Weekend - February 22, 2024

Weekend

FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Connecticut Flower & Garden Show returns to Hartford, E3

THE EAGLES EXPERIENCE: Free concert at MGM Springfield closes out winter series, F3

Northampton concert will be extra-special for chorus members, Page E2

Heart Chorus

“This group isn’t about slick, technically perfect singing. It’s all about the light shining through the cracks.”

JULIA VAN IJKEN, YOUNG@HEART CHORUS

Young@Heart Chorus to honor late colleague

Concert to be staged Sunday at Bombyx

By G eorge L enker Special to The Republican

EWe talked to Julia van IJken, the group’s co-director along with Bob Cilman, about Garcia, the upcoming concert, and the group’s recent New England Emmy award.

Q. Ana Garcia wasn’t with the chorus for very long, but what made her so special?

very Young@Heart Chorus performance has a special aspect to it, but the next one — scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. at Bombyx in Northampton — will be extra-special for the chorus members themselves: They’re dedicating the concert to colleague Ana Garcia, who died a few weeks ago. SEE YOUNG@HEART,

A. Ana was the first person to ever join the group already in her 90s. She had a really strong and beautiful

voice. Before coming to a Young@ Heart rehearsal, she sang a song for me and Bob at her home — the classic Puerto Rican song “Lamento Borincano” — and she sang the whole thing totally a cappella. She was phenomenal and completely blew us away. Less than a year later she performed the song at the Academy of Music in front of 800 people, where she also completely wowed the audience. She had a really great sense of humor and

Members of the Young@ Heart Chorus rehearse at American International College. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Stop and smell the flowers

42nd Flower & Garden Show returns to Hartford

By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican

It’s a breath of fresh air and beauty.

Spring hasn’t even sprung, but the flowers are already blooming in Hartford, where the 42nd Connecticut Flower & Garden Show open its doors at the Connecticut Convention Center today for a fourday run.

Covering almost 2 acres, the show offers ideas for house, apartment, and condomini-

SPRINGFIELD

Eagles Experience rounds out free casino concert series

um dwellers. “Bursting Into Spring” is the theme of this year’s show that features expansive live gardens, a nonstop schedule of seminars and demonstrations, the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut’s annual Standard Flower Show, and hundreds of exhibitors displaying and selling all types of items and gifts from fresh flowers to plants, garden equipment to seeds, soils to fertilizers and garden related services. Kristie Gonsalves, president of North East Expos, Inc., organizers of the event, said the show is for “everyone.”

“We have everything under the sun for the expert to the novice, whether you are new to gardening or have been

SEE FLOWERS, PAGE E6

By Ashley P otter apotter@repub.com

The free music is still going for one more week at MGM Springfield, and closing out the concert series on Friday will be The Eagles Experience, billed as “America’s Most Authentic Eagles Tribute Show.”

The Eagles Experience pride themselves on having a one-to-one lineup that reflects the Eagles’ original lineup in the 1970s. The American rock band was founded in Los Angeles in 1971 by Randy Meisner, Bernie Leadon, Don Henley and Glenn Frey. Likewise, The Eagles Experience boast a five-man lineup: Steve Kareta, Lincoln Hubley, Allen Stevens, Tom Doherty and Tommy Pluta. Each member of the group “emulates their respective ‘Eagle,’ playing

A member of The Eagles Experience during a past concert in Springfield. The band, which bills itself as “America’s Most Authentic Eagles Tribute Show,” will close out MGM Springfield’s Free Music

Fridays.

(THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

Returning to the great outdoors

Springfield Sportsmen’s Show is back at Eastern States Exposition

By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican

This weekend’s 40th annual Springfield Sportsmen’s Show has everything to bring out the best in every sportswoman and sportsman in their pursuits in the great outdoors.

The popular event, which opens tomorrow for three days, features sporting vendors from all over the country selling the latest hunting, fishing and outdoor gear. Those attending can also meet and talk turkey with hunting and fishing celebrities and industry experts, and participate in seminars to further their knowledge.

“I am very excited to have with us this year for the first time ever Capt. Michelle Bancewicz and her first mate Lea Pinaud. It is rare to have a women’s only tuna fishing crew, which has traditionally been only a men’s sport. Michelle’s video of herself

catching solo a 9-foot-long, 800-pound tuna went viral and has been seen by 1.5 million viewers to date,” said Doug Sousa of Outdoor Sports Expo Group in Granby, organizers of the annual event.

“The video caught the eye of folks at National Geographic and as a result she and Lea are to be featured on the 12th season of National Geographic’s ‘Wicked Tuna,’ which begins airing Feb. 26,” he added.

Sousa noted he is also happy to be bringing back for its 40th anniversary Bwana Jim’s Wildlife Show featuring alligators, snakes, exotic birds and more for the whole family to enjoy. Here are a few more of the many things to do and see at this year’s show:

• The Radical Hunter — Dick Scorzafava, renowned big game hunter, author, and television star on the Sportsman Channel, will present a one-day only seminar on Saturday. Known as the “Radical Hunter,” Scorzafava will hold his annual Radical Hunting

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Above, Larry Stival, right, of Motsomi Safaris, talks with Kenneth Kushi, of Sunderland, during a past Springfield Sportsmen’s Show at the Eastern States Exposition. Above left, Dan Jennings, of Lanesboro, is framed by antlers at a past show. (STEVEN E. NANTON PHOTOS)

Keagan Nott, 5, of Portage, Maine, and Anna McPherson, 7, of Westboro, try their luck fishing in the Trout Pond during a past Springfield Sportsmen’s Show. (STEVEN E. NANTON PHOTO)

Nightclubs

THURSDAY

The Drake: Open Mic and UMass Songwriters Showcase. 44 N. Pleasant St., Amherst

FRIDAY

Delaney House: Gerry Moss. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke

East Mountain Country Club: The Rattletones. 1458 E. Mountain Road, Westfield

MGM Springfield: MGM Free Music Fridays in Aria Ballroom: The Eagles Experience. 1 MGM Way, Springfield

MGM Springfield: MGM Roar

Comedy Club: Brad Upton. 1 MGM Way, Springfield

Shaker Farms Country Club: Looney Tunes. 866 Shaker Road, Westfield

The Drake: Native Sun with Dead Tooth, The Baxbys. 44 N. Pleasant St., Amherst

The Meeting House: Dave Brinnel. 827 Williams St., Longmeadow

Theodores’: Michelle Wilson. 201 Worthington St., Springfield

West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub: Geezer. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield

