By Clifton (Jerry) Noble
August 1, Wednesday. Motor of pump at brook failed tonight. No compression! Cousin Lester suggested going to O.B. Parks for repair which I did.
August 2, Thursday. After working with Bob Fay as transitman in morning I took vacation in afternoon. In sun in new swim briefs I took baby on shoulders for long walk down road and over through field to top of bank to look down on riv-er. E now puts him to bed without rocking, and he goes to sleep nicely.
August 3, Friday. George Berry quoted “Doc Brady’s” column that potassium and vitamin C help cure allergies of the respiratory system.
August 6, Monday. Rear end of S216 growled so Harvey Collis took it to Bernardston garage to replace it. It was ready at 1:30 p.m. Al Murphy took me up to get it. On vacation in afternoon, I ran brook pump for an hour to fill reservoir behind wellhouse, and then took baby to school-house lawn to play ball.
August 7, Tuesday. At Bessie Sibley’s I got a dozen glads each for Mother Atwater and for Mildred Moore’s birthday.
August 8, Wednesday. John Manzi passed the Grade II exam and Dick Barker passed the I. I pumped reservoir full. Baby likes to throw pebbles into it.
August 9, Thursday. When I went to get shaving things I was going to tell E how much I loved her, but she interrupted me to say, “You’d better shut baby’s door when you get up so early because he wants to sleep. At 6:43 she made a big crash in hall, and baby was not disturbed. When I checked parties Bob Fay told me his mother is in Holyoke hospital with bone cancer and wife’s father is ill. I took him in S216 away from party to talk quietly and pray that I said helpful things.
August 10, Friday. Ernest Castro phoned about legal problem with land he bought from 85-year-old man next door. It seems that an 53-foot strip of that land had been sold previously. There was nothing I, as surveyor, could do. He needs a lawyer.
August 12, Sunday. I did laundry 6:15 to 7:30 a.m. Hester went to visit Grace Cowles while I played for church. Yesterday Dr. Gillis pain-lessly extracted her wisdom tooth and charged $4. There were 47 in church. I’ve begun reading the Bible regularly again. Rain has broken the dry spell. Elizabeth, I, and baby walked to brook where he enjoys throwing pebbles in the water.
August 15, Wednesday. On way to work in Agawam I was wishing I could find time to go to Johnson’s Bookstore. When I stopped to phone Greenfield, Al Murphy and George Berry asked me to go there to pick up an ICS Engineering Handbook for someone in Greenfield. George came down at 3:30 to get it. Also at Johnsons I found a second hand set of Bookhouse I have wanted for baby as well as math books and books by Harold Sher-man. When S216 was traded I was to have gotten a small compact in September. I mentioned to God that I would have liked a larger car. Al Murphy just phoned to have me take S216 to Wellesley tomor-row and pick up a Falcon. Lil Al-brecht’s new book, Grist Mill Secret is reviewed in the newspaper.
August 16, Thursday. I got a new state car in Wellesley. After work I took bath in brook and walked down to river to watch car lights passing along Route 20 on other side. Returning I had to grope my way up brook and could hardly find the big rock where I’d left my sponge, thongs and shorts.
August 18, Saturday. Hazel Griffin takes her sister and two widows shopping every week, carries their packages, and is getting tired of extra passengers. Young Charlie Peckham is to be married today in Shelburne Falls. The couple will live with Mrs Peckham on River Street in Russell.
August 22, Wednesday. In Greenfield I ex-changed the ’62 Falcon with Herb Bushee for his ’56 Ford.
August 23, Thursday. Frona Camp called to collect for funeral of 16-year-old Pattison boy who was crushed by his overturned tractor on Russell Road near the cemetery.
August 24, Friday. Baby weighs about 25 pounds and is starting to eat mashed potato.
August 25, Saturday. Uncle Ralph Emerson ate his lunch in schoolyard and changed the gas pump on his car. Then he came down to brook with me while I changed oil in pump motor. I installed a Tin pipe for draining the system.
August 26, Sunday. Choir consisted of Mari-an Cushman, Lucy Hall, Carolyn Thornton with Hester helping from her front seat, and organ-ist, me, minister and others praised our music. Have reread most of Tom Sugrue’s There Is A River about Edgar Cayce.
August 27, Monday. Bob Fay has 9-pound daughter born Saturday.
August 28, Tuesday. I took two pictures of baby amid mess of toys on hall floor.
