Brimfield Flea Market, North America’s oldest outdoor flea market, is a treasure trove for vintage and antique lovers. The market is a perfect destination to find unique and whimsical objects, including maximalist costume jewelry, vintage clothing, and antique home decor. This article chronicles a day at Brimfield, highlighting the author’s finds and experiences in the bustling world of vintage shopping.
A proposal to create tuition-free, universal community college for all Massachusetts residents is under discussion in the state Senate. The $57.9 billion budget proposal includes $75.5 million for tuition and fees, and a stipend of up to $1,200 for students earning up to 125% of the state’s median income. The plan, dubbed MassEducate, is supported by Senate President Karen Spilka, who says it will increase the state’s workforce and expand opportunities for students. The proposal has yet to be approved by the House and negotiations will be necessary to include it in the final budget. The 15 community colleges in Massachusetts serve over 90,000 students, many of whom balance work and family obligations. Critics warn that the cost of the plan could be difficult to sustain.
A 22-year-old man in Massachusetts has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter after drowning his father during an exorcism-style baptism. The incident occurred in June 2021, when the son, Jack Callahan, believed he was baptizing his father by submerging him multiple times in a pond.
On Saturday, the Southwick Rams baseball team will take on the South Hadley Tigers at Bullens Field in Westfield, Massachusetts. While Bullens Field is not the home field for either team, this game holds special significance.
The induction ceremony for the NBA Hall of Fame has been postponed from August to October due to a busy summer sports schedule. The ceremony will now take place on October 12 and 13 in Springfield, Massachusetts. The 2024 class includes six players, one coach, two women’s players, one contributor, and three members selected by the Early African American Pioneers Committee.
After weeks of negotiations, Massachusetts state lawmakers have reached a compromise to provide additional funding to the state’s emergency shelter system, which has been under severe financial strain due to rising costs and an influx of migrants. The agreement allocates hundreds of millions of dollars from a state savings account to the system, while also imposing a nine-month limit on stays, with extensions available for certain individuals.
Unclaimed lottery prizes worth a total of $502,000 remain up for grabs in Iowa, with one worth $500,000. Multiple other prizes in the state are set to expire soon. Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, a winner has less than a month left to claim $25,000 per year for life. Unclaimed prizes are relatively common, occurring five to seven times a year, according to lottery officials. Public announcements often help connect winners with their winnings.
The April school vacation week saw Mainers embarking on various trips, including a group heading to Gloucester, Massachusetts to fish for scallops in the Northern Gulf of Maine. Meanwhile, another group traveled to France to learn about the culinary traditions surrounding scallops, with a focus on cooking with whole scallops. This trip aimed to bring back knowledge to Maine to support the growing supply and availability of whole farmed scallops. Currently, SoPo Seafood in South Portland and PenBay Farmed Scallops offer whole scallops for purchase in Maine. Wild harvested scallops are also a delicious and versatile seafood option.
Massachusetts is honoring its official marine mammal, the critically endangered right whale, with its second annual Right Whale Day. With only around 360 right whales remaining, including merely 70 breeding females, the event aims to educate the public and highlight initiatives to protect the species. Calving numbers have remained low, with 11 calves born this past season, and human-caused injuries, such as fishing gear entanglements and vessel strikes, continue to pose a significant threat. The Massachusetts Environmental Trust will also mark the 30th anniversary of the right whale license plate, which has supported conservation projects for decades.
Massachusetts is facing a complex budget season with multiple funding proposals and deadlines. Democrats in the House are voting on a $57.9 billion budget, while legislative negotiators work on a supplemental funding bill for the state’s emergency shelter system, which is facing potential funding shortfalls. The Senate has yet to release its own spending plan, but Senate President Karen Spilka has indicated support for free community college and expanded childcare access. The Legislature has a history of waiting until the last minute to finalize budgets, raising concerns about timely completion.