SATURDAY

BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity: Revelry: Molly Bajgot Album Release Concert. 130 Pine St., Florence

BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity: Young @ Heart Up Close and Personal. 130 Pine St., Florence

Delaney House: Luther Johnson. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke MGM Springfield: MGM Roar Comedy Club: Brad Upton. 1 MGM Way, Springfield

The Drake: The Wildmans. 44 N. Pleasant St., Amherst

Theodores’: Carl Ricci and 706 Union Ave. 201 Worthington St., Springfield

West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub: The Healys. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield

SUNDAY

BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity: Rebirth Brass Band. 130 Pine St., Florence

Marigold Theater: Hall Moniter, Juke Joint Jazz. 84 Cottage St., Easthampton

Send items to: Entertainment Guide, The Republican, P.O. Box 1329, Springfield, MA 01102-1329; emailed

Young@ Heart

got along with everyone in the group. She could tell stories for hours and often had the whole group in stitches with her stories. We miss her a lot.

Q. You also just won a New England Emmy. What was that like for the group to beat other bigger and more highly financed shows?

A. It was a big honor for the group. We’ve been doing video versions of our shows for quite some time but this was the first time we did a full-length concert film, for our 40th anniversary show. It was very cool and very affirming to win an award like that. Young@ Heart started as quite a punk endeavor, and at its essence it still is, in many ways. This felt like another example of that.

The concert film that won the New England Emmy was directed by Jeromie Whalen, the technology teacher at Northampton High School, in collaboration with Northampton Open Media. Some of the videographers were Jeromie’s high school students. We love that and think it goes handin-hand with Young@Heart’s punk/do-it-yourself attitude. Most of the singers in Young@ Heart were never professional singers — some had never even sung before they joined the chorus.

This group isn’t about slick,

technically perfect singing. It’s all about the light shining through the cracks. To learn that we could win an award like this when we were up against highly financed projects really shows that what you need to make interesting work isn’t all about buckets of money and producing something that’s 100% technically “perfect,” but about working with what you’ve got, and being inventive with it.

Q. One of the great things about the chorus is that the singers are doing songs that they don’t really know. How do you think that makes the songs better for the shows?

A. The obvious answer is that it makes for a more interesting and surprising experience for the audience. Hearing older people sing

songs that are unexpected is exciting and gives the show a level of tension that really works. But there’s more to it than that. When the chorus doesn’t know a song, they’re much more able to interpret it in their own way and give it an interesting spin. Technically, we’re a cover band, but we’re never wedded to the original versions of songs — we don’t want to sound exactly like the original artist. Magic is born when chorus members make a song their own and they really sound like themselves rather than trying to sound like someone else. That part really is much easier with a song they don’t know.

Q. The chorus rehearses at Bombyx now. What will it be like for the group to be performing on its home turf, compared to, say, traveling to New Zealand?

A. We’ve been a resident company at Bombyx for the last two years now, where we run one of our two weekly rehearsals. Every Monday we rehearse in their Peacock Room — a space where they also host workshops and dance classes, among many other things. We’ll be performing in the Sanctuary — Bombyx’s performance space. We’ve done our last few rehearsals there to get used to the space and it’s been quite amazing. The acoustics are incredible and the space has a certain magic to it.

The chorus members love traveling to far-flung places like New Zealand, but we also love connecting with our home audiences and local community, and this is a very special and intimate space for that. We’re tailoring the show to the intimacy of that space too — at most of our shows we don’t talk much, but for this one we’ll be introducing our chorus members with stories and details from their lives. It will be a really special show where you get to know our chorus members a bit better.

Bill Sheppard of Plainfield rehearses with the Young@ Heart Chorus for the group's residency at American International College. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

It’s maple season!

Celebrate with Old Sturbridge Village’s Maple Days

By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican Sugar. Sugar.

The sap is running and that means only one thing at Old Sturbridge Village — the start of Maple Days, beginning today and continuing through March 23.

During Maple Days, guests can see the entire sugar-making process, from tapping the trees to “sugaring off,” and learn why maple sugar was more commonly used than maple syrup in early New England. Costumed historians will also cook period foods made with maple products and the tinner and cooper will make maple-related items.

It is a combination of warm days and freezing nights that helps to get the sap running “Here in New England, we have the right climate for sugaring. It is very driven by weather, preferably temperatures in the low 20s at night and low to mid-40s during the day which causes the sap to run up from the root system to the tree trunk for tapping,” said Rhys Simmons, director of interpretation at OSV.

A typical sugaring season

Flowers

doing it for years. And, if you don’t want to be a gardener, you can come in and sit down and enjoy spring in full bloom around you,” said Gonsalves.

Her parents started the show decades ago.

“Each year we see some 40,000 garden lovers come through our doors from Connecticut and beyond. It is quite an undertaking to put on a show like this, and because of that fact, today we are the only pure flower and garden show other than in Philadelphia,” Gonsalves said.

“Each year we see some 40,000 garden lovers come through our doors from Connecticut and beyond.”

Kristie Gonsalves, president of North East Expos, Inc.

posted online at CTFlowerShow.com.

Gonsalves noted that many of the seminars have creative and fun titles such as “How to Kill a Houseplant.” Others include “Tomato Talk,” “The Broken Tulip Story,” “The Real Tulipmania Story,” “If Flowers Could Speak” and many others.

Show hours are Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p m.

today begins in February as climate change is responsible for warmer winters. However, back in the time period of the 1830s represented at OSV, it would have begun later in the season, he noted.

Today, maple syrup is a commodity that farmers sell for a profit in several ways. They sell in bulk to commercial packers, wholesale where they bottle their own syrup and bring to retailers for resale, and direct to consumers at local farmer’s markets throughout the year or at their own seasonal sugarhouses.

But back in the 1830s, you wouldn’t find farmers making a profit by selling their product — sugar from the Caribbean would have been sold in the general store — and most was procured for their own consumption, Simmons noted.

According to the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association, in the early days maple sap was boiled down and made into maple sugar instead of the more common maple syrup of today. There was no easy way to store syrup as a liquid without it eventually spoiling, but hardened, dry maple sugar was easily stored for use throughout the year.

Simmons explained that back then, hardened loaves

The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut’s annual Standard Flower Show will cover 12,500 square feet of beautiful design, horticulture, botanical arts, and photography competition with entries from members across the state — all themed to “Bursting into Spring.”

