planet Weekend
LIVE WIRE: Big Head Todd and the Monsters to play South Deerfield, D4
CELEBRATE MEAT LOAF: Concert to feature ‘American Idol’ winner Caleb Johnson, D5
SUNFLOWER MAZE: Open for season, D5
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Wonders of the planet
East Coast Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show to showcase thousands of stone, mineral specimens
By K eith O ’C onnor Special To The Republican
This weekend’s East Coast Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition offers something for everyone — from the avid collector to those who attend the show to purchase jewelry and decorator pieces to those simply inquisitive about the hobby. Some 180 dealers, miners, artisans and crafters from all over the county — and from as far away as Canada, Africa, South America, Asia and Australia — will be selling a variety of “rocks” ranging from 50-cent tumbled stones to $50,000 mineral specimens, from inexpensive beads to design creations such as lamps made out of minerals, from shark’s teeth to fossil skeletons, and lapidary supplies and equipment.
The annual event opens its doors on Friday in the Better Living Center on the West Springfield fairgrounds with a special show in the Young Building set to feature 60 wholesale vendors. Those attending the wholesale show must be qualified buyers with resale credentials. For years, the show has featured a one-person exhibit of specimens from the personal collections of mineral collectors from around the country. This year, the show is breaking tradition with co-exhibitors Dr. Terry C. Wallace, Jr. and Joan Massague, who will showcase their extraordinary silver
Scenes from past East Coast Gem, Mineral and Fossil Shows, held on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition. (THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTOS)
collections as two premier silver collectors in the country. They will be putting their silver mineral collections together for exhibit at the show consisting of some 500 specimens.
Wallace is director emeritus at Los Alamos National Laboratory and previously was the principal associate director and senior intelligence office for Global Security. He holds bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and geophysics from New Mexico Institute of Technology and a doctorate in geophysics (seismology) from the California Institute of Technology. Before moving to Los Alamos in 2003, he served as a professor of geosciences and an associate in the applied mathematics program at the University of Arizona for 20 years.
An expert in minerology for most of this life, Wallace received the Carnegie Mineralogical Medal in 2002 in recognition of his contributions to mineralogy and mineral preservation. He has published more than 30 articles and books on minerals.
“Half of the people who become scientists started out at some point collecting minerals. They are incredibly interested in nature, in their shapes and colors that make you ask, ‘Why?’ In my case living out west, my father was interested in minerals. At the age of 1 or 2 he would drag me around the fields looking for minerals. I’ve been collecting now for about 58 years and really got interested in building a large mineral collection in my late teens,” Wallace said.
The mineral collector attributes going to shows which fueled his greater interest in minerals.
“I was at the grandaddy of all mineral shows in Tucson in 1971. It was while there that I saw special exhibits of minerals from the Smithsonian, Harvard, and a museum in Europe that blew my mind and left me wondering how things like those could be formed,” he said.
Most of Wallace’s silver minerals collection has been amassed by purchasing them at shows or by other means.
“There is nothing like being out in the field and unearthing a treasure for yourself, a small speck of something which is worth way more to a collector than buying a specimen. But, the truth of the matter is that many of us purchase what is in our collections,” he said.
Wallace noted it is silver that once “ruled the world.”
“The average person thinks of gold as having shaped the world with gold rushes in the early days, but it is actually silver that contributed to the rise and fall of empires. To me it is that tactile connection to humanity that gives me interest in the mineral itself, and holding it in your hand and realizing how it has passed through history with different miners and collectors,” Wallace said.
He noted some of the more
unique pieces in their collections, which are arranged by locality at the show, come from such places as Kongsberg, Norway, where he said you will find the “grandaddy of all mines” featuring native silver — a mine which was discovered some 700 years ago and which was mined for several hundred more years after its founding.
“The specimens found there can best be described as big chunks resembling silver wire that are so unique in their look — as if instead of being naturally occurring were created by a deity squeezing a tube of silver toothpaste resulting in big, ropey, curly specimens that are shiny,” Wallace said.
Also on display will be several specimens of the mineral Proustite found in a mine in Chanarcillo, Chile, in the late 1830s, which was out of production by 1880.
“Half of the people who become scientists started out at some point collecting minerals. They are incredibly interested in nature, in their shapes and colors that make you ask, ‘Why?’”
Dr. Terry C. Wallace Jr.
Scenes from past East Coast Gem, Mineral and Fossil Shows, held on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition. (THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTOS)
Big Head Todd and the Monsters:
‘We love playing for people ... that’s what we live for’
BIG HEAD TODD and the Monsters might not be a huge household name everywhere, but after playing more than 3,500 shows over the past three decades, the band certainly has a solid following.
The group is currently touring behind its latest album, “Her Way Out,” and will be playing the Tree House Summer Stage in Deerfield on Aug. 19.
Band leader Todd Park Mohr took some time while on the road for a telephone interview last week.
Q. You’re hailed as both a songwriter and a great guitarist. A lot of people choose one or the other. When you first started out, what was your focus: being a guitarist or being a songwriter?
A. I think I was more interested in songwriting. I love guitar, but I started out on sax and played a little bit of piano, so I was kind of a multi-instrumentalist when I started
in music. But I’ve probably always been more interested in the song.
Q. So speaking of songwriting, what’s your process like? Do you tend to write the music first or the lyrics first? Do you sit down and write every day, or is it more of a catch-as-catchcan situation?
A. I kind of go in waves. When I’m intensely writing, I tend to work every day at it. I’d say the music usually comes first, but oftentimes I’ll come upon a theme or a word that might start something; there are all kinds of ways to start the writing process. But overall, I’m a word guy, so that’s probably the more important part to me.
Q. When you’re getting ready to put out an album, do you write specifically for that album or do you just have a collection of songs that have been piling up?
