By Clifton J. Noble, Sr.
February 1, Thursday. Baby Jerry (born April 21, 1961) is nine months old. He can take a few steps holding on to the top rail of his play pen. He also can throw a ball to Elizabeth or me.
February 2, Friday. The governor and other officials claim “shock” at hearing there is a num-ber pool in the state house. Al Murphy, the other assistant survey supervisor exclaims, “What hypocrites!”
February 3, Saturday. Grippe kept me in bed most of the day. I am glad our well water sup-ply is so good as I don’t have to go to the brook for pails of water to flush the toilet or wash. 4:40 p.m. I shoveled the driveway and went to the launderette. Neil Wheeler arrived. He says Western Mass Electric Company has laid off 25 men and cut pay of 25 more due to automation of sub-stations.
February 4, Sunday. The Barnes children were out sliding on Herrick Road. At the end they veer right across our school yard to avoid slipping out onto Carrington Road and getting hit by a car.
February 5, Monday. This afternoon the Atwaters (E’s folks) brought beans, cake and pie, and saw baby stand by himself. He slept through most of the night. Al Kacavich has been demoted and sent back to his permanent grade in Maintenance in the Worcester District. Bob Crovo is having the upstairs floors sanded in the Dutch Colonial house he bought on Bridge Street, Northampton. His wife is very happy with the place.
February 6, Tuesday. A lady from Bland-ford who comes in the laundry says her name is Coash. She goes over to the Glen bar for quick ones. I asked if she was mother to Leon at the Bridge Store. She is his sister in law. He is French. She and Leon’s wife are Irish. Leon has bought the block with post office in Woronoco and reopened the store there. He still drums in his own band. They play regularly at Todd Morden Lodge in Cummington. He had me play guitar and sing with them at a school dance in Huntington.
February 8, Thursday. A reply was waiting at post office that the editors of Grade Teacher plan to use my poem “June Time.”
February 10, Saturday. When asked to “show” his toy dog baby will put his hand on Waldo’s head. He will also wave to people.
February 11, Sunday. New robes for the choir were ready at church this morning.
February 12, Monday. I almost fell asleep driving from Chicopee to Westfield on the turnike.
February 13, Tuesday. I left for Northamp-ton before 7 a.m. to arrange with Jack Burns to have the department’s rowboat delivered to the river bend by Route 20 in West Springfield. I got a message to Louis Johnson to come to Tatham to work with Crovo on the river survey and stayed to help them.
February 15, Thursday. I had to use chains to get out and collect time sheets, but got home without them. E had nurse Jean Watson do our laundry which saved my doing it.
February 16, Friday. I studied and got a little more about differential calculus into my head, also finished reading Life with Father by Clar-ence Day aloud to E.
February 17, Saturday. I worked on income tax. Bending and shoveling gives me a backache.
February 18, Sunday. Marian Avery did the solo and the anthem went well. I re-hearsed the spiritu-al without playing organ so the choir to sang unaccompa-nied and that went surprisingly well. E had ham for din-ner. Baby did all his tricks for my moth-er, and she rocked him to sleep before I took her back to Westfield at 4 p.m.
February 19, Monday. Supervisor George Berry quoted, “Man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward.” I thought it was from Prov-erbs but found it at Job 5:7.
February 21, Wednesday. Evidently I have caught the flu. I phoned Marian Avery and she will get Mrs Bardsley to play for church Sunday.
February 22. Thursday. I was very unwell. I couldn’t shovel, so prayed as I lay in bed. Heard a noise. Mr. Barnes was clearing my driveway with the plow on his Jeep. I went to the laundry without chains, leaving the garage door open so I could drive in without getting stuck, but the Barnes’ hound dog Sport got in and upset the junk. E was trying to pick it up and get it out of the way.
February 23, Friday. I collected time sheets but let someone else to deliver them to Green-field. E had Jean do laundry so I wouldn’t have to go out again. By the time she returned with wash the congestion in my chest had actually started to break up.
February 24, Saturday. I started to shovel, but Mr. Barnes stopped with plow, and wouldn’t take any pay. E did baby’s wash in sink so I wouldn’t have to go to laundry.
February 26, Monday. 7:15 to laundry with chains on car. Read calculus, Spanish and Ro-man history. I finished Federal and State in-come taxes. 5:30 p.m. phoned my mother. She is relieved that I am so much better. Time sheets won’t be in till Wednesday so I don’t plan to go out till then.
February 27, Tuesday. Mailed my income tax returns.
February 28, Wednesday. Made it to Green-field to take care of time sheets. Arranged with Crovo to return boat to theLocust Street garage.
By Bernadette Gentry
With the snow, ice, cold temperatures and strong winds.
winter’s power seems relentless and spring so far away.
Yet, the days slowly lengthen, and the sun’s rays melt the ice on the front steps.
The sap begins to flow in the trees and maple sugaring begins.
Little by little, the days’ light changes as we head towards March,
and spring begins again.
And, let us remember that with Valentine’s Day,
February is the month of love!
And, that brings joy to the heart!
