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By CAROLYN BROWN

Jonathan Edwards, one of Northampton’s most famous residents, was a revolutionary preacher whose legacy has endured through centuries. He was the first minister in Northampton to baptize African Americans, yet he did not free those he enslaved. He was a loving husband, yet he supported complementarianism, a theological belief that gender roles are ordained by God. And his work inspired several suicides.

By CAROLYN BROWN

One of the most prosperous individuals in early Southampton was Ichabod Strong, who dammed the Manhan River and established a sawmill there in the early 1730s; that mill complex, once known as the Strong’s Mills complex, now part of the Lockville Historic District. Strong, who was described in a genealogy book as “a man of stirring business qualities of character” and “best of all, a remarkably godly man,” also built four farmhouses in the area, which his sons and grandsons inherited. One of those farmhouses, part of the National Register of Historic Places, is on the market right now.

By CAROLYN BROWN

Marigold Theater in Easthampton now has its own cafe.

By CAROLYN BROWN

The late artist Daniel Feldman died in November at the age of 67, a few months before an exhibition of 14 of his works at Gallery A3 in Amherst was slated to open.

By CAROLYN BROWN

A singer-songwriter showcase series in Florence is expanding to include the trans community.

By CAROLYN BROWN

Fans of the Disney musical “Newsies” generally know the titular group of characters as boys, but a local theater company’s upcoming production is expanding the show to include female and nonbinary characters.

By CAROLYN BROWN

Most people don’t see local bars as venues for classical music, but a concert series at The Drake in Amherst is helping redefine and expand where classical music belongs.Chamber@The Drake, the venue’s classical music series, brings performers to play...

By CAROLYN BROWN

First Night Northampton, the city’s annual New Year’s Eve festival, will return this year on Tuesday, Dec. 31, from noon to midnight, celebrating its 40th anniversary.The event will feature, as always, fireworks (at 6:15 p.m., to give children a...

By CAROLYN BROWN

For Mary Lou Bouley and her friends, donating to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund is not a trivial pursuit.Bouley, of Northampton, is part of a group of friends who started getting together more than four decades ago. At the time, the group included...

By CAROLYN BROWN

Finding love is all about finding someone on your wavelength. A radio show at the University of Massachusetts Amherst wants to help the local queer community make romantic connections, one guest DJ at a time.On the show “Queer Yenta Radio Hour,” which...

By CAROLYN BROWN

When the weather outside is frightful, warming up indoors, surrounded by plants, food, art and live music, is so delightful.Such is the idea behind Flora & Fromage, an upcoming plant-themed art and food experience at Mill 1 in Holyoke on Saturday,...

By CAROLYN BROWN

At an upcoming new concert series at a recently opened venue in Holyoke, guests can listen to live music while they eat themed meals and help local students build career skills.The series, Feast & Harmony, will debut next week at De La Luz Soundstage...

By CAROLYN BROWN

NORTHAMPTON — Beloved and well-respected singer and lawyer Leah Kunkel, who was also a strong advocate for up-and-coming performers, died at Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst on Nov. 26, 2024, at the age of 76.“She’s not gonna get enough press for...

By CAROLYN BROWN

HADLEY — Most donors to the Toy Fund give in memory of a person or people, but Hadley resident Glenn Meakim gives in memory of someone else special to him — his 15-year-old yellow Labrador retriever named Anya.“She was the sweetest dog,” Meakim said....

By CAROLYN BROWN

It’s been 40 years since the band NRBQ played at Sunderland’s The Rusty Nail on New Year’s Eve, but a devoted fan and friend of the band kept the night alive with his concert footage. Later this month, the Academy of Music will screen that footage,...

By CAROLYN BROWN

Thousands of University of Massachusetts Amherst students have learned from percussion instructor Thom Hannum, whose 40-year career at the college included a tenure as the assistant director, then associate director, of the Minuteman Marching Band...

By CAROLYN BROWN

Through the Gazette’s weather art program, local schoolchildren find artistic inspiration in the world around them – and a Northampton woman finds her own artistic inspiration from them.Judy Van Heyst, 90, is a former art teacher who lives in...

By CAROLYN BROWN

Decades ago, it was common for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be kept in inhumane conditions inside horrific institutions. With the release of his new book, “Becoming Darlene: The Story of Belchertown Patient #4952,”...

By CAROLYN BROWN

The album “Free to Be… You and Me,” released by Marlo Thomas in 1972, inspired a generation to think beyond gender stereotypes. Now, the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst is celebrating the “Free to Be...” project’s lasting legacy and impact in a new...

By CAROLYN BROWN

The popular true crime podcast “Criminal” will stop at the Academy of Music for a live show on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m. as part of a national tour celebrating its 10th anniversary.“Criminal,” hosted by co-creator Phoebe Judge, is about “people...

By CAROLYN BROWN

Inside a plain brick building on South Street is an organization that’s taught thousands of students — children and adults — to sing, play instruments and find connections through music over the last 38 years.For the last 21 of them, executive...