Town Events, Dec. 9 - Dec. 16 - The Reminder

Town Events, Dec. 9 - Dec. 16

From the Herald, the MetroWest Reminder and the Springfield Reminder

AGAWAM
CAROL SING
Join us for an old fashioned carol sing Dec. 13 at 5 p.m. Bring your family and friends to the Veterans Green. Join us at St. John the Evangelist Church parish hall after for a Christmas social from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., 833 Main St. Refreshments, holiday music, friends and family. Everyone is welcome. In case of inclement weather, the carol sing will take place in St. John's Church at 5 p.m. with the Christmas social immediately following in the parish hall.

CULTURAL COUNCIL GRANTS
The Agawam Cultural Council Grant for the Arts Committee has decided to extend the application submission deadline for its two $1,000 grants to Dec. 31. Applications and guidelines are available at the library, Town Hall, Senior Center and at www.agawamcc.org. For more info call 786-6552 or e-mail circmgmt@aol.com.

WASTE COLLECTION SCHEDULE
The Agawam 2010 solid waste curbside collection schedules are now available. Route schedules may be downloaded at www.agawam.ma.us or picked up from the Dept. of Public Works, 1000 Suffield St.

CHICOPEE
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT
The Greater Chicopee Area Community Concert Band will present its annual Christmas Concert on Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Chicopee Comprehensive High School auditorium. The program will consist of traditional Christmas carols and seasonal music. The members of the band are from the greater Chicopee area including Chicopee, South Hadley, Belchertown and East Longmeadow. The band has presented a free Christmas concert every year since its creation in 1995. The public is invited to attend this traditional performance free of charge.

GREATER SPRINGFIELD
SINGLES CHRISTMAS DANCE
Active Singles (a non-profit group) is sponsoring a Singles Christmas Dinner Dance Dec. 18 at the Plainview VFW Post 574, 7 North West Dr., Farmington, Conn. Call (860) 747-2993. This is a dress up dinner dance with a full dinner; BYOB. DJ music (soft rock-top 40s requests) from 6:30 p.m. - midnight. Door prizes, grab bag, dance contests and best dressed. No boots, sneakers, jeans or jean skirts. No sloppy clothes or hats. Postmark checks no later than Dec. 8 for $25. Late checks and walk-ins, $35. Make checks to EECGLLC and mail to 19 Stony Hill Rd., #6, Cheshire, CT 06410.

NATURALIST CLUB DEC. MEETING
Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Led by Nancy Condon (564-0895). Bring along a holiday dessert to share with the group after the presentations. Let's celebrate together! Call Nancy to get on the roster for presentations. Visit www.naturalist-club.org for more info.

PARK Walk, West Springfield
Dec. 17, 9 a.m. - noon. Leader: Colette Potter. Place: Mittineague Park. Depending on the weather, we can take a walk, do some tracking if there is snow, or snowshoeing if deep enough. Call to register at 786-1805. Bad weather cancels. Visit www.naturalist-club.org for more info.

TVAA CHRISTMAS SOCIAL
The Tobacco Valley Artist Assoc. will host a Christmas social and gift swap Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Somers Senior Center, 19 Battle St., Somers, Conn. Agenda includes a brief business meeting, refreshments and $5 grab bag gift swap for those wishing to participate.

HOLYOKE
NUTCRACKER & SWEETS
On Dec. 12 at 4 and 6:30 p.m and Dec. 13 at 4:30 p.m., students of the Mass. Academy of Ballet perform at the Wistariahurst Museum, 238 Cabot St., recreating the classic holiday story as it may have taken place in Holyoke in the 1890s. Dessert reception afterward. Tickets are $10, children under 12 free. Space is limited. For more info call the museum at 322-5660 or visit www.massacademyofballet.com.

SOUTH HADLEY
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
The South Hadley Women's Club will meet on Dec. 9 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 319 Granby Rd., for their Christmas meeting/celebration at 1:30 p.m. The program will feature the Holyoke High School Madrigal Singers. They will be singing songs of the season. The public is welcome to attend. The club meets the second Wed. of each month at 1:30 p.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. If you are interested in joining the Women's Club call Membership Chair Lu Dachos at 532-7661.

SOUTHWICK
SENIOR CENTER EVENTS
The following events will take place at the Senior Center. Dec. 16: $10 manicures (by appt). Dec 17: 10:30 a.m. blood pressure screening; 11 a.m. Christmas Open House. Dec 18: 9 a.m. Veteran's Representative. Dec. 25 and Jan. 1: center closed for Christmas and New Year holidays.

SPRINGFIELD
Advent/Christmas Concert
The Chancel Choir, soloists and musical members of the congregation of Faith United Church, 52 Sumner Ave., will present "Music of Faith," a concert of Advent and Christmas music, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. Choirmaster Raymond Drury and organist Marcia Jackson will lead their forces in music of Mendelssohn, Holst, Rutter and others. Concert is free; there will be a free-will offering. Call 739-4728 for more info.

INFO ON COLLEGE FINANCING
Parents and students are invited to attend MEFA's free comprehensive presentation on college financing. The seminar will be hosted by the MacDuffie School on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. An experienced MEFA rep will discuss the financial aid process. The seminar will teach parents how to apply for financial aid, compare financial aid award letters, and seek available financing options. Families will receive a seminar booklet which serves as a year-round resource. Time is allowed for questions and answers.

BLUE CHRISTMAS
There will be a Blue Christmas service of comfort, healing and hope at Foster Memorial Church in Sixteen Acres on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. The focus of this service is to acknowledge and support people who are experiencing pain, grief or depression during the Advent/Christmas season. The service will include quiet reflection, prayer and music. There will be an offering of prayer in place of a monetary offering. Join us. For more info call the church office at 782-2112.

BUS TRIPS
Gina Daniele presents a bus trip to Foxwoods Casino on Dec. 12, leaving Mom & Rico's, 899 Main St., at 7:30 a.m. For more info, call 732-8941.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS DROP-OFF
Make room for your new winter wardrobe and help local women in need! Dress for Success will have a donation drop-off on Dec. 16 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Citywalk Cafes in Tower Square. Gently worn or new interview-appropriate ladies' clothing will help area women in their efforts to seek employment. For more info call 732-8179.

WESTFIELD
CARDIO KICKBOXING
The Westfield YMCA is offering a free cardio kickboxing class on Dec. 22 and 29 at 6:30 p.m. Come try this new class with our martial arts instructor, Martin Lee. It's a great way to get in shape and kick some butt. Membership and registration is not required for these two classes. For more info, call Cindy Agan at 568-8631 ext. 323.

WEST SPRINGFIELD
COIN CLUB
The West Springfield Coin Club will meet on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Church of the Good Shepherd, 214 Elm St. A special featured topic of discussion, as well as business matters will be discussed. A small auction will take place and refreshments will be available. Guests are always welcome. For further info contact Peter Setian at 596-9871.

SANTA'S ARRIVAL
On Dec. 13 Santa Claus will arrive at his "house" located at the Route 20 entrance to Mittineague Park. The jolly fellow will arrive at 2 p.m. via fire truck to begin his 11-day stay in West Springfield. Santa's House hours are weekends, 2:30 - 4 p.m. and 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. and weeknights, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. through Dec. 23. Visits are open to the public, free of charge.