A listing of some of the events taking place in Otis in September 2025.

By Stephanie Skinner

After much debate and community input, the Select Board has chosen East Otis as the future home of the town’s new library. The decision follows months of weighing pros and cons of multiple sites, marking a big step forward for this long-anticipated project.

By Sandy Balayan

From ski slopes to garden centers to movie nights and haunted houses, Otis Ridge manager Eric VanOostveen keeps it all running year-round. Always ready to lend a hand — and often joined by his whole family — Eric’s energy and dedication make him a cornerstone of the community.

By Cynthia Fletcher

From food trucks and new library plans to exploring grants and walkability, the Otis Revitalization Committee is busy shaping the town’s future. With community input and fresh ideas, their work is paving the way to make Otis an even better place to live, work, and gather.

From dozens of phone alarms to the nostalgia of old clock radios, Katharine Adams explores our quirky relationship with how we wake up. In this witty Rural Ethicist column, she asks: are our alarms helping us stay on track — or just cluttering our lives with noise?

A forgotten collection of letters and journals has brought to life the extraordinary story of Sue Moody — a journalist who braved war, hunger, and danger without losing her voice. Gail Gelburd’s new book uncovers a life of resilience and courage that still inspires today.

Running a small-town shop isn’t all charm and friendly faces — sometimes it’s messy, stressful, and full of tough choices about staff. In this candid installment of Retail Diaries, Patricia Racine shares the behind-the-scenes struggles (and a few wins) of keeping a business afloat

As America nears its 250th birthday, Peter Cameron reflects on how history’s lessons can guide us through today’s uncertainties. From the Revolution to the present, he reminds us that understanding the past is the surest light for moving forward.

By Terry Gould

At the Otis Food Pantry, summer brought an outpouring of kindness — from neighbors sharing garden bounty to families pitching in for school supplies. As fall approaches, that spirit of generosity continues to nourish the whole community, one shelf and one smile at a time.

By Margie Klein

The Otis Community Garden is bursting with late-summer abundance — from tomatoes and peppers to pumpkins and sunflowers. As members share their harvest with local food banks and prepare for a new season of planning, the garden continues to thrive as a true community effort.

By Peter Cameron

After a decade of preserving Otis history, Diane Provenz is stepping down from her role as Co-Chair of the Historical Commission. From saving St. Paul’s Church to restoring the East Otis Schoolhouse, her legacy of dedication will leave a lasting mark on the town.

Big changes are in the stars this September. Hilary Harley breaks down what it all means for your daily life — and how to stay grounded while the universe pushes for transformation.

Sandy Balayan spotlights the heartwarming success of the new Blueberry Hill Farm Stand, a community-focused venture by locals Jake Tonlino and Dave Ripley. Offering fresh produce, local goods, and ice cream, the stand is more than a business—it’s a welcoming space where neighbors gather and family traditions thrive.

Sandy Balayan reflects on the powerful visit of the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall to Lenox, offering local families a chance to honor loved ones lost in service. Otis veterans played a meaningful role in escorting and assembling the wall, a moving tribute to the sacrifice of over 58,000 Americans. 

In The Great Shift, astrologer Hilary Harley explores the intense energetic tides of early August 2025, urging us to rest, reflect, and realign before powerful cosmic forces propel us forward. With Mercury retrograde, a game-changing Full Moon, and supportive alignments from Jupiter and Venus, this is a pivotal moment to reset your intentions and prepare for bold new beginnings.

By Jackie Gentile

Despite a thunderstorm warning, Otis's first Food Truck Tuesday on July 2nd was a smashing success, with North Elm Butcher Block selling out in just three hours and community members gathering under the rain for food, music, and connection. With local favorites like Crescent City joining in and more trucks on the way, these weekly events are quickly becoming a delicious Otis tradition.

By Stephanie Skinner

From Chicago’s postwar neighborhoods to Otis, Massachusetts, Jeanne Randorf has lived a rich, fearless life full of language, travel, teaching, and love. A lifelong Francophile, devoted educator, and tireless caregiver, Jeanne brings wisdom, wit, and warmth to everything she touches—and when she smiles, the whole room feels it.

By Stephanie Skinner

The Otis Library Craft Fair on July 5th was a festive success, featuring 33 vendors, local crafts from quilts to honey, and plenty of delicious food.

By Peter Cameron

In 1935, tensions flared in Otis as second homeowners in East Otis—paying 80% of the town’s taxes—threatened to secede over poor road maintenance and lack of political representation. Plans to rename the area “Loudon” nearly became reality, but a town meeting and reassurances about spending quelled the crisis. Though the laws haven’t changed much, improved services have helped keep the peace ever since.