Over 80 hours of seminars and demonstrations, free with admission, will be presented by more than 20 well-versed horticulturalists, landscapers and industry professionals. The many speakers, some of whom will sell their books after their seminars, will welcome questions from those attending. The list of speakers and topics is

If you are not currently a gardener, you should consider becoming one, noted Gonsalves.

“Gardening offers stress relief, relaxation and joy in our daily lives and for apartment and condo dwellers indoor plants increase oxygen quality indoors,” she said.

For some extra fun, on Friday, the nonprofit KNOX will host an exclusive, private “KNOX Booth N’ Bash” after-party fundraiser from 8 to 10 p.m. on the show floor. The special event will feature a silent auction, food and drinks. For information and to buy tickets, visit www.knoxhartford.org/ event/knox-booth-bash.

The Connecticut Convention Center is located at 100 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford.

Discounted tickets at $17 for adults and seniors are on sale at CTFlowerShow.com and can be purchased online through the final day of the show. Tickets at the door are $20 for adults and seniors, $5 for children 5-12, and free to those under age 5.

Daily parking in the Connecticut Convention Center Garage is $9 all day or $3 for the first hour and $2 each additional hour. On Thursday and Friday only there will be free parking and shuttle at Propark South Surface Lot, 63-89 Capitol Ave. and Hudson Street, located several blocks south of the Convention Center. Also, Saturday and Sunday only, there is $5 all-day parking in the Front Street North and South Garages across the street from CT Convention Center.

For more information, visit CTFlowerShow.com, or call 860-844-8461.

2

Chicopee Elks

Bingo Tuesday

Doors Open at 4PM

2 Progressive Jackpots 6:15PM Early Bird

6:20PM Start

Min. Entry Package $15 Open Seating

Polish

Bingo Wednesdays

THURSDAY

Fairview

Min.

Some brew news, both good and bad

SPRING IS ALMOST IN the air, but we’re not quite into the March madness of Maibocks and St. Patrick’s Day yet, so I’ll use this week to clear a few beer news items of note from my virtual desk.

I’ll start off with the good news, which could have just as easily been bad. Tennessee legislators have backed down from proposed legislation that would have outlawed the sale of cold beer.

You read that correctly.

Lawmakers in the Volunteer State had introduced a bill in late January that would have prohibited the sale of cold beer as a preventative measure against drunk driving. The idea behind the bill was that cold beer can be imbibed immediately after purchase, which allows people to illegally drink in their cars.

Rep. Ron Gant, a co-sponsor of the bill, had said that the evidence of beer cans strewn on roadsides across the state was proof that people were drinking while driving and that he believed they were getting cold beer at convenience stores. But last week Gant told The Tennessean that the prohibition of cold beer sales would not be included in the legislation.

In a statement last week, Gant said, “This was one of several ideas being discussed by stakeholders across our state, however, I do not want to infringe on law-abiding citizens or be unfair to businesses.”

While the idea was wellmeant, I have to agree that it was an overreach by the legislators. Craft beer, in particular, can be dependent on freshness and temperature control. Not being able to keep certain beers refrigerated consistently from brewery to point of sale could be disastrous to small craft brewers.

Sharon Cheek, executive director of the Tennessee Craft Brewers Guild, told The Tennessean exactly that in a

statement:

“Without refrigeration, breweries would face substantial economic challenges and potential job losses,” she said. “Many of our breweries are known for their unpasteurized beer and use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients.”

Not only that, but outlawing cold beer sounds almost un-American.

Turning to the bad news, I’m sure it’s no surprise to learn that climate change is having a negative effect on brewing.

A story in Nature Communications, a science journal, indicated that climate change is hurting hops and the trend is probably going to get worse.

The Nature Communications study noted that hops could decline anywhere between 4% and 18% over the next few decades. Projections also say that the alpha content (the bittering agent) in hops could decrease by up to 31%.

Two factors contribute to these problems according to the report:

“The lowest hops yields were negatively affected by a lack of precipitation, while the lowest values of alpha content were caused by extremely high temperatures,” the study said.

While beer might not be at the top of the list when it comes to problems caused by climate change, it certainly is a concern for readers of this column. And it’s just one more reason that addressing this global crisis is crucial.

In January, restaurant prices increased 5.1% on an annual basis, while prices at the grocery store only increased 1.2%.

Supermarkets, restaurants continue to fight for customers

THE BATTLE FOR share of stomach continues between the supermarket business and the restaurant industry.

As reported in data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the price of food away from home (restaurant menu prices) continued to increase at a faster rate than prices at grocery stores. In January, restaurant prices increased 5.1% on an annual basis, while prices at the grocery store only increased 1.2%.

The price inflation level was highest in fast food restaurants, where prices grew at a 5.8% rate; traditional table service establishments recorded an average price increase of 4.3% over the past year.

Economic orthodoxy would predict such an inflation gap would result in declines in restaurant traffic in favor of retail food purchases for at-home preparation. However, such a decline has yet to materialize, with restaurant sales remaining relatively steady. Several quick service brands continue to report traffic growth and the leaders of other major restaurant chains have even expressed confidence that they have

Hugh Robert Off The Menu

the “pricing power” to “take additional margin” by further increasing prices.

Attitudes on restaurant pricing as reported by a number of market research firms do report that many consumers are worried about increasing restaurant prices and say they are becoming more cautious about how often they go out and the amount they spend when doing so. Yet those attitudes on price inflation have yet to trigger a major shift in dining out behavior.

One answer as to why restaurant patrons seem so insensitive to continuing price hikes might very well be found in two related aspects of 21st century lifestyles.

First, much of today’s adult population is time-starved, with multiple career, family

and personal obligations crowding out any time for food preparation at home. The second is the decline in food preparation skills, with many young (and not-soyoung) adults having limited (or nonexistent) abilities in the kitchen.

For such individuals, restaurant food is no longer a discretionary purchase. Whether it’s dine-in or takeout, food prepared away from home has become as much of a necessity as clothing or shelter. Decisions about restaurant spending are thus no longer sensitive to menu price inflation. In order to eat, restaurant-prepared food has become for many the only option.

Side Dishes

• The Delaney House in Holyoke is planning a special leap year event; on Thursday, Feb. 29, the restaurant will play host to a wine pairing dinner.