February
Thoughts
Left: Westfield River Bend partly filled in on left to widen Route 20 in 1962, Right: West Springfield Route 20 curve, center background, widened 1962
Jerry senior with Jerry Junior, February 1962
February
1962
Okay, I’m a farming nerd. I am fascinated by all things farming—cropland, tractors, other farming equipment, and how it is done. Above all, I enjoy and respect people who farm. I grew up the son of Southwick farmers and proudly worked for a farmer-owned cooperative for 43 years. This is a story that probably only a farm-ing nerd would write. Still, for those who enjoy living among Southwick’s farmscapes, it tells of our lands history.
Have you noticed most of Southwick’s former shade tobacco farms lay along and east of Col-lege Highway, while most former dairy farms were west of it, with a few exceptions. Relatively flat fields with nearby curing sheds define the shade tobacco farmscape—think of the beauti-fully maintained Robert E. Arnold Tobacco Farm just south of the Notch Travel Center, or the South Longyard Flats, once farmed by the Hath-away Steane Corporation and now meticulously cultivated by Calabrese Farms. Gambrel-roofed barns, upright silos, and adjacent pastureland characterize the dairy farmscape. Examples in-clude what was once the Barnes Farm, then Co-rona Farm, and now Westfield River Brewing, as well as the John Brzoska Farm on Hillside Road, still well kept by that family.
College Highway became the dividing line between these two farming landscapes because, according to Lee Hamberg, the “Simsbury Road” (now College Highway) was chosen as the most direct and practical route from Westfield to Sims-bury, Conn. Early travelers using dirt roads, ox carts, and horses sought better-drained ground not prone to flooding from Great Brook, espe-cially south of today’s village center. The route was also less hilly than the land just to the west, making it the natural corridor through South-wick.
The idea that geology is destiny becomes clear when looking at where crops thrive. Soil, drain-age, and exposure all reflect ancient geologi-cal forces, and in Southwick that story begins about 25,000 years ago during the last Ice Age, when the Laurentide Ice Sheet crept south from Canada across New England. Southwick sits in a small north–south valley framed by ridges. To the east rise the Metacomet (Traprock) Range—West Suffield Mountain, the Rising Corner Gap, and Provin Mountain. To the west stand the Berkshire Hills, including Sodom and Drake Mountains. The valley floor, especially east of College Highway, holds the lowest elevations. From above, the landscape forms a north–south chute, with College Highway marking where the land begins to rise toward the Berkshire foot-hills.
As the glacier moved southward, it scraped away soil, clay, sand, gravel, and loose rock—acting like a massive geological bulldozer. Bed-rock was exposed in many places, especially at higher elevations west of College Highway. This geological mayhem continued as, by about 21,000 years ago, the glacier reached pres-ent-day southern Connecticut. As temperatures warmed, it began melting and retreating north. The debris it had carried—glacial till—was re-deposited across New England. Where mate-rial settled depended on particle size, meltwater speed, and land elevation. Boulders and large stones dropped close to the glacier’s edge, while sand, silt, and clay traveled much farther. Huge volumes of these lighter particles washed south to the ocean, eventually forming the offshore sandbar we know as Long Island.
Around 15,000 years ago, glacial debris cre-ated a natural dam on the Connecticut River at Rocky Hill, Connecticut, forming Glacial Lake Hitchcock. The lake stretched north through the Connecticut Valley of Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. About 12,000 years ago, the dam failed, and the lake drained to the sea. Lake Hitchcock covered much of what is now eastern Southwick. Soil maps indicate its west-ern shoreline or high-water mark lay roughly along today’s College Highway. Southwick Hill and Millers Hill remained above the water, like-ly as islands.
Lake Hitchcock played a crucial role in form-ing the deep gravel deposits that later made ideal shade tobacco fields. When muddy water enters still water, suspended particles settle to the bottom. For roughly 3,000 years, torrents of glacial meltwater flowed into Lake Hitchcock, dropping layer upon layer of sand, silt, and clay. As the lake drained, additional deposits accu-mulated. These sediments became the soil foun-dation of Southwick’s shade tobacco industry.
The rest of Southwick, especially west of Col-lege Highway, was shaped differently. Higher ground had been scraped close to bedrock, and meltwater left a thinner, more variable mix of sand, clay, gravel, and stones. Soil depth and quality changed dramatically with elevation and distance from meltwater channels.
After the glacier retreated and Lake Hitchcock drained, the land was still not ready for farm-ing. Grasses, shrubs, and eventually trees took root, followed by wildlife. Over centuries, gla-cial deposits mixed with decaying plant and ani-mal matter to form topsoil. Temperature swings, rainfall, and drainage patterns all influenced the development of this fertile layer, which later supported Native American agriculture and, in the 1700s and 1800s, European settlement.
The former lakebed also developed fertile topsoil, but its fields drained earlier in spring and after rains, and they dried out quickly dur-ing summer droughts. Much of this land likely never grew the dense forests found west of Col-lege Highway. At the time of settlement, it prob-ably resembled today’s Massachusetts Wildlife Reserve on South Longyard.
