Northampton, Holyoke to observe Overdose
Awareness Day

NORTHAMPTON/HOLYOKE — Northampton and Holyoke will mark International Overdose Awareness Day on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

Overdose Awareness Day is a worldwide campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died, and acknowledge the grief of family and friends left behind.

On Thursday, Northampton will hold an event and candlelight vigil to recognize and honor the lives of those lost to overdose at Forbes Library from 6-8 p.m. The city-sponsored program is being organized by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), as well as a group of regional partner organizations.

The event will begin at 6 with resource tabling, Narcan training and distribution and community networking. At 7, the formal program will commence, featuring speakers affected by the opioid crisis including the families and friends of those grieving the loss of a loved one, as well as people working in the field who also experience loss. The night will conclude with a luminaria memorial.

This year’s theme is “Together We Can.” Speakers will not only share their own lived experiences, but will highlight policy changes that can be advocated for together.

On Friday, Holyoke will obersve the day at two venues.

Hope for Holyoke will host a gathering in Veterans Memorial Park from 2 to 5 p.m. featuring guest speakers, the reading of a proclamation from Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, provider information, music and snacks. The park is located at the corner of Hampden and Maple streets.

Earlier that day, MiraVista Behavioral Health Center at 1233 Main St. will hold a flag-raising ceremony at 11 a.m. in remembrance of those who have lost their lives to overdose, to support those affected, and to raise awareness about overdose prevention.

Herrell’s Ice Cream popup location now open in N. Amherst

NORTH AMHERST — Herrell’s Ice Cream opened its new popup location in North Amherst on Monday in the Mill District, North Square. The hours will be 12-9 p.m. daily.

Mill District, North Square is located near Mill River Recreation Area, Cherry Hill Golf Course and the recently renovated North Amherst Library.

“This popup location will remain until our new full location is built,” said owner Judy Herrell. “The popup will serve cone and cups, sundaes and soda drinks. Since the space is so small, other menu items will not appear until the full store is built out.”

Arcadia concert to introduce artistic director

AMHERST — Arcadia Players presents a special concert introducing new artistic director, Andrus Madsen, on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 3 p.m., at South Church, 1066 South East St.

The concert, “Music for Friends,” will feature Madsen on harpsichord; Julia Glenn on violin; and Douglas Kelley on gamba.

Madsen will launch Arcadia’s 35th season with a program of chamber music by Buxtehude, Bach, Telemann and more. Many of these pieces were written by the composers to play with their musical colleagues, and in that spirit, concertgoers are invited to join the artists and the Arcadia Players board at a casual reception after the performance.

Tickets are $25 at the door or online at arcadiaplayers.org.

Arcadia Players’ 2024-2025 concert season is made possible through the support of patrons and donors, by media sponsor New England Public Media, and by the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Holyoke groups land state grants for security work

HOLYOKE — Two Holyoke organizations, the Greater Holyoke YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke, have landed state grants totaling $921,000 to make security improvements to their properties.

The YMCA will use its $500,000 to buy indoor and exterior security cameras, as well as to create an egress from the preschool classrooms and a new entrance and exit for the after-school classrooms and program spaces.

The Boys & Girls Club will use its $421,000 to fund security upgrades, including installation of keyless entry system, new fence and parking lot gate system, as well as installation of metal rolling shutters on room windows and main hallway.

The awards are two of 20 organizations to receive grants from $8.5 million in capital funding to renovate early education and out-of-school time program facilities that serve primarily low-income families.