Agenda
Coffee & Connections
May 16: The Chamber of Greater Easthampton will hold its second Coffee & Connections of the year from 8 to 9 a.m. at its WorkHub on Union co-working space at 33 Union St., Easthampton. Registration is complimentary and open to all business, organizational, and community leaders; however, registration is required due to limited registrations available. For more information or to register, visit the chamber’s events calendar at www.easthamptonchamber.org or email [email protected].
Shred Days
May 17, 31: bankESB invites customers and members of the community to two free Shred Days at local offices. No appointment is necessary. Events will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. (or until the truck is full) on the following dates and at the following locations: May 17 at the 770 Main St., Agawam office (in partnership with the Parish Cupboard, which will be collecting food donations), and May 31 at the 241 Northampton St., Easthampton office (two trucks will be at this event). Local residents can reduce their risk of identity theft by bringing old mail, receipts, statements or bills, canceled checks, pay stubs, medical records, or any other unwanted paper documents containing personal or confidential information and shredding them safely and securely for free. A professional document-destruction company will be on site in the bank’s parking lot and can accept up to two boxes of documents per person.
413 Women’s Health Connect
May 21: Living Local 413 announced the launch of 413 Women’s Health Connect, the first official program under its new Hot Topics initiative, an innovative series designed to bring people together around issues Western Mass. cares about. The event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Carriage House at the Barney Estate in Springfield. The program’s primary sponsor and featured speaker at the first event is Robin Suave of Baystate Ob/Gyn Group Inc. 413 Women’s Health Connect is a multi-faceted approach to improving women’s wellness and strengthening community bonds. The program features three in-person events per year across Western Mass., an active online discussion board at 413online.com to continue conversations and share resources, and a new podcast series, “413 Biz Buzz,” exploring Hot Topics in greater depth and featuring local experts and community voices. Visit community.livinglocal413.org/event/413-womens-health-connect to RSVP for the first event.
Walk to Cure Arthritis
June 1: The Arthritis Foundation announced that the Western Massachusetts Walk to Cure Arthritis will take place at Stanley Park in Westfield. Funds raised through donations to the Walk to Cure Arthritis will support the foundation’s ability to fund scientific research and continue to provide services and resources to the arthritis community. Walk to Cure Arthritis celebrates the community of arthritis patients of all ages, their caregivers, and everyone in the movement to conquer the disease. Ashley Scott is this year’s young adult walk honoree. She will be celebrated for her perseverance in her battle with arthritis and her strong support of the foundation’s mission. In addition, the following people will be honored: Grace Malave, juvenile idiopathic arthritis youth honoree, and Bill Squires, rheumatoid arthritis adult honoree. Residents can register and begin fundraising for the Western Massachusetts Walk to Cure Arthritis and learn more about the event by visiting www.walktocurearthritis.org/westernma or calling Hannah Hergenrather at (781) 312-9635.
40 Under Forty
June 19: BusinessWest will celebrate the 19th annual 40 Under Forty Gala at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The class of 2025 is profiled in the April 28 issue and at businesswest.com. The presenting sponsor of this year’s 40 Under Forty is PeoplesBank. Partner sponsors include Live Nation Premium, Mercedes-Benz of Springfield, and the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. Health New England is the presenting sponsor of the Alumni Achievement Award, the winner of which will be announced at the gala. Tickets cost $125. If they are not sold out, they may be purchased at businesswest.com/eventcalendar/40-under-forty-event-gala.
Hooplandia 2025
June 20-22: Registration is now open for Hooplandia, the third annual 3-on-3 basketball tourney and festival, at hooplandia.com. The event will take place at Eastern States Exposition (ESE) and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Games will be played at the ESE complex, with special games held at the Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2024, 75 basketball courts allowed accommodation for more than 650 games played by approximately 2,100 participants of all ages. Diverse divisions include young girls and boys, women, men, high-school ages, college level, OGs, veterans, and more. Fees range according to age. Players in the Special Olympics and Unified division can look forward to free registration, and those in the Hoops & Heroes division, such as active and retired first responders and military personnel, have access to discounted registration. Players are invited to build teams of four, create their own unique team name, design their uniforms, and register at hooplandia.com.
