Greenfield Recorder

GREENFIELD — While America is celebrating 250 years of independence, Greenfield’s Bill Phelps is celebrating 51 years as a member of American Legion Post 81. Phelps, 78, spent three years in active service in the U.S. Army, which included 22 months as a Green Beret paratrooper in the Vietnam War. He later spent 19 years in the Air Force Reserve.

LEYDEN — As the Selectboard works to hire a new town clerk, members are pondering whether to split the duties and create an assistant town clerk position. The board selected a candidate on Wednesday to replace Town Clerk George Stephan, who had his last day with the town on June 29, and is waiting to hear back as to whether the chosen candidate will accept their offer of 15 to 19 hours a week at a rate of $24.50 an hour.

ORANGE — When Fisher Hill Elementary School students realized recess can be a challenging time for some children to feel included, they decided to become part of the solution. The youngsters brought their concerns to paraprofessional Karen Perkins, and the Gaga Pit Enrichment Program began in September 2025, culminating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and time-capsule burial on June 10.

SOUTH DEERFIELD — The Frontier Regional School District School Committee’s recent decision not to move a plaque honoring fallen soldier Gregory Belanger from the old scoreboard to the new scoreboard has sparked unrest, with one organization considering no longer donating to the school and some residents calling for reconsideration.

Good morning! A few weeks ago I was headed back from the dentist’s office in East Longmeadow. The Novocain had worn off, my stomach was rumbling and I wanted a good meal but had resigned myself to stopping in Holyoke and eating at Cracker Barrel. Driving along Main Street in Springfield I spotted the Student Prince and decided to give it a try. I parked on a side street, fed the meter and walked a block north.

Ann Marie (Powers) Ouimette Northampton, MA – We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Ann Marie (Powers) Ouimette, who died peacefully on June 30, 2026, at the age of 90. Born on October 12, 1935, to Robert Powers and Alma (Poudrier) Powers Langlais in Northampton, Massachusetts. Ann lived a long and fulfilling life marked by love, dedication, and a deep commitment to those around her.

The Mahar Regional girls summer league basketball team held off a late charge by Athol in a 30-20 win at Franklin Tech on Thursday. Nastasia Sanders led Mahar with nine points, while Taylor Paluk added eight points. Jaya McBroom chipped in with six points. Serena Nkengafe (eight points) and Kamrya Clark (four points) led Athol in scoring. Evelyn King hit a late 3-pointer for Athol. Mohawk 37, Greenfield 33 — Mohawk went to the perimeter to build up a lead in the win over Greenfield.

ORANGE — It’s official: Orange has a town charter. Shortly after 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Gov. Maura Healey signed into law a bill formally establishing the new form of government, six and a half months after residents voted overwhelmingly at a Special Town Meeting to petition the state Legislature to pass the bill. “Orange is too big to be run by volunteers,” Thomas Sexton, who chaired of the 12-member advisory committee that drafted the charter, said in a statement.

Paul Franz is the Photo Editor of the Greenfield Recorder and has worked there since 1989. He can be reached at pfranz@recorder.com More by Paul Franz

DEERFIELD — While the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the town of Deerfield was ahead of the curve. As the spirit of revolution made its way across the 13 colonies, residents of Deerfield were divided in their allegiances to loyalty or liberty.