
Reading the leaves: The trees are in the cards
While growing up in New England, Jackie Gallo was mesmerized by the trees. As a teenager, she would stand in the middle of the woods in northern Rhode Island — and look up. In the autumn, the canopy overhead was a kaleidoscope of colors dancing in the sunlight. The forest was hushed, protective, a natural…
What’s the story? As the Pioneer Valley Writers’ Workshop celebrates 10 years, founder Joy Deva Baglio takes us back to the beginning
Joy Deva Baglio can’t pinpoint the moment she decided to be a writer. The widely published author and founder of the Pioneer Valley Writers’ Workshop grew up with a library of children’s books and fairy tales, and one day, she needed to tell a story. It was only natural; the words, as vital as breath,…
Theater Matters with Jarice Hanson: ‘Laughter is an instant vacation’
My father was a big fan of Milton Berle. He often quoted one of Berle’s most famous lines: “Laughter is an instant vacation.” With national and international events…

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The V-Spot: How do we navigate sex after bottom surgery?
Hi Yana, I’ve been with the same partner for many years, since before I transitioned. We’ve navigated all of my dysphoria around my sexual preferences up to this…
Mixtape: Sebastian Bach “Who doesn’t want to rock? We all want to rock!”
I was lucky enough to catch up with Sebastian Bach over Zoom a couple weeks ago. He’s still rocking that long, blonde hair that has been his signature…
Mixtape: It’s all about the EPs, baby: A couple of releases from Murder (sword) and Joshua David Thayer
By Jennifer Levesque For the Valley Advocate Murder (sword) Self-titled Easthampton-based Murder (sword) has been a band that I’ve been seeing a lot on social media and show…






Reading the leaves: The trees are in the cards
While growing up in New England, Jackie Gallo was mesmerized by the trees. As a teenager, she would stand in the middle of the woods in northern Rhode Island — and look up. In the autumn, the canopy overhead was…










