Town Events, Nov. 25 - Dec. 2 - The Reminder

Town Events, Nov. 25 - Dec. 2

From the Herald, the MetroWest Reminder and the Springfield Reminder

AGAWAM
VENDORS WANTED
The Phelps Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is seeking vendors for their Vendor Night, taking place Dec. 14 from 6 - 8 p.m. in the school's auditorium. A great opportunity for you to showcase your product or service! Everyone is encouraged to come. For more info visit www.agawampublicschools.org, click on Benjamin J. Phelps School then PTO or you can call Stacy at 786-5039.

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION FOR KIDS
On Dec. 12 from 9:30 - 11 a.m., St. David's Church will host "A Christmas Celebration for Kids." Join us for a pancake breakfast, story time with Mrs. Claus and a visit with Santa. Each child that visits with Santa will receive a gift. This is open and free to all. St. David's Church is located at 699 Springfield St., Feeding Hills, next door to the Agawam Police Station. If you wish to attend, RSVP to 222-4945.

SENIOR CENTER CLOSED
The Senior Center will be closed on Nov. 26. Happy Thanksgiving!

HOMELESS CAT FUNDRAISER
Coffee House for Cool Cats will take place at The Oaks, 1070 Suffield St., Dec. 4 from 7 - 10:30 p.m. The Charlie Galvin Band will perform along with open mic performances by other musicians. Agawam Friends of Homeless Cats is sponsoring the event, which will help raise money and awareness about cats living outdoors that need food, shelter and veterinary care. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or in advance from Kate at 786-3672 or kshep873091@verizon.net (write "coffee house" in the subject line).

Free Safe Driving Workshop
A free workshop for mature drivers presented by the Registry of Motor Vehicles at Agawam Senior Center, 954 Main St., on Dec. 1 from 4 - 5 p.m.

CRAFT SHOW
There will be a holiday craft show Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the First Baptist Church, 760 Main St. Over 30 crafters, free face painting for kids, Amy Mercier performing holiday music and chocolate-covered apples! Baked goods, jewelry, beads, home decor, holiday decorations and more. Free admission. Visit eventsandeverything.weebly.com for more info or call 374-3283.

"I.O.U.S.A"
The Agawam Democratic Committee, with a grant from the Agawam Cultural Council, will present the movie "I.O.U.S.A." at the Agawam Public Library on Dec. 7 at 4 and 7 p.m. There is no charge and all are welcome to attend.

Music Together with Kerri Klee
Registration begins Dec. 1 for this interactive music and movement program for children aged birth - 7 years and parents at the Agawam Public Library. Visit www.agawamlibrary.org and visit the children's page, or call the Children's Desk at 789-1550 ext. 4 to register.

The Snowflake Fairy visits
On Dec. 29 at 1 p.m. the Snowflake Fairy will visit the Agawam Public Library for an afternoon of songs, stories, games and movement to celebrate winter. For children ages 2 - 9. Registration begins Dec. 1; visit www.agawamlibrary.org and visit the children's page, or call the Children's Desk at 789-1550 ext. 4.

Budding Ballerinas
The Mary-Ann Studio of Dance will present a ballet story time and mini ballet lesson for children ages 4 - 8 on Dec. 30 at 6 p.m. Socks or dance shoes are required. Registration limited. Registration begins Dec. 1; visit www.agawamlibrary.org and visit the children's page, or call the Children's Desk at 789-1550 ext. 4.

CHICOPEE
JIMMY MAZZ HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR
Featuring Deborah Deschamps, Brianna Lamb, the Fabulous Hipnotiq Dancers and a special surprise guest! There will be dancing so bring your dancing shoes. Dec. 6 at the Hu Ke Lau. Dinner seating at 5 p.m.; show time at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $23.

CHRISTMAS AUCTION & ROAST BEEF DINNER
On Dec. 5 Grace Episcopal Church, 156 Springfield St., will host a roast beef dinner and Christmas auction. Two seatings, 5 and 6:30 p.m. Adults $9, children 5 - 12 $4.50. For reservations, call Lorraine at 593-5291/592-3596.

CENTER CLOSED
The Chicopee Senior Center will be closed for Thanksgiving on Nov. 26 and 27.

GRANBY
NEW LOCATION
The Town Clerk, Town Collector, Assessors and the Board of Health offices have moved. We are now located at 215B W. State St., formerly the Granby Telephone Company. Mailing address is still at 250 State St., Kellogg Hall, Granby MA 01033. Public office hours: Mon. - Thurs., 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m. - noon. The Town Clerk's office will also make appointments if needed.

