It is all about the pumpkin in Westfield on Saturday when Westfield on Weekends holds its sixth annual PumpkinFest for children and their families.
Held rain or shine from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the free event — featuring pumpkin carving and decorating, a Big Rig Rally, Trunk or Treat, live per formances, vendor market place, food, children’s games and activities and more — will be held on the athletic fields behind Amelia Park off South Broad Street.
“Just the simple word pumpkin elicits great feelings of the autumn season. You put the name pumpkin into any event such as ours and suddenly it becomes some thing very special,” said Bob Plasse, president of Westfield on Weekends and co-chair of the PumpkinFest.
The centerpiece of PumpkinFest is the 1,500 pumpkins — defrayed in cost to Westfield on Weekends by Big Y Foods — that are placed under a large tent where families can grab their prized orange orb and carve or decorate it for free.
“Last year we had some 8,000 people attend PumpkinFest, so I would suggest ar riving sooner than later if you want a pumpkin to decorate,” Plasse said about the limited supply.
He noted that members of Boy Scout Troop 821 will be camping out at the site the night before the event, where they will volunteer their time gutting and guarding the
pumpkins in preparation for the next day.
Once families have carved or decorated their pump kins, they can temporarily place them in the pumpkin patch around a giant pump kin sculpture, created by
Westfield sculptor Sebastian Glebocki, while they partic ipate in other PumpkinFest activities ... such as at All-Star Dance Center’s Trunk or Treat.
Decked out in their Hal loween garb, or not, while
supplies last, kids can gather harvest treats from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. from the trunks of several cars decorated for the season.
This year Westfield on Weekends has partnered with Amelia Park Ice Arena to present a special fee-based event — a Haunted Rink from 3 to 7 p.m. with an additional Costumed Skate from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will be a $10 admission fee per skater with skate rental at $4. At 6:30 p.m., costumes will be judged for prizes, including a $50 Subway certificate and four skating passes.
Also, in conjunction with PumpkinFest, Westfield on Weekends is holding its third
drive-by tour of haunted houses from Oct. 15 through 31. Residences will be shown and listed on an interactive map at westfieldonweekends. com and on WOW’s Facebook page.
Major funding for the events of PumpkinFest 2022 has been provided by Westfield G & E and Whip City Fiber; Baystate Health and Baystate Noble Hospital; Westfield Bank; Lisa Oleksak Sullivan; Advance Manu facturing, Westfield State University and the City of Westfield. Funding has also been provided with grants from the municipal Cultural Council and Shurtleff Chil dren’s Services.
Group will stage tomorrow and Saturday, and again on Oct. 21 and 22, is a dramedy.
“A ‘dramedy’ is a combina tion of drama and comedy,” explained Michael O. Bud nick, director. “The play deals with serious situations and themes but also includes a lot of very funny dialogue and interactions.”
The Obie and Drama Desk award-winning play by Scott McPherson explores interper sonal relationships within a family experiencing a series of crises and life choices. It casts a sensitive but often darkly humorous light on caregiving, sibling relationships, teenage rebellion, abandonment, mental health and loss.
“‘Marvin’s Room’ is about a family that needs each other more than they originally realize. It’s also multigenera tional, like many of our fam ilies have been. This gives us different perspectives than we may have expected,” said Eva Husson-Stockhamer, co-producer.
Explaining why this pro duction was selected to be staged at this time, Budnick said, “Over the past few years all of us have been affected in one way or another by the pandemic. We have all faced loss in one form or another. The isolation, restrictions and loss of connection have
A n international menu from South
ern-style food for the soul to delicious Spanish dishes and from Middle Eastern treats to American favorites such as pizza and hot dogs awaits those planning to nosh their way through the second annual Paper City Food Festival on Saturday.
Organized by Invertir Holy oke and the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, the block party will be held from 3 to 10 p.m. along High Street between Appleton and Dwight streets.
“Last year’s Paper City Food Festival was founded to support downtown Holyoke businesses, specifically many local restaurants who suf
fered during the pandemic, and as a way for the commu nity to come together and celebrate its food, music and culture,” said Jordan Hart, executive director of the Greater Holyoke Chamber.
“We’ve increased our size this year to over two blocks, and we have more than 30 vendors, including food, craft and informa
tional booths. And there will be special activities for kids, including arts and crafts, a bounce house and more,” she added.
Among the many food vendors serving up a heaping helping of their tasty cre ations will Crave, Blue
CHRIS ISAAK WILL spread some holiday cheer at MGM Spring field this year with his “Everybody Knows It’s Christmas” Tour.
Isaak will take the stage in the ARIA Ballroom on Nov. 26.
The singer will release his new album, “Everybody Knows It’s Christmas” tomor row with a vinyl edition com ing Nov. 19. The album, Isaak’s second career Christmas album since his chart-top ping 2004 “Christmas,” will feature 13 tracks of originals and covers.
Tickets are on sale at MGMSpringfield.com.
George Lenker LiveWire
• Director Kevin Smith’s unreleased documentary about the Purple One might finally get the green light.
Smith, 52, told The Guard ian newspaper that his film about Prince looks like a go.
The documentary came about when Prince reached out to Smith about directing a concert film. Prince was a fan of Smith’s film, “Dogma.” But Smith ended up with much more than concert footage.
When Prince’s archives were sorted out, Smith said, “The only footage of him talking was what I shot. It’s extraor dinary: He acts differently to how he ever acted in his entire life, and he talks for hours and hours. It looks like it’s finally going to see the light.”
Prince died in 2016 at the
age of 57 from an accidental fentanyl overdose.
• Snoop Dogg recently revealed that he is working on new music with Dr. Dre.
Speaking on Stephen A. Smith’s “Know Mercy” pod cast, Snoop announced that the producer who piloted the artist’s debut album, “Gin and Juice,” to acclaim is again col laborating with the renowned rapper on a new album they started this summer.
The upcoming album, “Mis sionary,” will drop in Novem ber, 30 years since Snoop and Dre released “Doggystyle.”
“You’re the first one to hear this: Me and Dr. Dre have been working on an album for the past two months, and it’ll
be done in November,” the Snoop told Smith.