A. It’s kind of writing pur-
NIGHTCLUBS
T HURSDAY
Delaney House: Ron Smith Duo. 3
Country Club Road, Holyoke
Florence Civic Center: Florence
Summer Concert Series: Frank Manzi. 90 Park St., Florence
Holyoke Media: Open Stage Showcase. 1 Court Plaza (23 Suffolk St.), Holyoke
Northampton Brewery: Bands on Brewster 2024: Matt Hebert & Haunt. 11 Brewster Court, Northampton
The Drake: Whitey Morgan and the 78s. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst
Uno Chicago Grill: Country Music. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield
FRIDAY
Delaney House: Made Men. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke
Fort Hill Brewery: Tom Savoy. 30 Fort Hill Road, Easthampton
MGM Springfield: Free Music Fridays: Back in Black: The True AC/DC Experience. 1 MGM Way, Springfield
Shaker Farms Country Club: 413 Band. 866 Shaker Road, Westfield
The Drake: Bearly Dead. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst
The Meeting House: Dave Brinnel. 827 Williams St., Longmeadow
Theodores’: Johnny Rawls. 201 Worthington St., Springfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Roots, Blues and Rock. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield
West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub: Frank Serafino. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield
SATURDAY
Majestic Theater: Majestic Theater Summer 2024: The Majestics. 131 Elm St., West Springfield
MGM Springfield: MGM Roar
Comedy Club: Ray Harrington. 1 MGM Way, Springfield
Theodores’: Roberto Morbioli. 201 Worthington St., Springfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Modern, Contemporary Rock. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield
West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub: Last Night’s Fun. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield
SUNDAY
Fern Valley Farms: Tom Savoy. 757 1/2 Main St., Wilbraham
Uno Chicago Grill: Jazz. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield
posefully, I think. In a perfect world, there’s a certain harmony and coherence that would happen with an album that might not happen with just individual songs. You can obviously go about it the other way, but I usually have a whole album in mind when I’m writing.
Q. Your new album, “Her Way Out,” is your first new studio album in seven years. Why the big gap between that and your last studio album?
A. We did a project called “Monster Music Monthly” for a few years. It allowed us
The Republican is not responsible for unannounced 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, Springfield, MA 01102-1329, emailed to pmastriano@repub.com or submit ted to masslive.com/ myevent
Whitey Morgan and the 78s will play The Drake in Amherst tonight. (THOMAS BOYD / THE OREGONIAN)
Big Head Todd and the Monsters will play Tree House Brewing Company in South Deerfield on Aug. 19. (JASON SIEGEL)
George Lenker LIVE WIRE
SPRINGFIELD
Celebrating Meat Loaf at MGM
Concert to feature winner of ‘American Idol’ Caleb Johnson
By K eith O ’C onnor
Special to The Republican Meatloaf is on tap on Saturday in the Aria Ballroom at MGM Springfield. They won’t be serving up the popular comfort food, but two hours of music in a show called “Celebrating Meat Loaf,” honoring the late legendary Meat Loaf performed by The Neverland Express.
The group, hailing from Meat Loaf’s original band, features “American Idol” winner Caleb Johnson, who will be putting his own unique stamp on such classic as “Bat Out of Hell,” “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” and “I Would Do Anything for Love,” while staying true to the essence of Meat Loaf’s delivery.
Showtime is 8 p.m.
Meat Loaf, born Michael Lee Aday in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 27, 1947, was an American rock singer and actor who appeared in Broadway productions of “Rockabye Hamlet,” “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” and “Hair.”
As a larger-than-life popular musician known for his theatrical live shows, Meat Loaf is best known as one of
PHOTO)
the best-selling musicians of all time, whose “Bat Out of Hell” trilogy, the first in 1977, sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
Created and produced by Paul Crook, Celebrating Meat Loaf features the only band that was officially endorsed by Meat Loaf to go on tour with his music. In addition to Crook, who was Meat Loaf’s record producer, music direc-
tor and guitarist, the band includes drummer John Miceli, guitarist Randy Flowers and female lead vocalist Lyssa Lynne and lead male vocalist Johnson who brings Meat Loaf’s vocals to life.
“The response to the show has been overwhelmingly positive both in the UK and in the states. We are going back to the UK again in September
MIDDLEFIELD, CONN.
Traverse among 350,000 sunflowers
Sunflower Maze open at Lyman Orchards
The sunflower maze is now open at Lyman Orchards. Nearly 1 mile of paths surrounded by 350,000 yellow, orange, and red sunflowers make up a design based on the mascot for Hartford’s Double-A minor league baseball team, the Yard Goats. Lyman Orchards has once again partnered with Connecticut Children’s Foundation,
donating $1 of each ticket purchase to the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
The 3-acre maze will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Aug. 25. The maze offers visitors the opportunity to see butterflies, yellow finches, and a beautiful scenic backdrop of the surrounding orchard hills. Admission costs $11 for adults and $6 for children ages4 to 12. Children under 3 will be admitted for free.
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D3
“One of the favorite things about minerals for collectors is being struck by their color. And the king of colors in silver is a deep vermillion red associated with the mineral Proustite. It is magnificent and once you have seen it you will never forget that color. It’s a red translucent crystal made up of two-thirds of silver and always a showstopper,” Wallace said.
Wallace said mineral shows like this weekend’s East
Coast Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show almost always offer something new to those attending, however knowledgeable they may be about minerals — whether novice or professional.
“I think the average person has no idea of the wide range of minerals on Earth, some 6,000 compared to about 160 recorded on Mars, where we aim to travel in the future.
Minerals are a great source of wonder about our planet. I think of them as the DNA of our Earth. And mineral shows are an entryway, an opening to that great history
book of our planet,” he said. For the kids, special booths at the show will offer free mineral specimens and there will be geodes to purchase that they can have fun cracking open to reveal never-before-seen crystals.
Hours are Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $10 for adults with children under 12 admitted free with a paid adult. The Eastern States Exposition charges $5 for parking. For more information, visit mineralshowslld.com.
“Celebrating Meat Loaf,” performed by The Neverland Express, will perform in the Aria Ballroom at MGM Springfield on Saturday. (SUBMITTED
(ADOBE STOCK PHOTO) SEE MAZE, PAGE D12
Josh Hartnett goes big as the serial killer in ‘Trap’
By L INDSEy BAHR Associated Press
In our spoiler phobic culture, movie trailers don’t often offer a lot of information. It’s even dangerous territory for a critic to discuss too many specifics, sometimes years after a film or television show has come out.
So it seemed like a particularly bold and even confusing move for “ Trap,” the latest film from M. Night Shya-
Hartnett, fresh off a stately turn in “Oppenheimer,” is not going for naturalistic with this performance. He’s a psychopath trying, not very well, to keep his devilish side at
Live Wire
to put out music every month and make a video for it. It was just a different business model for us, which we like a lot. We might go back to it — we’ll see. But after COVID happened, all of us together thought it would be nice to go for another album.
Q. With “Her Way Out,” it seems like the most straightforward rock ’n’ roll album you’ve done. And while there’s a certain heaviness to the sound and some of the lyrics, overall the music and mood of the album seems fun. Did you plan on that, and do you agree with that assessment?
