By Lucas Caron
If you struck up a conversation with an environmental scientist and asked them to de-fine what they do for work, chances are that at some point in their explanation they will utter the words “environmental conservation.” Envi-ronmental science is a diverse, interdisciplinary academic field, combining aspects of ecology, geology, meteorology, biology, chemistry, engi-neering, and physics, all ending around the cen-tral idea of conservation.
To understand why environmental conserva-tion is such a prevalent topic for humankind, one must define what it is in the first place. The Na-tional Geographic defines environmental conser-vation (or just conservation) as “the act of pro-tecting Earth’s natural resources for current and future generations.” These resources, critical to our survival as well as countless species of plants and wildlife, include clean air and water, fertile soil, and minerals found on our beautiful planet.
Conservation keeps biodiversity plentiful by protecting ecological communities called biomes (such as rainforests or deserts) that cover this vast world. These biomes provide stable living for the diverse organisms that have adapted to exist within them and maintain the delicate balance of the key functions of our nat-ural environment, such as nutrient cycling systems in which nutrients like nitro-gen and oxygen are transferred between living organisms such as trees and non-living environmental features like the soil. Conservation has become particularly relevant in the modern era. Well-documented ex-amples show our planet is under constant threat of overexploitation of its natural resources, re-sulting in pollution, habitat destruction, and cli-mate change.
For example, an increase in the burning of fos-sil fuels for energy causes a release of greenhouse gases. These gases are highly effective at trap-ping heat in the atmosphere in excess of what our world can efficiently balance, resulting in world-wide temperature increases. Increased tempera-tures provide more available energy for natural disaster-level storms like hurricanes while speed-ing up the process of land-based ice caps and gla-ciers melting, running straight into oceans and raising global sea levels. It also changes the range of infectious diseases like malaria.
Furthermore, deforestation, excess hunting and fishing, and the transport of invasive spe-cies (either intentionally or unintentionally) all contribute to the risk of habitat destruction and biodiversity loss. With overexploitation, world-wide ecosystems become less resilient to dam-age, weakening the natural systems within our environment that we rely on for survival. For in-stance, a decline in bee populations would result in significantly neutered natural crop pollination.
The pur-pose of environmental conserva-tion is to find ways to mitigate such planetary harm and protect our natural resources for the fu-ture, and when applied correctly, it can do exact-ly that! To demonstrate this, look no further than wetlands, a common ecosystem here in Massa-chusetts including Southwick. In a healthy state, wetlands can help regulate floods, store carbon that would otherwise enter the atmosphere, fil-ter drinking water, and provide food for people worldwide. The Global Wetland Outlook 2025 states that, since 1970, roughly 411 million hect-ares of wetlands (about 22% of the global total) have been lost with an estimated decline of 0.25% per year. Moreover, roughly 25% of the remain-ing wetlands worldwide are considered to be in poor ecological condition, a decline that can be traced back to human actions.
Despite this, the wetlands are not beyond sav-ing. Even now, roughly 1.4 billion hectares of wet-lands remain globally, and the ecological services they provide, like filtering water, are equivalent to $39 trillion dollars annually. In the context of wetlands, environmental conservation takes the form of restoration and protection through ma-nipulating the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of wetlands, the removal of threats from wetlands, and preventing the decline of wetlands in the first place. Wetlands restoration and protection is usually broken down into two categories, regulatory and voluntary.
Regulatory restoration and protection involves enforcing laws that prohibit or minimize the ef-fects of certain actions that would otherwise harm wetlands. Local Conservation Commissions fol-low state and federal laws, determining the kind of work that can occur within and around wet-lands as well as the necessary protections to pre-vent habitat destruction or pollution.
Voluntary restoration and protection is not re-quired by law, and instead often uses incentives and/or compensation for landowners working in collaboration with organizations like nonprofits and local Agricultural and Conservation govern-ment entities. This ensures lasting cooperation and the mutual pursuit of healthy and properly functioning ecosystems. These groups work to-gether through agreements to develop systems that support ecosystems and their benefits, there-by advancing the shared environmental interests of all parties.
Ultimately, developing and putting into prac-tice realistic methods for preserving our planet without preventing access to the natural resourc-es people need to survive is the main objective of conservation strategies. Conservation acknowl-edges the need for these resources and deter-mines how to make the collection of them more sustainable. For example, lumber is necessary for combating a growing housing shortage, so con-servation methods balance the rate of harvesting with the regrowth rate of trees to ensure that lo-cal environments remain healthy. Conservation ensures that we can protect our planet without fear of not having access to the things that keep us alive!
As human society navigates immense environ-mental struggles globally, environmental con-servation stands as a beacon of hope. We cannot lose sight of a brighter vision for the world, one where the vibrant life that decorates this planet can thrive alongside humanity rather than suffer the destructive consequences of our actions.
