Town Events, March 31 - April 7 - The Reminder

Town Events, March 31 - April 7

From the Herald, the MetroWest Reminder and the Springfield Reminder

AGAWAM
CHRISTMAS WITH NAT AND FRIENDS
Join the Friends of Agawam Senior Center at Lake Pearl Luciano's for a Christmas with Nat and Friends, a tribute to Nat King Cole starring Gordon Michaels with Victorian Christmas Carolers on Dec. 2 in Wrentham. Luncheon and time to shop at Premium Outlets. Cost includes all taxes and gratuities. Deposit of $10 with reservation; balance due on or before Nov. 1. Call Nellie Mathias at 786-9093 for info. Departs at 9:30 a.m. from Agawam Senior Center; approx. return 7 p.m.

CULTURAL COUNCIL MEETING
The Agawam Cultural Council will meet April 13 at 7 p.m. at the Agawam Public Library, 750 Cooper St. The meeting is open to the public. If you have an interest in providing diverse cultural events for the town, a great opportunity exists with the Cultural Council. This all-volunteer organization, appointed by the mayor and funded, in part, by the Mass. Cultural Council, is looking for new members.

FOREIGN CULTURES EXHIBIT
The Foreign Language Depts. at the high school and junior high will present an art exhibit of student work at the Agawam Public Library throughout April. Projects such as masks, replicas of famous Impressionist masters, computer generated brochures, original student artworks, etc. will be on display. Viewing hours are during regular library hours.

MESQUITE AND LAS VEGAS
Join Friends of the Agawam Senior Center to Mesquite and Las Vegas. Trip includes Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park; six days/10 meals, Oct. 24 - 29. Price includes trip insurance. For more info call Nellie Mathias at 786-9093. Deposit of $200 with reservation; final payment due by Aug. 17.

THE SONGS OF HARRY WARREN
The Memory Lane Chorus and the Melody Band of the Agawam Senior Center present the songs of Harry Warren on April 9 at 1 p.m. Free concert; small donation is recommended.

FRIENDS TRIP
Travel to Mackinac Island with Frankenmuth and Niagara Falls May 9 - 16, eight days/14 meals. Deposit due at sign up: $50 per person. Make checks payable to Nellie Mathias and mail to: 71 Federal St., Agawam, MA 01001. Trip departs 7:30 a.m. on May 9. Trip arranged by Landmark Tours and Cruises Inc. For more info call Nellie Mathias at 786-9093.

GIANT EASTER EGG HUNT
The giant Easter egg hunt at Bethany Assembly of God, 580 Main St., will take place April 3 at 10 a.m. We have bikes, scooters, Easter baskets, games, toys and candy to give away. This event is for kids in pre-school to sixth grade. Parents, you'll need to stay with your little ones ages five and under.

QUAIL RUN ESTATES SEMINAR
Quail Run Estates, 50 Cardinal Drive, will present a seminar titled "Protecting Your Most Important Asset ... Your Family" hosted by Judy and Joe Wood, management team at Quail Run Estates, April 6 at 7 p.m., April 8 at 2:30 p.m. and April 10 at 10 a.m. that may change your perspective on planning for those "golden years." Refreshments. Space limited -- call 786-9688 for reservations.

FELINE FRIENDS BAKE SALE
A bake sale to support Feline Friends will take place April 3 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Dave's Soda and Pet City, 151 Springfield St. Proceeds will benefit Feline Friends cat sanctuary, a no-kill sanctuary that rescues, rehabilitates and places abandoned cats in caring homes.

CHICOPEE
TURNING 65 AND MEDICARE
Jim Zabik from Bankers Life and Casualty will present a seminar in the conference room of the Chicopee Public Library, 449 Front St., at 6 p.m. on April 5. The title of this seminar will be "Turning 65 and Medicare." For more info call 594-1800 ext. 108.

ST. JOAN OF ARC-ST. GEORGE
St. Joan of Arc-St. George School is accepting registrations for St. Joan's Arc Angels Pre-K and grades K - 8 for the 2010-11 school year. School offers before and after school care, hot lunch, gym, music, computer, library and French. Call the school at 533-1475 or 536-6038 for tuition info and tours. Financial aid is available.

