HAYDENVILLE – Maureen D. Adair of Haydenville joined her beloved mother, father and brother May 6, 2012, with her family at her bedside.

Loved by many, she will be missed for her quick wit and humor. Maureen was actively involved in organizing community activities with the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary in Haydenville. Maureen was a graduate of Williamsburg High School and a dean’s list graduate of Bay Path College in East Longmeadow.

Maureen is survived by her daughter, Emily Barcomb; sons Matthew and Tyler Barcomb of Haydenville; and grandson Jared Barcomb. She is also survived by her siblings Eileen Childs and Marlene Adair of New Hampshire; Norma Whitley and her husband, Richard, and David Adair and his wife, Darlene, all of Williamsburg; and Michael Adair and his wife, Erin, of Northampton; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her mother and father, Alice and Norman Adair, and a brother, John Adair. She also leaves many good friends.

Calling hours will be Thursday, May 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Childs Funeral Home, 14 Kingsley Ave., Haydenville.

Graveside service will be Friday, May 11, at 10 a.m. at the Village Hill Cemetery in Williamsburg.

Donations in Maureen’s memory can be made to Northampton Survival Center Inc., 265 Prospect St., Northampton, MA 01060.

Heidi Nortonsmith, Executive Director, Northampton Survival Center

February 24, 2012

Your name and position.

Heidi Nortonsmith, Executive Director

Tell us a little bit about your organization.

A food pantry serving the Hampshire County community since 1979. We distribute over 2,500 pounds of food each weekday to low-income clients from 18 communities. Of our 4,200 clients, fully one-third are children.

Tell us about your organization’s history, when you joined it, and why you’ve become a Chamber member.

I joined the NSC in 2004 with a desire to put my organizational skills to use for an agency that does demonstrably good work to better people’s lives in a tangible way every day. The fact is that the NSC is intrinsic to what makes Northampton a special place – mixing hundreds of volunteers and thousands of donors to make every single client feel valued and cared for. Joining the Chamber is a natural next step in inviting everyone in the community to be part of making this work possible.

What is your favorite thing to do in your organization?

There are a lot of things I love here, but the moments that never fail to bring a smile to my face are when I give tours of the Center to groups of schoolchildren. They don’t always use the conventional language that adults do in talking about poverty, but they understand need, helping, and kindness in a very basic way. I often ask groups of schoolchildren to guess what we do at the Survival Center.  Recently, a young visitor raised her hand and responded, “we care about people.” I loved that she understood our essence, and that she included herself in the equation!

If nothing else, what is the one piece of information you want someone to know about your organization?

So many clients are reluctant to ask for help, never having imagined that they would need to rely on a food pantry, so we do our best to make them glad they did, and to make the process as easy as possible for them from that moment forward.

What is the one piece of business advice you would like to share?

Always assume the best in people. Most of the time you’ll be right and assuming the best will pave the way toward smoothing out any miscommunication. The rare times when others are not doing their best, your expectations can help guide them toward their best selves.

NORTHAMPTON – This past June, we two friends decided to volunteer together at a community agency. The next morning, we noticed an announcement in the Gazette that the Northampton Survival Center had an orientation meeting scheduled for interested volunteers. We attended the meeting and decided to try it.

We starting working together on Wednesday mornings in July: Polly at the grocery counter, and Lynne at the produce counter of the center.

Upon learning we were both volunteering at the Northampton Survival Center, a mutual friend said to us, “Oh, come on. There can’t be that many hungry people in Northampton!”

She probably isn’t alone in her thinking, but we are here to tell you there is an unfortunate number of hungry people in our town. What has struck us both is the diversity of the hungry population, the wide range of circumstances that led them to need food and the precariousness many have endured for a long time.

We have also been struck by the strength, humor and appreciation of the clients and the support and dedication of the professional and volunteer staff. The center is, simply put, a jewel in our community, and we want to spread the word.

Week in and week out, the center continues to distribute food, but to do so requires the unwavering support of over 300 active volunteers, coordinated by Lynne Saner. Inevitably there are changes to individual schedules for which Lynne must find substitutes, a never-ending process. To keep the center running, Executive Director Heidi Nortonsmith solicits the support of over 200 businesses countywide and engages in targeted fundraising twice a year. The center serves 18 communities in our area, including Easthampton, South Hadley and Goshen and other hilltowns of Hampshire County.

At a clothing donation area, clients can pick up clothing and shoes for free.

