SUNDERLAND — The Sunderland Public Library is offering sensory-friendly hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursdays.
The dedicated open hours will see the library modify its environment to decrease sensory stimuli. Everyone is welcome to visit the library during the sensory-friendly hours, which will see the library designate quiet spaces, reduce activities and lowered lights.
Community feedback will be welcome as the library pilots the program.
“We’re still learning what ‘sensory friendly’ means for Sunderland. If you have an opinion, please let me know,” Library Director Katherine Umstot said. “Our goal is to make the Sunderland Public Library a welcoming and accessible place for all our patrons, but we can’t do that without your input.”
SOUTH DEERFIELD — For years, Charlie Ramon and his group of pickup basketball players, known affectionately as the Sunset Hoopsters, have been more than just a fixture on the court — they’ve been generous supporters of Frontier Regional School.
What began as a casual “pay-to-play” model turned into a steady stream of donations that have helped fund everything from musical instruments to student field trips.
As time passed, the Hoopsters slowed down on the court. But they weren’t finished giving back.
With a few thousand dollars left in their donation account, Ramon approached the school with one final idea — a new sign to replace the aging one out front. It turned out the cost was more than expected, but that didn’t stop him.
Ramon then reached out to alumni and supporters of Frontier, and in just a few months, he raised $21,486. The school pitched in to bring power to the sign, and together, the project became a reality.
“The Sunset Hoopsters figured it out — have fun playing ball and at the same time, give to the students in their community,” Superintendent Darius Modestow said. “When I was principal of Frontier, they were annually giving gifts, from purchasing a tuba for the Music Department to funding scholarships for the eighth grade Washington D.C. trip. Their generosity has quietly made a big difference for years.”
CONWAY — A New Blue Jazz Ensemble will perform a free outdoor concert at Field Memorial Library on Saturday, July 12, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. as part of the library’s 124th anniversary celebration.
This program is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and is accessible to all.
Attendees should bring chairs. The performance will be held rain or shine — outside or inside the library depending on weather.
Refreshments will be provided.
CONWAY — The Friends of the Field Memorial Library will host a story walk on the weekend of July 19.
The walk will be set up in Veterans Memorial Park across from Town Hall on Saturday and will remain up through 3 p.m. on Monday.
July’s story walk features “Somewhere in the Ocean” by Jennifer Ward. Activity kits will be set up in a plastic container on a first-come, first-served basis.
Story walks happen on the third weekend of each month and are done with support from the Union 38 Family Network.
MADISON, Wis. — Deerfield resident Luke Shields was named to the dean’s honor list at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the spring semester. Shields is enrolled in the College of Engineering.
CONWAY — Field Memorial Library is changing its story time to the fourth Wednesday of each month from 2:30 to 3 p.m.
The monthly event features stories, songs and other fun activities for children ages 6 and under (but all are welcome). Story readers will be a Friends of the Field Memorial Library volunteer, or Amy Battisti or other staff from the Union 38 Family Network and Frontier Regional School District. The next story time is Wednesday, July 23.
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Conway resident Davey Mazur was named to the dean’s list at the College of William & Mary for the spring semester. To make the dean’s list, a full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate student must take at least 12 credit hours and earn a 3.6 quality point average during the semester.