Town Events, Dec. 17 - Dec. 24 - The Reminder

Town Events, Dec. 17 - Dec. 24

From the Herald, the Metro West Reminder and the Springfield Reminder

AGAWAM
BARGAIN BOOK
Friends of the Agawam Senior Center are selling the bargain book "Taste of Western Mass." for dining and activities for the Pioneer Valley. The books sell for $20 each and the proceeds go towards the Friends expansion fund. You can purchase this lovely holiday gift at the Agawam Senior Center, 821-0604, or call Emile Cot at 335-9440 for more info.

SPECIAL TICKET OFFER
The Agawam Park and Rec. Dept. is offering a special ticket offer for the Springfield Falcons game on New Year's Eve at 1 p.m. Tickets are $8 for kids and $10 for adults. Falcons will donate $1 to the department for each ticket sold. There will also be a free public skate at 11 a.m.

WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL
The Winter Arts Festival will take place at Agawam High School on Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m. There will be drawing, painting and pottery demos. Funds raised from this event will go toward scholarships for seniors continuing their art education.

A NIGHT IN BETHLEHEM
A Night in Bethlehem at St. David's Church, 699 Springfield St., will take place on Dec. 19 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Offered free to the community. Join us at our Toy-Makers, Spice, Jewelry, Bakery, Sandal Making, Painting and Weaver Shops. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served.

CHRISTMAS EVE CHILDREN'S SERVICE
St. David's Church, 699 Springfield St., Christmas Eve Children's Service will be on Dec. 24 at 4 p.m. Our candlelight service will be on Christmas Eve at 11 p.m. and our Christmas Day Service will be at 10 a.m.

HOLIDAY RECYCLING
The following are some guidelines for recycling during the winter months. Include the following items in your paper recycling mix: corrugated cardboard boxes, paperboard gift boxes, greeting cards, gift wrap and gift bags. Do not include ribbons, bows or tinsel, packing peanuts or Styrofoam. For more info, contact the Recycling Hotline at 888-888-0784 ext. 2293.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
Agawam United Methodist Church, 459 Mill St., will be having its annual Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. on Dec. 24. This will be a candlelight service featuring traditional songs of Christmas and solos for the season.

COLLECTING DONATIONS
The Agawam Public Library's Teen Advisory Council will be collecting hats, mittens and new or gently used books for children ages 3 - 5. The items will be donated to children attending the local Headstart Early Childhood Program. Drop off your donations at the library anytime through Dec. 19.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING
On Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m., Agawam United Methodist Church will be gathering at Country Estates nursing home, 1200 Suffield St., for our annual Christmas caroling event. Anyone having friends or family residing in Country Estates or anyone who just loves an opportunity to share the wonderful songs of Christmas with others, join us.

SEWING CLASSES
Sewing classes are being offered at the Agawam United Methodist Church, 459 Mill St., in January. Machines are available to rent for those who do not yet have one of their own. Mini-classes will also be offered in hemming and repairing. For more info, go to www.designingtwining.com.

CHICOPEE
SENIOR CENTER CLOSING
The Chicopee Senior Center will close at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 24 and will be closed on Dec. 25. The center will open at 8 a.m. on Dec. 26 and all regular activities will take place.

"42ND STREET"
The Chicopee Senior Travel Club is going to the Warner Theatre in Torrington, Conn., on March 29 to see "42nd Street." Cost includes lunch, show and bus and all gratuities. Call the club at 534-3698, Mon. - Fri. from noon - 3 p.m. for more info.

OPEN HOUSE
St. Joan of Arc-St. George School will host an open house on Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. - noon. Families interested in pre-K to grade eight are invited to attend. Visit www.stjoan-stgeorge.org to learn more about the school or call 536-6038.

MEN'S GROUP
There is a Men's Group that meets monthly at the Chicopee Senior Center, 7 Valley View Ct. The group meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 10 a.m. This group is designed for men who are looking to be part of a large circle of their peers. The group discusses a variety of topics each month and will be open to topics that a member of the group may wish to discuss. The next meeting will be on Dec. 22. Anyone interested in attending this group or for more info call Jared at the Senior Center at 534-3698.

IN GOOD COMPANY
In Good Company is a support group for people who are feeling blue or experiencing mild depression. Coming to a support group at the senior center and being with others can help you to feel better. The next meeting will take place on Dec. 23 at 10 a.m. at the Chicopee Senior Center, 7 Valley View Ct. There is no fee for this program. The group is facilitated by a professional who can assist you with coping strategies, info on additional assistance and support. If you would like more info, call 534-3698.

GRANBY
GREEN CHRISTMAS STORYTIME
On Dec. 19 at 10:30 a.m. all are invited to the Granby Library's Green Christmas Storytime. During this season of celebration we need to show extra care for the environment. There will be refreshments, a magical Christmas story, a recycled item craft and a gift for all children who attend. For more info, call the library at 467-3320.