GREATER SPRINGFIELD
HOLIDAY SHOPPING BOUTIQUE
Dec. 2 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, 1080 Riverdale St., West Springfield. Vendors include Polish pottery, Bear Spirit Design jewelry, Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple, Usborne Books and many more. Vendor raffles every half hour. For more info, call Linda O'Connor at (860) 651-8939 or e-mail her at lindaed123@yahoo.com.

HOLYOKE
GARDEN TALK
On Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Wistariahurst Museum will present its final Garden Talk in the 2009 Garden Workshop series. In "Wildflower Gardening," Master Gardener Toi Graham will explain how to plant a wildflower meadow and how to plant wildflowers as perennials in your garden. Garden talks are a $5 donation to benefit garden restoration projects. For more info, visit www.wistariahurst.org or call 322-5660.

WINTER SOIREE AT WISTARIAHURST
On the evening of Dec. 5 from 6 - 10 p.m. Wistariahurst will be aglow with holiday spirit as the museum celebrates the season. Wistariahurst welcomes you to enjoy cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, live music and a raffle in the elegant atmosphere of the Skinner family house. The Winter Soiree is sponsored by the Friends of Wistariahurst to benefit Wistariahurst Museum. Tickets are $30 and $25 for members of Friends of Wistariahurst. For more info, visit www.wistariahurst.org or call 322-5660.

CHAMBER MUSIC AT WISTARIAHURST
On Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. Chamber Music at Wistariahurst hosted by David Perkins will kick off its fifth season with a celebration of masterpieces (both well and little known) by the Viennese composer Franz Schubert. Light refreshments will follow the concert. Tickets are $15. For more info, visit www.wistariahurst.org or call 322-5660.

NEW HOLYOKE, 1999-2009
On Dec. 3 from 6 - 8 p.m. Wistariahurst welcomes local artists and photographers to the opening reception of an exhibition titled "New Holyoke, 1999-2009." Thirteen artists have captured the essence of Holyoke's last decade in photographs on display in the Wistariahurst Gallery. The exhibition in on view in the gallery from Dec. 3 - Jan. 4. Gallery admission is $3. For more info, visit www.wistariahurst.org or call 322-5660.

SOUTH HADLEY
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY
The Social Connection 50+ Group will meet on Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 319 Granby Rd., for their Annual Christmas Party. This year a No-Talent Talent Show will take place. Cost is $5, which includes lunch and Christmas desserts. We ask that you bring a non-perishable food item which will be donated to the soup kitchen. The public is invited to join us. Reservations are required. Leave your name, phone number and the number of people attending on the church answering machine at 533-1925. Reservation deadline is Dec. 2.

SOUTHWICK
WREATH AND BAKE SALE
Southwick Cooperstown Wreath and Bake Sale will take place at the Southwick Recreation Center Dec. 4 from 5 - 9 p.m. and Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Santa will be available for pictures on Sat. from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., with baked goods and hot chocolate for sale. The beautiful, classic decorated wreaths with red bows are hand made from Pat's Greenhouse in Granville! Preorders accepted; call Diana at 537-5001.

SENIOR CHRISTMAS PARTY
The Southwick Senior Christmas Party will take place at Southwick Country Club, 739 College Hwy., on Dec. 11 from noon - 3 p.m. There will be raffles and entertainment. Cost: $19. Reservations and payment are due by Dec. 3 at the Senior Center. For more info, call the center at 569-5498.

SPRINGFIELD
BUS TRIPS
Join Gina Daniele on a bus trip for Christmas shopping in New York City on Dec. 5. Bus leaves Mom & Rico's, 899 Main St., at 7:30 a.m. For more info, call 732-8941.

GREAT THANKSGIVING BANQUET
At 19 Bliss St. Dinner is Nov. 25 at 4 p.m. and breakfast is Nov. 26 at 7 a.m. Every year, the Great Thanksgiving Banquet provides a place where the homeless and poor can take part in a family holiday gathering. The Springfield Rescue Mission will be serving thousands of meals to the homeless and hurting people of Springfield this holiday season. The Rescue Mission is a member of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions, organizer of the event.

SPFLD. HISTORICAL COMMISSION
The Hungry Hill Council received notice that the Springfield Historical Commission will be meeting on Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall to vote on the state's recommendation to name Our Lady of Hope Church a preservation location. This vote will be followed by a City Council vote on Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. Residents are encouraged to attend both meetings. Contact the Hungry Hill Council at 733-9411 for additional info.