August 29, Wednesday. We visited Marion and Mildred with baby. He hiccupped all the way up and back in car, but not a hic during visit. Marion got out dominos and built houses for him.
August 30, Thursday. Glen laundry was full in evening so I went to Speed Queen in Westfield. Repairmen were fixing broken machines, but I found four that worked. In course of fussy eve-ning baby bit and scratched Elizabeth.
August 31, Friday. I had busy morning at Greenfield office. On way south I phoned E about 1:00 p.m. from public booth on College Highway. She said she cried when I didn’t call sooner. I parked on Holland Avenue and left check for Hester’s room and board at Sarah Gil-lette Home. Marion and Mildred had taken her out to lunch with Maude Raymond. I mowed lawn after supper and baby enjoyed following me.. I took bath in brook and ran pump 6-8 p.m. to fill reservoir behind wellhouse. On last trip to brook Mamie cat followed me down and back.
By Sherwood Murray
I was thinking about what it would be like to go back in time to 1960, kind of like the movie Back to the Future. Dwight D. Eisenhower was president, America was a much different place, and everyday life moved at a different pace. There were no cellphones or home computers, and the prices of homes, cars, and gasoline were far lower than the numbers we see today. In my memory, life also seemed slower and simpler, and neighbors felt close to one another.
With all that in mind, I grab my suitcase, head out the door, and climb into an imaginary DeLorean that will take me back to 1960. I start it up, head toward that imaginary portal, and begin a journey that would be nothing short of awesome. Once I arrive, there is no hurry to come back. I want time to stand still for a while.
When I reach Springfield’s North End, I walk to the corner of Main and Huntington streets. Everything is just as I remember it—the original buildings, the landscape, and the people who once lived in the neighborhood. At Huntington and Main, there is a Dairy Queen on one side and Sharon’s drugstore on the other. I often vis-ited Sharon’s as a kid to buy penny candy.
Inside, I imagine seeing for the first time in 66 years the pharmacist and the two women who worked behind the counter. Percy Faith’s “A Summer Place” is playing in the background. I am greeted by the same smile from the wonderful lady who patiently waited while I selected my penny candy. After a smile, a hug, and a hand-shake, I leave the store and walk through the neighborhood.
I am filled with joy as I wander toward Hun-tington Street near Birnie Avenue, where I find the house in which I spent five or six years as a young boy. Parked out front is my half brother’s old 1953 Chevy, with the keys mysteriously still in the ignition. On the same key ring are the keys to the house. In this imaginary trip, I now have a car to drive and a familiar place to sleep. I feel deeply grateful.
The next day, I drive from street to street and garage to garage with the radio playing. Frankie Avalon’s “Venus” comes on and brings back some great memories. I stop at houses where old modified stock cars are parked, just as I re-member them. On Thomas Street, two modified coupes sit behind a house. There were many places throughout the neighborhood where a modified coupe or Tuesday-night jalopy might be found behind someone’s home. Hearing backyard mechanics start those cars and let them run was always music to my ears. Back in 1960, I had a field day in that neighborhood.
I then head to the Round Hill drive-in, where I often went as a kid with my mom and stepdad. In my imagined return, I watch The Apartment with Jack Lemmon. Afterward, I drive home to the quiet old house. Inside, the furnishings look just as they did years ago. Standing in the liv-ing room, I can still picture my mom dancing with my aunt during the holidays. I was reliv-ing some great times, and those memories will always stay with me.
The next morning, I get into the ‘53 Chevy and head to Riverside Park. I am pleasantly sur-prised to find the park as I remember it, from the old rides to the racetrack. I go immediately to the old one-fifth-mile speedway, where mod-ified coupes are warming up for that evening’s race. Seeing those cars circle the track takes my breath away. There was always something about the way those coupes looked going around that speedway that held my attention.
I stay for the races and think about my mom and dad, who were both avid race fans. My dad followed Jocko Maggiacomo, and my mom was a big fan of Jerry Hu-miston. They both passed away many years ago, but in that moment, the memo-ries of going to the races with them feel close again.
After another night’s sleep, there is one more Springfield stop I want to make. I take the Chevy to Pynchon Park, where a baseball game is underway. I was never much of a baseball fan, but I stand and watch until the game is over. In my imagined afternoon, the Springfield Giants win 7–0, and I am happy to see them win.
