Thinking about our roots

The weather seems to have gone from summer to fall almost overnight, as we transitioned over one long weekend from August to September. After a hiatus over a busy summer, writer Jim Bosman shares some of his family history in a story for our Updates newsletter about some of the risks and hardships his immigrant ancestors faced in coming to this land. 

We've been helping to plan a free, nonpartisan American Stories project to run around the clock over 25+ hours from November 7 to November 8, which has us all thinking a lot about our roots. Save the dates and plan to come, and consider telling your own story. For more details, use the link below to visit the Our Roots, Our Voices website.

• SHDTC Updates-Issue 76-My Roots-090525
• Our Roots, Our Voices: November 7-8,2025                                   
  

Upcoming Events

This month's business meeting is Thursday, September 18 at 6:30pm in the South Hadley Library Trustee's Conference Room. Meetings are normally on third Thursdays and hybrid-online; participants may attend in-person at the Library or online via Zoom. To obtain a meeting link, join our mailing list, or for other information about SHDTC, please email: southhadleydemocrats@gmail.com. 

First Friday Breakfast and Conversation
Plan to join us for First Friday at 8:30am on September 5 at Tailgate Picnic Deli in the Village Commons (www.tailgatepicnicdeli.com), 7 College Street, South Hadley. Conversation is casual with no set agenda, just a chance to talk about local, national and international affairs and join in community with others, Democrat or not, South Hadley resident or not. Purchase your own coffee/pastries or snacks (cash preferred), all are welcome. Next month we gather on October 3.

Our Roots, Our Voices
Planning is underway for a nonpartisan, nonsectarian civic event in November, to be hosted in conjunction with South Hadley's Center Church. The event will provide a platform for people from all walks of life--including high school and college students, to come together to share their stories, and talk about their roots, their passions, and their dreams. There will be a planning meeting for Our Roots, Our Voices at 6:00pm on Tuesday, September 2 at South Hadley Library's Trustees Room. Please plan to come in person or via Zoom to learn more about this project and how you can help. Everyone is welcome--and needed!    

Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 10:00 to 10:30am
Center Church organizes monthly vigils on first Saturdays along College Street/Route 116 near the church. The focus of this month's standout is LGBTQ+ and Reproductive Rights. All are welcome to join. 

Saturday, October 18,2025--Save the date for the No Kings 2!

Demonstrate for Democracy on Thursday!

Good Trouble Lives On events on Thursday, July 17, 2025 offer an opportunity to stand out and stand up for democracy and against anti-democratic actions that seem to occur on an almost daily basis. Bring your signs, and bring your US flags, a symbol of the democracy that We the People must protect and preserve. Read our latest Updates newsletter (below) for more information on local events and remember the words of Civil Rights icon John Lewis:

When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something. Democracy is not a state.
It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community, a nation and world society at peace with itself. Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble.

               -- John Lewis, Farewell Letter

• SHDTC Updates-Issue 75-Good Trouble Lives On-07142
• In South Hadley from 11:30am to 1:00pm at the Town Common and along Rt. 116

This month's business meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday, July 16 at 6:30pm in the South Hadley Library Trustee's Conference Room. Meetings are normally on third Thursdays and hybrid-online; participants may attend in-person at the Library or online via Zoom. To obtain a meeting link, join our mailing list, or for other information about SHDTC, please email: southhadleydemocrats@gmail.com. 

First Friday Breakfast and Conversation
Plan to join us at for upcoming First Friday gatherings at 8:30am on August 1 and September 5 at Tailgate Picnic Deli in the Village Commons (www.tailgatepicnicdeli.com), 7 College Street, South Hadley. Conversation is casual with no set agenda, just a chance to talk about local, national and international affairs and join in community with others, Democrat or not, South Hadley resident or not. Purchase your own coffee/pastries or snacks (cash preferred), all are welcome.