ROAST BEEF SUPPER
The First Congregational Church of Chicopee, UCC, 306 Chicopee St., Route 116, roast beef supper on April 10, sponsored by the Men's Club with assistance from the Ladies Benevolent Society and others from the congregation. Dinners served continuously from 5 - 7 p.m. Menu: roast beef, mashed potatoes w/gravy, carrots, pickled beets, rolls w/butter, choice of desserts and coffee, tea or milk. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 - 12. Younger children are free. Take out dinners also available. Tickets are to be purchased at the door. Walk-ins are welcome. Reservations will be for 5 or 6 p.m. and will only be held for 10 mins. For more info: 593-5061.

COMPANION PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS
Senior companions are needed for the Chicopee area only to share time with elders. Applicants must be 55 years of age, meet incomes guidelines and have a willingness to share time with elders. Benefits include hourly tax free stipend, transportation, reimbursement, orientation training, monthly in-service trainings, accident and liability insurance, friendship and personal satisfaction. The Senior Companion Program is sponsored through the Valley Opportunity Council. For more info: 612-0229.

RESPITE PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS
The Senior Companion Program also has elders who provide respite care for those caring for a loved one in their homes. This is a free service available for Chicopee residents only. Funding provided by the Administration on Aging until Title III-E of the Older Americans Act through the Mass. Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Contact either Lenora Chapdelaine, SCP Director or Lillian Franck, Adm. Assistant at 612-0229 for info on these programs.

FAITH UNITED BARGAIN SHOP
Faith United Methodist Church, 191 Montcalm St., hosts a bargain discount clothing shop sale: buy one get one free on winter items on April 7 and 14 from 9 a.m. - noon. Good quality men's, women's and children's clothes; mix and match and fill a bag!

GREATER SPRINGFIELD
TJO SPAGHETTI SUPPER BENEFIT
Support the Thomas J. O'Connor Adoption Center by attending a super spaghetti supper on April 15 from 5 - 7 p.m. at the Holyoke Lodge of Elks, 250 Whitney Ave., Holyoke. In addition to dinner, there are raffle prizes such as Red Sox tickets, a $300 Jaffra basket, an iPod and more. Tickets are available at the Adoption Center or, while they last, at the door. Includes dinner, dessert, coffee, cash bar and raffle prizes. Tickets: $8 for adults, $4 for children.

INJURED WORKER HOTLINE
Injured workers who need help are invited to call the Injured Worker Hotline at 731-0760. The hotline is sponsored by the Western Mass. Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health, a non-profit organization in Springfield. Western MassCOSH also offers free walk-in help hours for injured workers every Mon. morning (except holidays) from 9 a.m. - noon. No appt. is necessary.

HOLYOKE
HCC OPEN HOUSE
Holyoke Community College will host an open house for high school juniors and seniors and their parents as well as adults considering a career change on April 8 from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development at HCC. Learn about more than 100 degree and certificate programs, meet faculty and staff, get info on financial aid/payment plans, student services and transfer options. Mini-sessions every half hour, plus campus tours. For more info call 552-2321.

N.R.A. BASIC PISTOL SAFETY COURSE
An N.R.A. Basic Pistol Safety Course offered at the Holyoke Revolver Club Indoor Range, 431 West Cherry St., April 17 from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. This is a hands on shooting experience teaching the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary for owning and using a pistol safely. A National Rifle Assoc. Basic Pistol Course Certificate as well as a State of Mass. Certificate will be awarded upon successful completion of the course. Registration is required by April 10. Info is available at www.holyokerevolverclub.com. Alternative registration: call 539-9345 and leave your name and telephone number on answering machine.

EXHIBIT OPENING
Postcard Perceptions: Photographs by Joshua Taylor, April 8, 5 - 7 p.m. at Wistariahurst Museum. During the month of April, local photographer and Holyoke native Joshua Taylor captures the beauty of the city's past and present with photographs of iconic Holyoke inspired by images from vintage postcards on view in Wistariahurst Museum's gallery. Taylor is the co-founder of Paper City Pictures, a photography studio in Holyoke. The photographs of "Postcard Perceptions" record Holyoke's rich architectural history in modern-day incarnations comparing Holyoke's idealized past and the potential he sees for the city's future. On view at the Wistariahurst gallery through May 3. Admission to gallery: $3.