From Pynchon Park, I travel north on Route 5 to Mountain Park in Holyoke. I have many childhood memories of that place—riding the children’s rides and eating all the popcorn, cot-ton candy, and ice cream I could manage in a day. It was great to be a kid back then, with Riv-erside Park, Mountain Park, and the Round Hill drive-in all holding their own special memories.
My imaginary journey back in time may never be possible, but the people, places, music, cars, and memories are still with me. If I could drive through that imaginary portal and return to 1960, even for a little while, I know exactly where I would go
What does it take for a person to consider themselves an actor? To most, acting is some-thing you do on stage as part of a play or in front of a camera for a movie or television show. At what point, then, do theatre, film, and televi-sion stars officially become actors? Is it the mo-ment they step onto their first stage? Must they participate in a certain number of performances before they are a “real actor”? Or does their sta-tus as an actor depend on their ability to portray a wide variety of roles effectively?
Perhaps the answer is none of these. The artists we admire for their acting abilities may have been actors, in some sense, from the very beginning of their lives. I do not mean to say that they were simply born with unique talents, but rather that acting can be seen as deeply in-terwoven with the human condition. It is easy to look at acting solely as a career choice exclu-sive to those who work in theatre and film, but that way of thinking can overlook the inner ac-tor within each of us. The actors we watch with admiration on stage or through our television screens are skillfully aware of, and in tune with, the ways human beings perform throughout life.
What does it mean to “perform throughout life”? As humans, we constantly take into con-sideration how we are perceived by the people around us, and this influences how we pres-ent ourselves to one another. That presentation often depends on our relationship with some-one and the social expectations of the environ-ment we are in. One way to think about this is through the “masks” we wear in different social situations.
At work, for example, we are generally ex-pected to present ourselves in a professional and friendly manner to our coworkers. That so-cial expectation may cause us to wear a “mask” that keeps more unprofessional or negative be-haviors in check, helping prevent us from say-ing or doing something inappropriate. Instead, the mask allows us to act in a way that feels suit-able for the environment and helps us live and work peacefully with others. We wear masks in countless social situations throughout our lives, though the changes in our behavior and demeanor depend on the setting. After all, you likely act differently at home among family and friends than you do in an office.
The terms “acting” and “mask” may suggest that these behaviors are not true to our identity. However, it may be better to think of them as different aspects of ourselves that gain or lose prominence depending on the situation. When a professional actor steps on stage and plays a role, their behavior may change dramatically from how they would normally present them-selves. Yet a character does not simply appear out of thin air. An artist builds a performance from genuine feelings and emotions, shaping them to fit the social context of the character be-ing played. The presentation may be wildly dif-ferent from everyday behavior, but it can still grow from something the actor feels on a per-sonal level. Someone who acts professionally, then, becomes highly skilled at shifting from one mask to another while remaining connected to themselves.
Professional actors offer a clear example of what it means to perform throughout life, but this idea can be applied to all of us. We are actors in our own way, navigating life through behav-iors shaped by the social expectations around us and our emotional responses to them. These behaviors are not set in stone. They are more like a piece of clay that we constantly shape and reshape to fit the many people we encounter and environments we enter. This is part of the beauty of the human experience: Our identities are multifaceted in ways we may never fully ex-plore, leaving endless opportunities to discover more about who we are as individuals.
Embrace the possibilities within your ever-changing performance of self, and try entering a new and unfamiliar social environment. Allow yourself to notice the emotions you feel and the ways your behavior shifts in response. You may be surprised by what you learn about yourself. As Shakespeare wrote in As You Like It, “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players.” Take careful note of your inner actor, and allow that part of yourself to flourish in the great performance that is life.
By Phil Pothier
The sky was gray at early dawn.
The air was still as death.
And yet the day was very warm,
I could not catch my breath!
Humidity was very high,
The sweat rolled off my brow.
It wasn’t very pleasant as
I look back on it now!
The weather forecast wasn’t good,
It called for heavy rain.
But how much rain, and how ‘twould come
They couldn’t quite explain!
I let the cat out for a while,
And hoped he’d be okay.
The cat, he didn’t know the forecast,
Rain for the whole day.
I put the tractor in the barn,
And went to check the garden.
I knew there ‘d be some new zuchinni,
Tho’ I beg your pardon!
I hunkered down to watch the tube
And make something to eat.
I wasn’t worried any more,
My day was now complete!
Then came the rain, I didn’t care,
For naught could bring me pain.
For, after all, what e’r befall,
It’s just a little rain!
