On the Cusp of Summer

Tag Sale This Weekend!

Don’t forget that the Giant Tag Sale will take place at the Hawley Grove this weekend. Please come snag a bargain and support the Sons & Daughters of Hawley. Hawley’s firefighters will be on hand serving lunch, and the Sons & Daughters will have a bake sale for those of you looking for a Father’s Day treat.

It’s too late to add anything else to this year’s tag sale … but feel free to contribute to the bake sale if you are so inclined.

Baby, It’s Warm Outside!

As many of us feared, we are going from sweatshirt weather to swimsuit weather with very little in between. As many of you presumably know, we are predicted to have warmer than usual temperatures over the next week. Our public-health partners have asked me to remind you to hydrate, check in on your neighbors who may be vulnerable to heat stroke, and avoid strenuous activity in the hottest part of the day. If you haven’t gotten your fans out of the closet, this is the time! (I’m going to do that as soon as I finish this newsletter.)

If you feel overwhelmed by the heat at any point, give me a call (office: 413-339-5518; home, 413-339-4747), and I can let you into the Town Office, which is air conditioned, for a while.

State Forest Woes

Middle and Hunt Roads in the Hawley State Forest are closed for the immediate future. The beaver pond gave way, and culverts and roads are a mess. The Selectmen are approaching the Department of Conservation and Recreation to see what can be done. We’ll let you know when progress is made.

Crafting at the Library

On Saturday, June 28, at 12:30 p.m., the creative Mary Ann Adams will lead would-be crafters through the process of making a welcome sign. This free program is supported by the Charlemont-Hawley Arts Council.

Home Modification Loan Program

I just read an article in The New York Times about the hidden costs of home ownership … and that article covered only GETTING a house, not keeping it in decent (in my case, sort of decent) repair. If your home needs some TLC, you may be able to get help from Franklin County’s Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority. (Gandhi Garcia there informs me that he can also help people fill out the loan application.) The program in this brochure, which has generous income guidelines, is mostly for modifying houses for the needs of residents.

Music! Music! Music! (and some talk)

Mohawk Trail Concerts will continue this week and next (and through July!) with chamber music on Saturdays at 5 p.m. at the Federated Church on Route 2 in Charlemont. The suggested donation is $25, but any amount is welcome.

This Saturday, June 21, acclaimed American pianist Simone Dinnerstein will play Rameau, Bach, Lasser, and Keith Jarrett. Come early; this concert is sure to sell out.

Next Saturday, June 28, at 5 pm., Mohawk Trail Concerts will welcome the Adaskin String Trio, featuring artistic director Mark Fraser, with Jean Jeffries on horn. The group will play Kenji Bunch, Zeke Hecker, and Beethoven.

If you’re looking for a free concert (and you’re available on weekdays!), join pianist Jerry Noble and me on Wednesday, July 2, for “Of Thee I Sing,” a program of American songs from “Yankee Doodle” to “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” This free concert at the Federated Church is sponsored by the Senior Center and the Charlemont-Hawley Arts Council. All are welcome.

And don’t forget the Charlemont Forum with Judge David Tafel a week from today (Thursday, June 26) at 7 p.m. at the Federated Church.

I’ll be back soon with more news. Enjoy our last day (sigh!) of lengthening sunlight; tomorrow is the summer solstice. I look forward to seeing lots of you at our SHORT BUT ESSENTIAL SPECIAL TOWN MEETING on MONDAY, JUNE 23, at the Town Office. 

Warmly,

Tinky Weisblat
Gal Friday
Town of Hawley