Good Trouble Lives On: March in Peace. Act in Power.
Join people across the country in a national day of nonviolent action to respond to attacks on our civil and human rights, in honor of Congressman John Lewis on the anniversary of his passing. Save the date to remind the administration that in America, the power lies with the people. Come for as long as you can.
Thursday, July 17, 2025 | 11:30am to 1:00pm
South Hadley Town Commons and along Route 116

Coming this fall--save these dates!
Friday, October 3 to Saturday, October 4, 2025
Fellowship Hall, Center Church, South Hadley MA
25+ hour event starting at 5:00pm on Friday
SHDTC is planning a unique event, details to follow soon.

Good Trouble Lives On

On Thursday, July 17, 2025, Good Trouble Lives On.
Join in a national day of nonviolent action in memory of John Lewis to respond to the attacks posed on our civil and human rights by the Trump administration and to remind them that in America, the power lies with the people.  

Come at lunchtime and stay as long as you can:
South Hadley, MA | 11:30am to 1:00pm
Town Common and along Rt 116/College St
www.mobilize.us/john-lewis-actions/event/811207

Or later in the day, go to:
Granby, MA | 4:30 to 6:00pm
Five Corners and along Rt 202/W State St
www.mobilize.us/john-lewis-actions/event/809502

What does the Declaration of Independence say?

This morning, 249 years after the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia ratified the Declaration of Independence, historian Heather Cox Richardson's daily newsletter reflects on the years between then and now, ending with a four-minute video focusing on the words in that document.  

Letters from an American--July 3, 2025

"Beauty" is in the eye of the beholder

After a record-breaking, eight hour and 45-minute speech by Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York that took a bite out of their long weekend, Republicans in the House managed by a slim margin to follow their Senate colleagues in passing their 940-page "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." Once signed by Trump, benefit cuts and additional paperwork will leave millions without health insurance to allow for extended and increased tax breaks for billionaires, with new funding for an expanded force of ICE agents further goosing the deficit.

While there are some tax sweeteners that middle income earners will see in the short term, some of the harshest cuts are timed to take place after the 2026 mid-term elections.

New York Times, July 3, 2025
How Bad is This Bill? The Answer in 10 Charts
(gift link-no paywall)

A successful Food Drive, thanks to all of you!

We are grateful to everyone who helped to support our June 28 Food Drive! Over three hours, 67+ cars drove up and dropped off about 1700 pounds of food and $960 in donations at South Hadley High School for the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Food Pantry. Many volunteers, including our State Representative, Homar Gomez, joined in to help collect, sort, and deliver a van load of food and other needed items to South Hadley's Food Pantry. Many thanks to all.

Please help support our Food Drive on June 28!

 

DRIVE UP and DROP OFF items on Saturday!

Food Drive for Neighbors Helping Neighbors Food Pantry
Saturday, June 28,2025
9:00am to 12:00pm (rain or shine)
South Hadley High School, 153 Newton Street
Hosted by South Hadley Democratic Town Committee

All food and monetary donations are accepted; please make checks payable to Neighbors Helping Neighbors. Items most in demand include any and all feminine hygiene products, shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant, bar soap, pet food for cats and dogs (canned or dry), hot or cold cereal, soups, and canned meats such as Spam, corned beef hash, and beef stew. Please be sure to check expiration dates.

This weekend's Food Drive is organized by members of SHDTC in collaboration with Mary Lou Guarnera, executive director of South Hadley's Neighbors Helping Neighbors food Pantry. Please pass along the information to neighbors and friends, and read the latest edition of our Updates Newsletter for more information about food insecurity and similar drives in Belchertown, Granby, and Ludlow.

• SHDTC Updates-Issue 74-South Hadley Food Drive
• Please download and share the Food Drive Flyer (pdf) 

Convention Volunteer Recruitment

Opportunities are available for volunteers to support the Massachusetts state Democratic Party Convention in September, which will be held in Springfield. Online training will be provided. For more information see the Convention Volunteer Sign-Up Form.