Preventing resource overexploitation doesn’t always have to involve huge actions; using reus-able items made from sustainable products while recycling plastic and paper goods as well as sav-ing energy by turning off lights and technology when not needed while switching to more energy efficient items adds up over time. Supporting or-ganizations that are involved in conservation ef-forts and contacting your local government lead-ers to encourage them to support conservation policies are just a few examples of how one per-son can make a positive difference for the envi-ronment.
When each of us takes measures to support en-vironmental conservation, no matter how small, our actions can and will compound, shaping a joyous future for humanity and all life on Earth. So I urge you to join the pursuit of a healthier planet in your own way, such that our actions to-day may ensure prosperity tomorrow.
By Clifton (Jerry) Noble Jr
July 1, Sunday. A hot, humid day. Yesterday afternoon Hester did go to Healy’s Funeral Home two doors east of Sarah Gillette Home on corner of Broad Street to visiting hours for her nephew, Robert Hallock. Saw his wife Lydia, also Aunt Georgia and Hallocks, Myron, Effie and Flora. Matron Peterson doesn’t speak to several old la-dies since her luckless picnic. Miss White is sani-tary to a fault. Washes all her money and irons it. Baby is much more peaceful. He walked out-doors with Hester. I am finding that salt water is my best thirst quencher.
July 2, Monday. Lynwood Fisk was in Green-field office this morning . He is chief of one of the survey parties the Department hires by contract with Moore Surveying and Mapping of Shrews-bury. Lynwood’s brother Bradford has sung for me at Montgomery Community Church and lately he has sung with the Springfield Sympho-ny Chorale. At noon I left $5 for Lester to give Aunt Georgia toward the Robert Hallock fkow-ers. He asked when Baby would have a broth-er. I gave him no hope. He says Milt King lost driving license for a year but now has good job in Springfield. Howard Johnson is also without license for six months. Elizabeth says Dr. Polo told mother Atwater she has no clear vision in one eye. I mowed the schoolhouse lawn. Just happened to think that my most prolific period of tooth cavities coincided with heaviest drink-ing of sodas and taking Coca Cola syrup for di-arrhea.
July 3, Tuesday. Morning temperatures have been in high 40s. I worked in Springfield with Ralph Miller and Bob Crovo. Brother Shipley visited Elizabeth bringing Skipper, Marian, and mother and dad Atwater. Elizabeth said Shipley looked tired and gray. He told her she looked better than ever. Mother A took the children to the brook.
July 4, Wednesday holiday. I stayed in bed till seven. Read Ionesco’s Rhinocerous and thought it very boring. It is fantasy, but so is Wal-ter Scott’s Monastery and that is fascinating. At-waters feel sorry for Shipley staying with Stur-tevants in Wilbraham where another sister and children have arrived for the Fourth. Elizabeth was offended with Hester telling her how tired I get on job. Hester has more reason to worry about my tiredness because it prevents me from giving care and attention which she needs at age 75. E just takes my fatigue for granted.
July 5, Thursday. I worked with Steve Bryda and men doing 2,500 feet of baseline on Plum-tree Road. Visited Hester while getting S216 lu-bricated. I had headache and felt sick after call-ing E from Easthampton public phone which smelled horribly of garlic and something worse. While I was at launderette Kenny and Elaine Carrington came in because their washing ma-chine is broken. Nurse Nancy Perkins was also there and wanted to be remembered to E. After bath I went to schoolhouse to read Monastery while E got Baby to sleep. She asked me to come and see the odd position on back in which he fell asleep.
July 6, Friday. I had to deal with flat tire so didn’t get home till 6:30. Went to schoolhouse to read so as not to disturb E from getting Baby to sleep. When I looked across road to guess what progress she was making she was coming over with flashlight to get me.
July 7, Saturday. I mowed half the lawn. The rest was too dry to need mowing. Fortunately the water in our ten-foot well is 5 feet 10 inches deep. However I pumped the reservoir back of the well house full from the brook.
July 8, Sunday. Hester and I visited Marion Shaw and Mildred Moore after church. When I picked her up Hester was in tears about the poor meals lately at Sarah Gillett Home. I pumped the reservoir full twice. Baby walked a lot. Eliza-beth’s mother phoned from the Cape and said it is very hot there also.
July 9, Monday. We took Baby to Marion’s and Mildred’s this evening. Marion gave him an orange and he played with it the whole time.
July 11, Wednesday. Elizabeth’s brother Jim telephoned to see if she needed anything. I filled reservoir in the evening. Walked with Baby over to the schoolhouse and up to the reservoir be-hind wellhouse
July 12, Thursday. S G H meals are a little better
July 13, Friday. Joe Yablonski okays having S216’s steering repaired at Sarats but they are too busy to do it.
July 14, Saturday. I mowed lawns and filled reservoir twice. Used 50 foot hoses as downhill siphons from reservoir to water terrace lawn.