• Wilco has released a 20th anniversary “Super De luxe Yankee Hotel Foxtrot,” the band’s renowned 2002 album.
The massive boxed set fea tures a new remaster of the original album tracks along with a stunning 82 previously unreleased tracks. The new tracks include demos, alter nate takes, instrumentals and two live performances. The package also includes a book let featuring an interview with Jeff Tweedy, Glenn Kotche and Jim O’Rourke, as well as previously unseen photos.
BOMBYX Center for Arts &
Equity: Paolo Angeli. 130 Pine St., Florence
Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Gran by Road, Chicopee
Shadow Lounge: DJ with classics. 278 Worthington St., Springfield
Southwick Inn: Open mic hosted by Steve Piper of Roadhouse Band. 479 College Highway, Southwick
The Drake: The Huntress & Holder of Hands, Dead Gowns, Aisha Burns. 44 N. Pleasant St., Amherst
The Parlor Room at Signature Sounds: Damn Tall Buildings. 32 Masonic St., Northampton
The Still: Drink specials. 63 Springfield St., Agawam
West Springfield Fish and Game Club: CD jukebox, pool table. 329 Garden St., Feeding Hills
Whip City Brew: DJ with dance. 287 Elm St., Westfield
Delaney House: Myke Ross. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke
Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Gran by Road, Chicopee
East Mountain Country Club: Jim Blanch & Boot Hill. 1458 E. Mountain Road, Westfield
The Drake: Archguitar Duo: Peter Blanchette, Mane Larregla. 44 N. Pleasant St., Amherst
The Parlor Room at Signature Sounds: John Smith. 32 Masonic St., Northampton
Theodores’: Ryan Hartt and the Bluehearts. 201 Worthington St., Springfield
West Springfield Fish and Game Club: CD jukebox, pool table. 329 Garden St., Feeding Hills
Delaney House: CO2. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke
Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Gran by Road, Chicopee
Fort Hill Brewery: Tom Savoy. 30 Fort Hill Road, Easthampton
The Drake: Battle of the Bands. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst
The Hawks & Reed Perform ing Arts Center: Cornerstone Comedy Ft. Hay-J. 289 Main St., Greenfield
The Parlor Room at Signature
Chris Isaak performs at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on May 6 in New Orleans. He will perform at MGM Springfield on Nov. 26. (AMY HARRIS / INVISION / AP)
Kevin Smith, left, told The Guardian newspaper that his film about Prince may finally get the green light. Wilco, right, has released a 20th anniversary “Super Deluxe Yankee Hotel Fox trot.” (ASSOCIATED PRESS; KATRINA TULLOCH / SYRACUSE.COM)
Author Event with Lynda Cohen
Loigman: Thu., 7 p.m. Springfield Jewish Community Center. Loigman will discuss her latest novel, “The Matchmaker’s Gift,” with local author Jennifer Rosner. This event is free and open to the public. Dessert reception to follow. Pre-registration is required. This Literatour author event is presented in partnership with Richard Salter Storrs Library. Odyssey Book Shop will have book available for purchase at the conclusion of this event, free. 1160 Dickinson St., Springfield, 413-7394715 or springfieldjcc.org
Caregiver and Child Music: Thu., Meekins Library Community Room. There will be 45 minutes of movement and music, followed by 15 minutes to connect with other caregivers and kids, free. 2 Williams St., Williamsburg; 413-268-7472 or meekins-library.org.
”Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues”: Thu.-Sun., Shakespeare and Compa ny, through Oct. 30 in the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre. For performance times and to purchase tickets, visit shakespeare.org/shows, $22-$62. 70 Kemble St., Lenox, 413-637-3353.
Square Dancing Workshop: Thu., 6:30-8 p.m, VFW Post 8428. First two dances are free and then it is $5 per person. Workshops led by Gloria Vivier. American Legion Hall behind the police station on Route 202, 41 Pelham Road, Belchertown. 413-323-9997.
Suffield Players present “Rumors” by Neil Simon: Thu.-Sun., Mapleton Hall. Shows are at 8 p.m., except on Sunday, 2 p.m. Audience members are required to wear masks while inside. Tickets are $20 per person, $15 opening night. For tickets, visit suffieldplayers.org or call 800-2896148. 1305 Mapleton Ave., Suffield, 860-668-0837.
”The Wild Party”: Thu.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Northampton Center for the Arts, presented by K and E theater group. This production contains mature themes, drug usage, explicit language, and strong sexual content. Stage effects include strobes and bright moving lights. Recommended for mature audiences only. Proof of vaccination and face coverings required for entrance and while seated at the center. Tickets avail able at ketg.org, $27. 33 Hawley St., Northampton, 413-584-7327.
Church Tag Sale: Fri.-Sat., 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Agawam Congregational
Church. Sale will have items do nated by church members, featur ing clothing, toys, games, kitchen and household items, books, and more. 745 Main St., Agawam. “Co-Creating Kin” – a communi ty-curated movement workshop: Fri., 6-8 p.m., Blue Room at CityS pace, for folks who identify as Black, indigenous or BIPOC, and who identify as queer, transgender, or gender expansive. Reservations required. Sign up online at cityspaceeasthampton.org. Masks are required. Space is limited, Free, donations accepted. 43 Main St., Easthampton.
”Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues”: See Thursday listing
HVC’s Fun Fridays Trivia Night: Fri., 5:30 p.m., Happier Valley Comedy Theater. Put your useless knowledge to work! Come with a team of up to six people or by yourself to prove what you know about music, science, sports, literature, current events, movies, TV, and more. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; trivia begins at 7. Free, 1 Mill Valley Road Suite B, Hadley.
”Marvin’s Room”: Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m. Westfield Women’s Club, $17. 28 Court St., Westfield. Music at Amherst Series: Fri., 8 p.m., Buckley Recital Hall, The Blue Heron. Claim your tickets at amherst.universitytickets.com.
Tickets will be available at the box office and at Amherst College Arms Music Center Buckley Recital Hall lobby beginning at 7 p.m. on the night of the concert. Free general seating. Intersection of Routes 9 and 116, Amherst, amherst.edu.