WARM THE HEART
Waste Management would like to remind all to join them in contributing to the Granby Library's Warm the Heart Winter Wear and Toy Drive through Dec. 20. For more info, call the library at 467-3320.

HOLYOKE
"IN OUR OWN VOICE"
On Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. at Providence Behavioral Hospital in Holyoke, the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Western Massachusetts (NAMI-WM) will present "In Our Own Voice," a unique public education program developed by NAMI, in which two trained consumer speakers share compelling personal stories about living with mental illness and achieving recovery. The presentation will follow the annual meeting and is free and open to the public.

SOUTH HADLEY
KOREAN WAR VETERANS
Any person who served in the armed forces of the United States from June 6, 1950 to July 27, 1953 is invited to join the Korean War Veterans of Western Mass. Also eligible to join are those members of the armed forces who served in Korea anytime after July 27, 1953 until the present date. Meetings take place monthly in South Hadley. For more info, call Al Natario at 583-5167.

SOUTHWICK
FOXWOODS TRIP
The Southwick Senior Center will be going to Foxwoods casino on Jan. 28. We'll leave the center at 8 a.m. and leave the casino at 4 p.m. You'll receive free buffet or $10 toward food and a casino credit. Sign up in our office or call 569-5498.

TAI CHI COURSE
The Southwick Park & Rec. Dept. is sponsoring a Tai Chi course beginning Jan. 13 and running for eight weeks. Sessions will take place in the Southwick Town Hall auditorium from 5 - 6 p.m. To sign up, call Judy at the Park & Rec. office at 569-5701.

CHRISTMAS EVE COMMUNION
All are invited to the Christmas Eve Communion Service at Christ Church, United Methodist, 222 College Highway at 11 p.m. on Dec. 24. For more info, call 569-5206.

SPRINGFIELD
CHRISTMAS SERVICE
Foster Memorial Church invites everyone to join them for a special Blue Christmas service on Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. The focus of the service is to acknowledge and support people who are struggling during the holidays. Join us and bring a friend. Included in this service is time for quiet reflection, songs for the season and prayer with candlelight. There is no monetary offering. The church is located at 1234 Parker St. For more info call the church office at 782-2112.

The Boar's Head Festival
The Boar's Head Festival, a medieval celebration of the Epiphany, will be presented at Trinity United Methodist Church, 361 Sumner Ave., on Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 10 at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.; and Jan. 11 at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Call 733-4759 for info. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $13 for children ages 4 - 11.

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS
The First Christmas, a powerful drama presenting a fresh glimpse of the Christmas Story, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. and Dec. 21 at 6 p.m., Christian Life Center, 1590 Sumner Ave. All seats are free. Nursery is provided. For more info call 782-7171 or visit www.christianlifecenterma.org.

MAKING HOLIDAY GIFTS
Attention dads and children...Come on in to Simply Beadiful the weekend of Dec. 20 to make a special gift for Mom, Grandma, Auntie or friends. Simply Beadiful will provide guidance with all projects and will help you finish your gift for that special someone. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Dec. 20, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Dec. 21, noon - 4 p.m. Simply Beadiful, 1916 1/2 Wilbraham Rd. Call 782-0288 or visit www.simplybeadifulonline.com for more info.

WESTFIELD
WINTER CLASSES
The YMCA of Greater Westfield has begun registration for winter classes. Classes begin the week of Jan. 5. Class offerings include aerobic and fitness classes, including cycling, cardio kick, Bosu core strength training, Zumba, yoga ball, body shaping, stretch away stress, Pilates, ballroom dancing, active older adult fitness classes, pool fitness classes, youth and adult swim lessons, youth swim team and snow scramblers. For more info, call 568-8631.

WEST SPRINGFIELD
HANUKKAH EVENT
The town of West Springfield invites all of its residents and friends to join in the lighting of the second candle on the second day of Hanukkah, Dec. 22 at 4 p.m., in the Majestic Theatre on Elm Street. Officiating is Rev. David Aminia, the Ritual director of Temple Beth El in Springfield. In case of inclement weather, call 781-3020.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
Around 300 luminaries will line the long driveway and all entrance sidewalks of Mittineague Congregational Church off Route 20 before, during and after the 6 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight family service. Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion service will take place at 11 p.m. At the 6 p.m. service, there will be two Christmas stories rather than a sermon so that children will have a better understanding of the meaning of Christmas.

SYMPHONY OF FINE ARTS II
Plans are underway for the "Symphony of Fine Arts (SOFA) II" presented by the West Springfield Public Schools. The event will take place on March 18 at the high school. The evening will consist of a reception and a silent auction and performances. Proceeds will support the purchase of new lighting for the high school auditorium. Anyone interested in recommending a WSPS staff/student or local performer, or a donor for the silent auction, is asked to visit www.wsps.org.

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
On Dec. 21, Grace Lutheran Church's Sunday School will present a Christmas pageant, "A Most Amazing Story" at the 9:30 a.m. service. On Christmas Eve, the church will have candlelight service at 6 and 11 p.m.