July 15, Sunday. Hester is still not happy with SGH meals. At church we learned that the Rev. Arthur Teale will be away August and part of September. We visited Marion and Mildred. Barking dogs kept them up last night chasing a woodchuck close to house. E had nice dinner of baked potatoes, hamburg and beets. I filled res-ervoir twice. There are seven blossoms on our carnations. Mamie cat has caught more birds and another rabbit.
July 16, Monday. Sarats found S216’s steer-ing post bracket broken. Uncle David Atwater brought us Pablum which E needed for Baby.
July 17, Tuesday. E mixed Bisodol for my indigestion. Baby seemed to have gas and was wakeful through night. 6:35-7:45 a.m. I did laun-dry at Glen. The 7 o’clock whistle on Westfield River Paper Company must have got stuck. It blew for three minutes until steam seemed to run out.
July 18, Wednesday. Last night Baby slept through and E and I got first 8-hour sleep in weeks. After supper we took him up to see Ken-neth and Sue Allyn. Their daughter Helen works for Mass Mutual Insurance and has an apart-ment with a friend on Federal Street in Spring-field. Sue gave us beans and radishes. Thinking my mother might be feeling lonely I phoned her for fifteen minutes. Then I studied my physics book.
July 19, Thursday. I lost five pounds staking in Agawam with Bob Crovo. At Sarah Gillette Home I found that Mrs Bard had given Hester a great supply of paper and envelopes to paint.
July 20, Friday. Supervisor George Berry is on vacation so I had to sign transmittals for time sheets to Boston in his place. New plans for location of I 91 through Springfield in con-nection with the railroad came from Boston so I left them at Springfield office for Bob Fay. The hourly rates for men in hired contract par-ties are; rodman $1.25, transitman $2.00, chief of party $2.50.
July 21, Saturday. Because Baby kept us up all night I didn’t get to laundry till 8:45 I finished just before the crowd arrived. Got gas and gro-ceries. I told E to let me know when her folks got home from the Cape so I could go down and help unpack. Her mother phoned at 3 p.m. but wouldn’t let me come. She had to pack and drive because the boy who was supposed to help had his car break down. I mowed lawns where most needed and watered terrace with hoses as si-phons. Then I walked down old roads to culvert under railroad. Got in both pools on way back. Frona Camp phoned late p.m. that Rose Boden-dorf had died. E ordered flowers from Flower Shop.
July 23, Monday. E tells me Baby fed himself today.
July 27, Friday. At Greenfield office I found Phil Grout recovering from two drinks at a late party last night for Frank Hoey. Phil also told me that Foster B. Whitehead died two years ago from tuberculosis and drink.
July 28, Saturday. I left the check for Au-gust at Sarah Gillette Home, paid electric bill in Huntington and mowed the lawns. E and baby walked across Herrick Road to watch me mow-ing the schoolhouse grass. In afternoon E’s folks brought a toy for baby and a beach umbrella. He was wakeful 11:00 to 11:30 last night, and I fin-ished reading Anthony Hope’s Prisoner of Ze-nda.
July 29, Sunday. When Margaret Peckham came down Herrick Road in her truck we were able to give her the shower gift for son Charlie’s fiancé, Nancy.
By The Southwick Agricultural Commission
Open Farm Day has become a popular tradi-tion here in Southwick, and our fourth annual event will be Sunday August 16 from 10 am to 4 pm. We are pleased and excited to again offer this family-friendly, educational event!
Area residents “know the drill” – pick up a “passport” at any participating location – and don’t forget to get a sticker! The passport pro-vides a list of all the Open Farm Day locations and a map to help you find them.
Open Farm Day is an opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at our local farms, learn about farm operations, build respect for the work our farmers do – and, of course, to have some fun!
New this year is Johnson Brook Farm at 292 College Hwy. You may know them as provid-ers of asparagus and strawberries in the spring, and now you can take a tour of the farm with one of the Arnold family to see what goes into seed production of broadleaf tobacco and have a look at some of their future plans for tobacco farming.
Also new this year is Moolicious Farm and Ice Cream Shop at 258 feeding Hills Rd. Moolicious uses only fresh ingredients from local farmers and vendors to offer the best tasting food and homemade ice cream possible. Kids of all ages can interact with the animals and hop on the “train,” too.
Our third new participant this year is actually three organizations supporting local Hamp-den County youth and agriculture: The Hamp-den County Improvement League provides grants and scholarships; the Hampden County 4-H / Youth Special Fund supports local youth and 4-H clubs with financial aid and also with grants and scholarships to help in higher educa-tion; and the Hampden County 4-H Youth Fair Association supports local youth and 4-H clubs with its main annual event being the 4-H Fair at the Eastern States Exposition the end of July.