”The Odd Couple” presented by the Theatre Guild of Hampden: Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Hampden Town Hall, Tickets avail able at theatreguildofhampden. org, 625 Main St., Hampden. Star Lights Luminaria Fundrais er: Fri.-Sun., Westfield Athenae um, orders are now being taken for the third annual Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum Star Lights Luminaria Fundraiser. Personalized luminarias are $7 each, and will be displayed in the windows of downtown Westfield businesses throughout December. See the Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum webpage (westath. org/friends-of-the-library) to download the order form and to order online; payment may be made by check, Venmo, or Google Pay. Paper forms are also available from the circulation desks at the library. Deadline to order is Nov. 5. 6 Elm St., Westfield; 413-5627833 or westath.org.
If you don’t re alize “how fun
history can be,”
Old Sturbridge Village has nights of spooky fun through Oct. 31.
Phantoms by Firelight, for merly Phantoms & Fire, is a Halloween program with new performances, activities and events for visitors of all ages.
“We believe our Phantoms by Firelight program gives visitors a way to connect with and learn about the past that is different from our daytime experience,” said Christine S. Freitas, Old Sturbridge Village director of communications and content. “It can both en hance the learning experience offered during our standard daytime programming while engaging with new visitors who might not realize what fun history can be.”
The event will offer crafts and games, storytelling by firelight, a spooky selfie contest, bonfires, water fires, torches, candlelight and fes tive food and drink. Clues & Candy, a scavenger hunt-style experience around the village will offer safe and fun trickor-treating for families.
Visitors of all ages are encouraged to show up in costume.
A troupe of performers will add to the fun as they take over the village, bringing in acrobats, conjurers and fire jugglers.
Visitors will see the village in a new light as they walk the
The event will offer crafts and games, storytelling by firelight, a spooky selfie contest, bonfires, water fires, torches, candlelight and festive food and drink.
campus and explore the build ings at night, Freitas said.
Slightly elevated pro gramming from the regular daytime experience will feature bloomery and the mythology of making iron in the Blacksmith Shop, the history of coffins and coffin making in the cabinetmaking shop and the background and history of Halloween tradi tions including vampires and jack o’ lanterns in some of the houses. There will also be historical crafts, music and games.
“While Phantoms by Fire light is a Halloween-themed event, our program is more accurately described as spooky, or eerie, than terrify ing,” Freitas explained. “We believe the program offers a safe, outdoor experience for families and is filled with fun for all ages and is appropriate for all ages. Visitors will enjoy the beauty of the village as the
sun sets and darkness settles over the campus.”
Old Sturbridge Village has a rich history of Hal loween-themed programs, and Phantoms by Firelight is the latest iteration of that. “History shows that the popularity of certain holidays waxes and wanes over time and their associated traditions evolve along with society and culture,” Freitas said. “The village’s Halloween program ming has evolved and grown over time as we’ve responded to our audience’s enjoyment of the holiday and the muse um after hours.”
Phantoms by Firelight will take place rain or shine, barring severe weather situ ations.
“People seek new and fun opportunities to extend the Halloween season,” Freitas said. “Old Sturbridge Vil lage’s historic buildings and stories lend themselves to a haunted history experience full of the mysterious and unexpected when cast in the evening hours. Past visitors have enjoyed seeing the village in a new way, and we look to excite those folks who return each year.”
Information on hours, pric ing and updated event details can be found at osv.org/ event/phantoms-byfirelight-2022/
been particularly hard on families and the elderly.”
Yet, there are many people who regularly use humor as a coping mechanism when dealing with life stresses and could not imagine having gotten through this period without it. “‘Marvin’s Room’ is about a family that is faced with a series of crises, not the least of which is a failure to connect with and understand each other during a difficult time. As the play unfolds, we laugh at but also see right through jabs, wit and irony,” he said. “We watch the family as they face problems that we recognize and that resonate with our lives today. Hardships such as parenting through teen rebellion, car ing for aging parents, coping with mental and terminal illnesses and navigating a dif ficult health care system are all dealt with sensitively but with a fair dose of mordant humor.”
Marvin’s Room features Tracy Grammer, Gilana Che limsky, Joe Wilcox, Theresa Allie, Jim Merlin, Nicole Calero, Calaeb Vieweg and John Golden. Budnick recommends the production — with two teens
in the cast — for families but not really young children: “PG-13 for some adult situa tions and language.”
“The acting is brilliant. Among the best of regional theater casts, the material is captivating, and it is backed by an outstanding produc tion team,” Budnick said. “Audience members may alternately laugh and cry, and they will emerge having a deeply affecting theatrical experience.”
“Marvin’s Room” will be staged Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21 and Oct. 22, at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. at the Westfield Woman’s Club, 28 Court St., Westfield.
The Westfield Theatre Group is a department of the woman’s club.
The theater group has been in existence for more than 80 years, and its purpose is to provide quality live theater to the community and to encourage members of the community to participate in productions to learn more about theater.
Tickets are $18, $15 for seniors and military. They be purchased online in advance at westfieldtheatregroup. com (recommended) or at the door subject to availabili ty. For more information, call 413-572-6838.
Polish American Citizens Club
355 East Street, Ludlow, 583-6385
Bingo Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm
Doors Open at 4pm.
Admission $50
- 1199 Progressive w/
Consolation Prize
- $500 Cover Alls
- $200 Special Games
All Games will be $100 with 90 People or More
All Cards are included
Admission
Fairview Knights of Columbus
1599 Memorial Drive, Chicopee (413) 532-2011
DOORS OPEN 4:30PM
MASKS OPTIONAL
Progressive Jackpot 6:15pm Early Bird 6:20pm Start
Min. Entry Package $15
Electronic Bingo Aval. Snack Bar, Open Seating, Handicap Restrooms
WITH THE POSSI
ble exception of tipping, there’s no more controver sial restaurant practice than the taking and managing of reservations.
Not surprisingly, custom ers like reservations, since they insert predictability into the dining experience. For restaurant owners, however, taking reservations can often be a major headache. True, they provide an operation with an imperfect prediction as to the amount of business that’s likely to come in the door, but reservations also come with plenty of customer relations hassles.
