Primary Voting, A Concert for Alice, and More
Alice Parker several decades ago. (See the bottom of this message for her event.)
Dear Fellow Hawleyites—As summer begins to wind down and as usual we ask ourselves where the heck it went, I hope you’re getting some sunshine and feasting on corn, tomatoes, and peaches.
Because of the primary election and more, I will be holding office on Monday from noon to 4 (instead of on Tuesday) on September 2 and 9. I’ll remind you of this later, I promise.
Your Gal Friday,
Tinky
The Primary Is Coming!
Voting for the State Primary will take place on Tuesday, September 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Office. Come catch up with your neighbors, support the Sons & Daughters by purchasing something at the Bake Sale, and of course VOTE.
The following positions will appear on the ballot:
U.S. Senator
U.S. Representative
Councillor
State Senator
State Representative
Clerk of Courts
Register of Deeds
Early Voting
Those who cannot come to vote on September 3 have a couple of options. First, if you requested an absentee ballot, please remember to send it in. Early voting will also take place at the Town Office at the following dates and times:
Saturday, August 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, August 27, from noon to 4 p.m.
Thursday, August 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Dugway
As many residents will recall, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments and our leaders held a public meeting in May to discuss possible future remedies for the Dugway, a challenging section of Route 8A in West Hawley. The FRCOG has established a dugway page on its website. To learn what’s going on there, visit https://frcog.org/project/west-hawley-road-route-8a-dugway-public-input-process/.
Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Our Health Service at FRCOG notes that the risk of contracting West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis, both mosquito-related diseases, is still relatively low in Western Massachusetts. Nevertheless, the state warns us to be careful of these, as well as tick-borne diseases, by spraying our bodies and if necessary clothing to repel the insects that carry these diseases.
Household Hazardous Waste
Enrollment for Household Hazardous Waste Day is now open. You MUST pre-register for this event, which takes place on Saturday, September 21, at Greenfield Community College and the Orange Transfer Station. Details may be found here; I also have sheets at the Town Office. Registration closes on Friday, September 13. For more details, visit https://franklincountywastedistrict.org/p/24/.
Remembering Alice:
A Joyous Celebration of Alice Parker in Words and Music
Mohawk Trail Concerts will present a concert honoring the late Alice Parker of Hawley on Sunday, September 1, at 3 p.m. at the Federated Church on Route 2 in Charlemont.
Alice died in December 2023 at the age of 98 at her home in Hawley. She was a groundbreaking composer, conductor, and teacher who wrote more than 500 pieces in a life dedicated to singing and song. Her motto was, “Music should be something people make, not just something they buy.”
To many of us in Hawley, she was a friend, relative, and inspiration. She was present at the founding of Mohawk Trail Concerts in 1970 and served on its board for many years.
The concert will include pieces Alice wrote and pieces she enjoyed, performed by musicians who knew and loved her. To honor the breadth of her talent and taste, the day will feature a smattering of choral music; classical music; American popular standards; contemporary folk; and her own specialty, a sing-along.
Alice Parker’s children and friends will share anecdotes about the composer, who cherished her community and radiated charm and competence.
The concert will be followed by refreshments prepared by the board of Mohawk Trail Concerts. This concert is free and open to the public, although donations to the concerts are always welcome. For more information, email info@mohawktrailconcerts.org.
