Even though this isn’t Volunteer Month, this is a “paean of praise” for Nan Durling, our newly retired volunteer coordinator.

Five years ago, R.M. “Iray” Nabatoff was New Orleans-bound. He left his hometown of Acworth wanting to lend a hand to those most hurt by Hurricane Katrina, if only for a few weeks.

Picks of the week

Downsizing, simplifying our lives, non-consumerism, voluntary simplicity, paring down — no matter what you call it, cutting back in different areas of your life often can leave you with MORE, especially more money and free time.

NICOLE S. COLSON / Sentinel Staff Genevieve Redmond, 4, of Guilford, Vt., left, and Tori Prah, 4, of Chesterfield enjoy Walpole Creamery ice cream last Saturday during the Family Farm Day at Walpole Valley Farm. The localvore-focused event included a farm tour, butter-making and heirloom-tomato growing workshops. It was a joint event with Alyson’s Apple Orchard, which held heirloom-apple wine tastings. Julia Badders, 8, of Walpole, at left, and Anna Stoll, 9, of Exeter shake jars of cream to make butter.

BELLOWS FALLS — For most musicians, injuring a hand would be the end of their career. For Andreas Kapsalis, it was just the beginning.

Church to host Italian supper in Charlestown

Author Loung Ung to speak in Bellows Falls

u It was 19th-century author Samuel Butler who made the following sage observation: “Morality is the custom of one’s country and the current feeling of one’s peers. Cannibalism is moral in a cannibal country.”

Benefit dinner at Moose Lodge

1. MEASUREMENTS: What period of years is described by the term “duodecennial”?

Those who have the misfortune to lose a family service member and receive the proceeds of his or her life insurance policy have a lot on their minds. Maybe they’re not paying attention to details on a daily basis. Who can blame them?

Mount Pisgah Sportsmen’s Club set to host events

RINDGE — Republican U.S. Senate candidates Kelly Ayotte and Bill Binnie took turns taking jabs at each other during Tuesday night’s debate at Franklin Pierce University.

WINCHESTER — Last fall, the owners of Kelly-View Farm — like struggling dairy farmers across the Monadnock Region and the rest of the country — faced some tough decisions.

Lose weight, eat better in Hinsdale

RINDGE — The Cathedral of the Pines spent much of the last two years recovering from the devastation of the ice storm of 2008, but that hasn’t stopped cathedral officials from looking toward the future.

Rindge Woman’s Club to meet this Thursday

RINDGE — Republican U.S. Senate candidates Kelly Ayotte and Bill Binnie took turns taking jabs at each other during Tuesday night’s debate at Franklin Pierce University.

Library hosts book/bake sale