parlors. Cows could move freely to eat, drink, and rest, while feed was brought to them. Milking took place twice a day in a cen-tral parlor. Haas Brothers Dairy was the first in Southwick—and one of the first in western Mas-sachusetts—to adopt this sys-tem in the early 1960s. Others soon followed. This shift reduced the need for pastureland, which was often unsuitable for other crops due to drainage or rocky soils. Former pastures were harvested for hay or allowed to return to natural cover, while cropland for corn silage became increasingly important. A typical dairy cow required two to three acres of corn and hay per year, and by the late 20th century cropland availability had become a major constraint for Southwick’s remaining dairy farms.
Another major change came with the tran-sition from 10-gallon milk cans to refrigerated bulk tanks in the 1950s. Bulk tanks cooled milk quickly and allowed tank trucks to collect milk from multiple farms every other day. Regula-tors eventually required all dairies to convert, forcing farmers to invest in new equipment and often new milk houses. Those who made the in-vestment typically needed to expand their herds to cover the cost. These technological changes pushed farms to grow or exit the business.
Meanwhile, American consumers were changing how they bought milk. In the 1950s, Southwick had several small grocery stores—Bonini’s (later Cahill’s), Balch’s, Jones Market, and Cantell’s—most of which carried Pioneer or Haas Brothers milk. But by the 1960s, large regional supermarkets such as A&P, First Na-tional, Stop & Shop, Food Mart, and the grow-ing Big Y chain were expanding rapidly. They offered lower prices, more choices, and conve-nient parking, and they advertised heavily. Be-cause milk was a weekly necessity, supermar-kets sold it at the lowest legal price and sourced it from wholesalers or large regional processors like Hood. As a result, most milk consumed in Southwick no longer came from local farms.
Home delivery collapsed during this time. According to the U.S. Department of Agricul-ture, home delivery fell from 70 percent of all bottled milk in 1940 to just 27 percent by 1970. Haas Brothers Dairy was an early casualty, and Wolfe Brothers followed later. Charlie Wolfe, who later became Southwick’s chief of police, was my family’s last milkman. Fewer delivery trucks parked behind Pioneer Dairy, and fewer traveled through our neighborhoods.
Henry and Dick Haas, who operated the dairy farm across from where I grew up on Col-lege Highway, tried to adapt to changing con-sumer habits. They built a drive-up milk stand where customers could purchase milk and a few other dairy products without leaving their cars. The attendant took the order, retrieved the items, and handed them through the car win-dow. It was remarkably convenient, but most people still chose supermarkets or, increasingly, convenience stores. After a few years, the milk stand closed.
Cumberland Farms, founded in 1958 by a dairy farming family from eastern Massachu-setts, expanded rapidly during the 1960s. Al-though I do not recall a Southwick location until the 1970s, their model—long hours, quick ser-vice, and milk sold at the lowest legal price—proved successful. They later added cigarettes and other high-margin items. In many ways, Henry and Dick Haas had anticipated this mod-el, though their version arrived just a bit too early.
Southwick dairy farmers continued to market their milk through Pioneer Dairy and, increas-ingly, through the regional cooperative Yankee Milk, now Agri-Mark. But their local advantage had largely disappeared. To survive, they need-ed to remain cost-competitive with farms across New England and eastern New York.
The next part will conclude our series.
Part 2
By Jim Putnam II
The 250th anniversary of General Henry Knox’s remarkable trek to Boston has brought renewed appreciation for one of New England’s most dramatic contributions to the Revolution-ary War. As the nation prepares to mark the Semiquintennial of American independence this July, our region reflects on the extraordinary journey Knox and his men undertook between late November 1775 and March 17, 1776. Over the course of roughly 300 miles, they transport-ed more than 100 cannons from Fort Ticond-eroga, New York, to Boston using oxen, horses, and sheer determination. Their arrival provided General George Washington with the artillery that ultimately forced the British to withdraw from Massachusetts.
Fifty years ago, during the 1976 Bicentennial, this feat was reenacted in full. Participants trav-eled the entire route in period clothing, guiding oxen and horses through snow and bitter cold as cheering crowds greeted them in every town. The journey was documented extensively on film and video, preserving a vivid record of the effort.
This year’s commemoration honors that leg-acy, though many who took part in 1976 are no longer able to repeat the trek. Planning for the 2026 events has been underway for years, with ma-jor stops includ-ing Springfield Armory, where a marching band performed in the parking lot as light snow fell. The procession continued to Sturbridge, where visitors enjoyed cannon demonstrations, military displays, ani-mals used in the transport, and reenactors in historically accurate attire. From there, the route moved on to the American Antiquarian Soci-ety in Worcester, Framingham’s Village Hill and Green, Cambridge’s Longfellow House, Roxbury’s First Church, and finally Dorchester Heights on March 17.