A major reservations-relat ed problem (from the restau rant operator’s viewpoint) is the reservation “no-show” — the party that books a table in advance but doesn’t actually show up to dine. The result for the restaurant is lost reve nue as the table sits empty.
An issue related to noshows is the question of how long to hold a table that’s been reserved. Restaurantgoers can admittedly get delayed, but at some point the house has to decide that “late” actually means “noshow.”
Some restaurants, espe cially those that are often fully booked during “prime time” evenings and week ends, have made a practice of asking guests to guarantee a reservation with a credit card. Should the guest subsequent ly fail to keep the reservation, the card get charged a fee, typically anywhere from $25 to $50.
Historically, many in the business have been reluctant to put such a policy in place, since they fear hard feelings on the part of those charged for not showing up. But in the current environment a lot of that “no-show fee” trepida tion is evaporating
Post-pandemic a new reser
Post-pandemic, a new reservations-related problem has arisen for some operations: the need for the house to cancel reservations. With chronic staffing shortages, restaurants have had to confront situations where they had more tables reserved for an evening than staff to effectively serve those guests.
THE BREWING TERM “sparge” would make a great band name, and seems to be in use as such by an Escondido, California, group.
But SPARGE is also the name of a Western Mas sachusetts homebrewing organization. The letters stand for “Springfield-area Practitioners of Ales with Re gal Grand Esters.” Members meet at various breweries and private homes.
The group just elected a new president, my old pal Rikk Desgres, so I interviewed him about what’s been going on with SPARGE and what he hopes to accomplish as head of the organization.
Q. Give me some general background on SPARGE. Do you have a main focus right now?
George Lenker Beer Nut
Online meetings can’t repli cate that.
Hugh Robert Off The Menu
vations-related problem has arisen for some operations — the need for the house to can cel reservations. With chronic staffing shortages, restaurants have had to confront situa tions where they had more tables reserved for an evening than staff to effectively serve those guests. Just like an airline that has overbooked a particular flight, that restau rant has to decide how to cancel reservations it can’t accommodate without alien ating those whose advance bookings won’t be honored.
Finding ways to deal with such situations can challenge the people skills of even the most seasoned of restaurant operators.
• The Duck in Sturbridge is holding an Oktoberfest beer dinner Oct. 26 starting at 6:30 p.m. The food part of the evening will feature Bavarian-themed special ties prepared using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, and The Duck’s bar team has put together some German beer pairings chosen to harmonize with the kitchen’s handiwork. Price for this multicourse experience is $65, not including tax or gratuity. Reservations can be made by calling The Duck at 508-347-2321.
• McDonald’s has re worked the Happy Meal to appeal to a new demographic by forging a collaboration with streetwear brand Cac tus Plant Flea Market. The limited-edition Cactus Plant Flea Market Box, a packaged meal consisting of either a Big Mac or Chicken McNug gets, french fries, and a drink, also includes a collectible Cactus Plant-inspired figu rine. The promotion, which appears to be targeted at
A. SPARGE has been around since 2008. It’s changed and morphed over the years reflected by its current mem bers. We had a pretty vibrant group before the pandemic, but having meetings via Zoom was not the same, and we lost a lot of members. A big part of what we do at meet ings is taste one another’s homebrew. We critique it and discuss how it was brewed.
We are back to in-person monthly meetings. This year we have started pouring at festivals that allow home brewers to participate. Our first festival was the Vermont Homebrew Fest back in April. In addition to that, we have done Worthy Fest, Brew at the Zoo, Patty’s and Oktoberfest at the Springfield Museums. We are also set to do Brews, Bids and Bites at the Log Cabin in Holyoke on Nov. 3.
A. Besides tasting one another’s homebrew, we orga nize brewing events like our popular Thumbprint Brew. (That’s) where we all brew
AUTUMN IN NEW England is a magical time of year. Bright, colorful leaves attracting legions of fans.
Crisp, cool nights perfect for bonfires and wool sweaters.
The start of many seasons (Patriots, Celtics, Bruins) and the merciful end of another (better luck next year, Red Sox).
But if I had to pick one thing I love about fall in New England, I have one word for you: apples.
While you can easily find this fruit any time of the year in any grocery store, there’s nothing quite like fresh apples from a farm in New England.
I’ll never forget the first time I had a fresh-picked apple in Western Massachusetts.
About two decades ago, when I was still a staff writer for The Republican, I was covering a harvest festival in Granville.
An apple farmer there of fered me a few different kinds of apples to taste, along with fresh cider he had just pressed by hand. Instantly, everything I thought I knew about apples changed.
The flavors, the aromas, even the textures — all of these things were completely different, more vivid, more alive.
It was like the scene in the movie “The Wizard of Oz” when everything changes from black-and-white to color. It was a revelation.
And if you think all apples taste the same, think again.
A tangy Cortland tastes completely different from a crisp Honeycrisp or a tender McIntosh.
Everyone has their favorites as well.
For some, nothing beats a juicy Zestar or a tart Akane.
For others, only a slight
sweet Sensa will do.
As for me, it’s all about Ma coun, which are tart but juicy, crisp yet firm.
What does all of this have to do with wine, you might ask?
If you love fresh-picked apples as much as I do, I have the perfect wine for you: chenin blanc.
In general, this white wine grape produces wonderful, crisp, dry wines. But just like apples, there are subtle dif ferences among many chenin blancs.
And while you can find great chenin blancs from around the world, one of my favorite places for producing chenin blanc is South Africa.
This week, I want to high light three, distinct chenin blancs from South Africa, which range in price from $9 to $26 a bottle.
Hope you enjoy.
Wines recommended this week
• 2021 Man Family Wines Coastal Region Chenin Blanc ($9 Suggested Retail Price)
• 2018 Raats Old Vine Chenin Blanc ($26 SRP)
• 2022 Beaumont Family Wines Bot River Chenin Blanc ($19 SRP)
Like many wine grapes, the first known place where peo ple grew chenin blanc grapes to make wine was France.
