🌱 Why Frederick Douglass’ words moved Hampshire County Jail inmates to tears

Cheers Northampton! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Frederick Douglass’ words moved Hampshire County Jail inmates to tears
• How an Off-Broadway drama reimagines life in Northampton’s wellness community
• How staffing cuts are straining care at Northampton’s VA Medical Center

Today's riddle: How do you measure a fish? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 49 and low of 38 degrees.
• Thursday: Partly sunny and breezy, temps: high: 66, low: 38.
• Friday: Sunny to partly cloudy, with a high of 62 and low of 36 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• ‘I cried the first time I read it': Hampshire County Jail inmates reflect on Frederick Douglass' words (gazettenet.com) — Inmates at the Hampshire County Jail in Northampton recently gathered to read Frederick Douglass’ “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” and share emotional reflections on slavery, racism, and equality. Supported by a Mass Humanities grant and local officials, the event connected Douglass’ 1852 words to today’s criminal justice and immigration debates while emphasizing unity and hope.
   

• 'A Woman Among Women' sets full Off-Broadway cast (newyorktheatreguide.com) — A new Off-Broadway play centers on Cleo, who runs a women’s wellness center in Northampton and faces conflicts that threaten the community she’s built. While performances are in New York, the story’s emotional stakes and setting may resonate strongly with Northampton residents familiar with local wellness and activist circles.
   

• Despite promises, Veterans Affairs Department sheds hundreds of front-line health workers in Massachusetts (bostonglobe.com) — Staffing losses at the Northampton VA Medical Center are leaving local veterans facing longer waits for mental health and other care, despite federal promises to expand services. Clinicians describe crushing workloads, and longtime patients say they feel pushed toward outside providers or group therapy instead of timely one-on-one treatment. Local advocates warn the beloved “Hill” campus is nearing a breaking point without stronger support.
   

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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!

Thursday April 23

• Drop-in Chess
  Northampton, MA Calendar , 67 Conz Street , Northampton
  9:00 am
• HRYMCA Strength, Stretch, & Balance - Hybrid
  Northampton, MA Calendar , 67 Conz Street , Northampton
  9:00 am
• Winnie Poohlooza
  Lilly Library , 19 Meadow Street , Florence
  10:00 am
• Needles & Hooks
  Northampton, MA Calendar , 67 Conz Street , Northampton
  10:00 am
• Fuel Assistance Appointments
  Northampton, MA Calendar , 67 Conz Street , Northampton
  10:00 am
• Preschool Storytime!
  Forbes Library , Community Room , Northampton
  10:30 am
• Intermediate Spanish
  Northampton, MA Calendar , 67 Conz Street , Northampton
  12:30 pm
• Volunteer Fair
  Northampton, MA Calendar , 67 Conz Street , Northampton
  1:00 pm

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📣 Northampton Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday April 22

• Tai Chi
  Easthampton, MA Calendar , 19 Union Street , Easthampton
  9:00 am
• ECOA Walking Club - The Bike Path
  Easthampton, MA Calendar , Tandem - Manahan Bike Path , Easthampton
  10:00 am
• Mahjong - National
  Easthampton, MA Calendar , 19 Union St , Easthampton
  12:00 pm
• Dominoes!!!!
  Easthampton, MA Calendar , 19 Union St , Easthampton
  1:00 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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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• On my walk recently through woods and fields recently.
  I must remember to bring a bag and gloves to collect trash along my walk and to bag the idea of gifting balloons. This mylar one under all this… (Nextdoor Grove St/Hospital Hill)
• The UMass Amherst Donahue Research Lab is developing shoes to help adults with knee osteoarthritis!
  Hi all, reposting to reach a few more people with knee osteoarthritis willing to share their experiences in a 15-25 minute interview to help us… (Nextdoor Northampton Ward 1)

• Smith College posted a job opening for Substitute Teacher in Northampton. Apply here.
• Phat Panda posted a job opening for Cannabis Part-time Inventory Associate in Northampton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Northampton here.

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🗞 Nearby News

Easthampton Town

• Guest columnist Gary Midura: Hubris or passivity? The real danger isn't partisan — it's human (gazettenet.com)
• Memorial Ave. project to delay traffic in West Springfield (wwlp.com)

Hadley

• South Hadley honors Revolutionary War veterans at Patriots' Day ceremony (gazettenet.com)
• PEF Advisors Acquires University Crossing and Woodland Crossing Affordable Community in Hadley (cremarketbeat.com)
• H.S. Roundup: Hampshire baseball scores late, eeks out win at Easthampton (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: By inches because they have no feet. (Thank you Gypsy S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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