For 2026 our “regulars” will participate includ-ing Arnold Tobacco Farm & Sunflower Stand, Bisi Farm on Provin Mtn., Blossoming Acres, Coward Farm, Firefly Fields Farm, the GranVal Scoop, Kline View Stables, and the Southwick History Museum. These various locations will offer hayrides, pony rides, train rides, opportu-nities to pet goats, and tours of a Civil War Era tobacco barn.
All these activities and more will be available from 10 am - 4 pm Sunday Aug. 17. Admission to Open Farm Day is free – although some ac-tivities may have a modest charge. We encour-age people of all ages to attend! See you on the farms!
Southwick
Open Farm Day
2026
JULY 1962
July 2015
Dad Collins Atwater, uncle David Atwater, wife Elizabeth Noble, mother Helen Atwa-ter, mother Minnie “Hester” Noble
The Wonders of
Environmental Conservation
By Tonie Ann White
Growing up in the fifties was a very different experi-ence for children, far removed from today’s culture of constant entertainment and tightly scheduled activities. We had the unhurried gift of time, and I spent long hours using my imagi-nation in simple, creative pursuits. Southwick didn’t have kindergarten then, so I stayed home and followed my own creative bent. Craft and hobby stores were not common, paper was a precious commodity, and Magic Markers had not yet appeared. One of my earliest creations was a church drawn on white typewriter paper, cut out and pasted onto the center of a two-page spread of newspaper. I worked on the floor day by day, cutting out moms, dads, boys, and girls from our thick Sears and Roebuck catalogue. I pasted these “families” walking toward the big white church. With children’s art, the richness often lies more in the process than the finished product, which is why my mother had a hard time eventually parting with my rather large five-year-old masterpiece.
Alongside my handmade Sears paper people, I treasured several sets of store-bought paper dolls. One set included two boys and two girls dressed in ballet costumes from well-known ballets. My mother loved to play her ballet re-cords on our record player, and I would dance my four paper dolls across the closed piano, which became their stage. I had other sets of paper dolls that I played with in a dollhouse built from Golden Books and wooden blocks. My brother even made a merry-go-round out of his Erector Set, complete with a tiny electric mo-tor. We paper-clipped my dolls to the seats, and away they went.
When I was young, I visited my grandpar-ents in Chicago. During that trip, my Grandpa Herman took me by the hand and walked with me along a city sidewalk, which felt like a grand adventure for a little Southwick country girl. We went into a toy store where I chose a kalei-doscope and a flowery decorated box contain-ing two pretty paper dolls. Their hair and their front-and-back dresses made them especially charming. They remain my only gifts from Her-man, and I still have them.
One of my favorite memories with my moth-er is the day we made paper doll clothes togeth-er from morning until late afternoon. We were happily absorbed in our work when something flashed past the window. To our surprise, it was Dad driving down the driveway, and we were both still in our pajamas. That was unheard of in our house. We scrambled to get dressed before he came inside. That unexpected, shared day of creativity remains one of my happiest child-hood memories.
Recently, I hosted a tea party for several friends. Along with tea served in my grand-mother’s china and a few treats, I surprised them with paper dolls. Each friend received Peggy and Susie to cut out, along with eight of their dresses. These dolls have the sweet, pure, and cheerful faces typical of the fifties, wear-ing dresses with smocking and full skirts, little hats and white gloves, white ankle socks, and Mary Jane shoes. We spent a joyful afternoon cutting, talking, and laughing as we remem-bered our own childhood days of playing with paper dolls alone, with our mothers, or with our grandmothers.
Somewhere between 1976 and 1983, two of the largest bands in the world were Led Zeppelin and Kiss. Both were celebrating not only their own height of fame but also a mo-ment when America felt vibrant, even in the midst of a recession. Their music filled the air-waves while they headlined shows at Madison Square Garden, and their anthems became part of the soundtrack of my childhood.
Everywhere I looked, the red, white, and blue seemed to be woven into daily life. Flags and stars-and-stripes patterns appeared on summer picnic tableware, cups, plates, napkins, table-cloths, and tapestries hanging from porches and doorways. This wasn’t just in homes but also in the fraternal organizations I grew up around, like the American Legion and the VFW. Even the wallpaper in many houses was decorated with relics of the Revolutionary era—cannons, soldiers, eagles, carriages, and other symbols of early America. Wooden carvings of eagles bear-ing “E Pluribus Unum” were common, and if the carving wasn’t present, the illustration usu-ally was.
As the title suggests, I cannot fully remem-ber the exact year I spent a weekend with our friends and neighbors, the Stewarts, who owned a replica cannon and were historical reenactors of the Revolutionary War. I spent three or four days running around with kids my age between tents, colonial military setups, and bonfires with spits for cooking. At that age, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the past, it was easy to for-get what year—or even what century—it was.
