Games

CONTINUES FROM PAGE E2 onset of the Civil War, Bradley worked as a draftsman at the U. S. Armory. On his way to work he saw soldiers in the military camps and noticed that they had nothing to do between training. He realized there was an opportunity to use his press to create Games for Soldiers, a box of small games, including chess and checkers, that fit into a soldier’s pocket. He included his own new Checkered Game of Life. This little game kit sold successfully and encouraged Bradley to expand his inventory of board games after the Civil War. before the cell tower. You’ll come upon other craggy rock challenges and also champion a roughly quarter-mile stretch of sheer boulders, and you will begin to see a cluster of towers to the south at this point. Every so often, the trail will split in two directions. Typically, the left is the safer and more conservative way forward; the right offers spectacular views and a sense of adventure, and eventually, these paths come back together.

Hasbro Inc. in Rhode Island. Games are still made today under the Milton Bradley brand, she pointed out.

Humberston hopes that visitors to Big Games Big Fun will remember that they had fun playing classic games in a new way and that they will take a little history with them. “Springfield is a city with national significance and internationally known manufacturers. Milton Bradley is certainly an example of a company that became one of the leading game manufacturers in the world, and it started right here,” she said.

When you approach the hill just before the cluster of towers, there are two ways up — one to your far left and one to your far right. I use the one to the far left, which has the white blaze, albeit up near the top and facing in the wrong direction!

Work your way up to the big boulder at the top and follow a rutted path toward the towers; it turns into an old, gnarly sidewalk you can follow to the brown railing, but don’t lean on this relic! The views up here are stunning and never get old for me.

When you’re ready to head back, find the trolley path that leads to the summit, follow it down to the war memorial, taking a right onto the trail you started out on. A mile later you’ll be back at your car with some new photographs and memories.

The company he started made games in downtown Springfield for more than 100 years before moving to larger facilities in East Longmeadow. In 1984 it became a part of

“The opportunity to bring together iconic and historic games and tell their history in a way that invites people to have fun while they learn was irresistible,” she said.

For more information, go online to springfieldmuseums. org/exhibitions/big-gamesbig-fun.

Menu

CONTINUES FROM PAGE E6 beer, and cider beverages that Atkins Farms stocks.

Complimentary light snacks will be served, and those attending the tasting are eligible for exclusive pricing on the beverage items being poured.

Atkins Farms answers at 413-253-9528.

• Outback Steakhouse has introduced five limited-time-only menu items, all of which will be available through mid-June.

The chain has reworked its signature Bloomin’ Onion to create the Loaded Bloomin’ Onion. Topped with specially seasoned French fries and drizzled with ranch dressing, the “loaded” Onion is served with a spicy dipping sauce.

Three featured entrees will be available during the next five weeks: Sirloin & Lobster Mac & Cheese, a Prime Rib & Shrimp Combo, and Tasmanian Shrimp & Lobster Pasta. The Prime Rib & Shrimp Combo comes with a choice of grilled or coconut-fried shrimp, while the pasta dish features a spicy Alfredo sauce.

Tim Tam Brownie Cake, a dessert feature, is layered chocolate brownie and chocolate mousse. Topped with caramel sauce, the cake is garnished with Tim Tam cookies, an Aussie favorite.

There are Outback locations on Riverdale Street in West Springfield and on Southbridge Street in Auburn.

• The Table 3 Restaurant Group in Sturbridge has announced its summer 2023 series of patio dinners.

The first dinner event is planned for June 7 with a 6 p.m. start time, and is being themed around an “Italian picnic” concept.

Table 3 Restaurant Group’s executive chef, Enrico Giovanello, has put together a menu featuring fresh summer salads, Italian meats and cheeses, and a selection of grilled chicken, lamb, and pork creations.

The dinner will be hosted on the patio at Table 3′s function space, The Barn at Wight

Farm. In the event of inclement weather the festivities will be moved indoors.

Price to attend is $65, not including tax or gratuity, and reservations are required.

To book a seat at the dinner, call The Barn at Wight Farm at 774-241-8450.

• Milford, Conn.-based Subway has continued its migration away from the customer-controlled sandwich assembly process it pioneered by way of an expansion of its curated “Subway Series” lineup.

That lineup has been added to by updating four longtime Subway sandwich favorites and folding them into the Subway Series. The revamped sandwiches thus transformed include an All-pro Sweet Onion Teriyaki, an Ultimate B.M.T., an Elite Chicken & Bacon Ranch, and a Hotshot Italiano.

The reworked sandwiches have been, in some instances, tweaked with the addition of garnishes and sauces to reflect their shift to “curated.”

Those four reworked menu items join two new sandwiches, the Pickleball Club and the Teriyaki Blitz, to increase to 18 the number of selections on the Subway Series menu.

In addition, two other existing sandwiches, the Bella Mozza and The Champ, have become digital exclusives, only available through online ordering.

• On May 24, starting at 5 p.m., Gateway City Arts in Holyoke will be hosting “Voices in Food Equity: A Gathering of Emerging Leaders.”

Organized by the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, this networking event is designed to bring together those who are working to advance food justice and create a more equitable food system for Western Massachusetts.

A registration link for this nocost event can be found at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts website, foodbank wma.org.

For more information, contact Risley Dudley at risleyd@ foodbankwma.org.

• On May 25 at 6:30 p.m. O’Connell’s Irish Pub & Grill in Chicopee will be the site of another Vanished Valley Beer Dinner. O’Connell’s is partnering with Ludlow-based Vanished Valley to put together an evening of good food and craft-style beer; more of the beer dinner details can be had by calling O’Connell’s at 413437-8181.

• Pizza Hut has brought a popular sandwich flavor meme to its pizza menu by adding a Cheesesteak Pizza.

The pie, a limited-time-only offering, is topped with steak strips, Alfredo sauce, onions, green bell peppers, and a proprietary oregano-Parmesan seasoning blend.

A handheld Cheesesteak Melt incorporates the same toppings. After being baked the folded-over crust is brushed with butter and dusted with the aforementioned seasoning blend. A ranch dressing dip is also provided.

There are Pizza Hut Restaurant locations in Chicopee on Memorial Drive and in West Springfield on Riverdale Street.

• If you’re planning dinner “out” in Northampton later this month, a bit of foresight is in order, since the Meadow City will be in the midst of commencement season. Smith College in Northamp - ton is holding its ceremonies on the weekend of May 20 and 21, and commencement-related events will attract hundreds of parents, friends, and Smith alumnae, all of whom will be looking for somewhere to dine. The following weekend the cap-and-gown action shifts to Amherst, with UMass Amherst and Amherst College celebrating their commencements on Friday, May 26, and Sunday, May 28, respectively. Those two events will also create lots of dining out demand in Northampton and vicinity. The takeaway to all this? If your restaurant destination is Northampton over the next two weeks, a reservation will be a wise precaution.

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.