It was there, in 1776, that the sight of the new-ly positioned artillery prompted British General William Howe to remark, “My God, these fel-lows have done more work in one night than I could make my army do in three months.” The date later became known as Evacuation Day, marking the British departure from Massachu-setts.
The 2026 celebrations extended well beyond the larger cities. When the horse-drawn sledges crossed from New York into Massachusetts at 10 a.m. on January 10, a brief wreath-laying cere-mony by the Daughters of the American Revolu-tion took place in Alford. The procession contin-ued through North Egremont, Great Barrington, and Monterey, where reenactors offered short readings and rifle salutes, before moving on to West Otis.
On January 11, a day many of us had eager-ly anticipated since October 2025, Blandford hosted its bonfire and official 250th-anniversary observance. A large crowd gathered at the fair-grounds, warming themselves by the fire as re-enactors portrayed Solomon Brown, General Knox, Levi Pease, and Jethro Jones. Familiar lo-cal faces such as Jim Putnam II and Mr. Zanolli joined the event, along with teamster horses, oxen, and a family from Maryland dressed in full colonial attire. The evening concluded with cannon fire, creating one of the most memorable historical experiences I expect to look back on for years to come.
A notable historical detail highlighted during the Blandford lectures was the difficulty of the descent into Russell. Although the Berkshires posed rugged terrain throughout the trek, the steep, rocky path along what is now Route 23 proved the most treacherous. The route later earned the name “The Devil’s Staircase,” a title given more out of respect for its danger than su-perstition.
With additional Revolutionary-era articles to come in the months ahead, I encourage read-ers to take part in at least one commemorative event. These moments allow future generations to say they were present for history in the mak-ing and help us appreciate the enduring story of our nation’s early struggles and triumphs.
By Todd Shiveley
The Happiness
Principle
I once heard about a kindergarten teacher who wanted to teach her students about self-es-teem. She told the class, “Everyone who thinks they’re dumb, please stand up.” She didn’t ex-pect anyone to rise, but after a moment little Johnny stood up. Surprised, she asked, “John-ny, do you really think you’re dumb?” He said, “No, ma’am, I just hated to see you standing there all by yourself.” I may not be too smart, but I know I’m writing to smart people today, because you made the wise decision to turn to this page and keep reading. I want to talk about how to hold on to happiness.
Emotionally healthy people learn to let go of the past. We all make mistakes, and we all carry a little baggage. I think of the priest who was being honored at a retirement dinner after 25 years of service. While waiting for a delayed speaker, he told the crowd that on his first day the very first person who came to confession ad-mitted to stealing from his parents, embezzling from his employer, and having an affair with his boss’s wife. The priest was appalled, but soon learned his people were good and loving. Just then the politician who had been late burst in, took the podium, and proudly announced that he had been the first person to go to the priest for confession. The truth is, we all have a past, and none of us are perfect. But wise people learn from their mistakes instead of dwelling on them. The Bible says there is forgiveness, and Jesus said He came not to condemn but to save. God is eager to forgive, so stop beating yourself up and let go of the past.
Letting go makes room to live fully in the present. I think of 80-year-old Mae, who sat at lunch with her friends and ordered apple pie with two scoops of ice cream. Her friends ques-tioned her choice, but Mae smiled and said she had realized how old she was and wanted to live every day to the fullest. There were sundaes to enjoy, beaches to walk, movies to cry at, and jokes to laugh at. She wanted to feel the ocean spray on her face and maybe even fall in love again. Her friend quickly told the waitress, “I’ll have what she’s having.” Jesus said He came so we might have life and live it to the fullest. Life can be difficult, but even in hardship there are moments of beauty.
I think of Mary, who was battling cancer and lived alone with her big old dog, Lucky. The night before she went into the hospital for sur-gery, she cuddled him and said, “Don’t be sad, Lucky. Someone’s going to come every day to take care of you.” Her recovery was long, and when she finally returned home, she was so ex-hausted she lay down on the couch and called for Lucky. He stood watching her but didn’t come. She felt a little hurt, but soon drifted off to sleep. When she woke, she sensed something was wrong. Her body felt heavy and hot, but panic turned to laughter when she realized she was covered with Lucky’s toys. Every stuffed animal and every treasure he owned had been piled on top of her, and then he had laid down on top of the pile. Lucky had covered her with his love. In the same way, God wants to cover us with His love and fill our days with His gifts. Every day He is the giver of good things, so live each one to the fullest.