According to the great re source book “Wine Grapes,” by Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding and Jose Vouillamoz, chenin blanc grapes were first cultivated in the Anjou region in France’s Loire Valley in the late 1400s.
As for the name of the grape, chenin likely comes from a monastery named Montchenin in Touraine, where the white wine grape (“blanc” means white in French) was cultivated in this part of the Loire Valley.
France’s Loire Valley remains one of the largest producers of chenin blanc wines in the world. But when it comes to chenin blanc, no one can compete with South Africa, which has more than 41,500 acres of chenin blanc vines as of last year, accord ing to the South Africa Wine Industry Information and Systems (SAWIS).
California and Argentina are two, other relatively large producers of chenin blanc wines. But you can also find a few small producers in farflung places ranging from New Zealand and Washington to Chile and Spain.
Let me add that if you’re looking for chenin blanc wines from South Africa, you occasionally might not see the word chenin blanc on a small number of bottles. Instead, you might see the word “Steen,” the term used for chenin blanc in South Africa when the grape was first intro duced there in the mid 1600s.
Ken Ross Wine Press2021 Man Family Wines Coastal Region Chenin Blanc
• Region: Agter Paarl, South Africa
• Tasting notes: Located near the coast of South Africa near Cape Town, the Paarl wine region has long been one of the country’s best wine-pro ducing areas. This delightful, affordable, tart chenin blanc from Man Family Wines has a bright, green apple-like finish with hints of lemon, pear and minerals. Wonderfully aromat ic with a light, gentle finish, this is easily one of the best white wines under $10 that I have
• Region: Stellenbosch, South Africa
• Tasting notes: One of South Africa’s best-known winegrowing regions, Stel lenbosch is located about 25 miles east of Cape Town and is famous for its red wines, including cabernet sauvignon and Pinotage, which I raved about last year. But for many people, when they think of Stel lenbosch, they think of chenin blanc. This white wine proves why. Its intense, concentrat ed, tart apple-like flavors and aromas have subtle lemon and lime notes. Add a dash of sea salt and pear and you have the perfect blend of elegance and power.
• Region: Bot River, South Africa
• Tasting notes: Head farther east and slightly south of Stellenbosch and you’ll find yourself in South Africa’s Bot River wine region, which is best known for its white wines made with sauvignon blanc and chenin blanc grapes. Last year, I thoroughly enjoyed Beau mont’s Pinotage wine, with its ripe, plum-like flavors and soft, subtle, dry fruit notes. Beau mont’s delightful chenin blanc reminded me of my favorite apple variety, macoun — tart yet juicy, crisp and bright. You can really smell the wonderful apple-like aromas in this wine. And if you’re a New England apple fan like me, that’s proba bly music to your ears.
Cheers!
Wine Press by Ken Ross ap pears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Repub lican’s Weekend section every Thursday.
The flavors, the aromas, even the textures — all of these things were completely different, more vivid, more alive.
Suffield Players presents “Rumors” by Neil Simon: See Thursday listing
”The Wild Party”: See Thursday listing
Westfield on Weekends Pumpkin Fest: Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Westfield South Middle School, more than 1,500 free pumpkins for families to carve and decorate as well as a Big Rig Rally, a trunk-or-treat celebra tion, the first Haunted Rink at Ame lia Ice Arena, a vendor and crafts fair, strolling performances, and more. 30 W. Silver St., Westfield. 413-5681900 or schoolsofwestfield.org.
Agawam Rotary Club Harvest Festival: Sat., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. School Street Park, featuring 70-plus vendors, a car show and Niki’s Pizza. Funds generated will be used for the Agawam Rotary Club’s public service projects. Rain date, Oct. 16, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., free. 511 School St., Agawam.
Church Tag Sale: See Friday listing ”Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues”: See Thursday listing
In Illo Tempore — Bach, Victoria and Monteverdi: Sat., 7:30 p.m. Our Lady of the Valley Church, $20 gen eral/$15 senior (65+)/$10 student. 33 Adams St., Easthampton. ”Marvin’s Room”: See Friday listing
”The Odd Couple” presented by The Theatre Guild of Hampden: See Friday listing
One-Man Star Wars Trilogy by Charles Ross: Sat., 7:30 p.m. Academy of Music Theatre, $22 plus taxes and fees. 274 Main St., Northampton. 413-584-9032 or aomtheatre.com.
Parish Bazaar: Sat., 11 a.m.-7 p.m. St. Stanislaus School and Parish Center, in the school hall. Heritage Pops Polka Band, noon-2 p.m., and Sara the Fiddler, 3:30-6:30 p.m. Polish foods, baked goods, raffles, gift baskets and more, 534 Front St., Chicopee.
Star Lights Luminaria Fundraiser: See Friday listing
Suffield Players presents “Ru mors” by Neil Simon: See Thursday listing
Up and Down the River: Sat., 7 p.m. Montague Common Hall, an evening of artists’ films on place and placemaking. Doors open 6:30 p.m., $5-$15 suggested donation. 34 Main St., Montague.
“The Wild Party”: See Thursday listing
Benefit Concert w/ Sarah the Fiddler: Sun., noon, Sons of Erin, sponsored by the Friends of the Agawam Veterans Cemetery. Food trucks and cash bar, raffle table and a 50/50 drawing as well as a grand prize drawing. K9 demonstration, appearance by Springfield Thunder birds mascot, veterans dragon boat on display and more. $15. 22 William St., Westfield.
”Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues”: See Thursday listing
Jazz and Blues Concert: Sun., 7:30 p.m., Marigold Theater, featuring the Wanda Houston Band and Juke Joint Jazz. Tickets available at marigold theater/wandahouston-jjj, $15 in advance, $17 at the door. 84 Cottage St., Easthampton.
”The Odd Couple” presented by The Theatre Guild of Hampden: See Friday listing
Square Dancing Workshop: Sun., 6:30-8 p.m. Union Church of Christ, First two dances are free and then $5 per person. Led by Gloria Vivier. For more information, call 413467-3352, 51 Center St. (Route 21), Ludlow. 413-583-5717.
