Melvin Longley was a dairy farmer who became the custodian of the Lura A. White School when the herd was sold. He wrote poems throughout his lifetime about a number of topics, including nature, farming, and small town life. He was a founder of the Shirley Historical Society and an active member of the Grange. In 1988 he was brought to Washington by the Smithsonian to demonstrate old New England crafts.

As Seasons Change (soft cover, 6 inches x 9 inches, 130 pages with 17 B&W photos) is available from the Shirley Conservation Commission. To order please send a shipping address and a check for $13.50 payable to "Town of Shirley" to the Commission at 7 Keady Way, Shirley, MA 01464. It can also be picked up for $10.50 either at the Commission Office, 7 Keady Way, during office hours or at the Shirley Historical Society's Lucy Longley Building, 182 Center Road, on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

All proceeds from sales of the first printing benefit the Longley Acres Conservation Area Maintenance Fund. This book is also available for loan from Hazen Library.