Shade tobacco farming arrived in the early 1900s, drawn to soils that drained well and could be worked early in spring. Large fields were not essential but were more efficient, making the broad, flat former lakebed especially attractive. As a lucrative crop, shade tobacco quickly trans-formed the landscape with poles, wires, and curing sheds. Fields near the Congamond Lakes, Goose Pond, or Great Brook also benefited from reliable irrigation during dry summers. Except for the former Lambson Farm on South Loomis Street—now Sodom Mountain Farm—very little land west of College Highway was suitable for shade production.
Western Southwick, by contrast, is a varied terrain of hills, swamps, streams, forests, and ex-posed bedrock. It is excellent grass country. The ground drains and warms slowly after winter, but it retains moisture through most summers, supporting strong pasture growth. Brooks and small ponds provide water for livestock, and scattered small fields can be plowed and culti-vated on gentler slopes.
In the next Southwoods, I will begin the story of Southwick dairy farming. For now, those who live locally are invited to enjoy our farmscapes with a new “farming nerd” appreciation for how they came to be.
Southwick’s Farmscapes
By Jim Putnam II
By Southwoods
In the old telling, they say the winter did not .merely arrive... it awakened. Gather close, for the elders still speak of a winter when the sky itself seemed to test the courage of the Northeast. It began on a Christmas long ago, in 1947, when the first great storm came not with thunder or fury, but with a quiet that felt older than memory. No one saw it coming, for it crept in from the Atlantic in a strange, backward way, slipping past the watchful eyes of weather sta-tions and forecasters. One moment the world was as it had always been; the next, snow was falling in the dark hours before dawn.
They say that in New York City, people woke to three inches already on the ground, and still they went about their business, trusting a fore-cast that promised only “occasional flurries.” But as the day wore on, the air thickened with flakes so large and so many that it became hard to see across the street. The snow fell without letup, through morning, afternoon, night a steady, silent descent that felt almost deliberate. By the time the storm ended, more than two feet lay across the great city, and in some boroughs the drifts rose higher than a child’s head.
The storm had no howling winds, no scream-ing blizzard voice. The Weather Bureau would not even call it a blizzard. Yet it brought the Northeast to its knees. Buses and automobiles froze in place. Subways halted. Coal deliveries faltered, and families huddled in the few homes warmed by underground gas or wood fed fire-places. In some places, snow piled so high that people dumped it into rivers or down into the city’s warm sewers just to make room for more.
But that was only the beginning. For the win-ter that followed, the winter of 1948, became one of the snowiest the Northeast had ever known. Boston, far to the north, would remember it as the fourth snowiest season in its long history, with 89.2 inches falling before the thaw. Across the region, temperatures sank well below the old averages, and the cold held the first great snowfall on the ground until March, as if winter itself wished to leave its mark.
After the great Christmas storm, the sky gath-ered its strength again. In late January, another blizzard swept the Eastern Seaboard. This one came with sleet and heavy snow, and the drifts inland rose over six feet. Lives were lost. Trains stalled for days. Travelers slept in hotel lobbies. Roads vanished beneath white walls of wind shaped snow.
Then February brought yet another blow. A mid winter storm spread 6 to 10 inches across the Middle Atlantic and New England states, making flight impossible. In some places, winds reached hurricane force, whipping the snow into drifts as high as 15 feet and burying houses up to their windowsills.
Through it all, the people of the Northeast endured. They dug out their neighbors’ door-ways. They shared heat when coal ran low. They cleared roads without modern radar or the powerful plows we know today. The season became remembered not only for its storms, but for the “neighborly cooperation” that carried towns and cities through the long cold.
And so, when the elders speak of that win-ter, they do not speak only of inches and tem-peratures, though the records remain: 26.4 inch-es falling in one day for one city, 89.2 inches marked the entire season in another, drifts ris-ing ten, twelve, fifteen feet. They speak of a sea-son when storms came like chapters in a single tale — the quiet giant of ’47, the fierce January blizzard, and the February storm — each one a reminder of how small we are before the sky, and how strong we become when we stand to-gether beneath it. That is the winter the North remembers.
By Dave Roberts,VP, Salmon Brook Historical Society
Granby has always been a town where com-munity comes first. You see it in the way we gather for local events, support our farms, pre-serve our history, and pass traditions from one generation to the next. Few institutions embody that spirit more deeply—or more enduringly—than Granby Grange #5, a fixture of our civic and agricultural life since the nineteenth cen-tury.
Founded in 1875, just two years after the Na-tional Grange expanded into Connecticut, Gran-by Grange quickly established itself as a hub for farmers, families, and civic-minded residents. It was here that neighbors met not just to discuss farming practices, but also to build fellowship, advocate for rural needs, and strengthen the so-cial fabric of town life.
One of the most remarkable facts in our Grange’s proud history is that the very first Connecticut State Grange President (then re-ferred to as Master), Harvy Godard, hailed from right here at Granby Grange #5. His leadership during the early formation of the State Grange helped set the tone for decades of service, edu-cation, and community improvement through-out Connecticut. Many Granges across the state can trace their organizational lineage back to the influence that began in our own town.