BACK
1960
<
TO
Performance Beyond the Theatre
By Lucas Caron
Preparations
Mildred Moore at “Little House”
Baby on floor with toys
August 2015
By Dave Roberts
In 1802, Seth and Mehetable Topping Hays sent their three daughters—Mehetable, Melissa, and Hilpah—to Litchfield to pursue an advanced education. Leaving behind their local one-room school-house in Granby, the sisters attended Sarah Pierce’s Female Academy, one of the most re-spected educational institutions for young women in the early United States. At the time, the journey from Granby to Litchfield would have required nearly eight hours of travel over rough roads.
The academy’s academic curriculum was as rigorous as that offered to male students. Stud-ies in literature, history, geography, and science were balanced with instruction in music, danc-ing, painting, and intricate embroidery. The fine arts often reinforced academic lessons, while the school also emphasized the role educated women played in providing the intellectual and moral education of future generations.
Among the surviving examples of the Hays sisters’ education are remarkable watercolors and pictorial silk-on-silk embroideries. Their work offers a glimpse into a period when art was not simply decorative but was also consid-ered evidence of education, discipline, and ac-complishment.
These works are part of a broader tradition often described as schoolgirl art, generally re-ferring to finely crafted textiles, paintings, and drawings created by girls and young women from the late 17th century through the Civil War. After receiving basic instruction in read-ing, mathematics, and geography, many young women attended private female academies or paid additional tuition for instruction in the fine arts.
The highly skilled artwork they produced could demonstrate both educational achieve-ment and social standing. Such accomplish-ments also reflected the ideals of the young republic, which looked to educated women to help raise future generations of informed and virtuous citizens.
Granby has a particularly rich connection to this tradition. Beyond the Hays sisters, surviv-ing works are associated with Laura Goodrich Elmore, Mary Higley Case, Lura Hays Dibble, Delia Church, Cynthia Bugbee, Elizabeth Turn-bull, and others.
Another nearby institution also became part of this changing educational landscape. The Suffield Literary Institute, now Suffield Acad-emy, began admitting female students in 1843. Its curriculum combined rigorous academics with instruction in the visual arts, including drawing and perspective. Artwork created by some of these students before the Civil War sur-vives today, although the names of many of the young artists have been lost.
The artistic story of Granby women did not end with the era of schoolgirl art. Later genera-tions continued to record their surroundings, experiences, and community through painting, drawing, quilting, embroidery, and other forms of creative expression.
Among these later Granby artists are Etta Lawton Emmons, Ina Emmons Case, Marian Coleman Shattuck, Gertrude Hough Patterson, Polly Hall, Evelyn Whiting Hildreth, Sylvia Da-vis Patricelli, and Sally Sargent Markey. Taken together, their paintings, drawings, quilts, sam-plers, and other works provide something more than a collection of individual artistic accom-plishments. They create a visual chronicle of Granby itself.
Through these works, we can see how ar-tistic traditions changed across generations while the impulse to observe, create, and pre-serve remained remarkably consistent. What began with young women traveling miles from home for educational opportunities continued through generations of local artists who found their own ways to document the people, places, and experiences around them.
Many of these works can now be seen in Granby Women Artists in the Salmon Brook Historical Society Collection at the society’s Sunday tour season through Sept. 27, offering an opportunity to explore more than two cen-turies of Granby women’s creativity and artistic history.
By Todd Shiveley
As the title states, free-dom is never free. When we look back at the Declaration of Independence 250 years later, it is easy to see the signatures on that famous parchment as names from a dis-tant chapter in history. What is easier to forget is that those names belonged to real people who understood that declaring independence from Great Britain carried serious personal risks.
After the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776, most of the delegates signed the engrossed parchment on Aug. 2, with addi-tional signatures added later until 56 names ap-peared on the document. They understood the risk they were taking. The decision was hardly ceremonial. The colonies were already at war, and King George III had already rejected the colonists’ earlier attempt at reconciliation, the Olive Branch Petition, and declared the Ameri-can resistance a rebellion. The men who public-ly attached their names to independence knew that the outcome was far from certain, and those who stood against the Crown could certainly be considered traitors, a charge that carried the penalty of death by hanging along with the loss of property and civil rights.
Yes, some of the most outspoken supporters of the Revolution, such as John and Samuel Ad-ams and John Hancock, escaped the war with-out suffering the losses that befell others. Two of the signers, John Adams and Thomas Jeffer-son, later became presidents. James Madison and George Washington did not sign the Decla-ration, although Washington, of course, would lead the Continental Army. It is also interesting that some of the better-known homes and plan-tations associated with these men survived the war.