A. Yeah, that sounds right. There’s something about songs like “King Kong” and “Don’t Kill Me Tonight” that have a sense of humor about them, and yes, you’re right, there’s some gravity to the lyrics overall, but I think
there’s a fun spirit to the album.
Q. Speaking of the heaviness to the sound, the song “Thunderbird” almost sounds like AC/DC — was that intentional?
A. Yeah, man, I love AC/ DC.
Q. You’ve been on the road forever, so let me ask you: What do you like best and least about being on the road?
A. We love playing for people. That’s what makes our day, and that’s what we live for. The traveling has its ups and downs, and it can be very exhausting. Today I’ve been in a van for seven hours, so I’m looking forward to getting out. (Laughs.)
Tickets to Big Head Todd and the Monsters’ Aug. 19 show at Tree House Brewing are $45 in advance, including off-site parking. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit treehousebrew.com/livemusic-and-events
malan, to reveal so much so soon. Namely, that the nice guy dad played by nice guy actor Josh Hartnett taking his teenage daughter to a Taylor Swift-like arena concert is a brutal serial killer. Not only that, the entire event has been manufactured by to trap him.
Doesn’t seem like something that a filmmaker known, or at least stereotyped, for his twists would do. Obviously there must be something else going on, right?
Perhaps that something else is that “Trap” really doesn’t take itself that seriously. It is
a solidly entertaining film that’s mostly silly and sometimes unnerving. You’re not exactly rooting for Hartnett’s Cooper, whose energy is so manically enthusiastic in his casual interactions with strangers and acquaintances that it takes some getting used to. But you are drawn in enough to be ever curious about his next move.
Hartnett, fresh off a stately turn in “Oppenheimer,” is not going for naturalistic with this performance. He’s a psychopath trying, not very
TUESDAY
Chicopee Elks #1849
431 Granby Road, Chicopee
413-592-1849
Bingo Tuesday
Doors Open at 4PM
2 Progressive Jackpots 6:15PM Early Bird
6:20PM Start
Min. Entry Package $15
Open Seating
2 Halls for Players Handicap Restroom 1st Floor
WEDNESDAY
Polish American Citizens Club 355 East Street, Ludlow, 583-6385
Bingo Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm
Doors Open at 4pm. Minimum Admission $50 1 - 1199 Progressive Betty Boop 50/50 Prize $900
THURSDAY
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
Electronic Bingo Aval. Snack Bar, Open Seating, Handicap Restrooms
Min. Entry Package $15
Josh Hartnett, at top, appears in a scene from “Trap.” Above, Hartnett appears with Ariel Donoghue in a scene from the film. (WARNER BROS. PICTURES VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Hugh Robert Off The Menu
THOUGH IT’S among the most successful of restaurant brands, Chipotle Mexican Grill has become embroiled in a social media controversy of late.
Chipotle, which has made “generous portions” a hallmark of its reputation, has been accused on TikTok and other social media outlets of implementing a portion reduction strategy, a contention the company has vehemently denied. Nonetheless, Chipotle “shrinkflation” stories continue to populate those social media feeds.
The perceived issues with Chipotle portions illustrate an important behind-the-scenes aspect of restaurant operations — cost control.
Restaurants, in order to maintain profitability, have to keep costs in line, and food usage is one of the critical areas a restaurant manager has to maintain control over.
In chain restaurant settings, individual unit managers are expected to maintain close tolerances when it comes to
Is your Chipotle burrito bowl shrinking?
the amount (and thus cost) of food used. A spoiled case of lettuce or an inadvertently burned pan of chicken can have a disastrous impact on “the numbers” that a manager has to subsequently report to his bosses.
The pressure is always present to try to make up for unavoidable food waste, and one way to do so is to “shave” customer portions. Slightly underserve a few hundred meals and the value of the food not used can make up, in a week’s food cost numbers, for a catastrophic food loss.
Anyone who has worked in the industry can cite dozens of ways such portion “shaving” can be accomplished. A bit of water blended into salad dressing can stretch it and reduce the total amount (and cost) of dressing served. Whipping chipped ice into the butter used to top baked potatoes can make a given quantity of butter “go further” and thus incrementally reduce overall food cost for a meal period.
Whether such portion shav-
ing has been taking place at Chipotle is, of course, a matter for that company’s management to address. However, the practice is neither a new one or unique to any particular segment of the food service industry.
Side Dishes
• The Brimfield Winery, in collaboration with the Off the Hook Roadside Eatery, a food truck based in Rutland, will be presenting their fourth annual Cajun Boil on Saturday, Aug. 10.
The festivities start at 1 p.m. with free live entertainment
beginning at 2 p.m. A Cajun “boil” dinner buffet will be served at 2 p.m.
Advance tickets for the dinner are priced at $35. Dinner tickets are available online at brimfieldwinery.com; the Brimfield Winery answers at 413-245-3436.
• Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery in Hadley will be hosting an August Burger Night on Aug. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Burgers made with their own farm-raised beef are featured on Barstow’s Burger Night. The menu of burger creations available ranges
from traditional cheeseburgers to more inventive, seasonally-inspired options.
The dairy store’s kitchen also prepares other favorites such as hot dogs and fries.
Live music by Old Country Road will enhance the evening’s entertainment value. For more details contact Barstow’s Dairy Store at 413586-2142.
• Golden Corral restaurants are adding some appetizer favorites to their allyou-care-to-eat buffets this summer in the form of both wings and baby back ribs.
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D5
and ticket sales are double what they were on the first tour. You couldn’t ask for a better reaction from the audiences. This kind of thing is tricky. Journey and Queen both went out with different singers, too. For us, it has been working for the past six years and is getting bigger and bigger,” Johnson said.
“The Neverland Express is a world-class rock band who have toured the world with
Meat Loaf. Paul has put a lot of time and effort into making sure that Celebrating Meat Loaf is the best live touring show out there,” he added. With Meat Loaf in failing health and unable to tour after collapsing onstage in Canada during a tour to promote his 2016 album “Braver Than We Are,” Crook went to Meat Loaf with a proposal for the band — which needed to work — to continue touring with an alternate singer. Meat Loaf agreed and the band was back on the road with Johnson as its lead singer.
Throughout season 13 of “American Idol,” Johnson was often compared to Meat Loaf, but never sang a song by the artist on the show.