When I returned home, inspired by the expe-rience, I taped a steak knife to the end of my BB gun to make a makeshift bayonet. My friends and I played in the space be-tween our houses, where the neighbors had a large wooden fence that made it easy to pretend we were storming a British fort. I believe it was around that same year that I joined the reenact-ment portion of our town’s Fourth of July pa-rade with the rest of my family. I wore raccoon fur clothing and moccasins, feeling completely immersed in the spirit of early America.
It’s no surprise that the colonial period re-mains one of my favorite eras in world history. This year, my friends and I have done our best to attend as many historical events as possible in honor of the 250th anniversary. It has been a meaningful way to reconnect with those child-hood memories and celebrate the history that shaped them.
Happy belated Fourth of July, and happy two hundred fiftieth.
Human nature tends to want everything right now. We are always in a hurry, wondering when situations will change or when long-held hopes will finally come to pass. I would love to say that if you prayed hard enough and had enough faith, your prayers would always be answered within twenty-four hours, but it sim-ply does not work that way. God is not an ATM where you punch in the right codes and receive whatever you want. Instead, God has an ap-pointed time to bring dreams to pass, and no matter how badly we want things sooner, they still unfold on God’s timetable.
We all have to wait for certain things, and the real question is how we will wait. We can wait with a good attitude and a sense of expectation, trusting that God has good things in store, or we can wait upset, frustrated and constantly complaining. If waiting is unavoidable, why not decide to enjoy life while you wait?
One important truth is that God is working even when we do not see it. God is at work in your life whether anything appears to be hap-pening externally or not. In fact, it often seems that God works the most when we see and feel it the least. You may not notice any progress, and your situation may look the same as it did months or even years ago, but deep inside your life, God is moving.
I think of a young woman named Shelby. She was in her mid-30s and genuinely hoped to meet the right person and get married. She prayed and prayed, yet no relationship ever went any-where, and she had not dated anyone for several years. She grew discouraged, assuming nothing was happening and that she might spend her life alone. One day, while driving home from work, she had a flat tire and pulled over to the side of the highway. Moments later, another car stopped behind her, and a handsome young man stepped out. He not only changed her tire, he changed her life. He asked for her phone number, took her to dinner, and about a year later they were married. Today they are very happy and building a wonderful life together.
The timing of that moment was remarkable. Her tire had to go flat at just the right time. There had to be just the right amount of traffic on the highway. That young man had to leave his office at the right moment, catch the right elevator and encounter just the right number of traffic lights. All of those details aligned so his car would be behind hers at the exact sec-ond her tire went flat. Even when we do not realize it, God is arranging things in our favor. Stay-ing in an attitude of faith helps us trust His timing.
Another truth is that God is answering even before we ask. You may be facing difficult cir-cumstances and cannot imagine how things will ever change, but God has been arranging solu-tions long before you encountered the problem. A pastor of a large American church once made poor decisions, and his life fell apart. His fam-ily broke down, and he left the ministry. By all appearances, his future looked bleak. Several years later, still trying to rebuild his life, he trav-eled to South America to assist missionaries. While visiting a tiny church deep in the Ama-zon jungle, he met the pastor there. The Brazil-ian pastor looked shocked, then began to cry. He took the American’s hands and prayed in Portuguese. As he prayed, the American felt an unusual warmth wash away his hurt and pain. For the first time, he felt able to let go of the past and felt completely restored.
When the prayer ended, the American asked his interpreter who the pastor was and why he prayed with such intensity. The Brazilian pastor explained that twenty years earlier, while pray-ing, the American’s face appeared clearly in his mind, and God impressed on him that one day he would bring healing and restoration to that man. At the time, the American was not even a Christian, much less a pastor, but God knew the end of the story before the first word was writ-ten. For two decades, events unfolded across continents so these two men would meet in that tiny church, allowing one to see the fulfillment of a long-held vision and the other to experience reassurance of God’s love and forgiveness.
In the same way, God already has the answer to your prayers before you have the need. He has been arranging things in your favor, and perhaps years ago God spoke to someone about the very situation you are facing now, shaping events so your paths will cross at the right mo-ment.
A final truth is that God sees the big picture. His methods do not always make sense to us, but life is like a tapestry woven from countless threads. When you look at a tapestry from un-derneath, you see only loose ends and random colors with no clear pattern. When you turn it over, you see how every thread, even the dark or difficult ones, was needed to create a master-piece. Life works the same way. From our per-spective, we see only loose ends, but one day we will see things from God’s viewpoint and understand how everything came together per-fectly.
You do not have to struggle or constantly wonder why God is or is not doing something. When you trust God, you can be at peace know-ing that at the right time, He will keep His promise. It will happen, and it will not happen one second late.
By Dave Roberts
In 2026, communities across the country will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Often called “America 250,” this milestone invites reflection on the ideals, sacrifices, and everyday people who helped shape the nation’s birth. For many, it has also sparked a renewed interest in gene-alogy and the question of whether an ancestor may have played a role in the fight for indepen-dence.