As volunteers, we’ve seen a wide range of people visit the center – from those who look perfectly healthy to the opposite extreme and everything in between. The face of hunger has no particular profile.

When people come to get food, some choose to line up outside before the doors open. Some arrive in their own cars, some are dropped off by friends, some arrive on bicycles and some walk. The latter have the greatest challenge in getting their groceries home.

Once inside, clients meet with Program Director Sarah Pease to go over their eligibility. Next, they visit the produce counter, where they find whatever fresh vegetables are available. The produce at the center is generously donated by local farms and businesses, including Enterprise Farm, Next Barn Over, Town Farm and others, but short supply and cold weather reduced the abundance recently. After produce, they move on to pick up bread, canned goods, USDA donations and assorted other frozen and refrigerated food. Once their cart has been weighed to get an idea of how much food is being distributed, the volunteer walks the person receiving food out to their car or to their taxi or bike and helps load what they have received. It is during the course of these brief interactions that volunteers get to know the stories of the people whom they serve.

We hear many sad stories. There are clients with limited kitchens who struggle to take only those foods that don’t require refrigeration or cooking. It has also been alarming to know that many people have no dental care and therefore cannot chew the most basic foods, like apples.

For our many homeless clients, the struggle can extend beyond the need for food itself. Transporting and storing food can be an issue, and something as simple as finding a strong, non-paper bag that won’t disintegrate in the rain is an issue for clients living outdoors.

There are also many stories of people who had secure middle-class jobs working in factories, in the trades, or in an office who thought they would retire in those positions – only to be let go when the economy soured. “Where can I get a job now?” asked an older woman. “I never thought I would need to come here for food.”

A client who had been laid off was able to find part-time work nearby, but said the company didn’t offer benefits. Yet another client suffered a work-related injury for which she received such minimal compensation that she and her family are now “regulars” at the center.

One fall day, a man, probably in his 30s, came into the center holding the hand of his young child. He approached the produce counter with a pensive look on his face. “A year ago, when I was working, I was a volunteer here,” he said. “Now, since I got laid off from my job, I’m a client.” We are constantly struck by how fragile job security is these days, and how so many people who have worked all their lives are coming in for food.

When people come to the Northampton Survival Center for help in feeding their families, some share stories with volunteers like us.

“I never thought I would need to come here for food,” an older woman told us. Many recount hard times.

Fortunately, there are so many other stories of folks who, even though they are coming for help with food and their circumstances may be dire, find joy and delight – and are happy to share it with us.

Food is the universal language.

For many weeks last summer, an elderly man would appear for his food. He would approach the produce counter at the center and we would point out what vegetables and fruit we had on the shelves that week. Every week he would say, “I just need one apple. I cut it up and smoke it in my pipe with my tobacco. It’s my special pleasure.”

Another man, who must be in his eighties, comes to pick up fresh vegetables. He walks up to the produce counter slowly and deliberately with a big smile on his face and says, “Seeing you beautiful women every week is the highlight of my day.”

Once he even added “Hubba hubba,” and we all laughed.

One week in the fall, a man and woman, obviously married, approached the produce counter and became excited at the sight of bags of portabella mushrooms on the shelf. The man began to describe to us how he grills mushrooms at home, and how delicious they smell when he is cooking.

His wife then told us that they are mushroom foragers, and they began to tell us about their hobby. “Always look for the mushrooms which the bugs are eating. If there are no bugs,” said the husband, “beware, because that probably means the mushroom is poisonous.”

As he took the bag of mushrooms from us, he looked at his wife with a big smile and said, “This is like Christmas and Easter all in one day.”

Food and stories about food connect people. When we volunteer, we delight in conversations with clients about food memories from childhood, favorite recipes from mothers and grandmothers and suggestions about how to cook certain foods.

Despite our differences, people experience food as a basic, memory-laden necessity we all share.

We often have various fresh greens available – kale, collard greens and chard, for instance. Collard greens are the most-discussed vegetable. We have a handful of collard-lovers, most of whom seem to be from the south.

Seeing collards on the shelf is like a light switching on in their eyes. Memories tumble out: “My mother used to cook our collards in a lot of back-fat. Boy was that ever good!” “We always steam them with vinegar and add some bacon.” “Collards always remind me of my childhood.”

One day in October, we had several cartons of fresh kohlrabi. Most of us had no idea what it was, but eventually one of the volunteers recognized it. A few clients knew what it was, and their stories came forth. “My mother used to steam it and mash it and put lots of butter in it. It was sooooo good.” “My grandmother made it for us. I can’t remember how she cooked it though – it was so long ago.”

