Town Events, Feb. 24 - March 3 - The Reminder

Town Events, Feb. 24 - March 3

From the Herald, the MetroWest Reminder and the Springfield Reminder
AGAWAM
HIGH SCHOOL BAND FUNDRAISER
Treat yourself to your favorite dish at Friendly's to support the Agawam High School band. Eat in or take out between the hours of 5 - 8 p.m. and Friendly's will donate 10 percent of the proceeds to the band. The dates are March 10, April 14, May 19 and June 9. For more info, contact Denise Einzig 786-6817 or Sue Meunier 786-4789.

FUEL ASSISTANCE FUNDRAISER
A fundraiser to benefit the Agawam Emergency Fuel Assistance Fund will take place on Feb. 27 from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at Headquarters Bar and Grille, 485 Springfield St. Cover charge: $5. Entertainment will include Fast Times, the ultimate '80s tribute.

BEGINNER'S LINE DANCING
The Senior Center will be offering a line dancing for beginners' class on March 2 from 6 - 7 p.m. at the Senior Center, 954 Main St. The instructor for this class will be Nina Giacalone who has been involved with line dancing for over six years. Cost: $3/class.

JEWELRY MAKING
The Agawam Senior Center will be offering Jewelry Making on March 10 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Those interested may leave their name with Kristina Lynch by calling the center at 821-0605. Cost: $3 plus supplies.

YOUTH ART SHOW
The Agawam Public Library is pleased to have on display artwork from all of the public school students from grades K - 12 during the month of March. Youth Art Month is celebrated annually in March; this year's art show is a celebration of creative talent that the students of Agawam display yearly. Viewing hours are during regular library hours from March 2 - 30.

COMMUNITY DINNER FOR HAITI
St. David's Episcopal Church, 699 Springfield St., will host a community dinner to benefit Haiti on March 1 at 6 p.m. Menu: ham, scalloped potatoes, vegetable, garden salad, bread and butter, homemade hot fudge sundaes, coffee, tea or lemonade. Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 - 12, and free for children under 5. Tickets may be reserved by calling the church office at 786-6133 or they can be purchased at the door.

CHICOPEE
CARD AND COLLECTIBLE SHOW
The Chicopee Boys & Girls Club will be hosting a card and collectible show on March 7 in the Boys and Girls Club gym, 580 Meadow St. Any and all collectibles welcome. More than 40 tables of sport and non-sport cards, vintage cards, coins, autographs, card supplies and more. Admission is $1. Children under 10 free. All proceeds stay in the club. For table or any info call Joe at 593-6046.

MUSIC TOGETHER
On March 17, a free sample class of Music Together for Valley Families, offering this parent/child music enrichment program in a new intergenerational format, will take place at Birch Manor Nursing Home. Call 259-9400 or see www.valleymusic group.com for more info. Call for class time and to reserve a space.

SPAGHETTI DINNER
A spaghetti dinner will take place at the Knights of Columbus Elder Council #69, 460 Granby Rd., on March 2, from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Menu: spaghetti/meatballs, salad, roll, coffee and Koolaid. Tickets are $5 for adults; seniors and students, $4; under 5, free. Tickets can be purchased in advance from any scout or at the door. There will also be a bake sale. This supper is to benefit the St. Stanislaus Boy Scout Troop #131 and Cub Scout Pack #131.

ROAST CHICKEN BREAST DINNER
On Feb. 27, one seating at 5:30 p.m., Grace Episcopal Church, 165 Springfield St., will host a roasted chicken dinner. Adults $8, children 5 - 12, $4. For reservations, call Lorraine at 593-5291 or 592-3596.

GREATER SPRINGFIELD
GENEALOGY MEETING & WORKSHOP
The Western Mass. Genealogy Society will host their monthly meeting March 3 from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Agawam Senior Center 954 Main St. All researchers are welcome to join, experienced as well as those just starting. The WMGS Activities Commitee request you bring your genealogy binders and questions to the workshop. The society will have their books and print resources available for you to look at and there will also be members available to help with your questions.

VENDOR FAIR
A huge vendor fair will take place Feb. 25 at the Enfield Elks, 138 N. Maple St., from 6 - 9 p.m. to benefit the Lutheran Church of our Redeemer's roof repair fund. Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Lia Sophia, Tastefully Simple, Avon, Scentsy Candles, Addison Saige Designs, Usborne Books, Uppercase Living, PartyLite, Mary Kay, Silpada, Creative Memories, Stampin' Up, miscellaneous crafters and more. We will also be accepting donations for the Enfield Food Shelf at this event. Any health and beauty product (toothpaste, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, Q-tips, diapers, wipes, etc.) or non-perishable food item will be accepted and donated! Free admission. Light refreshments will be available.

SHAM-ROCKED
Cornerstone Productions is proud to present their second annual Saint Paddy's Day Celebration on March 6. Your day starts with a stop at Mohegan Sun Casino where you will receive a $30 bonus package upon arrival (example: $15 meal voucher and $15 in free bets). After your time at the casino, head over to beautiful and historic Olde Mystic Village, this is where you will find the new Cornerstone Theatre to see "Sham-Rocked." An outrageous, unforgettable Saint Paddy's Day party filled with Irish ballads, high stepping jigs, hilarious comedy sketches, and fun. For more info, call 883-1086.

BUS TRIPS
Mary, Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Blvd., East Springfield, is sponsoring several upcoming bus trips: a day trip to NYC on April 24; New York Botanical Gardens on May 22; Cape May and Atlantic City for three days and two nights, June 2 - 4; and the Newport Playhouse to see "Don't Dress for Dinner," Aug. 10. For more info and reservations, call Sylvia at 594-2757.