“When Paul approached me to join the band and the Celebrating Meat Loaf tour, I immediately said yes. It was a no brainer. I was a huge fan of ‘Bat Out of Hell,’ one of the top five records of all time. I assume he saw me on ‘Idol’ where my vocal style was being compared to a young Meat Loaf,” he said.
If you miss this weekend’s concert, you can hear Johnson
and the Neverland Express on “Paradise Found: Bat Out of Hell Reignited,” containing their versions of the seven operatic classic songs featured on Meat Loaf’s original 1977 album.
Johnson released his own solo album called “Testify” in 2014 as part of winning American Idol, but he parted ways with Interscope Records the following year after the album wasn’t the success he hoped it would be.
“It did reach No. 24 on the U.S. charts an No. 1 on iTunes, but the record label didn’t promote the album the way they
should have,” Johnson said. Since then, he has toured with KISS, Black Stone Cherry, and still tours with the Trans Siberian Orchestra. In 2019, he formed his own band called the called the Ramblin Saints releasing their album “Born from the Southern Ground” in 2019, followed in 2020 by “Mountain Mojo Vol 1.” He will shortly release a new single with popular guitarist Joe Bonamassa.
Tickets, available at mgm springfield.mgmresorts. com range in price from $15 to $40.
Denise Barstow is the marketing and education manager at Barstow’s Longview Farm. The farm will be hosting an August Burger Night on Aug. 13. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)
Great American Beer Festival returns in October
WHEN I STARTED writing this weekly column in 2003, I got a few pieces of great advice from one of the most beloved columnists this area has ever seen, my dear friend Tommy Shea.
His wisdom proved helpful over the long run, but today I remember the time he gave me a tidbit that helped me deal with what happened this week: An interview got canceled at the last minute.
For reporters writing a news story, this type of cancellation is less than ideal, but
3 great American rose wines for summer
THE FIRST WEEK OF summer, I wrote a column about rose wines from around the world.
How time flies!
That column feels like it was just a few weeks ago and it’s already August.
Seriously, where does the time go?
So before the rest of the summer slips through our fingers, I thought I would do another column about rose wines.
However, instead of spanning the globe like “The Wide World of Sports” (ask your parents, they’ll explain) I thought we would stick closer to home.
So this week, you can learn more about rose wines from the U.S., including interesting details about them and how popular they in America.
(Spoiler alert — very popular.)
I’ve also included tasting notes for three American great rose wines — two are from California and one from upstate New York.
Hope you enjoy!
Rose wine popularity
Rose wines have skyrocketed in popularity in the past decade worldwide and especially in America. Between 2010 and 2020, rose wine sales in the US increased by 1,433 percent, according to Forbes.
U.S. rose wine growing regions
As you might suspect, many places in the U.S. make rose wines. However, California in particular has been one of the most popular rose wine producing areas in the country. Napa, Sonoma and other counties in California produce most of the state’s rose wines. And while rose wines from California only account for about 3% to 4% of all wine production in the state, rose wine production in California continues to increase faster than any other type of California wine, according to California Wines.
you just tell your editor what happened and that particular story doesn’t run that particular day. But for a weekly columnist, finding out that your
What makes rose wine pink
I know I’ve written about this before, but I thought I would briefly explain why rose wines are pink. It all has to do with how long the grape skins come into contact with the grape juice when the grapes are being pressed. Many rose wines are made with red wine grapes. But because the grape skins and the grape juice are not in contact for a long time, the wine is pink in color rather than dark red.
2022 La Crema Monterey
Pinot Noir Rose ($16 Suggested Retail Price)
Region: Monterey, California
Tasting notes: Made with 100% pinot noir grapes, this fun, refreshing wine doesn’t take itself too seriously. But don’t let its playful side fool you. It’s filled with wonderful fruit-like flavors, especially hints of strawber-
entire column idea has to be scrapped late in the week is a different problem. Your deadline is the same and you can’t just cancel the column. So that’s what happened to me this week. It’s no one‘s fault. Life just sometimes doesn’t work out the way you want it to. Fortunately, because of advice Tommy gave me two decades ago — always have a backup plan for a column — it wasn’t an issue. And because I’ve been doing profiles of local brewers and breweries for two months straight now, I have a little
ry, watermelon, peach and raspberry. It’s also slightly flinty which means it will hold its own just fine with a wide range of foods, including salmon, shrimp and watermelon.
2023 Hogwash Rose ($18 SRP)
Region: Oakville, Napa Valley, California
Tasting notes: Another California wine from Oakville in the heart of Napa Valley, this is another fruit-forward wine with a clean, bright finish. Flavors range from strawberries and nectarines, to hints of grapefruit, lemon and orange. It’s also the perfect wine with seafood, fresh fruit and other summertime favorites.
2023 Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Rose ($18.99 SRP)
Region: Finger Lakes, New York
Tasting notes: I’ve long been a fan of this winery in upstate New York. This delightful rose wine shows why. Bright, floral, fragrant aromas and flavors abound in each sip, including hints of strawberry, peach and apricot. There are also mineral-like notes with a dash of sea salt that elevate this wine to more than just a summer sipper.
Cheers!
Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s Weekend section every Thursday.
The three American rose wines recommended this week. (KEN ROSS PHOTO)
Ken Ross Wine Press
George Lenker Beer Nut
The Great American Beer Festival will be back in October.
CALENDAR
THURSDAY
Author Andrew Leland in Conversation with Pagan Kennedy: Thu., 6:30 p.m. Forbes Library, In the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum at Forbes Library, for a discussion of his book “The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight.” “Country of the Blind” was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Copies of the books will be available for purchase. He will be joined in conversation by Pagan Kennedy, award-winning author of
11 books, New York Times columnist, teacher, NEA and MIT Fellow, journalist, and magazine contributor. This event will be livestreamed via Forbes Library’s YouTube Channel. For questions or requests, call 413-587-1017 or email info@ forbeslibrary.org. 20 West Street, Northampton, 413-587-1011 or forbeslibrary.org.
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 2024 presents Parsons Dance: Thu., 8 p.m.; Fri. and Sun., 2 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m. Ted Shawn Theatre, starting at $65. For
tickets visit jacobspillow.org or call 413-243-0745. 358 George Carter Road, Becket.
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 2024 presents Gibney Company: Thu.-Sat,, 6 p.m.; Sun., noon, Henry J. Leir Stage, tickets from $40. 358 George Carter Road, Becket. 413243-0745 or jacobspillow.org.
