Mass Humanities moves to Holyoke

NORTHAMPTON — Mass Humanities, the state’s leading funder of public humanities programs, is relocating its headquarters from Northampton to Holyoke in August. The foundation will move into the newly renovated Armory Building at 130 Race St.

The nonprofit has been located in the Pomery-Shephard House in Northampton since 2000.

The move comes during the organization’s 50th anniversary year. To mark the occasion, the foundation is hosting a social gathering at Mill 1 Events on Friday, from 5-7 p.m. Mass Humanities grantees, staff, board and former board members, community partners, and local legislators will come together to celebrate the cultural sector and forge new connections in Holyoke. Titled “The Future of Storytelling,” the event will also feature performances by poets from Holyoke and Springfield, as well as musicians Bomba de Aquí and Tony Silva.

Scheduled speakers Friday include Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia, state Rep. Patricia Duffy, state Sen. John Velis, and Michael Bobbitt, executive director of Mass Cultural Council.

Mass Humanities is one of 54 state affiliates of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Founded in 1974 on the campus of UMass Amherst, the foundation has remained in the Valley while supporting organizations across the commonwealth. In 2023, Mass Humanities awarded more than $2.3 million in grants to Massachusetts nonprofits.

LWV will soon start accepting donations for its 74th book sale

NORTHAMPTON — Book donations are welcome from July 9-26 for the 74th annual book sale of The League of Women Voters of the Northampton Area. All categories of hardcover and paperback books in good condition are accepted except for textbooks over 10 years old.

Books can be dropped off at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School next to Cooley Dickinson Hospital or Cooper’s Corner in Florence beginning Tuesday, July 9. Details are available on the website of the League of Women Voters of the Northampton Area.

This year’s book sale on Sept. 28 will offer a feature including information about and examples of banned books as well as around 10,000 used books to choose from.

The annual LWV Book Sale is a fundraiser and also a community service offering a way to recycle books ensuring they will be preserved and enjoyed by others. LWV uses the funds raised for projects like voter education and registration, candidate forums in area communities, and advocating for positions that have been researched and agreed upon by LWV.

The continuing success of the annual sale and increasing activity at area libraries indicate print books remain treasured in this area. Books at the sale will include categories from children’s to fiction, foreign language, fine art, history, religion, science, hobbies, biography and classics.

Temporary closure of Damon Road at rail line

NORTHAMPTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing the temporary closure of Damon Road where it crosses the Connecticut Valley Rail Line in Northampton.

This closure will begin at 6 a.m. on Thursday, July 11, and will remain in place around the clock through Monday, July 15, to allow crews to perform safety upgrades to the grade crossing.

During the closure, traffic will have access to all parts of Damon Road but will not be able to cross the Connecticut Valley Rail Line. Vehicles can access the portion of Damon Road between Route 5 (King Street) and the train tracks, and the section between Route 9 (Bridge Street) and the train tracks. Through traffic will not be permitted. All businesses will remain open and accessible.

Signed detours for cars and vehicles over 10 feet will be in place for the duration of the closure.

Motorists will use Bridge Street and King Street to bypass the closure at the grade crossing. Motorists are reminded that turning onto roads such as Market Street or Day Avenue to access Industrial Drive will connect them to Damon Road east of the closure, requiring them to reverse course to the signed route.

Drivers traveling through the affected areas should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution.

Appropriate signage, law enforcement details, and advanced message boards will be in place to guide drivers through the work area.

All scheduled work is weather dependent and/or may be impacted due to an emergency.