🌱 Are your “compostable” forks really breaking down in Northampton backyards?

Hello again Northampton! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Are your “compostable” forks really breaking down in Northampton backyards?

Today's riddle: What is seen in the middle of March and April that can’t be seen at the beginning or end of either month? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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From our Partner
Today's Northampton Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Northampton Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Northampton.

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Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Very hot, with a high of 93 and low of 63 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Thursday: Mostly sunny; hot, less humid, temps: high: 91, low: 63.
• Friday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 86 and low of 59 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• Should You Compost Bioplastics in Your Backyard? (civileats.com subscription) — A member of Northampton’s Pedal People collective shares his real-world experience tossing bioplastics into two large backyard compost heaps, saying BPI-certified items seem to break down fairly well. Researchers and compost experts, however, warn that many “home-compostable” plastics decompose slowly, may leave microplastics or chemicals behind, and often require hotter, better-managed piles than most households maintain.
   

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📸 Around Northampton

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Northampton

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Wednesday July 15

• City Council →
  Northampton, MA Calendar, 212 Main Street, Northampton
  6:30 pm

Thursday July 16

• HRYMCA Strength, Stretch, & Balance - Hybrid →
  Northampton, MA Calendar, 67 Conz Street, Northampton
  9:00 am
• Drop-in Chess →
  Northampton, MA Calendar, 67 Conz Street, Northampton
  9:00 am
• The Senior Senate →
  Northampton, MA Calendar, 67 Conz Street, Northampton
  10:00 am
• Needles & Hooks →
  Northampton, MA Calendar, 67 Conz Street, Northampton
  10:00 am
• Bright Spot Therapy Dog →
  Northampton, MA Calendar, 67 Conz Street, Northampton
  10:00 am
• Preschool Storytime!
  Forbes Library Community Room
  10:30 am
• Community Nurse →
  Northampton, MA Calendar, 67 Conz Street, Northampton
  11:00 am

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📣 Northampton Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday July 15

• Tai Chi →
  Easthampton, MA Calendar, 19 Union Street, Easthampton
  9:00 am
• Natural Wanders Hike - DAR: Hike, Dip & Dine →
  Easthampton, MA Calendar, Payson, Easthampton
  9:30 am
• ECOA Walking Club - Back in Nontuck Park! →
  Easthampton, MA Calendar, Nonotuck Park, Easthampton
  10:00 am
• Mahjong - National →
  Easthampton, MA Calendar, 19 Union St, Easthampton
  12:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Broken guitar?
  Let me try to repair it! I do very basic repairs for free. Still learning the trade. Have repaired about 10 so far. Lmk what’s wrong with your… (Nextdoor Ward 3)
• Hello Everyone,
  I am looking to hire a supplemental PCA for 4-12 hours of weekly care coverage when my other helpers are unavailable (typically Wednesdays, Saturdays… (Nextdoor Northampton Ward 1)

• Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Janitorial Associate in Northampton. Apply here.
• Smith College posted a job opening for Admission Counselor in Northampton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Northampton here.

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🗞 Nearby News

Easthampton Town

• River Valley Co-op's Strawberry Ice Cream Social Raises $26,358 for Tapestry Health (healthcarenews.com)
• Easthampton author sues Anthropic over pirated book used to train AI (gazettenet.com)

Hadley

• A legacy of service: Hadley fire chief calls it a career (gazettenet.com)
• Hadley Public Library to showcase rare Declaration of Independence engraving (gazettenet.com)
• Amherst Ranked High Risk for Tick-Borne Disease (amherstindy.org)

South Hadley

• Area Briefs: Big Rig Day coming to South Hadley (gazettenet.com)

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Ok Northampton! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The letter “R.” (Thank you Manuela A. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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