Majestic Theater Summer 2024 presents Frankie & Dean One for the Road: Thu., 2 p.m. Majestic Theater. For tickets, call the box office at 413-747-7797, 131 Elm St.,
West Springfield, majestictheater. com.
Majestic Theater Summer 2024 presents Jimmy Mazz Marvelous Musical Roadtrip: Thu., 7:30 p.m. Majestic Theater. For tickets, call the box office at 413-747-7797, $28, $26. 131 Elm St., West Springfield, or majestictheater.com.
Rainbow LGBTQIA+ & Allies Coffee Social Hour: Thu., South County Senior Center, Meets on the 2nd Thurs. of the month, 22 Amherst Road, Sunderland.
Singer/Songwriter Series presents Sage King: Thu., 9 p.m. Theodores’, 201 Worthington St., Springfield. 413-736-6000 or theobbq.com.
Tanglewood 2024 Season presents Gustavo Dudamel: Thu., 8 p.m. Tanglewood, conducting the National Children’s Symphony of Venezuela. Shed. $22-$90. 297 West St., Lenox. 888-266-1200 or tanglewood.org.
Thursday Night Concert: Bad
SEE CALENDAR, PAGE D10
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D7
The wings come in three varieties — Buffalo, Honey Teriyaki, and Lemon Pepper — while the baby back ribs are being served brushed with Buffalo sauce. The wings and ribs will remain on the menu for an unspecified limited time only.
There is a Golden Corral location on Parker Street just north of Boston Road in Springfield. Its telephone number is 413-543-4600.
• The Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield will be holding the next event in its Summer Dinner Series on Thursday, Aug. 22, starting at 6 p.m.
The theme of the August event is “Gone Fishing,” with a menu that features Herb Grilled Swordfish with Pico Butter. Other component dishes of the feast include ale and garlic mussels, a garden vegetable jambalaya, and a seasonal dessert.
Tickets for the dinner are $79 and can be ordered online.
The Salem Cross Inn answers at 508-867-2345.
• On Saturday, Aug. 10, from noon to 7 p.m., the Unity Hearts Foundation will be presenting an African Community Festival 2024 at Marshall Roy Field in East Springfield.
The event has been organized to celebrate the rich heritage of African and Caribbean cultures and will feature free food sampling stations, live bands, multicul-
tural shows and a variety of educational displays. There is no admission charge.
More details are available at the Unity Hearts Foundation website.
• IHOP has moved its annual all-you-can-eat pancake deal from its traditional January timeframe into late summer this year, explaining that it has done so to help families “when schedules are tight and wallets are pinched from shopping.” The all-youwant deal, which rolled out at participating IHOP locations on July 29, is slated to continue through Sept. 15.
Company official admitted that the move was designed as a response to lower customer counts at its restaurants.
IHOP is also increasing its retail presence, teaming up with consumer food manufacturer Kraft Heinz to create and market two IHOP-branded syrup flavors, Original and Butter Pecan. The new syrups will be available at supermarkets later this summer.
• On Sunday, Aug. 11, Iron Duke Brewing Company of Ludlow will be hosting its first-ever Summer Pig Roast.
The roast, which is set to begin at 1 p.m., will feature roast pork, corn bread, baked beans, and more.
Cost to attend will be $20 at the door; there will be no advance ticket sales.
Iron Duke Brewing, which is currently in the process of rebranding itself as Sole Syndicate Brewing, answers at 413-624-6258.
• The Ellington Farmers Market in Ellington, Connecticut, is hosting a Peach
Canadian markets, where McDonald’s is offering, on a limited-time-only basis, a Big Arch that’s topped with white cheddar cheese, crispy onions, pickles, and lettuce. McDonald’s can be painstakingly deliberate when it comes to new product development, so any “final” version of the Big Arch (if one eventually emerges from the process) may be a year or more away.
Festival on Aug. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon.
The festival will be offering, along with other locally-grown produce, fresh peaches, peach shortcake, and some Mexican-style “street fare.”
The Ellington Farmers Market is held at 72 Maple St. in Ellington.
• After reporting disappointing second-quarter results, Denny’s, the family restaurant and coffeeshop chain, has announced that its reintroducing the tiered value menu it had previously discontinued. The menu features items in five price “bands” — $2, $4, $6, $8 and $10.
Denny’s Corp. also reported that 15 Denny’s restaurants closed during the second quarter, leaving the chain with 1,477 locations across the system.
• On July 30, Dunkin’, the beverage and snack chain, introduced a limited-time-only menu of iced coffees developed in collaboration with a popular YouTube chef, Nick DiGiovanni.
Available only through the
chain’s mobile app, the iced coffee flavors include Blueberry Donut Iced Coffee, which is topped with sweet cold foam; Caramel Coconut Cream Iced Coffee; Mocha Vanilla Iced Coffee; and a dairy-free Caramel Almondmilk Iced Coffee.
The four iced coffee drinks will be available for an unspecified limited time at participating Dunkin’ locations.
• According to the restaurant industry press, Chicago-based McDonald’s Corp. is once again tinkering with the idea of a “larger, more satiating” burger as an addition to its permanent menu.
The chain has flirted with a larger burger several times before but has abandoned such efforts for various reasons.
The current iteration of this “bigger” burger is tentatively known as the “Big Arch,” and it’s envisioned to incorporates two patties, melted cheese, crispy toppings, and a tangy sauce.
A possible precursor of the new burger is apparently being tested in several
• The 350 Grill on Worthington Street in downtown Springfield is continuing its “Seafood Sundays” promotion through the month of August, with special seafood dishes available every Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The restaurant also features an attractive outdoor dining space.
Reservations at the 350 Grill can be made by calling 413439-0666.
• The Vanished Valley Brewing Company of Ludlow is hosting a Charcuterie Workshop on Aug. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m.
A garnish artist form E. Silver Charcuterie will lead the group in creating a summer-themed charcuterie board. All supplies, tax, and gratuity are included in the $68 participation fee. Those interested can sign up online.
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 Chef Nick Menu at Dunkin’ is a new summer menu featuring beverages curated by celebrity chef Nick DiGiovanni.
Calendar
News Jazz and Blues: Thu, 6:30 p.m. Chicopee Main Library, 449 Front St., Chicopee, 413-594-1800.
FRIDAY
Cinema Northampton presents “Spirited Away”: Fri., 8:30 p.m. Forbes Library, takes place on the lawn. Bring drinks, snacks, bug spray, flashlights and blankets. Rain date is Aug. 14, 20 West St., Northampton. 413-587-1011 or forbeslibrary.org.