There is also comfort in knowing our future is secure. I think of the doctor who told a pa-tient, “I’ve got bad news and really bad news. The bad news is you have 24 hours to live. The really bad news is I’ve been trying to reach you since yesterday.” If you ever receive news like that, remember the good news Jesus gave: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live even if he dies.” We don’t have to fear death, because Jesus conquered it. The mo-ment we draw our last breath on earth, we draw our first breath in heaven. We won’t be like the jumpy taxi driver who screamed when a pas-senger tapped him on the shoulder, then apolo-gized and said it was his first day driving a cab after 25 years of driving a hearse. One day death will tap each of us on the shoulder, but we don’t have to be afraid. Jesus said He would prepare a place for us and come back to take us there. Our past is forgiven, our present is meant to be enjoyed, and our future is in heaven.
10-5
By Diana Bazyk
The story of Our Lady of the Lake Parish is the story of a vineyard planted in faith, tended with devotion, shaped by hardship, and renewed by the hands and hearts of its people. What began as a scattered mission community in the 1940s grew into a flourishing parish rooted in the towns of Southwick, Granville, and Tolland.
In the early years, local Catholics traveled miles to attend Mass at St. Mary’s in Westfield, often walking along railroad tracks through mud and snow. When travel became difficult during wartime gasoline rationing, priests from St. Mary’s celebrated Mass in borrowed spac-es, including a school basement and Dominick Gavioli’s shuttered restaurant, where benches were set on the dance floor and the altar stood where the bar once was. These makeshift cha-pels became sacred gathering places supported by families who offered their labor, by priests who traveled to serve the mission, and by the Women’s Guild, who provided linens and vest-ments
As the Catholic population grew, the need for a permanent church became clear. In 1945, Fa-ther James Kirby of St. Mary’s announced that a church would be built on a three-acre parcel donated by Daniel and Margaret Keenan. Con-struction of the church basement began in Sep-tember 1947, and the first Mass was celebrated there on Easter Sunday in 1948. By then, the mis-sion had expanded from fifty families to more than two hundred and was functioning like a true parish, with religious education led by the nuns at St. Mary’s and active men’s and wom-en’s clubs. Fundraisers such as carnivals, card parties, lawn parties, and spaghetti suppers be-came both social lifelines and the financial back-bone of the dream to complete the church.
In 1951, that dream became reality when Our Lady of the Lake was officially established as a parish and Father Thomas Shea was appointed its first pastor. Under his leadership, daily Mass, expanded devotional services, and a strength-ened religious education program took root. He arranged bus transportation so children across town could attend catechism classes, and youth programs flourished, including a teen group and a spirited Boy Scout band. The men’s and women’s groups thrived as well, hosting com-munion breakfasts and guest speakers. The up-per church was completed in 1961 and blessed in 1962, its red brick exterior and soaring wood-en ceiling becoming a familiar landmark. The parish honored Father Shea with celebrations for his 25th and 30th ordination anniversaries and later with a heartfelt farewell.
From 1964 to 1993, the parish experienced vigorous growth under pastors including Fa-ther Hanrahan, Father Sears, Father Flahive, and Father Menge. They guided the community through the changes of Vatican II, which intro-duced English to the Mass, encouraged congre-gational singing, and expanded the role of the laity. Music ministry flourished with choirs, can-tors, folk groups, and dedicated organists. Ecu-menical partner-ships with local churches deep-ened through shared prayer services, carol-ing, and com-munity events. The opening of the parish con-vent in 1970, staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph, became one of the most transformative devel-opments of the era. Their presence shaped gen-erations of children and brought stability, com-passion, and a strong commitment to education. Youth programs blossomed with Bible schools, summer camps, teen groups, and a vibrant reli-gious education program supported by the Sis-ters.
In 1981, the parish celebrated its 30th anni-versary with a Mass of Thanksgiving and the blessing of a new steeple. The following year brought a moment of spiritual significance when the parish welcomed the Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, drawing crowds for prayer and reflection. Parish life was rich with celebra-tions, including picnics, dances, variety shows, bazaars, and anniversary events. Fundraising remained essential through card parties, rum-mage sales, bake sales, and the beloved Fun N’ Frolic festival. As pastors were reassigned, the parish responded with gratitude and unity.