If the Grange hall walls could talk, they’d tell a story just as fascinating as the organization it-self. The current building did not begin its life as a Grange hall at all—it started as a one-room schoolhouse serving local students, when Gran-by’s neighborhoods were dotted with small district schools. As the community grew and needs changed, the building later served as the Granby Town Hall, hosting meetings and local government business.
When the Grange acquired the structure, it was not yet in its current location. In a feat that would impress any modern engineer (and probably baffled quite a few horses and wagons at the time), the building was moved roughly 150 feet to its present location. This relocation allowed the Grange to expand its activities, im-prove access, and situate the hall on a better foundation—all while preserving the iconic, fa-miliar look of the beloved structure.
Today, the hall still stands proudly at the cor-ner of North Granby Road and Sakrison Road, welcoming members, guests, and visitors much as it has for more than a century.
Inside the hall hangs a unique and charming artifact: a poster entitled “Gift for the Grang-ers.” Many visitors remark on its vivid imagery and period-style artwork depicting agricultural life and the ideals of the Grange movement. But what makes the piece truly special is its prov-enance.
The poster was donated by Mrs. Beatrice Au-erbach, the famed owner and president of G. Fox & Company, one of New England’s most influential department stores. Known both for her business leadership and her generous phi-lanthropy, Mrs. Auerbach personally gifted this poster to Granby Grange. Why? Simply because she admired the Grange’s mission and recognized the essential role rural communities played in the life and economy of Connecticut.
Her donation, which still hangs prominently on the wall today, is a reminder not only of the Grange’s cultural influence but also of the es-teem in which others held this small but vibrant agricultural lodge. Every time I walk by it, I’m reminded of the timeless relationship between local communities and the broader forces that shape our state’s history.
Some organizations fade over time, their mis-sions overshadowed by modern life. But Gran-by Grange #5 is flourishing today, continuing its long tradition of civic engagement, community service, and agricultural education. Under the leadership of President Judy Doyle, the Grange remains as active as ever—hosting events, orga-nizing service projects, providing scholarships, supporting local farms, and keeping alive the rural heritage that has defined Granby for gen-erations.
Meetings are balanced between history and forward-looking discussion. Members range from long-standing residents to newer families seeking connection. And the Grange hall, lov-ingly maintained and filled with reminders of its long past, remains a warm and welcoming space for all who enter.
As Vice President of the Salmon Brook His-torical Society, I am often asked what makes a place historically significant. My answer is al-ways the same: a building or organization mat-ters when it helps tell the story of a communi-ty’s people, values, and resilience.
Granby Grange #5 does exactly that. It re-minds us that progress and preservation can go hand in hand, that community service never goes out of style, and that even a modest one-room schoolhouse can become a symbol of strength and continuity.
The Grange’s story is, in many ways, Gran-by’s story—rooted in the land, shaped by hard work, enriched by fellowship, and carried for-ward by generations who believe in leaving their town better than they found it.
And as long as the lights are on at Granby Grange Hall and neighbors continue to gather there, that story will keep growing—just as it has for nearly 150 years.
If you would like to support preservation of the historic Granby Grange hall, please support their 4th Annual Rubber Duck Race at Salmon Brook Park, 215 Salmon Brook Street, Pavilion #2, on Saturday, May 2, from Noon to 2:00 PM. For more information, go to www.Granby-Grange.org.
I know it’s difficult for some people to believe, but God wants us to feel good about ourselves. Guess what? God knew you weren’t going to be perfect. He knew you would have weaknesses, faults, and wrong desires—He knew all that before you were even born—and He still loves you. Like any good parent, our Heavenly Father wants His children to be healthy and well-ad-justed. So today, let me encourage you to work on three things—three ways to be your own best friend.
First, stop beating yourself up. You may have some faults. You may have things you wish you could change about yourself. Well, join the crowd. We all do. But lighten up and quit being so hard on yourself. Interestingly, you would never walk up to a complete stranger and say, “You’re really dumb; you’re too fat or skinny; you’re totally undisciplined.” We would never say that to someone else, yet we have no prob-lem saying it to ourselves.
One of the worst things you can do is go through life being against yourself. Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” No-tice the starting point to loving others is loving yourself. If you don’t have a healthy apprecia-tion and respect for who you are—and if you don’t learn to accept yourself, faults and all—you will never be able to properly love other people.
I’ve met many people who think their spouse is the reason for all their problems. Or they blame their coworker. But the fact is, they have a civil war raging on the inside. They don’t like themselves; they don’t like where they are in life; they’re extremely critical of themselves, and that poison spills out into their relation-ships. Understand: You can’t give away what you don’t have. If you don’t love yourself, you won’t be able to love others.
If you’re always feeling angry, unattractive, or frustrated, then that’s all you have to give away. But if you’ll recognize that God loves the person you are—and you learn to love the per-son you are—then you can share that love and have healthy relationships. This basic principle could save your marriage; it could change your relationships with the people around you. You may think everybody else is the problem, but before you can make significant progress in life, you’ve got to come to peace with who you are. Don’t go through life being against yourself. Stop beating yourself up.