Fall East Coast Gem & Mineral Show: Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern States Exposition, Better Living Center, featuring over 200 dealers, $10, children 12 and under free with adult. Parking $5. 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-7372443 or thebige.com.
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 2024 presents Parsons Dance: See Thursday listing
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 2024 presents Gibney Company: See Thursday listing
Majestic Theater Summer 2024 presents The Corvettes: Fri., 7:30 p.m. Majestic Theater, Call the box office at 413-747-7797, $28, $26. 131 Elm St., West Springfield, majestictheater.com.
Opera House Players presents “Be More Chill”: Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 2 p.m. American International College, This show contains mild adult themes and language, 1000 State St., Springfield, aic. edu.
Rainbow LGBTQIA+ & Allies
Coffee Social Hour: Fri., 1 p.m. Northampton Senior Center, Gay Men’s Group meets every Fri. at 1 p.m. 67 Conz St., Northampton. 413-587-1228 or northamptonseniors.com.
Summer at Buttery Brook Park 2024 Concert: Fri., 5 p.m. Buttery Brook Park, The Willies. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, 123 Williamansett St., South Hadley.
Tanglewood 2024 Season presents Boston Symphony Orchestra: Fri., 8 p.m., Alan Gilbert to conduct Stravinsky and Rachmaninoff’s featuring Kirill Gerstein, piano. Shed. $25-$115. 297 West St., Lenox, 888-266-1200 or www.tanglewood.org.
SATURDAY
Celebrating Meat Loaf: Sat., 8 p.m. MGM Springfield, In the Aria Ballroom. For tickets, visit mgm springfield.mgmresorts.com/en/ entertainment/aria-ballroom.
html, tickets start at $25. 1 MGM Way, Springfield.
Drive-In Collection of Food Donations: Sat., 1-3 p.m. Foster Memorial Church. Nonperishable food for the Emergency Food Cupboard of the Open Pantry will be collected, along with school supplies, to be donated to the Rebecca Johnson School in Springfield. The church is located in Sixteen Acres, 1791 Wilbraham Road, Springfield. 413782-2112.
Fall East Coast Gem & Mineral Show: See Friday listing Home Body and Friends: Sat., 6:30 p.m. Peskeomskut Park, Electro-pop duo Home Body joined by loop-based, bass forward compositions by Mel Devisa and saxophonist Joe Degeorge. Free and for all ages. Bring a picnic and lawn chairs to this annual family music event. Rain date Aug. 11, 6:30 p.m., Avenue A and 7th Street, Turners Falls.
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 2024 presents Parsons Dance: See Thursday listing Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 2024 presents: Gibney Company: See Thursday listing
Opera House Players presents “Be More Chill”: See Friday listing Strings at the Strong: Sat., 2 p.m. Amherst History Museum, FIKA Quartet. Weather permitting, the concert will be held in the side garden of the Strong House Museum, 67 Amity St., Amherst.
Tanglewood 2024 Season presents Boston Symphony Orchestra: Sat, 8 p.m. Tanglewood, Dalia Stasevska conducts Sibelius and Stravinsky featuring Leila Josefowicz, violin. Shed. For tickets visit tanglewood.org, $22-$90. 297 West St., Lenox, 888-266-1200.
“Walking Tour: Victorian Era Churches”: Sat., 10:30 a.m.-noon Quadrangle Welcome Center and Museum Store, Join local histori-
Opera House Players presents “Be More Chill”: See Friday listing Painting fundraiser: Sun., 3 p.m. NAMI-Western Massachusetts (in Catherine Horan Medical Building), Proceeds to benefit NAMI-Western Mass. Cost is $25 which includes all materials to paint a canvas to take home. Register at namiwm.org/ events, 1221 Main St., Holyoke. Sevenars Concerts 2024: Sun., 4 p.m. Sevenars Academy, Sayuri Miyamoto, pianist and Joel Bard, oboist, join violinist/violist JunChing Lin, $20 suggested donation at the door. Ireland Street at Route 112, Worthington. 413-238-5854 or sevenars.org.
ans and neighborhood experts for enlightening strolls through the downtown area. With Bob McCarroll, board member, Springfield Preservation Trust. See where Victorian-era parishioners worshiped. Participants will enter at least three churches, barring weddings or church services. Stops include: The former North Congregational Church, designed by Henry Hobson Richardson; St. Michael’s Cathedral, the oldest Catholic church in Springfield; Christ Church Cathedral, designed by Lord & Fuller of Boston; South Congregational Church, called one of the finest examples of the High Victorian Gothic Revival style in America. The tour departs from the Springfield Museums Welcome Center. The tour is $5 for Springfield Preservation Trust and Springfield Museums members, and is $10 for nonmembers, payable in advance on Eventbrite, or in cash or check at the outset of the tour, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. 413-263-6800 or springfieldmuseums.org.
SUNDAY
Fall East Coast Gem & Mineral Show: See Friday listing Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 2024 presents Parsons Dance: See Thursday listing Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 2024 presents Gibney Company: See Thursday listing
Majestic Theater Summer 2024: Donna Lee: Patsy Cline Tribute: Sun, 2 p.m. Majestic Theater, For tickets, call 413-747-7797, $28, $26. 131 Elm St., West Springfield, www. majestictheater.com.
Old Deerfield Sunday Afternoon Concert Series: Sun., 3 p.m. Memorial Hall Museum, Liana Paniyeva, piano, $15 adults, $8 seniors and students. Tickets available at the door. 8 Memorial St., Deerfield. 413-7743768, ext. 10, or deerfield-ma.org.
Summer Sing - Brahms A German Requiem with Anthony Ferreira: Sun., 4 p.m. Most Holy Redeemer Parish Hall, The PVS’ Summer Sings are open, community events. This Sing is of Brahms’ A German Requiem, in German, conducted by Anthony Ferreira, PVS’ assistant conductor. Singers of all experience levels are welcomed. You do not have to have performed the work before. You can bring your own score or borrow a copy at the door. Instrumentalists are invited to join a pick-up chamber orchestra, accompanied by pianist Larry Picard. Entry is by donation. Suggested donation is $15, Tickets by donation, suggested $15. 122 Russell St., Hadley.
Tanglewood 2024 Season presents Boston Symphony Orchestra: Sun, 2:30 p.m. Tanglewood, James Gaffigan conducts Clyne, Mozart and Mahler, featuring Elena Villalon, soprano. Shed. For tickets, visit tanglewood.org, $22-$90. 297 West St., Lenox, 888-266-1200.