WASHINGTON, D.C. TRIP
Featuring the World War II Memorial. April 23 - 25. Two nights lodging, two breakfasts, two full course dinners, Smithsonian Institution, Tourmobile at Arlington Cemetery, guided sightseeing tour, visits to Vietnam, World War II, Air Force, Korean War Veterans, Lincoln and Marine Corps War memorials, souvenir gift, luggage handling, taxes and meal gratuities, and motorcoach transportation included. For info and reservations contact St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Vera O'Conner, 1471 Plumtree Rd., Springfield, MA 01119 or call 726-9006.

SENIOR COMPUTER CLASSES
The Springfield Dept. of Elder Affairs SeniorNet Computer Learning Center will be conducting a new Basics Computer at the Good Life Center, 1600 E. Columbus Ave., beginning Dec. 8. Class will run for two weeks on Tues. and Thurs. from 9:30 - 11 a.m. Call the Good Life Center at 787-6785 to register for this class.

WRITING CLASSES AT JCC
The Springfield JCC will offer a 10-week session of Sylvia Rosen's Creative Writing classes, beginning Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and Dec. 4. Each class will meet 9:45 - 11:30 a.m. (participants choose one day to attend each week). Classes meet at the Springfield JCC, 1160 Dickinson St. To register, contact the JCC at 739-4715.

WESTFIELD
HUMASON'S SHOW
State Rep. Don Humason announces the newest installment of his cable show, "From the State House to Your House," will feature Melissa Trzasko, Partnership Specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau. The show this month focuses on the 2010 census. The half hour program airs on Westfield's Community Programming Channel, Channel 15, on Sun. at 4:30 p.m., Wed. at 8:30 p.m., and Thurs. at 10:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Humason may be reached at his Westfield District Office at 64 Noble St., Westfield, by calling 568-1366 or at www.donhumason.org.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR
At Wyben Union Church, 678 Montgomery Rd., on Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. All types of crafts and artisan items for sale, plus baked goods, luncheon and raffle. All church proceeds to benefit the Westfield Food Pantry.

MOM CONNECTION MEETING
The Mom Connection will meet Dec. 8 from 9:15 - 11:30 a.m. at Larson Hall, Westfield Evangelical Free Church, 568 Southwick Rd. Open to all mothers with children from newborn - elementary-school age. Pastor Greg Dyson will be joining us to share his insights and thoughts on "Connecting with Christmas." The Mom Connection meets the second Tues. morning of each month, September - May. Free childcare is provided, including a study hall for homeschoolers. Mothers of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to attend. There is no cost to visit. If you do decide to stay, it is $15/year and a suggested $5/month donation.

WEST SPRINGFIELD
LIBRARY CLOSINGS
The W.S. Public Library, located at 200 Park St., will close at 5 p.m. on Nov. 25, and will be closed Nov. 26 and 27 for Thanksgiving. Call 736-4561 with questions or to register for events. More information may be found on www.wspl.org.

WELLNESS PROGRAMS
The W.S. Public Library will host a monthly program featuring Dr. Jeffrey Soley, D.C. of the Foundation for Wellness Professionals (FWP). This series is scheduled for the first Thurs. of every month at 7 p.m. On Dec. 3, Dr. Soley will present "New Advanced in Fibromyalgia Treatment," including a new approach to manage fibromyalgia, encompassing nutrition, diet, exercise, stress reduction, detoxification and natural healthcare. For more info and to reserve your seat, call 977-6680 or e-mail robyn.dudley1@gmail.com. This event is free and open to the public. The library is located at 200 Park St.

YARN THERAPY
Yarn Therapy continues to meet in the Conference Room of the W.S. Public Library from 6 - 8:45 p.m. on the first and third (and sometimes fifth) Mon. of each month. Join us on Dec. 7 and 21. Come anytime, this is a drop-in meeting. The group welcomes experienced and inexperienced crafty people of all ages and pursuits (knitters, crocheters, beaders, tatters, spinners, scrap bookers...all are welcome). Children who wish to learn to knit or crochet may be accompanied by a non-crafting parent or guardian. Come share your victories, challenges and frustrations (and your patterns!). Free and open to the public. The library is located at 200 Park St. Call 736-4561 ext. 3 or e-mail wgevents@cwmars.org with any questions.

GREENING OF THE CHURCH
The annual "Greening of the Church" in preparation for Advent and the Christmas season will be Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. Everyone is invited! Nov. 29 is the First Sunday of Advent with the lighting of the First Candle of the Advent Wreath. A "Carol Sing" with traditional Christmas carols being sung will take place 15 mins. prior to every Sunday service during Advent. For more info on the Mittineague Congregational Church, contact 734-1290 or mittcong@comcast.net.