Star Lights Luminaria Fundraiser: See Friday listing
Suffield Players presents “Ru mors” by Neil Simon: See Thursday listing
Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden: Outdoor sculpture garden of largerthan-life bronze statues of Spring field native Dr. Seuss at his drawing board surrounded by some of his most beloved characters, including Horton the Elephant, the Grinch, the Lorax and others. Free on the green.
George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum: Cool Air Hot Glass Family Fun Program, Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Takes place throughout the museums and on the green (weather permitting). Permanent exhibit: “Ancient Treasures,” a display of artifacts from ancient China, Greece, Rome and Egypt. Hands-on making activities in the Hasbro Games Art Discovery Center.
Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: Permanent exhibit features more than two doz en Indian motorcycles and related memorabilia.
Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts: “Card Tricks: Salvador Dali and the Art of Playing Cards,” through Nov. 20. “Josh Simpson: Visionary Explorations in Glass,” Sat.-Jan. 15. Museum a la Carte: Today, 12:15 p.m. “¡Presente!
Meet the National Museum of the American Latino.” $4, free for members.
Springfield Science Museum: “We’re Still Here,” through June 30. Native Voices Initiative begins with contemporary perspectives. Curated by Aprell May Munford.
The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum: Permanent exhibit: First floor contains interactive three-di mensional exhibits; second floor contains Theodor Geisel’s personal memorabilia. For reservations, visit springfieldmuseums.org.
Quadrangle admission — $25 for adults, $16.50 for seniors (60+) and col lege students with ID, $13 for children ages 3-17; free to children under age 3 and members, Springfield residents are free with proof of residency. Welcome Center and Museum store. Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Amelia Park Children’s Museum: Permanent exhibit: hands-on activ ities and creative exhibits. Hours: Mon., Thurs.-Sun., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Open for groups on Tues. and Wed. $8 adults, $8 children (12 months and older), $4 grandparents/seniors (60+), military personnel & teachers receive a 10% discount off the price of regular admission. Members and infants free, 29 South Broad St., Westfield or ameliaparkmuseum. org.
Children’s Museum at Holyoke: Permanent exhibit. Hours: Tues.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun., noon-4 p.m. Closed Mon. In the event of severe weather condi tions, check Facebook or Instagram, or local TV Station 22, for closures. Children/adults $8; seniors (62+) $5; children under 1 year of age and members are free. 444 Dwight St., Holyoke or childrensmuseum holyoke.org.
Connecticut Trolley Museum: “Rails to the Darkside,” Fri.-Sat. nights through Oct. 29, 7-9:30 p.m. Recommended for ages 16 , $25 per person, “Pumpkin Patch,” Sat.-Sun. through Oct. 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Ride on a trolley car out to the pumpkin field and each child can pick out a free sugar-sized pumpkin. Additionally, when you return back to the museum campus you can decorate the pumpkins, play in the corn box, and more. $14 adults, $13 seniors, $13 children ages 12-17, $12 for children ages 2-11 and children under 2 are free and members receive half off, 58 North Road, East Windsor or cttrolley.org.
East Longmeadow Historical Commission Museum: The East Longmeadow Historical Museum,
87 Maple St., is open Sat. 1-3 p.m. Free admission, https://www. eastlongmeadowma.gov/614/ Historical-Museum-House.
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book
Art: Permanent exhibit: Gabrielle Healy Carroll Storytime Programs are Tues. and Fri. 10:30 a.m.; Sat. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m., free with admission. Thurs.-Fri. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. noon-4 p.m. $6, $9, $22.50 for a family of four, “Eric Carle’s Book Birthdays,” through March 5. “Cele brating Collage: A 20th Anniversary Celebration,” through Dec. 31. 125 West Bay Road, Amherst or carlemuseum.org.
Historic Deerfield: “Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration: Pies.” Sat., Oct. 22, 29, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Kitchen in the Visitor Center at Hall Tavern. “Weaving Wonder: The Art and Craft of Making Cloth Family Pro gram.” Sat., Sun., Oct. 22, 23, 29, 30, noon-4:30 p.m. Programs included with general admission to the muse um. “Pumpkintown: Songs, Stories and Magic Lantern Projections
From a New England Village,” Sat., 7 p.m. Musician in residence Tim Eriksen presents “Pumpkintown,” with paintings and projections by Susan Brearey, percussion and sound design by Peter Irvine and live gravestone carving by Allison Steel. $10-$25, historic-deerfield.org/ events/2022/10/15/harvestconcert-with-tim-eriksen. 80 Old Main St., Deerfield.
Holyoke Heritage State Park: Seasonal interpretive tours and programs. Visitor Center open daily, noon-4 p.m. Free admission. Fun, educational weekends: Sat.-Sun. through Oct. 22, noon. Free. Call 413-534-1723 or visit mass.gov/ locations/holyoke-heritagestate-park. 221 Appleton St., Holyoke.
Holyoke Merry-Go-Round: Open for rides Sat.-Sun., noon-4 p.m. $3.50 ride or 4/$10, 221 Appleton St., Holyoke or holyokemerrygo round.org.
Josiah Day House: Permanent exhibit: guided tours, artifacts, furniture, clothing and documents from 1754-1902. Call for open house schedule and individual tours. $3, $1 children 6-12, free for members, 70 Park St., West Springfield; 413734-8322.
Mead Art Museum: Permanent exhibit: various American and Euro pean paintings, Mexican ceramics, Tibetan scroll paintings and more. 220 S. Pleasant St., Amherst or amherst.edu.
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Permanent exhibit. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $28 adults (16-24); $23 seniors (63+); $19 youth (5-15);
$23 students with valid high school or college ID. free for ages under 5, 1000 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield or hoophall.com.
Norman Rockwell Museum: Freedom’s Legacy: “Imprinted: Illustrating Race,” through Oct. 30.
Permanent exhibit gallery hours: Thurs.-Mon. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Advance tickets purchase required; Closed Tues. and Wed.;. $20 adults; $18 seniors, AAA, retired military; $10 college students, free children ages 18 and under, members and active military, “Norman Rockwell Drawings, 1914-1976,” through Jan. 7.
