Jonathan M. Daube: The glories of Northampton

Dennis Lee heralds the parade down Main Street as one of the “Grand-ish Marshalls” during the second annual Northampton Neighbors’ DoozyDo Parade in Northampton.

Dennis Lee heralds the parade down Main Street as one of the “Grand-ish Marshalls” during the second annual Northampton Neighbors’ DoozyDo Parade in Northampton. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

Published: 09-17-2024 4:44 PM

When my wife and I, now both well into our eighties, moved to Northampton about nine years ago, we didn’t fully understand how this city of almost 30,000 hangs together.

Part of the reason is an organization called Northampton Neighbors, which, with a present membership of 1,800, is the largest such “village” in the United States. If you go to www.northamptonneighbors.org, you’ll discover that membership is free. The main purpose is to help older adults to maintain connection, independence, dignity and joy as we age.

Put 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21 , on your calendar to watch or join Northampton Neighbors’ third annual DoozyDo Parade in downtown Northampton.

Featuring people of all ages, it’s a joyful, inclusive, unconventional celebration. Go to https://doozydo.org. See you on Sept. 21, rain or shine.

Jonathan M. Daube

Florence