The point, however, is that few of us—myself included—may realize, as we celebrate Amer-ica’s 250th anniversary in 2026, how many of the men connected with independence suffered hardships because of the Revolution.
We could also look at Revolutionary War vet-erans such as Daniel Shays, who later believed that the government he had fought to create was placing an unfair burden on struggling farmers through taxes and debt. His experience reminds us that the difficulties did not necessarily end when the fighting stopped. For modest farmers, blacksmiths, militiamen, and others who fought for the cause, the price of the Revolution could be very personal, perhaps more so then our founders who were already wealthy.
Popular movies have tried to capture that difference in sacrifice. Mel Gibson’s fictional character in The Patriot has often been associ-ated with Revolutionary figures such as Fran-cis Marion. Ironically, in Braveheart, Gibson’s William Wallace challenges noblemen with es-sentially the same question: Does a poor man lose less when he goes into battle? While movies should never be mistaken for history, the ques-tion itself is worth considering.
Then we come to the consequences faced by some of the men who actually signed the Dec-laration of Independence. Although accounts vary, there is no question that several suffered greatly. Some lost sons, others died of wounds sustained in battles, many had homes or prop-erty damaged or taken. Signers including William Ellery, George Clymer, Lyman Hall, George Walton, Button Gwinnett, Thomas Hey-ward Jr., Edward Rutledge, and Arthur Middle-ton have all been associated with different hard-ships during those turbulent years.
One of the saddest accounts traditionally told is that of John Hart of New Jersey. Hart had 13 children, and his wife was seriously ill during the difficult months of 1776. With Brit-ish and forces moving through the area, Hart was forced from his home and spent a period in hiding in nearby caves and forests. His property was looted and family scattered. What is known is that Hart suffered severely for the cost of the war enduring personal loss and disruption dur-ing the Revolution and later returned to public service.
The Revolutionary War was complicated, and The Patriot showcased a bit of the gray lines both sides held. There were acts of brutality, restraint, destruction, courage, and mercy for various reasons like respect of brave men that may help explain why some prominent prop-erties survived while others were damaged or destroyed.
So let no man or woman say that no great risk was taken when those Founding Fathers de-clared independence from the mother country and challenged one of the strongest nations in the world at that time.
Two hundred fifty years later, we know how the story ended. They did not. That alone should remind us that freedom is never free.
By Michael Dubilo
An old, old story to cherish and cultivate with deep thinking and enjoyment.
There is a special peace in venturing outdoors, away from crowds and city build-ings. Choose activi-ties that stir the body, mind, and spirit. Pic-ture yourself enjoy-ing a warm day with a trusted friend, breath-ing fresh, cool air and celebrating the good life. As your feet travel along a well-worn trail, your eyes may begin to notice more—the hills, the trees, the sky, and the small details we often miss. For many people, time outdoors can in-spire gratitude for creation and a renewed sense of peace.
Restorative moments can come simply from sitting in the sunshine, gazing across a moun-tain vista, or listening to birds chirp. My ears require hearing aids, and this summer I was once again able to hear the wonderful sounds of different birds. They always seem happy in flight. Even though we cannot fly, we can keep moving forward. Being outdoors can give us something good physically and mentally. There is value in sitting on the porch or patio watch-ing a sunrise or sunset, working on a backyard project, or hiking through the forest.
Remember camping in the woods during summer? We gathered dry wood, started a campfire for cooking, and enjoyed food with that unmistakable smoky flavor. When dark-ness arrived, stars that were hard to see in the city seemed to twinkle just for us. We roasted marshmallows, melted chocolate, told stories around the fire—some true and some driven by imagination—and sometimes sang our favor-ite songs together. As the fire burned, glowing embers rose toward the sky in dancing orange shapes. There is something about being in the woods, beside a lake, or in the mountains that gives the mind room to slow down and see things differently.
My helpful wife, Susanna, and I planted herbs, Swiss chard, and small tomatoes in pots beside our bushy evergreens. Around Susan-na’s birthday on June 30, a bold gray female bird built a nest hidden among the branches of one of our Douglas firs. The mother bird be-came skilled at finding small worms and insects for her young. She seemed familiar with me but kept about 4 feet between us. Often, she ap-peared with food in her beak before darting into the tree to feed her hungry youngsters. Watch-ing her provide for them was a simple natural treat and a reminder to help others when an op-portunity presents itself.