HOLYOKE
WARD 5 OPEN FORUM
Ward 5 City Councilor Linda Vacon invites all Ward 5 residents to an open forum on Feb. 25 at Dino's Restaurant on Homestead Avenue from 6 - 7 p.m. This informal forum will provide an opportunity to hear updates, share ideas and discuss issues. For more info call Linda at 210-6077 or check out www.LindaVacon.org.

CREATIVE ARTS WORKSHOPS
Attend workshops at Holyoke Creative Arts Center: Nuno Ribbon Felted Scarf on Feb. 27 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Jewelry Creating on March 6 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.; St Patrick's Floral Arrangements on March 10 at 6 p.m.; and Fresh Easter Arrangements on March 31 at 6 p.m. at Pennock Floral Warehouse in West Springfield. Call Holyoke Creative Arts Center at 532-0465 to reserve your place or visit www.holyokecac.org.

THE IRISH IN EARLY HOLYOKE
On March 3 at 6 p.m. Don D'Amato, STCC adjunct professor, returns to Wistariahurst Museum with a talk about the New City of Holyoke and how it was established. The Irish were amidst the first wave of working-class immigrants that became mill workers in early Holyoke. D'Amato will discuss Holyoke's dams, the mill workers of the city and their living conditions in the 19th century. Admission $3. For more info or a schedule of other upcoming events, visit www.wistariahurst.org or call 322-5660.

SOUTH HADLEY
MUSIC TOGETHER
On March 9, a free sample classes of Music Together for Valley Families, offering this parent/child music enrichment program, will take place at All Saint's Episcopal Church in South Hadley. Call 259-9400 or see www.valleymusicgroup.com for more info. Call for class times and to reserve a space.

SOUTHWICK
SUNDAY BRUNCH SERIES
The VFW Post 872 invites the public to join us for our Sunday Brunch Series. Brunch will be served from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Post on Point Grove Road. Brunch is an extensive array of breakfast and lunch dishes, served buffet style. There will be a cash bar available after noon. Donations for brunch are adults, $12; children 7 - 10, $5. Children under 6 are free with an adult. Proceeds to benefit the VFW. The first brunch will take place June 7. For more info call 569-9022 after 3 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD
MEET THE FALCONS
Meet the Springfield Falcons and their mascot Screech on March 1 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. They will meet with fans, sign autographs and give away free team posters at Boston Carpet, 481 Belmont Ave. Call 734-5544 for more info.

BUS TRIPS
Gina Daniele presents upcoming bus trips to Foxwoods Casino on March 7 and Niagara Falls on May 15 and 16 (hotel, tour and boat ride included). Bus leaves Mom & Rico's, 899 Main St. For more info call 732-8941.

WESTFIELD
TRIP TO HARTFORD
"From Westfield on Weekends," an out-of-town bus trip to Hartford on May 5, will include a showing of the Hartford Stage Company's production of "Tom Sawyer." Trip includes roundtrip motor coach bus fare, a guided tour of the Mark Twain House, a catered lunch and a private talk by one of the theater staff. Tickets: $70/pp and are available at the main desk at the Westfield Athenaeum. For more info, visit www.westfieldonweekends.org or call 562-2277.

FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS
Free health screenings will be offered as part of Optimal Health Day on March 6 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at 28 Court St. Staff from Noble Hospital will take blood pressure, screen for skin cancer and do Physical Therapy evaluations. The day includes over 25 exhibits, ongoing demos and a raffle. No admission charge. For a complete list of programs and events, visit www.westfieldwomansclub.webs.com or call Kathy at 568-4252.

HOMELESS CATS FUNDRAISER
A fundraiser for the Westfield Homeless Cat Project will take place April 23 from 7 p.m. - midnight at Dante Club, 1198 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Evening includes buffet dinner and music by Gale County for $15. For tickets, make checks payable to Westfield Homeless Cat Project and mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope to 1124 East Mountain Rd., Westfield, MA 01085. For more info, contact Denise at 568-6964 or denisesinico@hotmail.com.

WEST SPRINGFIELD
NICOTINE ANONYMOUS
Nicotine Anonymous will meet at the W.S. Public Library, 200 Park St., on Wed. evenings at 6 p.m. This is a support group for those who wish to live nicotine-free lives. All are welcome. For more info, call 736-4561.

PUMP IT UP!
The W.S. Public Library will host their monthly music sharing event for young adults (teens and 'tweens) on Feb. 24 at 3:30 p.m. for music, trivia and prizes. This month's theme (back by popular demand) is Beatlemania.

MUSIC SANDWICHED IN
The Friends of the W.S. Public Library and the W.S. Arts Council are sponsoring "Music Sandwiched In," a lunchtime concert series every other Fri. through April 23, from noon - 1 p.m. at the library. All are welcome to attend, and bring a lunch to enjoy during the concert. March 26 will feature violinist Irina Condon. For more info call 736-4561 ext. 3.

SATURDAY STORYTIME
On Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. the W.S. Public Library will host a storytime. Children ages 3 and up, with an adult, will enjoy stories, snacks, music and crafts to the theme of "Jungle Boogie." Registration is required, so call 736-4561 ext. 4 for availability.

CASUAL CRAFTING GROUP
Yarn Therapy, a "support" group for those who love crafting, will meet March 1 from 6 - 8:45 p.m. Regular attendees focus on knitting, crocheting and scrapbooking; however, casual crafters of all kinds are welcome. Drop in anytime, you're only late if the library is closed.

TEEN ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
The W.S. Public Library Teen Advisory Board (TAB) will meet March 3 at 3:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. TAB is a group for teens who like to be involved in their community, offering an opportunity to volunteer their time to help make decisions about borrowing materials and the physical space for teens in the library. New members, ages 12 and up, are always welcome.