The five-course dinner will feature the wines of Chateau Ste. Michele, a Washington State vineyard with a 50-plus year tradition of making fine wines, both red and white. The dinner itself will begin

George Lenker Beer Nut

5 ways to make red wine last longer after opening the bottle

MANY OF US ENJOY a glass of red wine, especially with dinner.

But what if that’s all we want?

How long does a bottle of red wine last once it’s open?

I have been asked this question many times over the years and it’s a great one.

White wine is easy. Open the bottle, pour a glass, then put the bottle in the fridge.

Many bottles of white wine will taste great for at least a week after you open it.

Red wine is much trickier.

Once you open that bottle, the clock starts ticking. You only have a limited amount of time to finish the bottle before it goes bad.

So how much time do you have? And is there any way to make a bottle of red wine last longer once it’s open?

The short answer? It depends.

Most red wines still taste great the next day. But every bottle is different. Some start to lose their flavor after a few hours or even less. And once those great flavors are gone, you’ve often lost them for good.

That’s probably one of the reasons why some people find wine so frustrating. Few other products have such a short shelf life. And all red wines are not created equal.

But that’s also one of things many of us love about wine. It’s a living, breathing thing that vividly brings to life a wide range of fleeting flavors and aromas that change and evolve, sometimes in a matter of a few minutes or a few hours.

So what should you do? How can you drink a red wine after it’s open? And why do some red wines last longer?

Here are a few tips and suggestions I’ve picked up over the years that often extend the life of an opened bottle of red wine.

Hope this helps and hope you enjoy.

Why does red wine turn bad after it’s open too long?

Three words: air, heat and light.

When wine is exposed to oxygen, it gradually loses its flavor. That’s why you need to be careful with red wine after you open it. Otherwise, it could lose its unique character right away.

As for heat, this is probably the number one enemy of wine. When red wine is exposed to heat — roughly above 80 degrees — it quickly loses its flavor. This applies to whether the wine bottle is open or closed. A bottle of wine left in a hot car, for example, can go bad in as little as an hour. That’s why you need to store wine in a cool place, meaning under 60 degrees.

You also need to store wine in a dark place. That’s because light can damage wine and age it quickly. And, again, it doesn’t matter if the bottle is open or closed. Light is bad for wine.

How long do most red wines last after you open the bottle?

In most cases, most red wines still taste great the day after you open the bottle. Where you might run into trouble is if you try to stretch out a bottle of wine to two days or longer after you open the bottle. But there are a few tricks that often work that can stretch that timeline out a few days or even longer in some cases, which you can read more about below.

Can you drink all red wines over several days after opening the bottle?

The short answer? No.

Even if you do everything right, some wines lose all their wonderful flavors after only a few minutes or hours. This is especially true with some older red wines. And by old I mean at least 10 years old. This is why you should always taste a wine as soon as you

Ken Ross Wine Press

When wine is exposed to oxygen, it gradually loses its flavor. That’s why you need to be careful with red wine after you open it.

open the bottle. That way you can decide if the wine needs time (again, anywhere from a few minutes to sometimes an hour or so) to open up or if the wine is ready to drink now.

How do you know if a red wine is ready to drink? That’s a whole separate wine column. But, basically, if the wine tastes a bit harsh, give the wine time in a glass to open up and soften those sharp edges. However, some really old (often at least 20 years old) red wines sometimes only hold onto their flavors for an hour or even less. And if that’s the case, you should really drink the entire bottle that day and not save it for tomorrow. Otherwise, you might be really disappointed.

So let’s say you have a bottle of red wine that’s not a delicate flower that needs to be consumed the same day you open it. Here are five helpful tips that will hopefully help your red wine last a few extra days after you open it.

1) Put a cork in

This is a common mistake many people often make. After opening the bottle and pouring a glass of wine, they don’t put the cork back in. They leave the bottle open. When you do that, air gets into

the bottle and quickly ages the wine. Leaving the bottle open also allows all those magical flavors to escape. So if you plan to drink the rest of the wine in the bottle the next day, put the cork right back in after you pour your glass.

2) Keep it cool

Storing wine at about 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit is just the start. To help an open bottle last beyond 24 hours, I often put the open bottle with a cork inside in the refrigerator. We keep our refrigerator at about 38 degrees. Just be aware that when you pour yourself another glass in a day or two, give the red wine time to warm up to room temperature. Otherwise, the wine won’t have any real flavor since it will be far too cold.

3) Keep it dark

Just like storing wine before you open the bottle, keep the opened bottle in a cool, dark place. This is why a refrigerator is such a great place to store a bottle of red wine after you open it.

4) Air pump

Another trick that helps a bottle of open red wine last longer is pumping the air out of the bottle after you open it.

These air pumps are sometimes called vacuum stoppers or wine stoppers and cost about $15 to $20. Combined with putting the wine in the refrigerator, your opened bottle of red wine should still taste great about three or four days after you open it.

5) Other gizmos & gadgets

There is no end to the number of gizmos associated with wine. And this is especially true when it comes to gadgets that supposedly allow someone to drink wine from the same bottle for many days. The best-known gadget in this category is the one made by Coravin. This device allows you to remove wine from the bottle without removing the cork. Coravin claims some models allow users to remove still wine (not sparkling) and keep it fresh “for weeks, months, or even years.”

However, I would recommend finishing the bottle within 30 days after you first removed wine using a Coravin, just to be safe. Prices start at about $250 for a Coravin.

Cheers!

Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s Weekend section every Thursday.

There are several things you can do to make red wine last longer after you open the bottle. (KEN ROSS PHOTO)

CALENDAR

THURSDAY

”The Ladyslipper”: Thu.-Sun., Majestic Theater, through March 24. For times, visit majesticthe ater.com. For tickets, call the box office at 413-747-7797. Tickets range from $31-$35. 131 Elm St., West Springfield, 413-747-7797.

Puppetry Percolator Workshop Series: LAVA Center presents an informal exploration of the worldwide art of puppetry. Drop in to examine puppetry’s history and evolution as an art, play with different forms, and workshop simple puppets and performance. This series is appropriate for teens and adults, 324 Main St., Greenfield.

”Repertoire: An Evening of Dances Past & Present”: Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m. University of Massachusetts Amherst, featuring works by dance faculty Tom Vacanti and Molly Fletcher Lynch-Clark. Tickets are available from the Fine Arts Center Box Office at 413-545-2511 or online at fineartscenter.com/musi canddance. Tickets are $25 for the public, $15 for seniors, and free for students. Eastman Lane, Amherst.