One of the kohlrabi heads had long thin leaves sticking out, which made it look like an alien with many long arms. We displayed it on the counter and laughed with clients as they picked it up and attempted to identify it. One client looked at it suspiciously, turned it right-side up, and said “Take me to your leader.”

We made a “Take Me To Your Leader” sign and put it next to the kohlrabi head. For the rest of the morning, this sparked smiles and laughs from all.

The Northampton Survival Center is a remarkable resource for our community, providing critical support to the health and well-being of our people in need.

Volunteering for the center is inspiring to us. It provides perspective and helps us see our own good fortune. We witness the strength, thankfulness and open hearts of the clients.

At the outset, we imagined our work for the center would be a way of giving back. We discovered how much we get in return.

The need for financial contributions, food and volunteers is constant at the Northampton Survival Center. Anyone interested in donating or helping should visit www.northamptonsurvival.org.

Here are key facts:

• The center provided almost 650,000 pounds of food in the past year to over 4,200 people.

• Four years ago, the center provided 454,000 pounds of food to 3,830 people. Since then, the center has served more than 4,000 new clients – a reflection of a harsh economy.

• Clients must meet income guidelines to qualify. For example, a single person with an income of less than $386 a week would be eligible for assistance, as would a family of four with annual income (from all sources) of less than $40,793.

• Forty percent of the food is donated through the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, including state and federal government food programs; 35 percent comes from donations from community members, including businesses and individuals; the remaining 25 percent is purchased by the center – mostly from the food bank, but also from retail grocery stores.

• The center operates with seven paid staff members, three full-time and four part-time.

NORTHAMPTON – John Endicott Emerson, 97, of 81 Fox Farms Road, died March 26, 2012, at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton.

Born April 15, 1914, in Danvers, he was the son of the late George Waldo Emerson and Susan Mabel (Hood) Emerson. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy and in 1937 from Dartmouth College.

He came to Northampton from Exeter, N.H., in 1938, where he had resided ever since.

For 30 years he was the business manager and director of development of the Mary A. Burnham School in Northampton, retiring in 1968 when that girls’ college preparatory school merged with the Stoneleigh School in Greenfield to become Stoneleigh-Burnham School. For several years during this same period he also served as business manager of the Stoneleigh School and also of Burnham-by-the-Sea, a summer school for girls in Newport, R.I. After his retirement he served as a trustee for Stoneleigh-Burnham School.

He was a member of the First Churches of Northampton, the Northampton Historical Society, and he was an honorary life-time member of the Danvers Historical Society. He was very active in the preservation of the birthplace of General Israel Putnam of Revolutionary War fame in Danvers, the home also being his own birthplace.

After he and a brother and a sister inherited this property upon the death of their mother in 1965, they set up a trust for the purpose of preserving and making available to the public this historic homestead along with its vast collection of antique furnishings and memorabilia which had accumulated in the spacious house during the span of over 300 years of ownership by the same family. He served as managing trustee of the property for the next 25 years until 1990, when the three family members terminated the trust and donated the homestead, along with all its contents, to the Danvers Historical Society to own and manage the homestead which is included on the National Register of Historic Places.

During the 1950s he had served on the board of directors of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, and of the Hampshire County Red Cross. His hobbies included travel, gardening and golf. He had been a member of the Amherst, Pine Grove, and East Mountain Country Clubs.

Survived by several nieces and nephews, he was predeceased by three sisters, Elizabeth Capen Emerson Kelley of Augusta, Maine, Eunice Emerson Raymond of Palm Springs, Calif., and Miriam Putnam Emerson Peters, with whom he resided; and three brothers, Galo Putnam Emerson Sr. of Amherst, Edward E. Emerson Sr. of Strafford, Vt., and George Waldo Emerson Jr., of Newport, R.I.

Graveside services for John E. Emerson will take place at the Daniel and Jesse Putnam Burial Ground, Danvers, the family cemetery at noon on Monday, April 2. Calling hours will be held at his home, 81 Fox Farms Road, Florence, Sunday, April 1, from 2 to 4 p.m. Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield, (413) 442-5094, is handling the arrangements.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Survival Center, 265 Prospect St, Northampton, MA 01060, or Jessie’s House, 143 West St., Northampton, MA 01060. Please visit www.dwyerfuneral.com to leave remembrances and condolences.