“In Our Lifetime: Paintings from the Pandemic,” by Kadir Nelson, through Oct. 30. 9 Route 183, Stockbridge or nrm.org.
Old Sturbridge Village: “New England on Parade” exhibit, through July 2023; included with general admission. “Perm Phantoms by Fire light,” through Oct. 31. Takes place after the village is closed from 4:30 to 9 p.m. $28 adults, $14 for youth, Route 20, Sturbridge or osv.org.
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Mu seum: Museum is open for guided tours Sat., 1-4 p.m. All visitors required to wear masks and be fully vaccinated. 130 River Drive, Hadley or pphmuseum.org.
Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum: Permanent exhibit features new ex hibitions, programs and refurbished historic buildings. Hours: Tues.-Sun., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including holiday Mondays through Sun. $4 all-day pass, $2 children; children 6 and under free with adults, 14 Depot St., Shelburne Falls or sftm.org.
Springfield Armory National His toric Site: Ranger-led interpretive programs offered in the museum in the afternoon. Junior Ranger programs conducted frequent ly. Wed.-Sun, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 1 Armory Square, Springfield or nps. gov/spar.
The Emily Dickinson Museum: Homestead and Evergreens: Muse um Reopened Restoration Project. Admission to the museum is by guided tour, for which advance-pur chased timed tickets are required. 280 Main St., Amherst or emilydickinsonsmuseum.org
Titanic Museum: Permanent exhibit: Exhibits from the collection of the International Titanic Historical Society. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $4, $2 children and students, 208 Main St., Indian Orchard, titanic1.org
University Museum of Contem porary Art — Fine Arts Center: University Museum is open through May 1; Tue–Fri, 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sat & Sun, noon–4 p.m.; and first Thursdays until 8 p.m. Closed
Mondays, holidays, and academic breaks. 151 Presidents Drive, Amherst. umass.edu
Windsor Historical Society: Virtual series focused on African American and Caribbean genealogy. Today: “Introduction to Genealo gy”; Oct. 20: “Sources of Evidence”; Oct. 27: “Analyzing the Data and Documenting your Family History,” 7 to 8:30 p.m. Participants may register for individual sessions or all three, visit windsorhistoricalsociety.org/ eaddy-genealogy. $20 per session or $50 for the complete workshop series, 96 Palisade Ave., Windsor or windsorhistori calsociety.org.
Wistariahurst Museum: Permanent exhibit: Gardens and grounds open daily from dawn
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young adults, also includes an online store offering Cactus Plant Flea Mar ket merchandise. The limited-edition meal will be available at participat ing McDonald’s locations as long as supplies last.
• As still another part of its con tinuing “Eat Fresh Refresh,” Subway restaurants are promoting their newly reformulated soup lineup with an October series of “Souped Up” week ends. The reworked soup varieties include chicken noodle, broccoli cheddar, and loaded baked potatoes. The soups have richer textures and include premium ingredients such as all-white-meat chicken, broccoli florets, and additional quantities of key ingredients. The promotional deal on the soups comes with a catch, however. In order to be eligible for a $1 off weekend price break, custom ers have to go to subway.com and opt into receiving promotional e-mails.
• On Oct. 18, a “Sip-and-Shop” event is be held at 141 Main Street restaurant in Agawam. The evening will run from 5 to 8 p.m. and will feature more than a dozen crafters and vendors. For its part, 141 Main will be providing complimentary wine tastings and a $10 appetizer bar. Reservations should be made online at mainstreet-deli.com or by calling 413-821-9881. The first 20 custom ers through the door the evening of the Sip-and-Shop will receive a free goodie bag.
• OffSite2Twenty2, the perfor mance and event venue on Worthing ton Street in downtown Springfield, is
to dusk. Carriage House and gift shop open Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For information about house tours, group tours and upcom ing events visit wistariahurst.org. Standard admission: $7 Holyoke residents; $5 seniors; $5 youth (under 18); free museum members and active military. 238 Cabot St., Holyoke or wistariahurst.org.
Yiddish Book Center: Permanent exhibit, “A Velt mit veltelekh: The Worlds of Jewish Culture.” Center will be open to the public on Thurs., Fri., Sun. and Mon. from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Shabbos (Saturday) and Jewish and legal holidays. $8 adults, $6 seniors, free for members, students and children, 1021 West St., Amherst or yiddishbookcenter. org.
Amherst Farmers Market: Saturdays
hosting a “Wine & Dine” on Saturday. The evening includes a four-course dinner and complimentary wine tasting. Options for the dinner’s opening course include crab cakes, cheddar bay biscuits and a wedge sal ad. Among the entree selections are lemon-pepper salmon, herb-crusted lamb, and Cajun shrimp scampi. Guests can choose to enhance their dinner with sides such as asparagus, “nine-cheese” mac and cheese, smoked turkey collard greens, and more. Four dessert options will also be available. The second half of the evening will feature music by DJ Di Ghozt. The event will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets, which are $50, can be reserved by calling OffSite2Twenty2 at 413-378-7393.
• Figaro Italian Restaurant in Enfield will sponsor a “Night to Re member” on Sunday. A dinner-show experience featuring Motown stylings by Irv Lewis and Evelyn Dylan, the performance will begin at 7 p.m. A 5:30 dinner seating will feature a buffet of Italian American favorites, but guests will also have the option of ordering a la carte. Tickets are $25, with an additional food and beverage purchase required. Call Figaro at 860745-2414 for reservations or additional details.
• A Paella Night Challenge is in the offing at the Vanished Valley Brew ing Co. in Ludlow on Oct. 20, starting at 5:30 p.m. Two chefs will be putting their own personal paella recipes to the test, seeing which version is more to the liking of challenge attendees. The evening begins with a welcome of cheese and charcuterie; at 6:30 the paella will be dished up, with pork, chicken, mussels, shrimp, clams and scallops among the components of
through Nov., 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. More than 40 vendors, including local growers, set up on the downtown common along Boltwood Ave.