Rockland County Kennel Club

Dog Show: Thu.-Sun., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Eastern States Exposition, Mallary Complex, Free. 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-737-2443 or thebige.com.

“Write the Way” with Nicole Young-Martin: Thu., 11 a.m. Holyoke Community College. Young-Martin will read from her own work and engage in a discussion with students about the importance of including marginalized voices in the literary canon. Part of HCC Black History Month Events. Takes place in Room 224 of the Campus Center, 303 Homestead Avenue, Holyoke, hcc.edu.

FRIDAY

Ballet Winter Intensive: Fri, 4-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Berkshire Pulse, With Hillary Jackson and Vincent Brewer. This intermediate-level weekend intensive will focus on ballet technique and conditioning, as well as pre/beginners pointe and variation work. Each day will begin with Vaganova floor barre and conditioning, followed by a ballet class and pointe class. Then, dancers will learn and rehearse a variation. For ages 11 to adult; open to dancers enrolled in Ballet 2-4 and beginner/intermediate adults. This program

SEE CALENDAR, PAGE E10

Menu

CONTINUES FROM PAGE E7

with a deviled egg trio, then progress to a salmon croquette garnished with an apple slaw. A presentation of duck confit will follow; chefcarved duxelles filet of beef will serve as the main course.

A fresh fruit tart will conclude the meal.

The event is priced at $69 per person, not including tax or gratuity. Reservations can be made on the Delaney House website.

The Delaney House answers at 413-532-1800.

• Wilbraham-based Friendly’s Restaurants has announced additions to its permanent menu.

Included are snack/grazing options that include Mini Mozz Sticks, a basket of miniature mozzarella sticks that are served with marinara sauce for dipping, as well as Chicken Wings. The wings come in either boneless or bone-in versions; five sauce options are available.

The sandwich selections at Friendly’s have expanded to include America’s Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich, which is served with a cup of tomato soup, and a Marionberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich made with spicy marionberry preserves, a blend of three cheeses, and sourdough toast.

A Friendly’s Patty Melt served on marble rye is also permanently joining the sandwich lineup.

Rounding out the menu expansion is a Fried Clam Basket and Friendly’s version of Mac & Cheese.

There are Friendly’s Restaurants throughout the Pioneer Valley; participation in this new menu may vary with location.

• On Monday, Feb. 26, Figaro Ristorante in Enfield will be holding an Italian Night, its first of 2024. A family-style event that features Italian-American food and live entertainment, the evening begins with a cocktail hour and seating for dinner at 6 p.m.

Call 860-745-2414 for

The Munich Haus restaurant, located at 13 Center St. in downtown Chicopee, will host a Game Feast on Saturday featuring a buffet stocked with different game meats. Some of the offerings include venison, elk, wild turkey, and kangaroo.

reservations or additional information.

• Earlier this month Chicago-based McDonald’s Corp. announced that it had completed the nationwide rollout of its “Better Burger” initiative.

The overhaul hasn’t resulted in any high-visibility modifications to the chain’s burgers. Instead, it’s a series of component and process upgrades designed to product sandwiches that are “noticeably more flavorful.”

Fewer burgers (eight versus 12) are cooked at a time, allowing the patties more space in which to build a better sear while on the grill, and the cooked patties are “held hot” so that the final result sandwich tends to be warmer when it gets to the customer.

Cheese is also “melted better,” and the chain’s buns have been reformulated to improve their taste and appearance. Even the squirt of “special sauce” used on Big Macs has been tweaked, with more being dispensed onto each sandwich build.

After experiencing a fourth quarter of 2023 during which sales and profits didn’t live up to expectations, McDonald’s is looking to this Better Burger effort to boost business in the months ahead.

• Adding various fees and surcharges to customer guest check has become a popular strategy among restaurants as a way of recouping rising costs without having to increase menu prices. These

rant, a Springfield eatery that specializes in the cuisines of West Africa, is holding an African Food Tasting Night on Friday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Africana Bowl, which is located on Locust Street in Springfield’s Six Corners neighborhood, opened last fall. The restaurant specializes in Nigerian and Ghanaian fare.

The Tasting Night event is billed as an opportunity to sample a variety of traditional African dishes and do so in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Tickets to the event, which are $30, are available on Eventbrite.

sorts of “junk fees” have started to encounter pushback, however, with state governments and regulatory agencies focusing attention on the practice.

In New York a law was enacted late last year that requires restaurants to provide clear information about any surcharges for credit card use, one of the more common fees that restaurants in that state had been tacking onto guest checks.

The law mandates that any such surcharge be no more than the actual cost of processing a credit card transaction. Restaurants are also required to post two sets of prices, one a cash price and a second with any credit card surcharge included.

Other states and municipal jurisdictions are also currently looking at legislation designed to regulate restaurant surcharges.

• The February edition of Munich Haus Game Feast 2024 is being held Saturday starting at 6 p.m.

Featuring a buffet carving station stocked with venison, bison, elk, kangaroo and more, the spread of wild edibles also features the likes of wild turkey schnitzel, roasted wild boar, game sausages, and more.

The dinner has assigned group seating; tickets are $65.

Call 413-594-8788 for reservations or go to the Munich Haus website to purchase tickets online.

• Africana Bowl Restau-

Africana Bowl Restaurant answers at 413-707-0607.

• Moe’s Southwest Grill has introduced its version of birria, a Mexican-style braise of beef flavored with dried peppers, vinegar, garlic, and herbs, as a limited-time-only protein option.

The birria headlines in Blazin’ Birria Tacos, which additionally features shredded cheese, jalapenos, pico de gallo, and a special “Kickin’ Cayenne Sauce” layered into a spicy red corn tortilla shell.

Birria can also be substituted, at extra cost, in tacos and other meal options that Moe’s offers.

Moe’s Southwest Grill has locations in Springfield on Boston Road at Pasco Road and in Westfield on East Main Street.

• On Friday, rom 3:30 to 9 p.m., a Cousins Maine Lobster food truck will be at Tin Bridge Brewing Company in Westfield.

The truck will be accepting orders from the Cousins Maine Lobster menu, which is available online.

The Greater Connecticut franchisee of Cousins Maine Lobster, which operates the truck in this region, can be reached at 203-309-6766.

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.

(THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

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is $150. Tuition assistance available. Visit https://bit.ly/ BP-intensives, 150. 420 Park St., Housatonic.

