In Leeds, by the timeyou read this, it will have been around 75 days since our last big snow storm of the season. Push ahead 75 more days and we’ll be nearing April. With the lack of snow local walking conditions have been superb.

Since”Irene” ripped through town, about 75 days ago, our very own Mill River has become a sourse of some surprising changes. New islands, hillsof silt and enormous tree trunks and wooden beams are suddenly apperaring from the Haydenville/Ledds line to the Northampton Country Club/Fairway Village Condos. Follow either side of the river and you are sure to find many surprises of local interest. But get closer to the river’s edge and you’ll find lots of items from the daily lives of those who lived before us.

Pottery, crocks, glass bottles, river glass, leather soles, buttons, enamel ware, brass and copper tubing, yellow and red bricks,(with lettering), railroad ties, spikes, plates and latches, these chards of all sorts everywhere. The longer you look the more you’ll see. Take advantage of the freakishly warm weather of late and the ever-steady presence of our very own Leeds section of the Mill and wander up or down stream. You will not be disappointed.