I lived in East Longmeadow for a very long year (1984-85). Driving north out of Springfield one of the first things you see is a sign that says, "Entering Pioneer Valley." In other words, you folks in Springfield and thereabouts are definitely out of it. But I loved going to Northampton. Didn't do any shape note singing there, that had to wait until I went to Seattle. Northampton had lots of good music (is the Iron Horse still there?), good food, good people. If I had moved there instead of E. Longmeadow, I might have stayed in Mass. But then I wouldn't be living in Hawaii...

Aloha,
Mark