SMITH COLLEGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE
On April 10 at 3 p.m., Wistariahurst welcomes the Smith College Jazz Ensemble for a spring afternoon concert. The approx. 30 members perform each semester with the Smith College Wind Ensemble and play performances at the Williams College Jazz Festival each year. The Smith College Jazz Ensemble consists of horns, sax, rhythm and vocals. Tickets: $5.

SOUTH HADLEY
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER
The South Hadley Women's Club's Annual Great Give-away Scholarship Fundraiser will take place April 9 at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 319 Granby Rd., starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and every ticket is a winner of a prize worth $10 or more. All tickets sold in advance and the amount of tickets is limited. There will also be a small Chinese auction at the same time and those tickets will be sold at the event for $1 each or six for $5. If you would like a ticket, call 534-0663 or 539-3875. No tickets will be sold at the event.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES
Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 319 Granby Rd., will host services for Maundy Thursday on April 1 at 7 p.m., Good Friday on April 2 at 7 p.m. with an ecumenical service that will take place at the Congregational Church of South Hadley Falls, 11 N. Main St., and an Easter Vigil on April 3 at 7 p.m. For more info call 533-1925.

ART LECTURE AT MT. HOLYOKE
"Early American Shape Note Singing," a lecture and demo by Tim Eriksen, musician and ethnomusicologist with local shape note singers, will take place April 8 at 7 p.m. at the Mt. Holyoke College Art Museum's John and Norah Warbeke Gallery. The event is free, fully accessible with parking available nearby.

SOUTHWICK
PICTURE WITH EASTER BUNNY
April 3, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Daily Grind Coffee House and Cafe, 568 College Hwy. Kids bingo, face painting, coloring and crafts too! This is a free community event open to everyone.

SPAGHETTI SUPPER
The Southwick Republican Party announces its 9th Annual Family Spaghetti Supper, taking place April 9 at 5:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 338 on Powder Mill Road. We will be introducing and showcasing our candidates for the upcoming May elections. Residents will be able to meet the candidates and discuss their campaign platforms. Join us for a full meal, cash bar, great raffles and family fun. Tickets are available at the Southwick Florist, from members of the Southwick Republican Town Committee and at the door. Cost: $10 per person, $25 per family. For more info call Bob Horacek at 569-3616, Roz Terry at 569-3982, Russ or Bob Fox at 569-5962 or Art Pinell at 569-6971.

SPRINGFIELD
FISH FRY
Fish fry to benefit The Ronald McDonald House of Springfield April 2 from 4 - 7:30 p.m. at The Cup Restaurant, 240 Westfield St., West Springfield. Adults: $10; children 10 years and under $5. (If fried food is not your thing, there will be other food options available for the same price). Take out orders are available. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

LANDSCAPING AT STCC
The Center for Business and Technology (CBT) at Springfield Technical Community College announced that Claire Kenna, the owner of Good Scents Garden Company, a Conn. certified Nurseryperson, and a member of the Ecological Landscape Assoc., will teach Basic Landscape Design at the college on April 3. Space is limited and interested individuals should go to http://cbt.stcc.edu or call CBT at 755-4225 or 755-4502 for complete details or to enroll.

ST. BARNABAS ALL SAINTS' EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Holy Week worship services: March 31, the Holy Eucharist in the Chapel, 11 a.m.; Maundy Thursday, April 1, the Holy Eucharist in the church, 7 p.m., washing of feet and stripping of the altar; Good Friday Liturgy, April 2, noon and 7 p.m., meditation and communion from the reserved Sacrament; April 3, Holy Saturday, the great Vigil of Easter, 7 p.m., at Christ Church Cathedral; Easter Sunday, April 4, Festival Holy Eucharist, 10 a.m.

EASTER SERVICE
New Life Fellowship will host its Easter Service April 4 starting at 5:25 p.m. at 80 Arvilla St. For more info visit www.mynewlifefellowship.com, call 525-9472 or e-mail newlifefellowship@me.com.