Friday Fish Fry: Fri., 5-7 p.m. Swift River Sportsman’s Club, Fridays through April 5. Prices range from $14 for fish and chips to $18 for a fish, shrimp and chip combo. Clam Chowder also will be available. For more information, call the club at 413-323-9387, 79 Moore Road, Belchertown.

”The Ladyslipper”: See Thursday listing

”Repertoire: An Evening of Dances Past & Present”: See Thursday listing

Rockland County Kennel Club

Dog Show: See Thursday listing Springfield Sportsmen’s Show: Fri.-Sun., Eastern States Exposition, Better Living Center. Fri. Noon - 8 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The largest pure hunting and fishing show in the Northeast is filled with hundreds of booths, seminars and action areas.

The “One Giant Building” show is filled with fishing and hunting gear, outfitters, charter boats and adventure destinations, along with great deals on fishing boats and many other displays. For tickets and more information, visit oseg shows.com. 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-737-2443 or thebige.com.

Suffield Players Presents “Drinking Habits”: Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. Mapleton Hall, For tickets visit suffieldplayers.org. Tickets: $15 opening night, then $22 general, $19 seniors (62+) and students for remaining shows. 1305 Mapleton Ave., Suffield, 860-668-0837.

UMass Chamber Choir: Fri, 7:30 p.m. Bezanson Recital Hall, Zachary Fisher, graduate conductor. Free. North Pleasant St., Amherst, 413-545-2511 or umass.edu

SATURDAY

41st Annual Saxophone Symposium & Competition: Sat., Bezanson Recital Hall, North Pleasant St., Amherst. 413-545-2511 or umass. edu.

Amherst Orchid Society Orchid Show: Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, featuring hundreds of blooming orchids with thousands of flowers for viewing. Blooming plants measuring under an inch to a couple of feet will be shown. Cost of admission will be $5, with children under 12 admitted free. Vendors selling orchids will also be at the show. For more

WEST SPRINGFIELD | NOW PLAYING AT THE MAJESTIC ‘The Ladyslipper’

“The Ladyslipper,” a contemporary drama now onstage at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, features a cast that includes actors (above from left) Madeleine Maggio, Chelsie Nectow and Cate Damon. The play runs through March 24 and tickets are $31-$35. For more information, visit majestictheater.com (PHOTO BY KAIT RANKINS)

information, visit https://amherst orchidsociety.org/club-events/ our-show-sale/, 80 Locust St., Northampton.

Ballet Winter Intensive: See Friday listing

House Music Annual Treble A Cappella Benefit for Friends of Hampshire County Homeless: Sat., 7 p.m. Helen Hills Hills Chapel. This year’s lineup features Smith College’s Blackappella/ POCAppella, the Amherst College Bluestockings, Smith Groove, Mount Holyoke’s Milk and Cookies, Smith Noteables, Amherst Sabrinas, UMass S#arp Attitude, Smith Smiffenpoofs, Smith Smithereens, Smith Vibes, and the Smith College Chamber Singers.Free. Donations will benefit Hampshire County Friends of Homeless Individuals. College Lane, Northampton; smith.edu.

”The Ladyslipper”: See Thursday listing

A Night of Music and Film Screening: Sat., 7:30 p.m. LAVA Center, Live music with Ezzy P +Hardcar. Local short film “Stove Bird” screening, $10 suggested

donation. 324 Main St., Greenfield.

”Repertoire: An Evening of Dances Past & Present”: See Thursday listing

Rockland County Kennel Club Dog Show: See Thursday listing

Springfield Sportsmen’s Show: See Friday listing

Suffield Players Presents “Drinking Habits”: See Friday listing

Youth Social Justice Art Workshops: Sat., UMass Amherst Center at Tower Square. Visit artforthesoulgallery.com for more details on specific workshop times. All workshops in this series are free. 1500 Main St., Springfield.

SUNDAY

Amherst Orchid Society Orchid Show: See Saturday listing

Ballet Winter Intensive: See Friday listing

Fanfare Brass Ensemble Music

Concert: Sun., 4 p.m. Trinity Episcopal Church hosts the Fanfare Brass Ensemble. The 10-part brass ensemble performs classical and light popular music. Free and open

Springfield Museums is free. For more information, visit springfieldmuseums.org.

Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: “Latinos en Springfield, Presente y Pasado / Latinos in Springfield Past and Present,” through March 3. Permanent exhibit: more than two dozen Indian motorcycles and related memorabilia.

Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts: “A Gathering: Works from Contemporary Black American Ceramic Artists.” Through March 31. “The Outwin 2022: American Portraiture Today.” Through May 5. The Springfield Museums is one of only four museums in the country to host this major exhibition organized by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.

Springfield Science Museum: “Animationland,” through May 5. Through Feb. 23, school vacation week, “Get Animated.” Enjoy various programs and activities during the week. Visit springfield museums.org for complete details.

“Ways of My Ancestors: We are Nipmuc. We are the Freshwater People.” Through Feb. 25. Permanent exhibit: State-of-the-art Zeiss Projector and updated International Space Station exhibit.

to the public Music to may hear: Glen Miller Medley, Turkish Rondo – Mozart, Instant Concert - Harold Walters, Guadalcanal March, Ireland - traditional tunes, Tournament Galop, West Side Story, Phantom of the Opera, America and more. For more information contact David Neill by email at tbn8@aol.com or call 413-6865027. This concert is sponsored in part by the Ware Cultural Council of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Cultural Council and is free. 17 Park St., Ware.

”The Ladyslipper”: See Thursday listing

Rockland County Kennel Club Dog Show: See Thursday listing

Springfield Sportsmen’s Show: See Friday listing

Quadrangle

George Walter Vincent Smith

Art Museum: Permanent exhibit: “Ancient Treasures,” a display of artifacts from ancient China, Greece, Rome and Egypt. On the first Wed. of every month through the end of 2026, admission to the

The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum: Permanent exhibit. Firstfloor exhibition provides opportunities to explore new sounds and vocabulary, play rhyming games, invent stories, and engage in activities that encourage teamwork and creative thinking, with interactive three-dimensional exhibits. Second floor contains Geisel’s personal memorabilia. Timed tickets required, for reservations visit springfieldmuseums.org.

Quadrangle admission - $25 for adults, $16.50 for seniors (60+) and college 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.

Museums

Amelia Park Children’s Museum: Permanent exhibits include spaceship, construction site, library, grocery store. Visit ameliapark museum.org for details. Hours: Tue.-Tue., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Open for groups Wed. $8 adults; $8 children (12 months and older); $4 grandparents/seniors (60+); military personnel and teachers receive a 10% discount off the price of regular admission; members/infants free. 29 S. Broad St., Westfield.

