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By SAMUEL GELINAS

It’s late November in New England: darker, shorter days and colder weather — all remedied by seasonal traditions including turkey, inflatable yard decor and, for the 92nd year, the Sidney F. Smith Toy fund.Begun in 1933 during the Great Depression by...

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

Kathy Guertin knows a thing or two about helping children in need.For over 30 years, Guertin has given to the Gazette’s Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund, named after a former Gazette business manager at the Gazette and begun in 1933 to help families in need...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — Whether it was helping to make birthday cakes or being called “Grandpa Paul,” Paul Roberts, and his wife Candy, often provided affection and attention for the children of family friends.Paul Roberts, who died Nov. 21, is being remembered...

By EMILEE KLEIN

AMHERST — The “Messiah,” a pinnacle of choral music, reminds Justina Golden of the family Christmas of her childhood at her grandparents’ home in historic Deerfield.“The first thing we would do is get a live tree, and once the tree was in place, my...

By STEVE PFARRER

Eileen Claveloux first met the late Klaus Postler when they were in an MFA program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the late 1990s. Aside from their mutual interest in art, she was intrigued by the way he sometimes wrote: backward.It...

By JAMES PENTLAND

NORTHAMPTON — One of the more substantial annual contributions to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund comes from a business celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.“It’s something we can do — give to those less fortunate, put a smile on children’s...

By EMILEE KLEIN

NOTHAMPTON — Anne (Seman) Lello was “cookie lady” to the children in her Chicago neighborhood: any child who came knocking for a cookie was greeted with a sweet treat, and Anne stockpiled cookies just for them.But Anne’s daughter, Denise Lello of...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — After World War II and into the 1950s, families from Poland who were part of the displaced persons program, some arriving in the United States from camps in Germany, continued to require assistance to recover from the devastation.While...

By MADDIE FABIAN

NORTHAMPTON — A lifelong resident of Northampton, the late Ed McMahon had always donated to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund, “wanting to help the kids and their families,” said his daughter, Kara McMahon.When he died in 2013, his family continued the...

By Garrett Cote

James Gallagher is in the thick of his favorite time of year.The 43-year-old is coming up on his fourth year working on the kitchen staff at the Edward P. Boland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Leeds, and his second year leading the...

By HANNAH BEVIS

EASTHAMPTON — Christian W.Z. Reader believes firmly that comics should be for everybody, regardless of their income.When they were growing up, Reader didn’t have money to spare and would often skip school lunch in high school in order to save any...

By STEVE PFARRER

NORTHAMPTON — By 1964, the first round of local Baby Boomers had created a bit of a logjam at Northampton High School, with students taking classes under a staggered schedule to relieve crowded classrooms.The issue had started even earlier, says Kathy...

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — Every year, the Northampton Police Relief Association gives back to the community in a variety of ways, including through the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund. The association, which has been in operation for more than 25 years, annually raises...

By EMILEE KLEIN

FLORENCE — Carolyn “Sissie” Horrigan remembers one December years ago when Santa Claus strolled down Main Street with Mrs. Claus, greeting people and delivering presents to those naughty and nice.She said a young boy in the window of Fitzwilly’s...

By MADDIE FABIAN

AMHERST — As former longtime public school employees, Jack Horrigan and Jan Ryan worked with children over the span of their careers and saw firsthand the significance of Christmas to kids.That’s why every year, the two donate to the Sidney F. Smith...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Deep into the night following Select Board meetings and Town Meeting sessions in the 1970s and 1980s, Nancy Newcombe would be in the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Amherst Bulletin or Amherst Record newsrooms writing her stories for next-day...

By JAMES PENTLAND

NORTHAMPTON — The applications are in, the vouchers are going out and the presents are ready to be claimed.It’s that time of year again when the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund launches its appeal and generous donors respond. The fund provides vouchers for...

By AMANDA DRANE

EASTHAMPTON — Bill Hobbie said the unconditional love canines offer is worth emulating.That’s why each year for the past five years he’s given to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund “in loving memory” of his late dog, Ozzie.“He brought so much joy and...

By JACK SUNTRUP

NORTHAMPTON — Charlotte “Bunny” Trudeau grew up in a big family on a farm outside of Salisbury, Vermont, and got her nickname from being born on Easter Sunday in 1930, her children said. Her family didn’t have a lot of money, but they were close.At...