Quadrangle
George Walter Vincent Smith
Art Museum: Permanent exhibit: “Ancient Treasures,” a display of artifacts from ancient China, Greece, Rome and Egypt. Through Labor Day, the Springfield Museums are taking part in the Blue Star Museum Initiative. During this time, military personal and their families will be admitted to the museums at no charge. The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military—Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members. On the first Wed. of every month through the end of 2026, admission to the Springfield Museums is free for all. For more information, visit springfieldmuseums.org.
Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: “Design-
ing Downtown,” through Sept. 8. Explore the history of downtown Springfield through centuries of plans that were never brought to fruition. Maps, drawings, blueprints, and more documents created by local citizens and nationally known city planners offer a glimpse into Springfield as it could have been and, at the same time, how the modern city came to be. “The 200th Anniversary of the Springfield Republican,” through Jan. 5. “Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: The Exhibit,” through Sept. 1. Travel back in time and unravel the secrets of world-famous heroes. This exhibit brings to life the PBS Kids TV series “Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum.” Permanent exhibit: More than two dozen Indian motorcycles and related memorabilia.
Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts: “Frida Kahlo, Her Photos,” through Sept. 8. On the Second Floor, Wheeler Gallery. “Look Again: Portraits of Daring Women” by Julie Lapping Rivera, through Feb. 23. Summer Spectacular Activities: Through Aug. 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Museums are open seven days a week and we invite you to play, explore, and create. Free with museum admission.
Springfield Science Museum: “Did the Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs?” Sat. through Aug. 31, 2 p.m. This full-dome show uncovers the science behind one of Earth’s greatest mysteries: the fate of dinosaurs. Audiences will explore impacts, cosmic collisions, and different types of evidence that can be found on the moons and plantets of our solar system. “Tiny Titans: Dinosaur Eggs and Babies,” through Sept. 1. This hands-on exhibition offers and astounding array of authentic dinosaur eggs and nests collected from all over the globe. Permanent exhibit: State-of-the-art Zeiss Projector and updated International Space Station exhibit.
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. For more information and to purchase tickets, 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.
Cinema Northampton will present a screening of “Spirited Away” at the Forbes Library on Friday.
Beer
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backlog of craft beer news to share.
So I’ll get back to my summer profiles of local places and people next week, but this week here’s some interesting craft beer news that has been piling up on my virtual desk for the past few weeks.
First up is the news that tickets for the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) are now on sale. Hosted by the Brewers Association, the festival will return to the Colorado Convention Center in Denver Oct. 10-12.
As the largest beer festival in the United States, the GABF will offer three sessions this year and debut an entirely new floor plan.
Breweries will be grouped by themed experience areas of their choice. These curated experience areas are designed to bring attendees to different beer worlds, each one offering a unique blend of themed décor, specialized beverages, activities and entertainment.
These themed areas will include “Prost!,” a traditional German Biergarten; “Score!,” a sports fan’s party; “Halloween,” an October-themed experience that will celebrate
the holiday that will occur two weeks later; “Blast Off,” an otherworldly flavor fest featuring “beyond beer” beverages and more; “Meet & Mingle,” a revamp of the festival’s “Meet the Brewer” experience; and “Chill,” a backyard gathering with music, lawn games, and specialty beers.
Go to greatamericanbeer festival.com for tickets or more information.
Next up is the announcement that there is now an American Craft Beer Hall of Fame, which was launched Aug. 1. The new venture will announce the inaugural class of inductees in the fall.
The American Craft Beer Hall of Fame is the brainchild of beer writer Marty Nachel, who also has served as a beer judge. Nachel’s goal is to honor people who have fueled and continue to sustain the American craft beer industry.
“American craft brewers have changed the global landscape of beer,” Nachel said in a press release. “Forty-plus years into this ‘renaissance,’ I think their stories need to be etched in history.”
And our final bit of news today is for the stat geeks: The Brewers Association recently released some numbers from their midyear survey about the health of the industry.
Museums
Amelia Park Children’s Museum: Permanent exhibits include spaceship, construction site, library, grocery store. Hours: Daily, 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 South Broad St., Westfield, ameliaparkmuseum.org.
Amherst History Museum:
“Cambodians in Amherst Exhibit: A History of the Khmer Community,” through Nov. 9, Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., any other day by appointment. For more information, visit amherst history.org. 67 Amity St., Amherst Anchor House of Artists: The New England Visonary Artists Museum. Offer a summer full of captivating new art events that are guaranteed to entertain. More information online at NEVA-museum.org; Arts Night Out, second Friday of every month, monthly, 5-8 p.m. 518 Pleasant St., Northampton
Children’s Museum at Holyoke: Permanent exhibit includes the Wiggle and Wash Vet Clinic, a toddler merry-go-round and a state of the art, STEM-based cash register for kids. 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 and members are free. 444 Dwight St., Holyoke or childrensmuseumholyoke.org.
Connecticut Trolley Museum: 2024 Summer Fun, through Sept. 2.
New: LEGO Station, an interactive and educational experience for visitors of all ages. Included with general admission. For more information about summer fun, visit cttrolley.org.
“Storytime Trolley,” Tues. and Thu., through Aug. 29. Featuring stories about the adventures of trolleys and trains. Every story is different, and all ages are welcome. Summer Evening Hours, through Aug. 31, 5-8 p.m. 58 North Road, East Windsor or cttrolley.org.
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: Wed.-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: “Vermont Furniture from the Alley Collection,” through Nov. 30. Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration: “Cooking by the Book,” Aug. 10, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Hall Tavern Kitchen. “Natural History Walking Tour,” Aug. 11, Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 10, 10-11:30 a.m., starting at Hall Tavern. Take a guided walk around Old Deerfield. Departs from the Visitor Center at Hall Tavern. Included with general admission. 80 Old Main St., Deerfield or historic-deerfield.org.
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: 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, 413-534-1723.
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.
LAVA Center: “indiVISIBLE.”
Extended through Aug. 31. Aug. 9, 6 p.m., presentation and discussion of the Farm Bill. 324 Main St., Greenfield
New England Air Museum: “Soar into Summer Fun.” Through Aug. 17, Tues.-Sun, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Enjoy family-friendly drop-in programs every Programs are included with general admission and are subject to change. For more information, visit neam.org. Admission $23 adults (15+); $18 seniors (65+); $13 youth (4-14; free 3 and under; $12 veterans with valid ID,. 36 Perimeter Road, Windsor Locks.