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of sugar would be created by pouring syrup into molds and allowing the molasses to drain through a hole before wrapping the loaf in paper for storage.

“These loaves served as a substitute for more expensive cane sugar. In addition to

Calendar

Anchor House of Artists: Rotating art exhibits, self-staged by fine regional talents. The best leastknown gallery in the Pioneer Valley. Free public receptions on the 2nd Fri. of the month from 5-8 p.m. email artists@anchorhouseartists.org, visit anchorhouseartists.org, or call 413588-4337 for more information. 518

Pleasant St., Northampton

Berkshire Museum: “10 Days of Play,” through Feb. 25. “10 Days of Play” welcomes families, educators, and community members to come together to celebrate the power of play as a catalyst for learning and growth, and to explore new ideas in natural science, history, and art. For a complete list of programs visit berkshiremuseum.org. “Painted Pages: Illuminated Manuscripts, 13th-18th Centuries.” Through May 5. “Planning for the Future-1979-2024.

Through May 5. The third and final installment of the museums 3-part exhibition series highlighting the history of the museum in celebration of the institutions 120th anniversary in 2023. 39 South St., Pittsfield.

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 Mondays.

Admission: Children & adults $8; seniors (62+) $5; children under 1 year of age and members are free. 444 Dwight St., Holyoke or childrensmuseumholyoke.org.

Connecticut Trolley Museum: Winter hours, Sat. through March 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 58 North Road, East Windsor or cttrolley.org.

East Longmeadow Historical Commission Museum: Permanent exhibit: Featured at the museum are East Longmeadow artifacts pertaining to the quarries, local Native Americans, period clothing, the railroad system, and much more.

Hours: 1-3p.m. on the 3rd Saturday of the month, Sept - June, weather permitting. All are welcomed and admission is free. Special tours are available upon request by contacting

being used as a sweetener, the maple sugar was used as a preservative, in the same fashion as salt, in the making of jams, jellies and fruit preserves,” Simmons said.

The maple sugaring experience continues at OSV’s trade shops where visitors can see the potter making sugar molds to create the loaves for storing, and at the cooper shop they will be making buckets and

Bruce Moore at 413-525-3072. 87

Maple St., East Longmeadow

Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book

Art: Permanent exhibit: Gabrielle Healy Carroll Storytime Programs are held Tues. and Fri. 10:30 a.m.; Sat. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m., free with admission. Museum hours: Weds.-Fri, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun, noon-5 p.m. $6, $9, $22.50 for a family of four. 125 West Bay Road, Amherst or carlemuseum.org.

Historic Deerfield: Exhibit: “Garden of Hearts: Madeline Yale Wynne & Deerfield’s Arts and Crafts Movement. Through March 3. “Booking in the Beehive Oven.” Feb. 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Hall Tavern. Workshops are designed for adult participants (age 16 and up). 2024 Winter Lecture Series Online: “Led by an Evil Spirit: Lesser-Known Witches of New England.” Through March 27, 2 p.m. All lectures are free of charge and will be presented virtually via Zoom webinar. Outside of the well-known witchcraft outbreak at Salem and Essex County in 1692, there were other cases that resulted in trials of people suspected of covenanting with the Devil in order to harm their neighbors. Feb. 25, Paul B. Moyer, Professor of History, SUNY Brockport. Topic: “The Hartford Witchcraft Outbreak of 1662.” To register, visit historic-deerfield.org 80 Old Main St., Deerfield.

Historic Northampton Museum and Education: Permanent exhibit. Hours: Wed.-Sun. noon-5 p.m. $5 suggested donation, 46 Bridge St., Northampton or historic-northampton.org.

Holyoke Heritage State Park: “Forest, Field, and Flower,” through Feb. 27. “Intimate landscapes from the Connecticut River Valley to Cape Cod,” an exhibit of paintings by Holyoke resident Russell Steven Powell. Free. Permanent exhibit: Preserving the history and culture of Holyoke through permanent exhibits on the paper and textile industry, featuring a scale model of Mountain Park. Visitor Center open Tues.-Sun, noon-4 p.m. Closed Mondays. Free. 221 Appleton St., Holyoke, 413-5341723.

barrels which were heavily used during the sugaring process, he noted.

Massachusetts, however, doesn’t win the award for best maple syrup. Instead, Vermont maple syrup is widely considered to be the best tasting in the world.

For those who don’t like pancakes, traditionally associated with maple syrup poured generously over them with a big

Josiah Day House: Permanent exhibit: Featuring 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, 413-734-8322.

Mead Art Museum: Permanent exhibit: various American and European paintings, Mexican ceramics, Tibetan scroll paintings and more. Museum hours: Tues.-Thurs. and Sun. 9 a.m.-midnight; Fri. 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 220 South Pleasant St., Amherst or amherst.edu.

Norman Rockwell Museum: “Between Worlds: The Art and Design of Leo Lionni.” Through May 27. Feb. School Vacation Week. Feb. 22-24, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. During February School Break Week, enjoy the colorful stories of Leo Lionni, with a Kids Activity Guide full of creative fun and exploration inspired by the exhibition on view. Free for children. Also featuring, Leo Lionni Storytimes Feb. 22 - 24, 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. Permanent exhibit: Gallery. Hours: Thurs.-Mon. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Tues. and Wed. Advance tickets purchase required; $20 adults; $18 seniors, AAA, retired military; $10 college students; free children ages 18 and under, members and active military. “Norman Rockwell: Winter Wonderland.” Through Feb.25. 9 Route 183, Stockbridge or nrm.org.

Old Sturbridge Village: “For the Purpose of Illumination.” Learn how New Englanders needed, used, and created artificial lighting methods in the 1830s and see first-hand artifacts from the era. Winter Hours at OSV: Feb. 21-March 31, Wed.Sun. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, visit osv.org. Standard daytime admission is $30 for adults, $28 for seniors (55+), $15 for youth (4-17), and free for children 3 and under. “Maple Days.” Fri.-Sun, Feb. 23-March 17, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Stop by OSV for “Maple Days” on select dates in Feb. and March, when the Village’s working sugar camp demonstrates maple sugaring as it was done in early 19th-century New England. Included with general

dollop of butter, on Saturdays and Sundays during Maple Days, the Ox & Yoke Cafe is offering a Waffle Bar instead. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., sweet tooths for $12.99 can enjoy made to order waffles along with a variety of toppings.