Farmers Market at Forest Park: Tues. through Oct. 25, 12:30-6 p.m., in the parking lot of Cyr arena. Sumner Avenue, Springfield Farmers Market at The Longmeadow Shops: Farmers market held Thurs. from noon-6 p.m., through Oct. 27. For more information visit TheLongmeadowShops. com. 690 Bliss Road, Longmeadow The Republican is not responsible for unan nounced schedule changes. Listings must be received two weeks before the date of the event. Items should be mailed to Entertainment Guide, The Republican, P.O. Box 1329, Spring field, MA 01102-1329, emailed to pmastriano@ repub.com or submitted to masslive.com/ myevent
exactly the same recipe and then have a tasting to see how similar or different they are. It’s surprising how different each person’s turns out. It’s because of the different ways people brew.
Part of what’s fun about the hobby is there is not a single way to brew or only one type of equipment. People can get into it as deep or as little as they want. Expensive setup or cheap, you still can make really good beer.
We also have themes at meetings, so we can do a deep dive on a topic. Sometimes members present, other times it’s industry people.
this Iberian classic. Tickets are $30, all inclusive. Reservations should be made online at vanishedvalley.com/ store/. Vanished Valley answers at 413- 610-1572.
• Wednesday is prime rib night at the Crest Room in West Springfield. Every Wednesday from 4 p.m. until it’s gone the establishment features smoked prime rib with garlic mashed potatoes and a fresh vegetable. The dinner is priced at $15 and can be en joyed in the Crest Room’s dining room or their new outdoor pavilion. For more information call 413-739-7700.
• “Flights & Bites: Pairing Wine with the Flavors of Autumn” will be the order of business at the Hardwick Vineyard & Winery on Oct. 21. An evening planned to start at 6 p.m., Flights & Bites will feature five tastes of various Hardwick Winery bottlings paired with fall-season foods. Hard wick’s own Greenwich apple is to be matched with a brie-and-apple-buttertopped crostini; Baystate Blueberry wine and blueberry goat cheese will be offered side-by-side in a subsequent flight. Pumpkin cheesecake and Pio neer Pumpkin wine will also be called upon to demonstrate their flavor com patibility. This is a 21-plus event and is expected to last about 90 minutes. Tickets, which are $49 plus a broker’s fee, are available at hardwickau tumnwinepairing.eventbrite.com. Hardwick Vineyard & Winery answers at 413-967-7763.
Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospital ity and culinary arts program and has more than 45 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached online at OffTheMenuGuy@ aol.com.
Q. How many members are there and is this part of a larger group regionally, nationally or even worldwide?
A. Over the pandemic there was just a handful of members participating. We are slowly getting legacy members back to meetings. We are also looking for new members, even people who have never brewed but want to brew.
Part of what we want to do is on the education side. We want to share our knowledge with new or prospective homebrewers and get them into the hobby.
SPARGE is a Pioneer Valley-based organization. There are many home brew clubs all over the country and world. Some of us are also members of the national American Homebrewers Association, which lobbies for better homebrew laws and has events and competitions.
Q. How did you become president and what are you looking to achieve now that you’re in the top spot?
A. When it was time to pick a new president, everyone pointed at me, and I pointed at other people, but I only had two hands. So I lost; I mean I became president. When my time is up there are some great people to take over.
Our goals are to increase member ship, do more educational compo nents, club brew days, continue to pour at festivals, and assist the homebrew community as much as we can.
Q. Why are groups like this important to the brewing world?
A. Sharing ideas and processes and the social aspect are the top reasons for me. Drinking beer is usually a shared or group experience. Brewing beer can be, too.
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The expansive boxed set is available on both vinyl and CD.
• Rita Ora says that a new album will be released in January.
Ora told The Sun newspa per that she has been back in her home county of Albania working on the follow-up to her 2018 album, “Phoenix.”
Sounds: Jeffrey Foucault with David Champagne, Jim Fitting and Friends. 32 Masonic St., Northampton
Theodores’: Balkun Brothers. 201 Worthington St., Springfield Whip City Brew: DJ with dance. 287 Elm St., Westfield
Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Granby Road, Chicopee
City Sports Grille: City Sports Swing! 525 Pleasant St.,
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Door Gatherings, Siesta Café, Firehouse Hot Dogs, Holyoke Hummus Co., Dino’s Pizza, One Stop Kitchen, Sweetera & Co., Top Flight Nutrition, Delicias de Hartford, Khi & Eli’s Food for the Soul and El Paraiso Colombiano.
An equally diverse musical lineup “represents what is happening in the communi ty,” said Hart and reflects a variety of genres from salsa to jazz to Top 40 and more.
Among the acts slated to per form include City Stage, The Basement Cats, Louis Mona, Last Minute Band, and Final Champion Sound, which is a J. Dilla tribute band. Deejay D.A.S. will keep the music flowing by spinning tunes between acts.
Hart noted funds raised through the sale of vendor
The upcoming album will be Ora’s third full-length release and that she had recently been feeling the pressure of being a pop star and had considered quitting. She cau tioned that fans might need to have a few drinks while listening to the new “raw” album.
“I wanted to make this a very raw, musical record,” she said. “Maybe get a few bottles of whatever you drink when you listen to this album.”
Northampton
Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Gran by Road, Chicopee Tavern Restaurant: Trivia Night. 2 Broad St., Westfield
The Drake: Michael Rabinowitz with Northampton Jazz Workshop. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst
American Legion Post 351: Open mic with Kevin Crane. 50 Saint Kolbe Drive, Holyoke Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Gran by Road, Chicopee
Mail items to Entertainment Guide, The Republican, P.O. Box 1329, Springfield, MA 01102-1329 email to pmastriano@repub.com or submit to masslive.com/myevent
This year’s money will help #LaylaStrong, a fundraising effort to aid in medical expenses for the nearly 2-year-old Layla, who has a rare cancerous brain tumor.
space will be donated to charity similar to last year’s support of the Rays of Hope. This year’s money will help #LaylaStrong, a fundraising effort to aid in medical ex penses for the nearly 2-yearold Layla, who has a rare cancerous brain tumor.
Additional organizers of Paper City Food Festival include Priscilla Rivera of City Sports and JSD Designs, and Stefany Garcia of the Holyoke Public Schools.
