The Neighbours

Our local turkey family came calling yesterday afternoon -- mama, papa, and six little ones.  They spent some time picking through the back yard, visiting the garden fence, and dining around the bird feeder.
(Photos taken through my old dirty windows are usually less than satisfactory, but you get the general idea.)

It was so fun watching them hang out at our house, taking advantage of our hospitality.  Made my day!

5% Day

Summer Reading Extravaganza!

If you didn't get to stop by the Summer Reading Kickoff Party at the Library on Wednesday night, here is some of the fun you missed -- it was quite a circus!

Fortune telling and face painting.

Balloons & water sprinkler (it was hot!).

The library's resident clown...

Hot dogs -- yummy.

Candy.

UMass Amherst Juggling Club

Popcorn and cotton candy.

Mmmm.  Tasty!

Hula hoops and hula hooping.

The balloon lady.

And a good time was had by all!
The library summer reading program promises fun all summer long -- the kickoff was just the beginning.  Kids and teens and families are invited to participate in a variety of activities at the library this summer, including a Desert Island Party, Build Your Dreams Cardboard Mania, and a guest Illusionist.  Plus, kids can earn prizes for reading this summer -- just get to the library and sign up. 
The library is a great place for anyone to go during the summer -- books, movies, magazines, computers, activities, book groups, and even air conditioning!  And, of course, it's free.

Make Contact

I've discovered that this layout/version of blogger doesn't really have a great method of making contact, other than commenting on a post.  Therefore, I'm creating this post simply for contacting me and Mr Madley.  Want to ask a question?  Know of something interesting that should be looked in to by Hadley folks?  Just want to say something?  Comment below!  If you want a response, include your email address; I won't post these comments, unless you want them published.
I look forward to hearing from you!

White Squirrels

So today, for the second time in about two weeks, I saw squirrels near the intersection of East Street and Rocky Hill Road.  For my first sighting, there were two; for today's sighting, just one. 
Have you seen these squirrels?  Have you ever seen white squirrels before?  They are quite an amazing sight!  I wish I could get a picture to share....

Wednesday Folk Traditions, Pt 2

Continuing the performance list from a previous post:

Happy 4th of July

July 11 La Charanga Libre, a newly formed ensemble of Valley musicians, performs authentic Cuban popular music of Charanga, a style introduced in Cuba in 1940 including Son, Cha Cha, Son Montuno, and Guaguanco. but known in New York as Salsa. Cuba and Puerto Rico remain the driving force behind this beautiful music, dancing, and singing emphasizing their true cultural spirit.

July 18 3rd Annual Horace Clarence Boyer Memorial Gospel Performance featuring The Total Praise Gospel Choir based at the Macedonia Church of God in Christ in Springfield, MA, the twenty -voice choir performs a repertoire of contemporary and traditional gospel songs, including works by Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond. Our 31st annual Gospel performance.

 July 25 Layaali Arabic Music Ensemble perform the traditional music of the Arab world preserving the rich legacy of Arabic culture through soulful vocals, haunting rhythms, hypnotic instrumental improvisations, and electrifying percussion. "The music of Layaali moves the soul and stirs the spirit. A combination of tradition, activism, and pride, the beat of the musicians ... sends you to the Arab world and awakens your senses." -- Jeff Mendez, The Palestine Center, Washington, D.C.

WEDNESDAY FOLK TRADITIONS 2012- 31st season. Performances are held Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm. in the Sunken Garden at the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum, 130 River Drive, Route 47, Hadley MA 01035. Admission is $10, $2 children 16 and under. Picnickers are welcome on the museum grounds starting at 5:00 pm. This is a smoke-free site.

For further information please call (413) 584-4699 or view www.pphmuseum.org.
Wednesday Folk Traditions is funded, in part, by grants from: the Marion I. And Otto C. Kohler Memorial Fund at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts; and the Hadley Cultural Council, a local agency, supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency; and with generous support from many local businesses, including Hadley's Mountain Farms Mall and Easthampton Savings Bank, and the Walmart Foundation.

What's Growing in My Garden

I decided to forgo flowers in this post and focus simply on the fruits and veggies (except for where the veggies are blossoming).

Little pepinos -- baby pickling cucumbers

Sugar snap peas

Straight-necked yellow squash blossoms

Yes, a lemon, too (actually, there are 3 on the tree!)

Little fuzzy peaches

...and more peaches -- from the tree we planted last year

Baby lettuces

Colourful swiss chard

My garden is still having its troubles and trials (we did lose a good number of plants to some multi-legged critters), but every time another little vegetable plant does something amazing, like poke out of the ground after having been a seed or push out a brilliant blossom or even grow another leaf, I get so happy.


(Some plants, like the arugula and onions and leggy spinach failed to make the cut after today's photo shoot....)