Norman Rockwell Museum: Permanent exhibit: Gallery. Hours: Thu.-Mon., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Tues. and Wed. $20 adults; $18 seniors, AAA, retired military; $10 college students; free children ages 18 and under, members and active military, Online Exhibit: “Imagining Freedom.” The exhibition highlights the important role of Norman Rockwell and other artists in advancing and communicating these ideals, envisioned as core human rights for all people. The fee for accessing “Imagining freedom” is $5 for the general public, available on the museum’s website at NRM.org. “What, Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD Magazine,” through Oct. 27. This exhibition explores the unforgettable art and satire of MAD, from its beginnings in 1952 as a popular humor
According to the report, there is plenty of good news: The number of active craft breweries increased from 9,339 in June 2023 to 9,358 as of June 2024, with the total number of breweries also rising from 9,456 to 9,528. In addition, 54% of surveyed breweries reported growth in the first half of 2024 compared to a year ago. It’s not a total “happy hour,” however: There was a continuing decline by volume in the market, which is estimated to be down 2% compared to 2023. So get out there and support your local beer makers.
Cheers!
comic book to its emergence as a beloved magazine that spoke truth to power and attracted generations of devoted readers through the decades. $0 - $25, nrm.org/2023/11/ mad/. “Totally MAD! Artmaking Activities,” Sat. through Aug. 31, 11 a.m. -4 p.m. Make your own art inspired by the art and antics of MAD Magazine. Materials provided. Free with museum admission. “6th Annual Art of Brewing,” Aug. 10, 1-4 p.m. Spend an afternoon with friends and families all while sampling local and regional beer, wine, cider, distilled drinks, and even coffee. Enjoy food from local eateries, lawn games and more. Receive a free commemorative beer glass while supplies last. This event is rain or shine. 21 + for tasting, all ages welcome for games and food. $30 for members, $40 for nonmembers, www.nrm.org/ events/6th-annual-art-ofbrewing/. 9 Route 183, Stockbridge. Old Sturbridge Village: “For the Purpose of Illumination.” Included with standard daytime general admission. 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, Route 20, Sturbridge or osv.org. Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum: Open for its 75th season. Sat.-Wed, 1-4 p.m. through Oct. Featuring a new tour that includes the contributions of the laborers including enslaved, indentured and day workers as well as guided tours. Closed Thurs.-Fri. $5 for adults, $1 for children, 130 River Drive, Hadley or pphmuseum.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 (SCMA) is free to all. Second Friday at SCMA. Aug. 9, 4-8 p.m. From 4-7 p.m., participate in “Hands-on!” Art making for all ages. Collaborate on banners — scribble, markup and doodle on table-length coloring sheets, using a variety of art supplies. From 4-8 p.m., visit The People’s Pop-up exhibition, created by the public and located on the second floor. Free. 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.
The Emily Dickinson Museum: Open Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Admission to the museum is by guided tour, for which advance-purchased timed tickets are required. Visit EmilyDickinsonMuseum.org to purchase your tickets and for more information. 280 Main St., Amherst. Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum: “Breaking Glass & Breaking Ground: Obscured Stories of Baseball in the Berkshires.” Through Sept. 2. Victorian Tea & Talk. Aug. 8, 4 p.m. “Artificial Women: From Mechanical-Gilded Age Dolls to Today’s Female Robots.” Tickets are $40 for members and with advance reservation; $45 day of; $22 for students 22 and under. Ticket pricing includes access to the mansion throughout the day of this event from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations are strongly encouraged as seats are limited. Walk-ins accommodated as space allows. For reservations, visit gildedage. org/pages/calendar or call 413637-3206. Please note that all tickets are nonrefundable.
‘Trap’
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well, to keep his devilish side at bay. When he smiles and attempts pleasantries, it looks almost painful. His energy is intense and a little uncomfortable. If Hartnett was born just a little earlier, you could image him as part of the original “Twin Peaks” cast — even his name seems to be a nod. And here, Cooper’s supervillain power is being able to seamlessly pass as the normal suburban dad just trying to show his daughter (Ariel Donoghue) a fun time. That is soon dashed when a friendly arena employee decides to clue him in on the big plot to catch The Butcher. One thing “Trap” does especially well is exploit the ways in which a guy like Cooper — attractive, confident, white — can pass almost anywhere.
Much of the film transpires at an arena concert full of teen and tween girls obsessed with a pop star called Lady Raven, played by Shyamalan’s daughter, Saleka Shyamalan, who wrote 14 songs for the film. It’s quite the hard launch for an up-and-coming performer, but it’s an admirably bold
Maze
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D5
Lyman Orchards is continuing its partnership with the Connecticut Children’s Foundation — a health network that focuses exclusively on the health and well-being of children. Over the past 17 years, $193,419 has been raised for Connecticut Children’s through the annual maze.
“Each year, we look forward to the joy and happiness that the Sunflower Maze brings our visitors,” says Lyman Orchards executive vice president John Lyman. “Additionally, the maze highlights the important work that Connecticut Children’s does for our community day in and day out, and supports them as they treat children in need.”
one too. “Everyone needs a break when they’re starting out,” she says to the crowd at one point. “Trap” commits to the bit, too, making you feel like you are on the ground floor experiencing a concert in real time. But if you went in hoping for “Die Hard” in an arena, be prepared for something else.
“Trap” does have some things up its sleeve, including a solid and unexpected acting performance from Saleka Shyamalan. It also feels a bit underbaked, a ridiculous ride that’s not going to get under your skin or provide for a lot of discussion fodder afterwards.
While it’s great to see Hayley Mills, regal as ever, as the mastermind of the police operation, she’s not given much to do besides narrate. But maybe there’s not meant to be some grand there there, like some startling revelation about parenthood or marriage or pop stardom or even sociopaths. We keep wanting Shyamalan to somehow give us “The Sixth Sense” or “Signs” again. “Trap” is not either of those. This is a popcorn movie, with a surprising turn from an underrated star. And ultimately, it’s a pretty fun time at the theater.
“Each year, we look forward to the joy and happiness that the Sunflower Maze brings our visitors.”
John Lyman, Lyman Orchards
In addition to walking through the Sunflower Maze, visitors may cut their own sunflowers for $4 per stalk at the maze location in a separate field. After completing the maze, guests are encouraged to partake in pick-your-own activities in the family-friendly orchard and stop by the Apple Barrel Farm Market for fresh food and baked goods. For more information, visit lymanorchards.com.