From 1993 to 2026, the parish entered a period of pruning as attendance declined, yet its core community remained steadfast. Mass schedules were adjusted, new prayer services were intro-duced, and spiritual enrichment opportunities grew through healing services, missions, devo-tions, Eucharistic processions, and special litur-gies. The Faith Formation Center, completed in 2012 after years of planning and fundraising, became a vital cornerstone of parish life. With classrooms, a library, meeting spaces, and Mar-ian Hall, it revitalized religious education and created a welcoming home for children’s litur-gy, adult formation, and parish gatherings. The program adapted through the loss of bus ser-vice, shifting schedules, and the disruptions of the COVID pandemic, eventually forming a re-gional collaborative with St. John’s in Agawam.
Outreach efforts remained strong through monthly service at the Westfield Soup Kitchen, CROP Walk participation, Operation Rice Bowl, food pantry collections, baby showers for moth-ers in need, winter coat drives, and the Care Package Program during COVID. The Knights of Columbus became a pillar of service and fel-lowship, supporting families, sponsoring youth events, assisting with parish projects, and host-ing social gatherings from Winter Picnics to Breakfast with Santa. Parish life continued to be marked by joyful traditions such as picnics, Western Parties, Bavarian Fests, movie nights, Trunk or Treat, Easter egg hunts, and Christmas celebrations. The 50th anniversary in 2000–2001 was a golden jubilee of Masses, festivals, con-tests, and community pride.
As pastors came and went, including Father Hallahan, Father Dorsch, and Father Guidi, the parish honored each with gratitude. Father Dorsch’s 50th anniversary as a priest and his farewell were moments of deep communal af-fection, and Father Guidi’s departure in 2025 was met with both sadness and pride as he took on a larger diocesan role. The arrival of Father Alex Asamoah marked a new chapter rooted in hope and guided by a clear vision for the future.
Today, the vineyard continues to grow—smaller in number but strong in spirit. With re-newed focus on community engagement, youth involvement, enriched worship, and revitalized faith formation, Our Lady of the Lake remains a beacon of hope, love, and enduring faith, a community sustained by perseverance, gener-osity, and the belief that with careful tending, the vineyard will always bear fruit.
Footsteps
Footsteps
in the
Sand
in the
Sand
By Michael Dubilo
Many of us enjoy walking on the beach on a warm, sun-filled day, leaving behind footprints pressed into the soft, welcoming sand. This sim-ple seasonal activity offers surprising benefits for the body. The coarse sand gently stimulates the nerve endings on the soles of the feet. These nerves help us feel touch, pain, and pressure, and they respond well to natural stimulation. Walking on sand also supports cardiovascular health. From athletes using the resistance of sand to build strength to elders building endur-ance through slow, steady steps. Breathing in fresh salt air adds its own bit of health and joy.
Even in faith the sands can show progress. In the brighter moments, a man saw two sets of footprints but in the harder times, he saw one set and wondered why. His faith told him that in those hard times he was carried by Je-sus. The thought reminded him that even in dif-ficult seasons, people often carry one another through challenges in ways not always visible at the time.
We are, in many ways, like works of crafts-manship—shaped by experience, strengthened by adversity, and enriched by the passage of time. Even the rusty or disappointing chapters of life can become meaningful. Like a cherished piece of driftwood shaped by wind and waves, cast aside on a beach shore as useless, can be-come treasures in the hands of someone with vision. Some people distress new lumber to im-itate the weathered but real, timeworn boards carry a character that cannot be replicated. In the same way, elders rich with experience and wisdom offer depth that newer, less seasoned lives have not yet developed.
As you move through life, forge your own meaningful footprints. Give others the chance to notice the kindness, depth, and purpose you leave behind. Each of us has something valu-able to offer, and our actions can inspire those searching for encouragement. Strive toward your potential, knowing that your presence matters. We and others will cheer you on as you walk forward on the good path of life.
To include your event, please send information by the 1st of the month. We will print as many listings as space allows. Our usual publication date is around the 10th of the month. Email to: magazine@southwoods.info.
Our Lady of the Lake
75th Anniversary Events
May 5th 6:30pm - History & Memorabilia Open House and Guest Speaker: You are invited to journey back to the beginning of our parish. Come witness our humble beginnings and learn about the events and people who helped shape our faith community.
June 21st 10am - 75th Anniversary Mass with Bishop Byrne: We welcome Bishop Byrne as he celebrates our 75th anniversary.