EASTHAMPTON – Genevieve Pauline (Lapointe) Keller, 83, of Teaberry Lane, passed away on Jan. 24, 2012, at Overlook at Northampton in Leeds. She was born in Easthampton, the daughter of the late Archie and Marie (Boulanger) Lapointe.

Genevieve pursued courses at the former Northampton Commercial College and studied voice at the Conservatory of Music in Brussels, Belgium, where she met her future husband, Phil, an American pianist studying at the conservatory.  After serving two years as secretary for the American ambassador in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, she was transferred to Brussels, where she continued at the American embassy using her skills at taking dictation in French.  Genevieve served for 44 years in the district court of Hampshire County in Northampton, culminating her career as clerk of courts and clerk magistrate during her final 10 years of service.

She will be remembered for her kindness, benevolence and unparalleled goodwill of humanity. Genevieve was a beloved wife, mother and advocate of and for the people. She leaves her husband of 49 years, Philip Keller; two sons, Mark Keller of Dedham and John Keller of South Hadley; two brothers, Archie E. Lapointe of Leesburg, Va., and Robert Lapointe of Medway; and several nieces and nephews.

Her funeral will be held Saturday, Feb. 25, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Church, 33 Adams St., Easthampton, followed with burial in Main Street Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday, Feb. 24, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Boucher-O’Brien Funeral Home, 7 Pleasant St., Easthampton. Donations may be made in her memory to the Northampton Survival Center, 265 Prospect St. Northampton, MA 01060.

CHARLTON – Sandra (Zais) Glass, 77, formerly of Northampton and Chatham, died Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, at Overlook Masonic Healthcare.

Her husband, Robert I. Glass, died May 29, 2011.

She leaves three sons, Jonathan Glass of Belmont, Scott Glass and his wife Patricia of Sturbridge, and Jeff Glass of Avon, Colo.; a daughter, Dale St. Lawrence, M.D., and her husband Michael of Thompson, Conn.; and four grandchildren, Samantha, David, Peter and Andrew.

She was born in Fall River, the daughter of Louis Zais and Lena (Baker) Zais and lived in Northampton for 37 years before moving to Overlook in Charlton in 2007.

Sandra also leaves a brother, Robert, and his wife Edith of Kent, Ohio, and a brother, Alan, and his wife Helen of Fernpark, Fla.; she also leaves a niece and three nephews.

Sandra met her husband Robert while attending Pembroke College/Brown University. She graduated from Pembroke with a B.S. in sociology. She worked as a bookkeeper while raising her family and did extensive volunteer work for the Northampton Survival Center.

She had a strong mind and kept herself abreast of the world’s issues with programs on NPR. She went to the library regularly and could always be found with a good book, such as the latest Joyce Carol Oates novel.

One of Sandra’s greatest pleasures was traversing the miles around her on foot. She was an avid walker and was a familiar sight to neighbors and locals as she enjoyed her many miles of walking daily.

Her most treasured times were those spent with her family, especially a traditional yearly gathering with her children and grandchildren at the Cape. Bob and Sandra celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and close friends at one of those gatherings.

Even in her final illness, Sandra earned the devotion of exceptional caregivers, for whom the family is deeply grateful.

Her graveside service will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Northampton Survival Center, 265 Prospect St., Northampton, 01060.

Belanger-Bullard Funeral Home, 51 Marcy St., Southbridge, is directing arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.BelangerFuneralHome.com.

HOLYOKE – Virginia (Hitchcock) Keefe, 91, died Monday, Oct. 17, 2011, at the Marian Center in Holyoke.

She was an associate of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary. She was also a communicant at the former St. Mary’s Church in Northampton. Born and raised in Boston, she lived for many years in Green Harbor in Marshfield before moving to Northampton. She was the wife of the late Frank J. Keefe.

She is survived by her sister, Carolyn Kearney of California; and by her five children, Priscilla Keefe of Dartmouth, Betsey White and her husband Ron of Northampton, Frank Keefe and his wife Christine of Chesterfield, Virginia Cole and her husband Phil of Truro, and David Keefe and his wife Roberta of South Hadley. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Calling hours are on Thursday, Oct. 20, from 4-7 p.m. at the Marian Center. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m., on Friday, Oct. 21, at the Marian Center, 1365 Northampton St., Holyoke. Burial will be on Friday, Oct. 21, at Winslow Cemetery in Marshfield, at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Northampton Survival Center, 265 Prospect St., Northampton, MA, 01060. Hobert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Click here to see a final report on our Capital Campaign and building renovation.