Susanna and I are early risers, and we of-ten observe the daily activity above Hamp-ton Ponds. Birds move among the pine trees, searching for food as the morning begins. I have watched an eagle soar high above the water, us-ing the air currents as it searches below. A trout may swim peacefully with no idea it is being watched. When the moment is right, the eagle dives toward the water, reaching with powerful talons. The accuracy, patience, and skill of these birds are wonderful to witness.
With what remains of summer, find ways to let the outdoors bring some peace and joy into your life.
At our annual Fourth of July parade in Westfield, Susanna and I met a man and wom-an dressed as Revolutionary-era Patriots. They kindly showed us their uniforms and reproduc-tion weapons and posed for a picture with Su-sanna, who enjoys gaining knowledge through experiences like outdoor parades. The encoun-ter offered a glimpse into the role local militias played in colonial America. Militia laws varied by colony, but many required able-bodied men within specified age ranges to serve, and mili-tia ranks included ordinary farmers, tradesmen, and laborers.
That parade also offered a reminder that communities inherit places and traditions worth caring for. Public parks, forests, lakes, and other shared outdoor spaces give people opportunities to enjoy nature together. We can do our part by not littering, respecting the land and water, and becoming good stewards of the natural world. Generations to come depend on our peaceful, purposeful involvement.
Before you were even born . . . before you were even conceived . . . you were an idea in the mind of God. You were a brainstorm God was excited about! And God didn’t create you to be mediocre. God didn’t create you to be a slacker or to just barely get by. He created you to be a person of excellence.
Here’s what you need to know: God doesn’t bless mediocrity. He blesses excellence.
The Bible teaches that whatever we do, we should work at it with our whole heart and do it as though we are doing it for God. Whatever the task, we should give it our best effort. I believe that when we live with that standard in mind, God honors our faithfulness.
If you want God’s blessing in your life, start aiming for excellence. Aim to be outstanding. Always do a little more than you are required to do. If you’re supposed to be at work at 8 o’clock, get there a few minutes early. Be dependable. Stay focused. It can be easy to get distracted, waste time, or follow what everybody else is do-ing instead of giving our best.
You may say, “But, Jeff, everybody’s doing it. Everybody gets to work late at my office. Ev-erybody takes extra-long lunch breaks when the boss is gone.”
That may be so—but you don’t have to be like everybody else. You are a person of excellence. How you live, how you conduct your business, and whether you are dependable are all reflec-tions of your character and your faith.
Your life is a reflection of what you believe. Whether you realize it or not, peo-ple are watching. What do they see? Are you giving them a good example?
God doesn’t bless dishon-esty. He blesses integrity.
I heard about a guy who left work early one day to go to his grand-mother’s funeral. The next morning, the boss asked, “Do you believe in life after death?”
The employee looked puzzled and said, “Well, yes, I do.”
The boss replied, “That makes me feel a whole lot better.”
“Why? What are you talking about?”
“Well, yesterday after you left early to attend your grandmother’s funeral, she stopped by to visit you.”
Folks, that’s the opposite of integrity. A per-son of integrity says what he means and means what he says. People shouldn’t have to figure out what you really meant. Be straightforward and honest.
Say you’re trying to sell your car. A man ap-proaches with his checkbook in hand. He likes your car and is ready to buy, but then he asks, “Have you ever wrecked this car?”
Your mind starts working through the possi-ble answers. Although you have never wrecked it, your wife, teenage son, and mother-in-law have all had accidents in that car. Technically, you could say, “No, I’ve never wrecked this car.” But if you are a person of integrity, you’ll add, “The car has been in accidents.”
“But, Jeff,” I hear you protesting, “if I tell him the truth, I might lose the sale.”
Yes, you may lose a sale in the short term. But integrity is worth more than any one transac-tion. I believe that when we honor God by walk-ing in integrity, we build something more valu-able than a quick profit.
Commit to excellence. You are building the foundation for your future.
I heard about a builder who was down on his luck, so a wealthy friend decided to help him. He gave him plans and a $400,000 down pay-ment to build a new home. “You make all the decisions,” he told him. “I trust you.”
The builder soon realized that if he cut a few corners, he could pocket some of the money. He bought cheap concrete, watered it down, used bent and warped lumber, and cut costs on the plumbing and electrical work. When the house was completed, he had quietly saved nearly $100,000 for himself.