The Revolutionary War was not won solely by well-known generals or statesmen. It depended on ordinary farmers, craftsmen, merchants, and laborers who believed strongly enough in the cause of liberty to risk their lives and livelihoods. These individuals are commonly referred to as patriots, meaning those who supported Ameri-can independence from Great Britain. Patriots served in many ways, including enlisting in the Continental Army or local militias, supplying goods or transportation, offering financial sup-port, or serving in local governments that sus-tained the revolutionary effort.
Many Americans are surprised to learn that they may have one or more patriots in their family tree. With a bit of research using family records, local histories, military rolls, and ge-nealogical resources, it is often possible to trace family lines back to individuals who partici-pated in the struggle for independence. Making these connections can be both personally mean-ingful and historically illuminating, helping transform the nation’s founding from a distant story into something tangible.
My own connection to the Revolutionary era came to light thanks to my distant cousin, Arlene Shuster of Escondido, California, who intro-duced me to the world of genealogical research. Through her encouragement, I discovered that my paternal fifth-great-grandfather, Private Joel Roberts, served as an enlisted soldier during the Revolutionary War. He was not a famous officer or political figure, but an ordinary man who an-swered the call to serve during a time of uncer-tainty and danger. Soldiers like him formed the backbone of the revolutionary forces that ulti-mately secured American independence.
What makes my family’s story particularly remarkable is the role played by Joel Roberts’ son, my fourth-great-grand-father, Judah Roberts. Ju-dah also served during the war, and his experience explains why he appears in the historical record in an unusual way. He is the only enlisted soldier men-tioned by name in the per-sonal memoirs of General George Washington.
Judah’s appearance in Washington’s writings stems from extraordinary circumstances. Dur-ing the war, Joel Roberts was wounded and returned home, where he passed away in 1780. His gravestone in Winchester Center Cemetery reads, “A Soldier of the Revolution.” Accord-ing to family accounts and historical referenc-es, Joel’s twelve-year-old son, Judah, put on his father’s uniform, took his father’s rifle, and continued serving in the army. In an era when young boys sometimes accompanied military units as helpers or messengers, Judah’s willing-ness to step into his father’s place demonstrated both youthful courage and deep loyalty to the cause of independence.
Like many Connecticut patriots, Joel Roberts was a farmer who left his fields to answer the call for independence. His son Judah followed him into service, showing how the Revolution-ary War was fought largely by ordinary fami-lies whose daily lives revolved around farms, churches, and small New England towns. Joel and his wife, Esther Loomis, had six children, and their oldest son, Joel Roberts Jr., later served as a general officer during the war, further illus-trating the family’s commitment to the Patriot cause.
The story of young Judah captured Washing-ton’s attention. In his memoirs, the command-er-in-chief noted the remarkable situation of a boy who had taken his wounded father’s place in service. Washington’s writings typically ref-erence officers, political leaders, and major events, making it rare for an ordinary enlisted soldier, let alone a child, to be mentioned by name. Judah’s inclusion offers a glimpse into the lives and sacrifices of the rank-and-file in-dividuals who served in the Continental Army.
After the war, Judah lived long enough to apply for and receive a Revolutionary War pen-sion, providing further evidence of his service and offering a lasting re-minder of the sacrifices made by ordinary fami-lies during the nation’s founding. For descen-dants like me, discover-ing such a connection underscores that the Revolution was shaped not only by great leaders but by countless indi-viduals whose names rarely appear in history books. Judah’s story reflects the determination and sense of duty that defined the revolution-ary generation.
Stories like these help explain why genealogy has become an important part of America 250 commemorations. When people explore their family histories, they often uncover unexpected connections to the Revolutionary era. These dis-coveries bring history to life in ways textbooks alone cannot and remind us that the ideals of liberty, self-government, and civic responsibil-ity were carried forward by ordinary citizens who believed in the promise of a new nation.
At the Salmon Brook Historical Society, we en-courage residents of Granby and surrounding communities to explore their own family histo-ries during this anniversary period. Local his-torical societies, libraries, and genealogical or-ganizations offer valuable resources for tracing ancestral lines, and documents such as census records, military service files, church registers, cemetery inscriptions, and old family Bibles can provide meaningful clues.
Learning about the lives of our ancestors—the challenges they faced, the decisions they made, and the causes they supported—offers a sense of continuity. The story of the American Revo-lution is not only the story of a nation but also the story of families whose descendants contin-ue to live and contribute to their communities.
As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, it is worth remembering that the Revolution depended on the courage and commitment of thousands of individuals who chose to stand up for independence. Whether they served as sol-diers like Joel and Judah Roberts, supported the war effort at home, or helped build the institu-tions of the new republic, these patriots helped shape the country we know today.
