I was born and raised in Northampton and recently began volunteering at the senior center. I have volunteered at other local senior centers and they do not offer half of what is offered here.
We need to have some gratitude at this time of year and be grateful for our wonderful senior center. Where else can you get a delicious meal for $3, take a photography class, view fabulous artwork in the gallery, listen to a local author, play pool, take a fitness class, learn a new language, play the ukulele, get help with your smartphone, gather with other knitters, join a mystery book group, get a reiki treatment, play pitch, join an Irish culture class, gather with LBGTQ community, go to a farmers market, watch a movie, listen to Young at Heart chorus, get assistance with your taxes, grab a cup of coffee and a homemade muffin, read the newspaper, take a dance class — all in one building?
I get it, there have been changes, Northampton is not the same town that I grew up in, many things have changed. I don’t like all of them, but it is still a great place. If you have a suggestion, please make it known in a respectful manner. When things don’t go your way, it does not give you the right to stamp your feet and shake your fist. Everyone isn’t always going to get what they want.
Maybe we don’t understand every reason behind some changes, but when one door closes another one opens and change can be good. Let’s work with it. Come and enjoy what is offered and have some gratitude. Happy holidays.
Donna Natale
South Hadley