On the surface, the home looked beautiful. The wealthy man seemed impressed. Then, as he walked toward the front door, he handed the builder the keys.
“I don’t really need this home,” he said. “I was trying to help you. This is for you. You’ve just built yourself a brand-new home.”
The builder nearly passed out. If he had known it was going to be his own home, he would have built it a whole lot better.
The truth is, whether we realize it or not, we are all building our own homes. Every decision becomes part of the foundation for our future. We may cut corners here and there and think nobody is being hurt, but sooner or later those choices can weaken the foundation.
Three months later, the builder was having foundation problems. Six months later, cracks appeared in the walls, and the plumbing wasn’t working right. Fixing those problems cost far more than the money he thought he had saved. If he had it to do over again, he would have done it right the first time.
What do we do when nobody is watching? Do we remain honest when it would be easier not to be? Do we still give our best when no-body is there to notice?
My friend, you will never go wrong by taking the high road. Don’t settle for mediocrity or do only what you have to do to get by. Be a person who goes the extra mile. Do a little more than you have to do. Commit yourself to excellence and integrity, and keep building your life on a foundation you can be proud of.
Granby
Women
Artists:
Two Centuries of
Creativity
Artwork Similar to early 1800’s artwork the Hays sisters would have done. This artist is Mar-garet McKay, 1804-1806 in Poughkeep-ise, NY.
Freedom is
Never Free
The
Good
Outdoors
The
Good
Outdoors
10-5
A Person
of Excellence
By Elaine Adele Aubrey
For an actor whose career began during the 1940s and contin-ued nearly to the end of his life, Connecticut-born Robert Mitchum was certainly one who brought moviegoers into theaters.
Accounts of his ear-ly life say Mitchum discovered acting through an amateur theater company in Long Beach, California. Discovered acting? His early background helps explain the unusual road that brought him there.
Mitchum spent much of his teenage years “on the open road,” something that may not have been so unusual during the difficult years of the 1930s. His father died while Mitchum was still a toddler, leaving his mother to raise her children before she later remarried. Young Mitchum also had his share of discipline problems and eventu-ally left home.
Life on his own, moving from place to place, brought more trouble. Mitchum later claimed that as a teenager he was arrested in Georgia, sent to a chain gang, and managed to escape. Whatever the full story, those wandering years included a remarkable variety of jobs. Eventu-ally, he found his way to the amateur theater in Long Beach. After a stressful period working at Lockheed Aircraft, small movie roles began ar-riving, many within a short period of time.
In 1945, he was cast as Lt. Walker in The Story of G.I. Joe. For the role, he received an Acade-my Award nomination for Best Supporting Ac-tor. An amazing accomplishment! His star rose quickly, and Mitchum became closely associ-ated with the film noir movies of the 1940s. But he was also highly skilled in Westerns and ro-mantic dramas. His relaxed, seen-it-all style ap-pealed to movie audiences, and by the 1950s, he had become a major star. Even a 1948 marijuana arrest and a brief period of imprisonment the following year did little to slow his career.
Mitchum continued to grow as an actor, tak-ing on memorable projects such as Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter. His inter-ests also went beyond acting. Accounts of his early career credit him with work on an orato-rio for a refugee benefit connected with Orson Welles at the Hollywood Bowl. My amazement continues.
On-screen and off, Mitchum became known for his cool, sleepy-eyed appearance, which he attributed in part to boxing injuries and chronic insomnia. His other noticeable characteristics in-cluded his dimpled chin and commanding, deep voice. He also had a remarkable ability with ac-cents. Mitchum developed a reputation for mak-ing acting appear effortless, and many directors and fellow performers admired his natural style.
In spite of all his talent, Mitchum often acted as though he did not care much about being a star. Some of his movies became unforgettable classics, while others did not. As movie oppor-tunities became less frequent in the 1980s, tele-vision introduced him to another generation of viewers through The Winds of War in 1983 and War and Remembrance later in the decade. Among his final screen appearances was James Dean: Race with Destiny in 1997.
Mitchum married Dorothy Spence in March 1940, and they had three children: sons James and Christopher, who both became actors, and a daughter, Petrine, a writer. Robert and Dorothy Mitchum remained married until his death on July 1, 1997. A longtime heavy smoker, he died at age 79 from complications of lung cancer and emphysema.
As for where he is now, Mitchum was cremat-ed, and his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean shortly after his death.
Me, I need to look for some of his movies.
