Military reenactments to mark Patriots’ Day

By C ori U rban Special to The Republican

The stories of the American military will come to life as Old Sturbridge Village reenactors portray troops during the American Revolution, War of 1812, Civil War and World War II in commemoration of Patriots’ Day weekend. Visitors will be able to explore their camps, learn about uniform construction, watch military drills and listen to martial music. Children will be invited to learn a march.

Patriots’ Day Weekend will be celebrated at Old Sturbridge Village on Saturday and Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“There will be close to 50 guest reenactors throughout the village covering military history beyond the village’s 1830s time period —from the

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CONTINUES FROM PAGE E6 restaurant brand, Friendly’s, is celebrating the Easter season with the Bunny Conehead Sundae. The sundae incorporates a split banana topped with vanilla ice cream, pound cake cubes, cherries, blue marshmallow sauce, and whipped cream all arranged in a bunny head shape. The Bunny Conehead Sundae It will be available in participating shops through April 30.

• The Student Prince Cafe and Fort Restaurant in Springfield is hosting a Compass Box Scotch Tasting Dinner on April 19, starting at 6 p.m. As well as incorporating tastes of five different Compass Box Scotch varieties, the dinner will begin with first and second courses of baked brie and pork belly, respectively, then proceed on to a third course of mussels in white wine cream. The main course is to be a skirt steak street taco, and sticky toffee pudding will be offered for dessert.

Tickets are $80 and can be purchased online at student prince.com. Call the restaurant at 413-734-7475.

• On April 15 the Brass Rail Meeting House in Southwick will be presenting the Brass Rail Supper Club, a night of dinner

American Revolution to World War II,” said Christine Freitas, director of communications and content at Old Sturbridge Village.

“Women’s roles, music, poetry and documentaries, are all themed around what daily life was like for people during different wars in our nation’s history.” She defined a patriot as a person who loves and supports his/her country: “We explore the stories of those who loved and fought for our country in its earliest stages.”

Freitas said there is something to be learned from previous wars: “We can learn what not to do from experience and what signs potentially can lead a nation to war. Here at the village, visitors will learn mostly about daily life during different time and dancing. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. A three-course dinner will follow, with entrée selections including Bella Blue Sirloin, Nora’s Chicken, and Bourbon Soy Salmon. Live music for dancing and listening will be offered from 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. Tickets are $74.95 per person plus “service fees” and taxes. Reservations can be made at brassrailmeetinghouse.com or call 413-569-9685.

• Khan’s Food and Drinks in Springfield will be celebrating their grand opening on Saturday, April 15, starting at noon. The menu at Khan’s, which is located at 1333 Boston Road, includes entrees like churrasco (grilled skirt steak), salmon, and grilled chicken breast as well as gourmet hamburgers made with a “triple mix” of ground brisket, sirloin, and ribs. The restaurant will operate Tuesday through Sunday, opening at noon and doing business until late evening. Khan’s answers at 413-391-7291.

• Atkins Farms Country Market in Amherst will be holding its monthly Tastings at the Loft on Saturday, April 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. Tastings are no-charge events at which Atkins Farms presents samplings of various wines, beers, and ciders; complimentary light periods and during wartimes, women’s roles during war time, and (they will) hear patriotic inspired poetry and music.” Martial music was a large part of military life, used to tell time, organize movements of troops snacks are also provided. Those participating in the tasting events can also take advantage of special pricing on the beverage items being showcased.

Atkins Farms Country Market answers at 413-253-9528.

• The Hardwick Vineyard & Winery, in conjunction with Wine Down Events, will be presenting a “Flights & Bites”

Wine Pairing on April 21 starting at 6 p.m.

Conducted by wine educator Missa Capozzo, the event will incorporate five wines from Hardwick’s list of bottlings with a variety of cheese, herb, and jam combinations. Pairing examples include a dry Riesling with cream cheese and red pepper jelly and a Hardwick Red with a sharp cheddar, fig jam, and thyme. Capozzo will use the pairing to illustrate the fundamentals of matching food and wine. Tickets, which are available at Eventbrite.com, are $49 plus a “convenience” fee. Call the Hardwick Vineyard & Winery at 413- 967-7763.

• Villa Napoletana in East Longmeadow will be presenting a Brunch & Bubbly Buffet on Sunday, April 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In addition to savoring the restaurant’s upscale brunch spread, which includes handcarved meats, made-to-order and boost morale. “The beat of drums and the call of bugles sets hearts racing,” she added.

It’s important for the village to mark Patriot’s Day because “we have a role in sharing and telling the story of American omelets, fresh waffles, classic breakfast offerings, and a selection of luncheon-style dishes, adults attending will get a complimentary 187 ML bottle of Prosecco to enjoy with brunch. Reservations are strongly encouraged; call 413-732-9300.

• On Wednesday, April 26, at 6:30 p.m., O’Connell’s Irish Pub & Grill on Chicopee Street in Chicopee will be collaborating with Vanished Valley Brewing Co. to create a Vanished Valley Brewing Company Beer Dinner.

Contact O’Connell’s at 413437-8181 for more details.

• It’s to be a “hops meets history,” Freitas said. “Sturbridge is close to where the ‘shot heard ‘round the world’ happened — Lexington and Concord — and people from beyond Massachusetts come to the village; we want to show the story of American military history.” There will be a Saturday-only showing of “Borinqueneers — A Documentary on the All-Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment” in the Korean War in the Brewer Theater at Old Sturbridge Village. Admission is included with standard daytime admission or village membership. Standard daytime admission is $30 for adults, $28 for seniors (55+), $15 for youth (4-17), $15 for college students (with a valid college ID), and free for children 3 and under. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. For more information, go online to osv.org/event/patriots-day hemp” occasion as Skyline Beer Co. of Westfield hosts a “4:20 Beer Dinner” on Sunday, April 16, at 3:30 p.m.

Cannabis Connection of Westfield is co-sponsoring the event, which will feature a menu of “munchie-inspired” food items for the four-course dinner. Tickets are priced at $60 and may be ordered by calling Skyline at 413-378-3333.

Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 50 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached online at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com.