For many of us, the journey to discover these connections begins with a simple question: Who were my ancestors during the American Revolution? The answer may reveal a story of service, sacrifice, and dedication to the ideals that continue to define our nation. As we com-memorate America 250, I encourage everyone to explore their own family histories and discover whether a patriot may be waiting somewhere in their family tree. You may find, as I did, that the legacy of the Revolutionary generation is closer than you ever imagined.
Between 1976 and 1983
By Todd Shiveley
Trust
God’s Timing
10-5
Paper
Dolls
By Michael Dubilo
On July 4, 2026, our nation celebrated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declara-tion of Independence. It is a moment that invites millions of Americans to join together in their communities or quietly reflect with gratitude on the freedoms we enjoy.
Early immigrants to the America’s were pioneering by nature. They sought relief from religious perse-cution and rigid class restrictions, and while they struggled to survive, they de-veloped a rugged self-reliance and overtime faced a similar situation causing growing resentment of increasing Brit-ish control and taxation. Freedom of worship became a defining feature of life in the colonies. Many of the original 13 colonies were settled by people who left their homes searching for the ability to think and act freely in ways not ac-cepted by their governing leaders, including the Pilgrims in Massachusetts, Catholics in Mary-land, and Quakers in Pennsylvania.
Although most Americans in 1776 were Prot-estant Christians of various denominations, their shared heritage escaping prosecution helped inspire the Founding Fathers to guaran-tee religious freedom in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Their commitment to protecting the ability of citizens to worship ac-cording to their own convictions shaped a last-ing understanding of religious liberty in the new nation.
Today, many citizens continue to identify with a religion, according to data from the Pew Research Center. From the earliest days of our national story, reflection and thanksgiving have been part of our character. President George Washington expressed this sentiment in 1796 during his farewell address, noting the impor-tance of gratitude in the life of the nation.
A similar spirit of hope and perseverance was reflected in the thinking of Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, who served from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Courage and strength were central to his leadership, and he used his position for the good of others. His example continues to encourage those who speak pub-licly to do so with integrity and a desire to uplift their communities.
Over the past 250 years, countless men and women have sacrificed their lives to protect the freedoms in the United States. They fought so future generations could enjoy the same freedom that their ancestors fought so hard to achieve and their endurance helped raise the shout of victory that still echoes today. The col-ors of the red, white, and blue stand tall because of their dedication. We honor the fathers, moth-ers, and families who have given so much, and we remain grateful for all who served and of-fered their lives for the cause of liberty.
As we celebrate the Fourth of July, we remem-ber the freedoms we currently possess and the responsibility to appreciate and preserve them. I am especially grateful for my wife, Susanna, who turned 81 on June 30. Even with health limitations, she stands tall in her gratitude for the many years of freedom she has experienced. May we all remember the purpose of America’s 250th anniversary and reflect on the blessings that have shaped our nation.
A few weeks into summer, many parents begin to notice something has changed. A child who seemed easygoing during the school year may suddenly argue over small things, feel bored no matter how many activities are offered, or melt down over problems that didn’t seem to bother them a month ago. Some children may ask for more re-assurance than usual. It can feel confusing because sum-mer is often thought of as the easy season, with fewer demands, fewer sched-ules, and more oppor-tunities to relax. When things feel harder in-stead, many parents find themselves wondering what happened to their child. The answer may not be that the child has changed, but that their environment has.
During the school year, children move through a predictable rhythm. They wake up at the same time each morning, know where they are ex-pected to be, follow routines throughout the day, and are surrounded by adults who guide them from one activity to the next. Even when school is challenging, those routines provide a frame-work that supports many children’s ability to manage emotions, shift between activities, solve problems, and navigate daily expectations. When summer arrives, much of that framework dis-appears almost overnight. Some children adapt easily, while others suddenly face long stretches of unstructured time, more independent deci-sion-making, unexpected changes in plans, and transitions without the routines they have grown accustomed to. For children who rely on predict-ability, those changes can feel much bigger than they appear from the outside.
This does not mean that structure has to look like school. Children do not need every hour of summer carefully planned. Free play, creativity, rest, and even boredom all have an important place in healthy development. The goal is not to recreate the school day, but to provide enough rhythm and predictability that children feel se-cure while still having opportunities to explore, play, and grow. Sometimes that rhythm is as sim-ple as eating meals around the same time each day, maintaining a consistent bedtime routine, setting aside time for outdoor play, or creating small daily traditions that help children know what comes next. These routines do not eliminate challenges, but they often provide a sense of sta-bility that helps children manage the unexpected.
Summer also offers the opportunity to slow down and notice. Instead of asking how to stop a behavior, it can be helpful to ask what the behav-ior might be communicating. When we become curious before we become corrective, we often learn something important about our children. Reflecting on when a child struggles most, when they seem most successful, and what needs they may be expressing can reveal patterns that are easy to miss during the busy school year. A child may be seeking predictability, connection, reas-surance, movement, rest, or simply help getting started. Before assuming a child has changed, it can be useful to consider what has changed around them, such as their daily routine, sleep patterns, time with siblings, or access to familiar teachers and friends.
