West Side Senior Travel Group plans slate of ‘self-drive’ events

July 19, 2021 | Lauren LeBel
llebel@thereminder.com

WEST SPRINGFIELD – The Friends Seniors Travel Group of West Springfield has many events planned for 2021 – all to take place at the Log Cabin in Holyoke, located at 500 Easthampton Rd.

Beverly Boudreau, travel group leader, explained that all of these events are “self-drive,” meaning everyone drives themselves to the Log Cabin.

“We do this for seniors to get out,” said Boudreau. “They seem to like it.”

The group hosted its first event, known as “Lobsters, Legends and Laughs,” on July 20 and will follow it with a trip to see Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, scheduled to take place on Oct. 14. The event cost is $70 per person.

The third event is Country Legends: Songs of the Grand Ole Opry on Nov. 23. This event costs $66 per person.

At both of these events, Boudreau said people often get to choose their meals, although there may be some times when there is no option. Costs cover all gratuity.
Boudreau informed Reminder Publishing that they recently created another event called “Christmas with Father.” This event will be on Dec. 2 and costs $64 per person.

For all of the events, participants are asked to sign up in advance and complete the entire payment at least 30 days ahead.

The events are open to everyone. Boudreau said they have people who come from Easthampton, Chicopee, South Hadley, etc., however, the only requirement is that they have to register at the West Springfield Senior Center.

She went on to say, “We don’t do it to earn money. It’s just an activity for seniors if they want to take advantage of it.”

The protocols for this year’s event are that all attendees at the Log Cabin must be vaccinated.

In past years, before COVID-19, the Friends Seniors Travel Group took bus trips to places such as Lancaster Pennsylvania, where they visited ‘Sight and Sound.’ Boudreau described these trips as “phenomenal.”

Now, Boudreau and her team are working to get everything back into gear while businesses continue to open up. She believes that these “self-drive” events at the Log Cabin are the best possible options in the meantime.

“We do this because we enjoy doing it … You get to meet people that you might not know. Everyone has a great time,” she said.

Boudreau concluded, “We are looking at adding additional events this year.”

For additional information on the West Springfield Seniors Travel Group and their upcoming events, visit the West Springfield Council on Aging/Senior Center official Facebook page.

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