Second, feel good about yourself. The Bible says that God already approves of you. It doesn’t say God will approve of you as long as you live a perfect life. No, it says God already approves of you unconditionally, just as you are. It’s not because of what you have or haven’t done. It’s simply His amazing grace.
So if God approves of you, why don’t you start approving of yourself? It’s time to get into agreement with God and start feeling good about who you are. Every morning, no matter how you feel, get out of bed and boldly say, “Fa-ther, I thank You that You approve of me. Thank You that I’m not perfect, but I’m forgiven.”
As you get dressed, imagine you are strap-ping on the armor of God so you can face what-ever the day throws at you. The Bible says in Ephesians 6, “Put on the full armor of God,” including “the body armor of God’s approval.” Think about what body armor covers—your heart, your core, your center. All through the day, imagine big bold letters across your chest saying, “Approved by God.”
You may say, “What about the mistake I made yesterday? What about that time I failed? Surely God doesn’t approve of that!” Listen, the mo-ment you repented, God not only forgave you, He forgot about it. He chooses not to remember it anymore. So quit bringing up what God has already forgotten; let it go.
We tend to think God is keeping a list of all our mistakes. In your mind, you can picture Him in heaven saying, “Oops! They failed there; let me write that down.” But that’s not God’s heart at all. God is for you, not against you. He is on your side. He is the best friend you could ever have. He’s not focused on what you’ve done wrong; He’s focused on what you can become. That’s why, even though I make mistakes, I can boldly say, “God, I know You approve of me, so I feel good about who I am.”
And third, feel good about your gifts. You’re talented. You’re gifted. You’re awesome. That’s the way God made you. Instead of complain-ing about what you lack, focus on what you’ve got. God gave you a one-of-a-kind gift mix, a one-of-a-kind personality, a one-of-a-kind sense of humor, and a one-of-a-kind set of opportuni-ties.
Start celebrating who you are. You’re a win-ner. You can make it. You’ve got what it takes. You were born fully equipped. Remember the old saying, “God made you—and God don’t make junk.”
I once heard a story about a dad and his lit-tle boy hiking up a mountain. The boy slipped and slid about thirty yards down the mountain-side, getting caught in some brush. Unhurt but frightened, he called out, “Somebody, help me!” A voice echoed back, “Somebody, help me!” Confused, the boy shouted, “You’re a jerk!” and the voice answered, “You’re a jerk!” By then, the boy’s father had reached him and helped extri-cate his son from the brush. The boy looked up and said, “Dad, who is that shouting at me?” The father chuckled and said, “Son, that’s called an echo, but it’s also called life.” He said, “Son, let me show you something.” The dad shouted out, “You’re a winner!” The voice shouted back, “You’re a winner!” The dad’s voice boomed, “You’ve got what it takes.” The voice boomed, “You’ve got what it takes!” Whatever you send out comes back to you.
So what messages are you sending out about yourself? “I’m a failure. I’m unattractive. I’m undisciplined.” Start sending out: “I’m gifted. I’m talented. I’m approved. I am more than a conqueror.” Whatever you send out always comes back.
When Jesus was baptized, a voice from heav-en said, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” I believe God is saying that to you, too: “You are My child. I am well pleased with you.” Let that sink into your heart, mind, and soul. God is pleased with you. He has al-ready accepted you. He already approves of you. And that’s why it’s okay to feel good about who you are—today, right now, this moment.
Learn to
Like Yourself
from the Southwick Agricultural Commission
There were several memorable moments at the 4th Annual Farmers Forum on January 28, but one story in particular brought down the house. At last year’s Open Farm Day, a visitor was happily enjoying an ear of grilled corn at Calabrese Farm when she turned to Donna Cal-abrese and asked, “This corn is delicious! Where did you get it?” The room erupted. Karen Ar-nold chimed in, “Well, at least no one asked me where my sunflowers come from!” Moments like these are part of the charm of the Farmers Forum—lighthearted reminders of why these gatherings matter—though the real purpose is to bring farmers together, share updates on AgCom activities, offer useful information, and give everyone a rare chance to talk shop with one another.
The evening began with a brief presenta-tion from Commissioner Dan Cook. He listed attributes like “reliable” and “trustworthy,” paused for effect, and then announced, “Alto-gether these spell Burt Hansen.” With that, Dan and Commission Chair Zach Barnett presented Burt with the first-ever “Noble Yoke” award in recognition of his years as chair. The award it-self—a three-foot-long wood-and-iron yoke for two oxen—earned a laugh from Burt, who said, “Geez, this looks like it means MORE work!”
A lively year-in-review followed, highlight-ing projects such as Open Farm Day 2025, the Community Garden, and the Southwick Civic Fund Farm Parade. One standout was this past summer’s “Farm Hops,” a collaboration be-tween Commissioner Jenn DiPietro and Cara Cartello at the Senior Center. Once a month, the center’s van whisked seniors off to visit local farms before heading to lunch.