These reflections do not always provide imme-diate answers, but they encourage us to look be-neath the surface of behavior. Summer often gives us a unique window into our children’s emotion-al and developmental needs because many of the supports they rely on during the school year have been temporarily removed. What we notice now may help us better understand what supports them throughout the year. As summer continues, becoming an observer of a child’s patterns rather than simply a manager of their behavior can offer valuable insight. Noticing what helps them feel successful, what seems difficult, and what helps them recover after a hard moment can deepen our understanding of who they are.
Sometimes the greatest insight does not come from asking how to fix a behavior, but from ask-ing what a child is showing us that we could not see before. When we begin looking beneath the surface, we often discover opportunities to better understand our children, strengthen our relation-ships with them, and respond in ways that sup-port not only their behavior, but their emotional growth as well.
Freedom
in America
Lost Structure
Dr Simone Phillips, Psychologist
Inside the Young Mind:
Salmon Brook Historical Society
2026 Summer Tour Schedule
All events will take place on the Main Campus 208 Salmon Brook Street, Granby CT.
America 250 Exhibit ‘Woven Through Time: Granby’s Story Across 250 Years’ Sundays 2:00pm-4:00pm on July 12 & 26, Aug 16 &30, Sept 13 & 27
Wilcox House 143 Simsbury Road, West Granby CT Saturdays 10:00am-noon on July 11 & Aug22
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.
Granville Federated Church
Granville Harvest Fair Vendor Space
The Granville Federated Church has vendor space available for the Granville Harvest Fair Oct. 10 - 11. Indoor and Outside spaces $100.00. Contact Dena 413 348-5718 or Bobbi 413 297-0445
Southwick Historical Society, Inc
Reading the Declaration of Independence
Sunday, Aug. 2nd - The Southwick Historical Society Inc. will host a reading and signing of the Declaration of Independence in celebration of the 250th Anniversary of America on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Southwick Congregational Church, 488 College Highway. August 2, 1776 was the day the official parchment of the Declaration of Independence was signed. After the public reading, guests are welcome to add their signatures to the document. There will also be a display featuring some of the men from Southwick who fought for freedom. Refreshments will be provided by church members after the reading.
Urban Wildlife Rehabilitation
Summer Family Fun Day!
Sunday, July 26 - Come celebrate 25 years of rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing wildlife with a Summer Family Fun Day on Sunday, July 26, 2026, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Stanley Park Annex Pavilion in Westfield.
The family-friendly event will feature live animal presentations from Forest Park Zoo on the Go, Family Jungle Exotics and Berkshire County Turtle Rescue. Guests can also enjoy lawn games, children’s activities, raffles, refreshments and opportunities to meet rescued wildlife, including snakes, reptiles, birds and ambassador turtles.
Raffle drawings will conclude the afternoon, with prizes and activities available for visitors of all ages. Tickets may be obtained through the event’s QR code or by visiting urbanwildliferehab.org.
Southwick High School
Class of 1976 50th Reunion
Saturday, November 7th 1pm-5pm - The Southwick High Class of 1976 will be holding its 50th reunion Saturday, November 7th 1pm-5pm at the Brass Rail Meeting House. Price is $50 per person. RSVP by October 1st. Call or text 413-478-0653 for more information. Payable by cash, check, or Venmo. Join your classmates for a nice dinner, socializing, and live entertainment!
Stanley Park
Sunday Night Concert Series
Sunday, Aug. 2nd - Coming from the Hilltowns of Western Mass, The 413’s are celebrated for their modern take on rock and roll, blending classic influences with contemporary sounds. Their set lists include covers of legendary acts like the Rolling Stones and The Black Crowes, showcasing both their versatility and respect for rock’s rich history, plus originals like “Tomorrow”, “Southern River”, and “Wild Eyes”. This performance begins at 6:00 p.m. at the Beveridge Pavilion and has a suggested donation of $5 per person. Chairs will be provided and food service will be available from The Bubble Mug Cafe at Pottery Cellar. For further information on the Westfield Bank Sunday Night Concert Series please go to www.stanleypark.org or call the park office at 413-568-9312.
Stanley Park
Friday Mornings for Children
Friday, Jul. 31st - Join us for a wild time! Family Jungle presents an exotic animal and reptile exhibition featuring fascinating facts and insightful information about each animal’s natural habitat. The presentation is suitable for all ages.
Friday Mornings for Children are held in the Beveridge Pavilion from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, weather permitting, and a $5 per family donation is appreciated. Chairs will be provided and blankets are welcome. For further information on the Friday Mornings for Children Series please go to www.stanleypark.org or call the park office at 413-568-9312.
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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
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 to 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. ..- GR
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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. ..- RMG
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