'50s DINNER DANCE
At St. Catharine of Siena Parish Hall, Parker Street, April 10 from 6 - 10 p.m. Dinner at 6 p.m. including dessert; light drinks all night. DJ for dancing to 1950s, '60s and '70s music from 7 - 10 p.m. Raffles. Tickets: $20/person. For tickets or more info call Bryan at 525-8053 or Rich at 739-4502. Clergy are free. Sponsored by the K of C Council #63.

GOOD FRIDAY DRAMA
April 2, 7 p.m. Evangelical Covenant Church of Springfield, 915 Plumtree Rd. Actors bring Scripture to life as we experience Jesus' earthly ministry, crucifixion and resurrection. Free admission, free child care for children under 4. Visit www.ecovs.org or call the church at 782-5212.

SEEKING VENDORS
Taste of Duggan and More will host its 10th annual community fair soon! Rent a booth for only $15. Contact Eleanor Barker at Duggan Middle School at 787-7410 for more info. Sponsored by Duggan Middle School and the Zonta Club of Springfield.

NO YOUTH MASS EASTER SUNDAY
Holy Cross Church on Plumtree Road will not host its weekly 6 p.m. Youth Mass on Easter Sunday, April 4. Youth Mass will resume on April 11 at 6 p.m. All are welcome.

ARTS FESTIVAL SEEKS EXHIBITORS
Men of Sinai, in association with Sinai Temple, is producing Fall Festival of Art, an original art exhibit and sale Oct. 10 - 11. Some crafts will be included. Caricaturists, portrait painters and demos will be featured. E-mail stucreations@gmail.com or call Stuart Warshaw at 567-3249 for applications and info.

WESTFIELD
AUTHOR TALK
Author David Kassel, an expert in project management, will speak in the Garden Room of the Horace Mann Center at Westfield State on April 6 at 6:30 p.m. For more info, call 572- 8020.

PUBLIC OFFICE HOURS
Westfield's State Rep. Donald Humason Jr. and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour will have public office hours at Zuber's Ice Cream & Deli, 98 Southwick Rd., on April 5 from 10:30 a.m. - noon. They're also available to meet with constituents at the district office, 64 Noble St. For more info, call 568-1366.

STOCKING SALMON FRY
The Westfield River Watershed Assoc. needs volunteers to help stock salmon fry in Westfield River tributaries on April 10 and 24 at 8 a.m. Meeting place on April 10 is the commuter parking lot at Westfield State and on April 24 is Gateway Regional High School in Huntington. For more info, visit www.westfieldriver.org or call Phil Sousa at 568-3982.

WATERCOLOR CLASSES
The Community Ed. Dept. at Westfield State is offering Beginning/Intermediate Watercolor. Register by April 6. Classes begin April 13 and take place every Tues. through May 18 from 6 - 8 p.m. Tuition: $144 for Community Ed students; $69 for Learning In Retirement students. For more info, call 572-8034 or e-mail fpero@wsc.ma.edu.

WEST SPRINGFIELD
BIKE-ATHON FUNDRAISER
All are invited on a fundraising bike-athon to Brattleboro, Vt., on June 19 at 7 a.m. with Karen and Stephen Hardy for their non-profit, Educate Malawi Inc. Ride will begin in W.S. and there will be 10, 25, 50, and 100 mile routes. For more info, call 734-3656, visit www.educate-malawi.org or e-mail karen@educate-malawi.org.

CHARITY BASKETBALL GAME
The third annual charity Fire vs. Police basketball game to benefit the Soupy for Loopy Foundation will take place April 10 at 6 p.m. at the high school, 425 Piper Rd. Cost: $5/person; $7/family. For more info, visit www.soupyforloopy.org.

EASTER SERVICES
On Easter Sunday, April 4, Mittineague Methodist Church will host an ecumenical sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. in front of the church at 800 Amostown Rd. Following the half-hour service will be a continental breakfast in Fellowship Hall. At 11 a.m. a worship service will begin to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. For more info call 788-0304 or visit www.mittineagueumc.org.