TFHS plans engineering offerings; Friends of Hillcrest and Sheffield lead a drive to replenish local food shelves; district food manager scores a grant to replace a Sheffield oven….and, the high school team name discussion continues. The Gill-Montague School Committee takes up all this and more in a marathon meeting. Plus: Sheffield students plan to “buzz off” to support cancer patients. Leverett mourns the loss of Dr. Dan Bennett, whose friends offer remembrances. In selectboard news: Gill sets sewer rates: Montague is briefed on a massive combined sewer overflow project; Erving considers departmental budget requests; and Leverett tackles heater, ambulance, and intersection problems. A guest editorialist offers thoughts on the cost of heritage. In the wake of November’s elections, Greenfield considers sanctuary city status, Leverett embarks on building community and power, a speaker at Mount Holyoke College offers plain talk about online privacy, and our editorial concludes that “none of us are ready.”

MoRe: Oystergirl offers a rundown of local winter farmers’ markets. The Brick House indulges in a night of Escape-ism. The Gardener’s Companion welcomes the yuletide. A Montague author’s first novel is a thriller with local flair. Nine students are recognized for academic excellence. Local sites collect Toys for Tots. Check out a TFHS winter sports preview and the GFMS first quarter honor roll. The Children’s Page features a Hungry Trickster. Plus: Pet(s) of the Week; Montague Police Log; and listings chock full of winter weekend events and activities.