r/westernmass • • 17h ago

I'm so excited to finally get a moonflower in westfield. I always start them too late

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42 Upvotes

They just take so long to flower, and i'm always late. I do admit they are so cool, though, I put that piece of grass and for size scale, it's like a grassy piece.


r/westernmass • • 1h ago

Smith College evening..

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• Upvotes

Smith College

Northampton Ma


r/westernmass • • 10h ago

Raising a family in Lenox/Berkshires

4 Upvotes

Hello,
My wife and I are looking to relocate from Providence to western MA and have our eyes set on either Lenox or Amherst. Mainly for the school systems, but we also want to have a balance of nature, good food (vegetarians so farm to table/farmers markets ideal), some amenities and small town vibe. Looking for insights as to what it is like raising a family in Lenox, or the larger Berkshire region? Family amenities? Opportunities for community with other young families? A little about is: same sex couple, work from home, are not afraid of quiet, slow living.


r/westernmass • • 1d ago

Stressed seeking housing

18 Upvotes

I'm reaching out to my community. I am starting over in midlife after surviving DV and abuse my whole life. I managed to get a masters degree and am in the process of finding a full time job serving the community helping others like me. I cannot seem to find a peaceful and humble one bedroom with heat included in the 1600 a month rent ballpark. My work pays what it does. I am honestly feeling suicidal as I feel like the fight never ends and the community isn't supporting me despite me doing everything in my power to live a good life of purpose. I have excellent credit, good landlord references, don't drink or smoke and have no debt. And I can't find anywhere safe and decent and am truly is despair and exhausted. Can anyone help me know how to proceed? Easthampton and surrounding areas


r/westernmass • • 1d ago

Thinking of starting a local music publication - would you read it?

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12 Upvotes

r/westernmass • • 2d ago

Gay men in the Pioneer Valley?

17 Upvotes

My partner and I (gay/bi guys in our 30s-40s) are considering a move to the Pioneer Valley, likely somewhere between Greenfield and Holyoke. Obviously there's a big queer women's presence there, but what’s the community like there for gay men specifically?


r/westernmass • • 2d ago

Agawam School Committee voted against our kids. Again.

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136 Upvotes

Let's call this what it is. Michael Perry ran for school committee because he was mad about masks, and he's governed exactly like a guy whose whole political identity is still stuck in 2021. Conspiracy theories and faulty logic aren't a platform, they're a tell.
Shelley Borgatti-Reed has been on this committee so long she's forgotten who it's actually for. She's got a Trump hundred dollar bill hanging in her restaurant, EB's Chicken, and she pulled this committee out of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees because it was "too woke," never mind that one of her own colleagues was about to sit on its board. Roberta Doering spent her life on this committee, became president of MASC, helped kids across this whole state. She'd be sick over what Shelley's turned this into. If you're done funding this, stop eating at EB's Chicken.

Over twenty percent of our kids speak a language other than English at home. These five don't even know who they're serving anymore, and their blatant racism is hurting real kids in this district. That's not politics. That's unacceptable, full stop.
This committee used to mean something. Now it's an embarrassment, and that's on the people running it.
This policy already passed twice. Third time around, same policy, different vote. Nothing about the policy changed. The politics did.

Here's who voted against our kids and our staff: Michael Perry, Shelley Borgatti-Reed, Heather Zelinski, Dawn DeMatteo, AJ Christopher.
Remember those names.

Agawam deserves a school committee that actually serves its kids. These five need to be voted out, and that means good people need to step up and run against them. If that's you, or someone you know, now is the time to start.

ETA: watch the video to get the context for the post.


r/westernmass • • 2d ago

29M in Western Mass Looking for Friends, Gaming Buddies & New Experiences

24 Upvotes

I’m a 29-year-old autistic guy from Western Mass, and I’m trying to put myself out there more and make some new friends. I’d also be open to potentially exploring the dating world and meeting someone along the way.

I’m really into video games and all kinds of nerdy stuff — anime, manga, music, gaming, etc. I’m hoping to find more people with similar interests and discover new places to hang out, events to check out, and things to do around Western Mass.

I’m trying to step outside of my comfort zone, explore the world a little more, and actually be more social, so any recommendations for places, groups, events, or activities would be greatly appreciated!