June 28th 10am - 75th Anniversary Mass and Parish Picnic: The culmination of our anniversary celebrations! Please join us for 10am Mass followed by a picnic for our parish family where all are welcome! For more information: ollth@gmail.com
Southwick Historical SocietyAnnual Pork Dinner &The Hartford Circus Fire
Thursday April 23, 2026 - Business meeting 6:00, Dinner 6:30 - 7:30, Presentation 7:30 A circus fire occurred on July 6, 1944, in Hartford, killing at least 167 people and leaving more than 700 injured. It was one of the worst fire disasters in United States history and changed fire safety regulations nationwide. Presenter: Jason Scappaticci. CATERED DINNER - Roast Pork dinner with all the fixings $25 Reservations required Please call 413-210-5870 by April 15, 2026
Salmon Brook Historical
Spring Flea Market
Saturday May 16 - from 9am to 4 pm on the Society’s grounds. 20x20 ft spaces are $40 if received by May 9, $50 if received after May 9. Free parking and free admission. Rain or shine. Please contact Todd Vibert at 860-307-6171 to reserve your space. 208 Salmon Brook Street, Granby CT
St. Joseph’s Church
Community Baked Ham Dinner
April 19th - Westfield, MA: St. Joseph’s National Catholic Church at 73 Main Street in Westfield is hosting a Community Dinner on Sunday, April 19th at 12 noon. This community dinner will feature Glazed Baked Ham, Roasted Potato Medley and Corn Off the Cob. Dessert served will be Boston Cream Pie. Coffee, Cranberry Juice and Bottled Water is also included.
Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Everyone is welcome. To purchase tickets and reserve your place, text or telephone Cliff at (413) 977-2007. If leaving a message, provide your name and telephone number. Take-Out Meals-To-Go will be available for pick-up at 12:30pm. When ordering tickets, indicate if dinners are To-Go. Deadline for purchasing tickets is April 16th. All community members are welcome. Please join us for a wonderful and delicious Sunday dinner!
Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum
Book Sale
April 23, 24, 25 - Book sale will be held at the Church on Thursday, April 23, 10-7; Friday, April 24, 10-5; and Saturday, April 25, 10-2. On Thursday only, we are offering a $5.00 discount for educators (bring your ID!) and new Friends members joining at the door. The Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum is an all-volunteer 501(C)3 not-for-profit organization that supports the programs and services of the Westfield Athenaeum.
YMCA of Greater WestfieldHealthy Kids Day
Saturday, April 25th 10am - 2pm - FREE event and open to the community. Join us for family fitness classes, a look into our new NinjaZone, outdoor games and aquatics safety information! 67 Court St, Westfield, MA 01085 413-568-8631 westfieldymca.org
SRS VS WTA TIGERSBaseball Game
Saturday, May 2nd - All proceeds benefits the RD26 Foundation in memory of Ryan Jude Doyle. JV @ 1pm. Varsity @ 4pm. Rain Date May 3rd. Whalley Park Southwick, MA. Cash Only event $5 Adults $3 Students. Raffle, Bake Sale, Concessions.
COUNTRY PEDDLER
CLASSIFIEDS
GOODS & SERVICES
DELREO HOME IMPROVEMENT for all your exterior home improvement needs, ROOFING, SIDING, WINDOWS, DOORS, DECKS & GUTTERS extensive references, fully licensed & insured in MA & CT. Call Gary Delcamp 413-569-3733
RECORDS WANTED BY COLLECTOR - Rock & Roll, Country, Jazz of the 50’s and 60’s All speeds. Sorry - no classical, showtunes, polkas or pop. Fair prices paid. No quantity too small or too large. Gerry 860-402-6834 or G.Crane@cox.net
GOODS & SERVICES
Lakeside Property management - For all your landscaping needs. Mowing, new lawn installs, sod, mulch/stone installation, bush trimming, retaining walls, snow plowing/removal, etc. Serving Southwick, Suffield, Granby, Agawam, Westfield, Simsbury. Residential and commercial. Call Joe 413-885-8376. Give us a call and let us get that property looking the way you want it! Now accepting major credit cards.
The granby motel- 551 Salmon Brook Street Granby, CT 06035. Room for rent, weekly, daily, & monthly. Wifi available. Stove, Refrigerator, Kitchen. LONG TERM RENTAL AVAILABLE AT AFFORDABLE PRICE. Ask for Mike Shaw. 860-653-2553
St. Jude’s Novena - May the sacred heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now, and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus pray for us. St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer 9 times a day. By the 8th day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised. Thank you St. Jude. ..- MM
St. Jude’s Novena - May the sacred heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now, and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus pray for us. St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer 9 times a day. By the 8th day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised. Thank you St. Jude. ..- DG
