Baystate Health issues mask mandate

SPRINGFIELD – Citing a steady increase in COVID-19 cases, Baystate Health on Monday started requiring masks be worn for direct patient care at all hospitals and the D’Amour Center for Cancer Care. Care partners and other visitors over the age of 5 are required to wear a mask.

Masking is recommended, but not required, in other ambulatory settings, such as Baystate Medical Practices offices, and in non-patient care locations.

The hospital said its decision to move to the “yellow tier” is based on a steady trend of increasing COVID-19 cases based on community testing and wastewater surveillance data.

Guidelines for the Visitor Policy can be found at baystatehealth.org/patients/visiting.

Living History Day at Belchertown museum

BELCHERTOWN – The Belchertown Historical Association will host a free Living History Day at the Stone House Museum, 20 Maple St., on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The public is invited to spend the day walking around the Stone House grounds and immerse get a peek at life 250 years ago during the American Revolutionary War period. The Green Valley Homestead Reenactment group will host the event and has invited several artisans from across the state to demonstrate their skills and display and sell their wares.

Among the highlights will be smithing, blacksmithing, basket making, candle making, copper plating, cooking, textile production, and more. Other events will include a discussion about Shay’s Rebellion from Don Madden, a longtime resident of Belchertown; exploration of pre-industrial farming from Tom Allen, a former interpreter from Old Sturbridge Village; childhood activities, games, and a scavenger hunt; learn about the use and function of a flintlock musket used by soldiers during the American Revolution; explore the Ford Annex’s amazing collection of carriages and tools; visit the Sentinel building, home to the original Belchertown paper; and tour the museum’s house with special exhibits featuring Revolutionary War memorabilia.

For more information please contact: Caren Harrington at 413-668-4507 or email info@stonehousemuseum.org

Ashfield FilmFest to feature ‘Sound of Metal’

ASHFIELD – This year’s annual Ashfield FilmFest will be held Sept. 20-21 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall in Ashfield.

On Friday’s Feature Film Night, the festival will screen the Oscar-winning film “Sound of Metal,” followed by a panel discussion with the film’s director, Ashfield resident Darius Marder, and others. The film stars Riz Ahmed who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as a heavy-metal drummer who begins to lose his hearing. In 2021 the film was awarded Oscars for Best Sound and Best Achievement in Film Editing, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.

Saturday night premiers the popular 5 minute or less short films, all with a connection to the hilltowns of western Massachusetts. The Ashfield Community Band serenades beside Town Hall before the Filmfest starting at 5:30 p.m. Town Hall doors open at 6:30 p.m. Local Shorts Competition Screening begins at 7 p.m. The evening culminates with an awards presentation including up to $2,000 in cash prizes, as well as the coveted Audience Choice Award, featuring local goods donated by the community. The grand prize winner’s name will then be proudly added to the Baby Cecil Trophy.

Tickets for both nights of events are available at Ashfield Hardware Store or on EventBrite which can be accessed through the ashfieldfilmfest.org website.