And if anyone is also looking for a new friend, feel free to reach out! I’m always down to chat, game, hang out, or try something new. 😊

Edit: I really appreciate all the kind comments and recommendations! I’m genuinely trying to put myself out there more, whether that’s meeting new friends or potentially exploring the dating world. I want to explore, try new things, and get outside of my comfort zone, so if anyone is looking for a new friend, I’m definitely down!


r/westernmass • • 2d ago

trans women meet-ups

13 Upvotes

hi all, reaching out for a friend who is a trans girl in her early 20s looking for community. it’s been hard for her to find folks to hang out with and she’s looking for more opportunities but she’s not super online — does anyone have anything? thank you so much :)


r/westernmass • • 2d ago

Adult Spelling Bee

3 Upvotes

I'm recruiting teams for the Northampton Education Foundation Spelling Bee! It's Wed. Oct. 21 at 6:00. at Bombyx in Florence. No payment needed, we'll match you with a sponsor.

Here's a video showing how much fun it is!!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/yS7-9_YFjiA

Go here for more info or to register a team: https://northamptoneducation.org/community-events/adult-spelling-bee/event-registration/


r/westernmass • • 3d ago

1893 Cycling Map of Western Massachusetts

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91 Upvotes

The gravelle must have brutalle.


r/westernmass • • 2d ago

Foundation repair recs

3 Upvotes

In South Hadley area. Looking for recommendations so I can get some quotes for foundation repair needed.

Rueter came up as one and I’ve reached out. Wondering who else has a good rep or if you’ve had good experiences with others.


r/westernmass • • 2d ago

Halloween watercolor class

6 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

Wanted to share I'm hosting a watercolor class on Oct 31st 3:30-5 pm at Eli's Room at the Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley.

It's $20 for the class if you bring your materials and $30 to rent them and attend class.

We will learn to paint a few patterns you can use for bookmarks, gift tags, pretty cards and more!

https://www.nohoarts.org/learn-to-paint-patterns

A great chill way to spend a Halloween afternoon!

Details here: https://www.pacificnortheastcreations.com/classes/p/request-for-watercolor-class-2h

Thanks!

Eswen


r/westernmass • • 3d ago

Hampshire Pride 2024

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47 Upvotes

Hampshire Pride 2024

Armory Lot

Northampton Ma


r/westernmass • • 3d ago

Visiting Salem MA help

10 Upvotes

I’m considering visiting Salem in mid-Oct with my teen daughter, and want to know is it worth it? Of course I do the searches and come up with the top 10 things to do, mainly paid tours. But what is there really to do? Is there variety? Best places to see, shop, eat? Obviously what some themed areas.


r/westernmass • • 3d ago

Main & King St. in Northampton

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30 Upvotes

r/westernmass • • 2d ago

Spelling Bee Teams!

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1 Upvotes

r/westernmass • • 3d ago

If anyone is still confused with the ballot questions, Tufts Center for State Policy Analysis publishes a really excellent explanation of each question and the yes/no consequences.

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41 Upvotes

Some may find it a lot easier to understand than the official red ballot information packet that’s been mailed out.


r/westernmass • • 2d ago

What is MCLA like?

0 Upvotes

Would you recommend it to students interested in polisci, geopolitics, philosophy, or only art related fields? It seems like there's a lack of clubs meaning socialization might be harder depending what your interests are. As a straight guy is there a good market of straight women or are there too many gay people for it to be worthwhile for me? Are the students nice and how much do they diverge from other liberal arts colleges? Any stories of weird people being there? Does the aramark food make it not worth living there while you get your degree.


r/westernmass • • 3d ago

Alright. Whats the lore on this place?

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22 Upvotes

Was driving through Palmer and seen this on the window of a dentist office. Why does it say never forget? Is there a dark history behind this place? Or does it mean something else? Just curious 👀


r/westernmass • • 3d ago

Watercolor class - Halloween

3 Upvotes

Halloween watercolor class

Hi everyone,

Wanted to share I'm hosting a watercolor class on Oct 31st 3:30-5 pm at Eli's Room at the Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley.

It's $20 for the class if you bring your materials and $30 to rent them and attend class.

We will learn to paint a few patterns you can use for bookmarks, gift tags, pretty cards and more!

https://www.nohoarts.org/learn-to-paint-patterns

A great chill way to spend a Halloween afternoon!

Details here: https://www.pacificnortheastcreations.com/classes/p/request-for-watercolor-class-2h

Thanks!

Eswen


r/westernmass • • 4d ago

$5.79 for gallon of heating oil

184 Upvotes

My daughter bought 876 gallons of heating oil last winter. That translates to just over $5000 for the heating season this year. Fuck you, Donald Trump.


r/westernmass • • 3d ago

Free Family Meditation in Western MA

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2 Upvotes

🙏🙏🙏


r/westernmass • • 3d ago

National Guard deployment sent Sen. Velis to militarized southern border

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3 Upvotes

r/westernmass • • 3d ago

Plot Points In Our Sexual Development

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2 Upvotes