A new Youth Outreach program is also tak-ing root, thanks to Commissioner Deb Hum-phrey and Powdermill School Vice Principal Chuck Jaska. The AgCom joined the school’s an-nual open house, bringing supplies so students could plant peas and take their pots home. They also participated in the annual Positivity Event, where fifth graders wrote thank-you letters to Southwick and Granville farmers before meet-ing them in person to share stories and take photos. With a greenhouse waiting in the school courtyard, plans are underway to refurbish it and “get growing” this spring.
The Forum also featured valuable land-man-agement guidance from Jake Macko, a Chap-ter 61 Specialist with the Department of Con-servation and Recreation. Jake explained the three programs within Chapter 61—forestry, agriculture, and recreation—and how they can help landowners manage the costs of maintain-ing farms, natural areas, and working forests. He pointed attendees to DCR’s introductory booklet for those interested in exploring the programs further: https://www.mass.gov/doc/chapter-61-programs-0/download
Commissioner Jess Parker then provided an update on the AgCom’s role in several Master Plan Action Items. The commission is working with the Master Plan Implementation Commit-tee to set priorities and timelines for organizing free workshops on innovative and regenerative agricultural practices, hosting annual forums to educate landowners on options for permanent-ly protecting their land, researching alternative irrigation methods and funding opportunities, and developing a plan to address land-based invasive plants along with a public education component. The full master plan, “Southwick 2040,” is available on the Town website: https://www.southwickma.org/master-plan-imple-mentation-committee
The evening wrapped up with an open dis-cussion: How can we help you? Farmers offered thoughtful suggestions, including creating signs about invasive plant species for farms, ensur-ing legal notices inform new landowners that Southwick is a Right to Farm community, offer-ing guidance on succession and exit planning through the Land for Good agency, recruiting more volunteers for Open Farm Day by reaching out to schools, companies with volunteer days, and the Senior Center, exploring MVP grants related to climate change, finding a much-need-ed tech-savvy volunteer, expanding Open Farm Day literature to explain farm production, and developing “Welcome Wagon”-style informa-tion about local farms in partnership with the Economic Development Commission.
The evening ended on a warm note, with pre-senters and participants enjoying pastries from Blossoming Acres and homemade soup pre-pared by Commissioner Dan Cook—a fitting finish to a night that blended information, com-munity spirit, and a good dose of humor
Would you like to help? Created at Town Meet-ing in January 2006 the Southwick Agricultural Commission is comprised of 7 Commissioners and 5 Alternates. As Select board Member Doug Moglin likes to say, “It’s the largest AgCom in the Common-wealth!” Right now though, there are openings for one Commissioner and two Alternates. Especially needed is someone to help with technology – our website, and our Facebook and Instagram accounts. Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, with work sessions on the 4th Wednesday at busier times of year. (Like before Open farm Day.) The meetings are a lot of fun – come for a visit and see for yourself!
The Story of
Granby Grange #5
By Phyllis Altonare Jendza
At times I hear a voice from a distance,
not understanding what is said.
I thought maybe it came from something I read.
Each time I hear this voice
I would frantically look around.
Not seeing anyone. I thought
it was nothing but just a sound.
A sound that came from everywhere
and nowhere at the same time.
Could life be playing a trick?
Could it be all in my mind?
What are the words, what are they saying
and why can’t I understand?
I ask for God’s assistance
to give me a helping hand.
Could God be speaking to me
from deep within my soul?
Saying “listen my child,
there is something you need to be told.”
I gave you a gift long ago,
the moment you were born.
I noticed you haven’t opened it,
and now it’s all tattered and torn.
Stop look and listen
for it is I that is in your head.
How else can you open your gift
without taking my hand to be lead.
Trust me, don’t be afraid
for life is not really a mystery.
You are the one who makes
it that way,
each time you ignore me
- - - you repeat history.
Step out of the role
that was given to you
for that is not who you are.
Reach deep down
within yourself and search,
the clues are near, not far.
You are an emotional being
with love and feelings.
Don’t numb them or store them away,
for that is the gift I gave you at birth.
You are a soul, a spirit
and a voice with something to say.
So don’t hide it, misuse it,
or direct it in an unhealthy way.
For walls will erect year after year
and they will be there to stay.
From the beginning to the end of our journey
is a “mystery voice” coming from us.
We have free will to listen or not
for God will never say we must.
Mystery Voice
Silver Street Granville, MA 1948. Town borrowed the air base’s snow blower to clear roads. Photo provided by Dorothy Bettinger.
A Winters White Fury
For many fami-lies, morn-ings don’t begin calmly. They begin urgently. There’s a clock to watch, places to be, and a men-tal checklist al-ready running before the day has fully start-ed. And yet, this is often the moment when children seem to slow down, fall apart, or resist in ways that feel confusing and frustrating. Shoes suddenly feel unbear-able, clothes feel “wrong,” and simple requests can lead to tears, silence, or shutdown. It’s easy to interpret these moments as defiance or lack of motivation—especially when the same child manages school and daily demands later in the day. But mornings place very specific demands on a child’s brain and nervous system, and many children simply aren’t ready for those de-mands yet.