Maple Days begin at 9:30 a.m. and run until to 4 p.m.

Maple Days programming is included with standard daytime admission or Village

admission. “Evening of Illumination.” Feb. 24. Tours begin at 6 p.m. and last approximately 90 minutes. Guided tours around the Village Common allow guests to visit select homes and shops to see how early New Englanders spent their evenings in the days before electricity. Each tour will begin with hot cocoa or coffee and will conclude in the Bullard Tavern, where guests can enjoy warm beverages and light fare. This program is designed for adults. $35 for OSV members, $50 nonmembers, registration is required. Route 20, Sturbridge or osv.org.

Smith College Museum of Art: Permanent exhibits: “Ancient World Gallery, Beyond the Museum: Art on Smith’s Campus.” Hours: Tues.-Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Mondays and major holidays. Smith College Museum of Art is free to all. Elm Street at Bedford Terrace, Northampton or scma.smith.edu.

Springfield Armory National Historic Site: Ranger-led interpretive programs offered in the museum in the afternoon. Junior Ranger programs conducted frequently each day. Wed.-Sun, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 1 Armory Square, Springfield or nps.gov/spar.

Susan B. Anthony Birthplace

Museum: Permanent exhibit: Daniel Anthony’s Store, The Legacy Room, The Birthing Room, The Portrait Gallery. Winter hours: Fri.-Sun, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through May 26. $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 students and children 6-17, free for children under 6 and NARM/NEMA/ROAM members. 67 East Road, Adams or susanbanthonybirthplace.com.

The Emily Dickinson Museum: Homestead and Evergreens: Permanent exhibit. Open Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Admission to the museum is by guided tour, for which advance-purchase timed tickets are required. Visit EmilyDickinson Museum.org to purchase your tickets and for more information. 280 Main St., Amherst.

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

membership. Tickets are $30 for adults, $28 for seniors (55+), $15 for youth ages 4-17, and free for children 3 and under. You can also purchase tickets online to save $3. Visitors are encouraged to reserve tickets online and in advance for their date of arrival. Tickets and more information can be found online at https://www.osv.org/ event/maple-days/.

and students. 208 Main St., Indian Orchard or titanic1.org.

University Museum of Contemporary Art - Fine Arts Center: Permanent exhibit. The University Museum is open through May 1; Tue–Fri, 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sat-Sun, noon–4p p.m.; and first Thursdays until 8 p.m. Closed Mondays, holidays, and academic breaks. 151 Presidents Drive, Amherst, umass.edu

Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum: Permanent exhibit: guided tours of the first and second floors. Weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Self-guided tours are on the hour with the last self-guided tour weekdays at 2 p.m. and weekends at 3 p.m. Call to reserve at 413-6373206. “Ghost Tours with Robert Oakes,” Feb. 24, 8 p.m. This is not an active investigation. Admission is $30 and minimum age to attend is age 12. Reservations are strongly recommended as tickets are limited. For reservations visit gildedage.org or call 413-637-3206. Please note that all tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable. Payment is required to make a reservation for an event. 104 Walker St., Lenox or gildedage.org.

West Springfield Town Museum: Permanent exhibit. The museum is open to the public every first Sat. of the month from 1-3 p.m. 55 Altamont Ave., West Springfield

Windsor Historical Society:

Hours: Wed.-Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. with house tours at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. General admission to the library and historic houses is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for students and free to children under 12 and WHS members. Black

History Month Program. “I Can’t Die But Once: Harriet Tubman Living History Program,” Feb. 24, 1-2 p.m. Renowned interpreter

Gwendolyn Quezaire-Presutti presents a stirring portrayal of Harriet Tubman’s 1896 speech at the National Association of Colored Women in Washington, D.C. $20. Advanced registration encouraged. Snow date: March 23. Register at windsorhistoricalsociety.org. 96 Palisado Ave., Windsor, Connecticut.

seminar where he will introduce his Signature Series of hunting products, as well as be on hand to sign his many books for fans. What makes this a “don’t miss” seminar is the fact that he always gives away a large assortment of hunting gear during his fun and informative talk.

• Pools of Water — At the Trout Pond, for a small fee, kids and adults can grab a pole and cast their line for a fish to bring home and cook or release back into the pool. Also, Geoffrey English of Gun Dogs Online can be found at the Retrieving Pool, where he will demonstrate how he trains his dogs as they leap into the water and show off their skills.

• Trailer Fun — The SCI New England Mobile Wildlife Education Center, housed in a 40-foot trailer, features taxidermy and an array of educational experiences.

• Kids Fun Area — All types of fun games and activities are planned for young attendees such as Quack Attack and other carnival-style games from Pete and Chris Amusements.

• Master of Metal Arts — Jacob Maheu, known for his high-end Damascus knives, will display his works of art at the show. While beautiful

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the correct instrument and singing the songs as sung by their protégé,” according to the band’s website.

As a tribute band, The Eagles Experience play some of The Eagles’ biggest hits — plenty of room at the “Hotel California,” anyone? — as well as covering the band’s lesser-known gems. The Eagles Experience will pay tribute to a range of songs, from “Desperado” to “Life in The Fast Lane” to “Seven

as a piece of art to sit on the shelf, they are also useful tools for the outdoors and home as a hunting knife or a kitchen tool for chefs.

Each year Sousa picks “featured exhibitors” to highlight and this year has chosen two. Edward J. Snyder is a recognized artist with an extensive portfolio of outdoor work from the Peabody Museum at Harvard to the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History. The other top pick, who Sousa calls “local boy makes good,” is Al Gag of Wilbraham, who has been named to the International Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. Gag, who has a long history in the fishing industry, has been building and designing custom lures since 1978.

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will also be attending the show to meet with military veterans and their family members to assist them in connecting with VA benefits. And there will be a special $3 military discount on Sunday for those with a proper ID.

Tickets are available online at $15 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, and free for kids under 6. Tickets are cash only at the show’s ticket booths.

Show hours are Friday from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For further details and tickets, visit osegsportsmens. com.

Bridges Road.”

While members of the original band — notably Henley, Frey, and Walsh — went on to release solo albums, The Eagles Experience only perform songs written and recorded by the Eagles as a group. “The Eagles created more than enough musical material to fill an entire evening,” the band’s website states, “and then some.” The concert will be held in the Aria Ballroom. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the show scheduled to run from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The show is free.