Habitat welcomes new homeowner to Northampton

NORTHAMPTON — Dozens of well-wishers gathered Sunday to congratulate a soon-to-be first-time homebuyer on the completion of her future home on Westhampton Road in Northampton with the help of the Franklin Hampshire Habitat for Humanity.

Speaking at Sunday’s event were state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton; Brian Adams of the Northampton Community Preservation Committee; Jim Hickey, senior vice president, chief marketing officer at Florence Bank; and Rob Steinberg, a Northampton resident and member of the volunteer project leadership team.

Those gathered heard some of the background of the project and many of the pivotal moments along the way in working with homeowner, who declined to be named. The home was open for the public to view, and members of the project’s leadership team and regular volunteers were on hand to talk about the nuts and bolts of construction.

Since 1989, Franklin Hampshire Habitat for Humanity (formerly Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity) has built decent, affordable homes with 60 families with low incomes in Hampshire and Franklin counties. The homes are built with volunteer labor and donations of material, supplies, land, and services.

At the onset of homebuilding, a family is selected and enters into a long-term partnership with Pioneer Valley Habitat. Future homeowners contribute 250 hours of labor during the construction of their home alongside volunteers from the community. Upon completion, the home is sold to the family with an affordable mortgage.

Learn more at www.pvhabitat.org.

River Valley Co-op raises $26K for Tapestry

EASTHAMPTON — River Valley Co-op celebrated the arrival of summer and the local strawberry harvest with more than 850 community members attending its annual Strawberry Ice Cream Social Fundraiser last month to benefit Tapestry Health.

This local community nonprofit committed to inclusive community health care was the co-op’s 2026 Non-Profit Austin Miller Co-op Hero Award Winner selected by the board of directors. The June dinner party resulted in a $26,358.90 raised for Tapestry. Together, these community-driven efforts will support Tapestry Health’s mission of providing inclusive, accessible healthcare services and resources throughout the region.

During the event, River Valley Co-op Board President Emma Woebbe presented the Austin Miller Co-op Hero Award to Tapestry Health in recognition of the organization’s outstanding commitment to improving the health and well-being of the community. Now in its 17th year, the Austin Miller Co-op Hero Award honors individuals and organizations that embody the cooperative principle of “Concern for Community” through exceptional service and leadership.

Guests of all ages enjoyed an evening featuring strawberry sundaes made with locally grown strawberries and locally produced Bart’s Homemade Ice Cream. Many danced to the live music from The Gaslight Tinkers, whose energetic performance kept the celebration lively throughout the evening. 

West African drumming workshop in Amherst

AMHERST — A West African drumming workshop will take place in the Hall of the Munson Memorial Library at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 25. The Munson Memorial Library is located at 1046 South East St. in South Amherst.

Jafar Manselle and the Wendell Warriors will begin the session by playing a short set of West African rhythms, and discuss the origins and meanings of the songs. Participants will then be shown basic hand placements to create the drum sounds and given drums to practice the basic sounds. The group will then explore a couple of songs together, playing main rhythms and supporting parts.

This program is for participants ages 14+. All instruments will be provided, but those with drums are welcome to bring them.

Space is limited and registration required.  Please visit the reference desk at the Jones Library, call 413-259-3096 or email programs@joneslibrary.org.

This free program is sponsored in part by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. 

Energy bill assistance available through Good Neighbor Fund

CANTON — With many Massachusetts households relying on air conditioners, fans and other cooling equipment during the warm summer months, the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund, or MAGoodNeighbor, is reminding eligible residents that assistance remains available for those struggling to pay a home energy expense.

While the fund is often associated with winter heating bills, MAGoodNeighbor remains a resource for income-eligible households facing temporary financial hardship throughout the year. Summer energy use can create added challenges for families already working to manage the cost of essentials.

The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund provides energy assistance to households that, because of a temporary financial crisis, cannot meet a month’s energy expense and are not eligible for state or federal energy assistance programs. Administered by The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division, the Fund pays the energy provider directly for eligible households whose gross income falls between 60% and 80% of the state’s median income levels.

For example, a household of four qualifies with a gross annual income between $99,574 and $132,764. During the current campaign year, eligible households may receive a $400 grant toward a home energy expense, with payments made directly to the household’s energy provider.

Now in its 41st year, the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund has raised more than $25.5 million and helped over 97,500 households remain safe and comfortable in their homes.

Massachusetts residents seeking assistance can visit their local Salvation Army Corps Community Center at salvationarmyma.org or call 800-262-1320 (area code 413). To learn more about donating, visit magoodneighbor.org.