Mornings require children to transition quickly from rest to action while their nervous systems are still waking up. Expectations arrive immediately: get dressed, eat, stay on task, move faster, manage time. For adults, this sequence feels routine. For children, it can feel abrupt and disorienting. Mornings also involve stacked transitions—moving from bed to bathroom, pa-jamas to clothes, and home to school—each re-quiring flexibility, planning, and emotional reg-ulation. When these transitions happen without warning, stress builds quickly.
Uncertainty adds another layer. Adults usu-ally have a clear mental roadmap of the morn-ing, but children often don’t. When they aren’t sure what comes next, how long something will last, or when it will be over, anxiety increases and the nervous system stays on alert. For some children—particularly those who are anxious, highly sensitive, neurodivergent, or simply young—language access can also be limited in the morning. What looks like refusal may actu-ally be a child who doesn’t yet have the words to express how overwhelmed their body feels. These struggles are not signs that something is wrong with a child; they are signals that the nervous system needs more orientation, pre-dictability, and support before expectations be-gin to stack up.
One simple way to support regulation during mornings is through previewing—offering chil-dren a brief, calm overview of what the morn-ing will look like before it unfolds. This isn’t a rigid schedule or a behavior strategy. It’s a way of answering the questions children often can’t articulate: what’s happening next, how long it will last, what to expect, and when it will be over. When the unknown becomes known, the nervous system can begin to settle. Previewing shifts the focus from correcting behavior after stress escalates to supporting regulation before it does.
A preview might sound like: “First we’ll get dressed, then we’ll have breakfast, then we’ll put on shoes and head out.” The sequence is short, the language is clear, and the tone is calm. Using concrete anchors—“after breakfast,” “before we leave,” “when the timer goes off”—helps chil-dren feel less lost in the process. Just as impor-tant as the words is the presence behind them. A slower pace, steady tone, and sense of avail-ability communicate safety before any plan does. Acknowledging emotions—“Mornings can feel hard sometimes”—helps children feel supported rather than rushed.
Previewing reduces uncertainty, supports de-veloping executive functioning skills, and low-ers anxiety. When children know what’s com-ing, they don’t have to stay on high alert, which frees up energy for cooperation and flexibility. Some mornings will still be hard, but children often feel more supported when they under-stand what’s happening and know they’re not navigating it alone. Sometimes the most helpful thing an adult can offer isn’t speed or correction, but orientation—a sense of what’s coming and a calm presence to move through it together. A brief preview won’t solve everything, but it can soften the edges of a demanding part of the day and help the morning begin differently.
By Michael Dubilo
To possess the love and esteem of cer-tain people is essential if we desire to live in contentment and joy.
A word spoken in due season brings immea-surable benefit to those who receive it within their hearts. And this word—love—is expressed abundantly during the Valentine’s Day season. Cards, candy, flowers, chocolates, and kisses by the dozen are given to those we care about. Yet when we consider the time and money spent, we must ask our-selves: do these generous gifts produce endur-ing love? From the perspective of deep-rooted love, the an-swer is found in something far more life-giving—like water that continu-ally seeks its source.
To under-stand genuine love, we must look beyond the surface and examine our mo-tives. True love cannot be dormant. It is like fire—active, warm, and always reaching out-ward. Love longs for expression and reveals it-self in deeds. As the old proverb says, “Actions speak more loudly than words.” At times, love stirs our hearts like a spoon in a pot, prompting sacrifices for those we cherish.
We all experienced love at birth—our first breath, our first gaze into the smiling faces of our parents. Their total care wrapped us in warmth. A baby’s eyes and expressions tell par-ents, “My presence brings you joy.”
Aristotle, one of history’s most influential thinkers, taught that it is impossible for a per-son to know he is loved without feeling some love in return.
You may say, “I love you,” but love must be proven through actions flowing from inward character. Consider a painful reality: a son tells his father he loves him, yet keeps his heart closed and refuses relationship. He withholds communication, denies connection, and allows silence to replace affection. Gifts sent to the grandchildren are discarded, not because the children rejected them, but because hardened hearts stood in the way. This is what broken re-lationships look like—love offered but never al-lowed to reach its intended home.
Such wounds cut deeply. Yet the Bible teach-es that the love of Jesus can heal broken hearts. Scars remain, but the healed heart beats again with gratitude and strength. The grandfather’s fire is not quenched; he uses his experience to comfort others. Do not allow divisive people to steal your flame. Your light is not given for your sake alone, but so that others may be illuminat-ed by its beams.
What works most powerfully for human hap-piness is a life filled with goodness, kindness, and love.
We can strive to fulfill the biblical message: “Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you.” When you do this, you symbolically pour hot coals on the heads of your adversaries—not to harm them, but to melt the hardness of their hearts. Be that arrow sharpened with love, able to reach places bitterness cannot.