Robert Mitchum
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 Aug 30, Sept 13 & 27
Wilcox House 143 Simsbury Road, West Granby CT Saturdays 10:00am-noon on 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
Museum Dates
The Southwick Historical Society Inc. still has a few open museum dates for the 2026 Season. Join us on August 23rd, September 12th & 27th, October 3rd & 25th. All dates 2pm-4pm. Free admission, donations are appreciated. Genealogical research requests welcomed. 86 College Highway, Southwick, MA 01077.
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
Friday Mornings For Children:Creepy, Crawly Creatures
Friday, Aug. 21st - Discover some of our fascinating local bugs – such as beetles, worms, slugs, ladybugs and caterpillars! Through learning about them, we will gain a better understanding and appreciation of their importance to our lives, and their role in our ecosystem. We will observe bugs with magnifiers! Then take a walk on a Bug Hunt to discover where insects can be found!
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.
Stanley Park
Friday Mornings For Children:Comedy Magic Show
Friday, Aug. 28th - Ed Popielarczyk.is a professional magician, balloon sculptor, flea circus ringmaster, and storyteller. He has been entertaining children and family audiences for over 40 years. He was interviewed in the November, 2008 issue of Wondertime Magazine (a Disney Publication) on what makes children laugh. His magic show is a comedy show that uses a lot of audience participation. The kids are the stars because they make the magic happen. He does not just “do a trick”, he tells a story that revolves around each trick. It may be a short story or a longer one, but each story helps to bring the trick together. This show is appropriate for ages three and up.
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 or to confirm the location of this show, please go to www.stanleypark.org or call the park office at 413-568-9312.
Stanley Park
“Heritage in Bloom” Annual Fundraiser
Saturday, Sept. 12th - Stanley Park invites the community to join us for Heritage in Bloom: Stanley Park’s Annual Fundraiser, taking place on Saturday, September 12 at 5:00 p.m. in the scenic Beveridge Pavilion.
This signature evening celebrates the history, natural beauty, and enduring legacy of Stanley Park while supporting the ongoing care and preservation of one of the region’s most treasured public spaces.
Guests will enjoy a memorable evening surrounded by the park’s gardens, hors d’oeuvres, and a guided garden tour highlighting the beauty, history, and stewardship of the landscape. The evening continues with dinner stations and dessert along with a cash bar available throughout the event.
Festivities will also include expanded online and in-person raffles, a dynamic online auction, and the interactive Stanley Park Heritage Challenge, a team-based competition celebrating the park’s history, landmarks, wildlife, and memorable moments from more than 75 years of community impact.
Tickets are now available for purchase online at: https://spwi.betterworld.org/events/annual-fundraiser-heritage-bloom
For more information, visit www.stanleypark.org or follow Stanley Park on Facebook.
Magic for Maddie5k Fundraiser
October 17th - For 31 years, Southwick has been home to my family, and I have seen firsthand the generosity and compassion that make this community special.
On October 17, I will take part in the Magic for Maddie 5K—and I’ll be running the entire race backwards.
The idea began nearly 28 years ago when I ran a 10K to raise money for two children, Nora and Kerr, who were battling childhood cancer. My friend Jim “Pirate” Sullivan challenged me to run the race backwards for a larger donation. I did, and thankfully, both children later overcame their illnesses.
Years later, Nora became the mother of a beautiful little girl named Maddie Schmidt. Maddie was known for her joyful spirit, kindness, and infectious smile. Tragically, at just eight years old, she lost her battle with childhood brain cancer.
So this October, I’ll run backwards again—this time for Maddie.
My goal is to raise $8,000 for Magic for Maddie, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting childhood brain cancer research and families going through treatment.
Whether you can give $10, $25, $100, or simply help spread the word, every contribution matters. Compared with what these children and their families face, running a 5K backwards seems pretty easy.
Thank you for helping keep Maddie’s magic alive. ~ John GriffinFundraising Page: https://runsignup.com/backwardsracerTax ID: 93-3857158
Jam Session
Join us for Jam Sessions every Thursday from 6pm-9pm in the Southwick Meeting House located at 222 College Highway (formerly Christ Methodist Church). For more info please call Bob Fox at 413-579-4585. Open to all and any age. All fun and no pressure. Explore your talent or come to listen to some good music.
COUNTRY PEDDLER
CLASSIFIEDS
PRAYER OFFERINGS
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
GOODS & SERVICES
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. ..- BAL
GOODS & SERVICES
PRAYER OFFERINGS
