Wishing you Peace, Joy, and Adventure This Holiday Season

As the days grow shorter and the nights come early, it's tempting to stay cozy indoors — especially if cold weather isn't your favorite. But winter is also a great time to stay connected with our AMC community in new ways. Below you'll find three December highlights from the Western Massachusetts Chapter: a new Online Winter Book Club that lets you connect from the comfort of home, an AMC 150 Activity Challenge to inspire you to get outside as we head into 2026, and a spotlight on the Communications Committee, the small-but-mighty team that keeps our website, newsletter, and social channels humming all year long. If you are new to AMC or to our Western Massachusetts Chapter — welcome! We're glad you're here. We invite you to join activities, volunteer, connect with a committee, or explore leadership opportunities at whatever pace feels right for you. Wishing you peace, joy, and adventure during this holiday season! Kathy Martin, Western MA Chapter Chair

Join our NEW Online Winter Book Club

Looking for a new way to have fun and make connections with other outdoor enthusiasts during the cold and dark winter months? The Appalachian Mountain Club's Western Massachusetts Chapter invites you to join a new Winter Book Club series running January through March 2026. The online book club will meet virtually on the fourth Monday of each month from 6:45 to 8:15 PM. The Meet & Greet portion offers participants a chance to arrive early, sign in, catch up with fellow members, hear Chapter updates, and settle in before the discussion begins. Whether you're a longtime AMC member or considering joining the outdoor community, all are welcome! The series begins with Heartwood by Amity Gaige, a suspenseful novel about a 42-year-old hiker who goes missing on the Appalachian Trail. The story weaves together three narratives: the missing woman's struggle for survival, a Maine State Game Warden's ground search, and a birdwatcher's investigation, exploring themes of survival and human connection that will resonate deeply with the AMC community. The group will choose the next two books at the first meeting. Next steps: register for the Book Club, read the book, then bring your hot cocoa, tea, or beverage of choice and join the conversation! Registered participants will receive a link to the meeting via email prior to each meeting. We recommend you register early as the group is limited to 25 participants. For more information contact Mary at secretary@amc-wma.org.

AMC 150 Activity Challenge

Are you up for a challenge? The Western Massachusetts Chapter wants YOU! To help celebrate AMC's 150^th anniversary in 2026, we challenge you to participate in 150 miles "worth" of activities between January 1 and October 31, 2026. Come on out! Enjoy the outdoors! Try a new activity! Make new friends or renew old acquaintances! Activities with ANY AMC chapter count toward your goal. Once you have registered for the 150 Anniversary Challenge, sign up for AMC-led activities with the WM Chapter on the Chapter Activities page of our website, or any other Chapter on the Outdoors Connector. After completing each activity, email info@amc-wma.org with the trip name, leader, activity type, and miles. Our Membership Committee will track your miles and let you know how close you are to reaching the 150-mile goal. Those who meet the challenge will receive a special commemorative patch and a shout-out at our Fall Social and Annual Meeting. Since not all outings are alike, and to encourage your participation in different AMC-sponsored activities, we've created mileage equivalents for activities other than hiking. Click here for details. Questions? Want to register? Email Kathy Kindness at info@amc-wma.org.

December Committee Highlight - Communications

This month we'd like to highlight the work of the Chapter's Communications Committee, which is just two people — the Communications Chair and the Webmaster. Together, they manage all of the communications from the Chapter. The Webmaster is hard at work making daily updates to the website, including the Chapter Activities page, listing all of the chapter activities that have been posted on AMC's Outdoor Connector, and our online newsletter, the Western MA Exchange. This newsletter is jam-packed with upcoming and past Chapter activities and events, articles of interest for the outdoor enthusiast, monthly Committee reports, volunteer opportunities, some of our social media posts, and more. Everything you need to know about Chapter happenings with just one click. The Communications Chair manages the Chapter's Facebook page and Instagram account. Besides following those accounts to see what's happening in the Chapter, you can now engage directly on Facebook by sharing your adventures with the Chapter in the recently added Facebook group. Just click the link, join the group, and share your photos of Chapter activities. We just ask that you adhere to the Group's rules: all posts must be positive and respectful and adhere to the AMC mission to foster the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors. Political posts and sales are prohibited. The Communications Chair also sends out a monthly email message to its members highlighting Chapter activities and events.

International Dinner Series at Pinkham Notch

From January through March join us on Wednesday evenings to celebrate a different country with a four-course meal and a trip presentation by fellow explorers and adventurers. Travel the world from New Hampshire's North Country! Learn more and see the calendar here.