Left to our own impulses, human hearts eas-ily succumb to anger and resentment. Instead, walk the path of righteousness in your relation-ships. Nudge your heart toward love. Refuse to settle in dark valleys. An honest heart does not fear the light. Choose the high road filled with cheerful brightness. You are positioned to be a treasure to those who suffer. Set your feet in rich, fertile soil and watch good fruit grow.
Most of us love knowledge—a vital gift that offers discernment and right thinking, help-ing us avoid destructive choices. A woman re-cently said, “I teach and guide the young ones given to me. My elders taught me; therefore, I am responsible to instruct the younger gener-ation with my experience.” That is love in ac-tion. The soft breath of love reaches ears that are willing to listen. Think of the value of experi-enced grandparents showing the good way to their grandchildren. But when communication is blocked by dark attitudes, the young are de-prived of that blessing. Those whose eyes have been opened must build upon the rock of un-conditional love.
Recently, a message from the wife of a talent-ed NFL player came to light. Speaking of choos-ing a partner, she said, “Know that the right love will feel steady and safe, not confusing or conditional.” I can relate. My relationship with Susanna in 2013 felt right in my heart from the beginning. It still does today. Genuine love in action. I love my wife, Susanna, and with the Lord’s help, I give her total loving care.
Just as the sun brightens the landscape, the love you show lifts and illuminates others.
Let us desire hearts that aim for authentic love. Let Valentine’s Day become a year-round practice, circling within us as a steady rhythm of kindness. May the words we write edify and comfort you.
Morning Trouble
Dr Simone Phillips, Psychologist
Inside the Young Mind:
10-5
The
Gift of Love
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.
Southwick Historical Society Inc
Lt. Richard Falley, Jr.
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, presents Lt. Richard Falley, Jr. Revolutionary soldier, patriot & armorer by Robert R. Madison. The event will be held at Meeting House Hall, 222 College Highway, Southwick, Ma. Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. July 4, 1776: Before the American Revolution and before George Washington established the first National Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1794, a New England Patriot was busy manufacturing flintlock muskets. Take a trip through time and discover how a colonial patriot from Western Massachusetts supplied the militia from his secret armory in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains This was a time when all travel was by dirt roads or along rivers such as the Connecticut River, the Hudson River, or the Westfield River. Admission is FREE Light Refreshments served.
Stanley Park
History Program
February 19 Westfield, MA − Stanley Park of Westfield in collaboration with the Westfield Athenaeum invites the community to step back in time during a special Stanley Park History Program on Thursday, February 19, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. The program will be held at the Westfield Women’s Club, 28 Court Street, Westfield, MA.
Local historian Robert Brown will lead an engaging discussion on the origins of Stanley Park, tracing its beginnings in 1949 and highlighting the people, vision, and preservation efforts that shaped the park into the cherished community space it is today. Brown’s dedication to uncovering and sharing Westfield’s history earned him a Westfield Preservation Award from the Westfield Historical Commission in 2023.
Attendees will also enjoy a screening of the 8-minute documentary, Stanley Park: Rooted in the Past, Growing for the Future, which captures the park’s history, mission, and enduring impact. Stanley Park staff will be on site to answer questions about the park, upcoming programs, and ways to get involved during the upcoming season.
Light refreshments will be served. This free program is open to the public and offers a meaningful opportunity for longtime supporters and new visitors alike to deepen their connection to Stanley Park.
For questions or additional information, please contact the Development Office at 413-568-9312 ext. 108 or email development@stanleypark.org.
Our Lady of the LakeSt. Patrick’s Supper
March 14th, 5:00pm - 6:30pm Saint Patrick’s Supper – Our Lady of the Lake, 224 Sheep Pasture Rd, Southwick. The Knights of Columbus, Council #11178 welcomes all to their annual St. Patrick’s Supper. March 14th, 2026 – 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM in the Fr. Shea Hall. Menu: Corned beef cabbage, potatoes, onions, carrots, beverage and dessert. Cost: Ages 13 to adult: $15.00, Ages 5 to 12: $7.00. Under 5: Free. Max Cost/Family = $35.00. Purchase Tix: Call or text 413-569-8440 or email; StPatsTickets@KofC11178.org.
Southwick Cultural Council
25th Art Exhibition Applications
Southwick Cultural Council (SCC) now accepting applications for its 25th juried Art Exhibition February 11, 2026…The Southwick Cultural Council (SCC) is now accepting applications from all regional artists for consideration at its 25th annual juried Art Exhibition. The Art Exhibition will be held at the Southwick Town Hall on April 25- 26, 2026. The exhibit is open to fine arts, fine art crafts (sculpture, pottery), and photography on all subject matter and media. Originals, limited editions and open editions are allowed. Interested artisans may download from the town website, www.southwickma.gov/cultural. Applications are also available at the Southwick Public Library. All applications must be received no later than March 2. Any questions regarding the application or guideline may be directed to Susan Kochanski at 413 569 0946 or email cultural@southwickma.gov. The Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, supports the Southwick Cultural Council (SCC), a local agency. The SCC meets the third Thursday of each month at the Southwick Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.
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
