Agenda

‘Colors of Grief’ Art Exhibit

Through Nov. 30: Rick’s Place invites the community to join in honoring Children’s Grief Awareness Month through “Colors of Grief: Shades of Love and Loss,” an inspiring art exhibit featuring original works created by youth and adult participants of Rick’s Place. The exhibit is on display at the William Blizard Art Gallery in Blake Hall at Springfield College throughout the month of November, daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This meaningful collection of artwork explores how grief, love, and memory shape our lives after loss. Each piece offers a personal reflection — an intimate expression of what it means to remember, to miss, and to move forward. The title, “Shades of Love and Loss,” reflects the many ways grief can be uniquely experienced, with each artwork revealing the individual journey and creative expression of its artist. Rick’s Place, a nonprofit organization based in Wilbraham, provides free peer grief support programs to children, teens, and families across Western Mass. and Northern Conn. With more than 5,000 children in Hampden County having experienced the death of a parent or sibling, Rick’s Place continues to be a compassionate space where families find understanding, connection, and hope.

Food Fest West

Nov. 13: The West of the River Chamber of Commerce announced the return of Food Fest West, a community culinary celebration, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Crestview Country Club in Agawam. This event showcases the region’s eateries, offering guests the opportunity to sample a wide variety of delicious dishes and vote for their favorite restaurant of the night. From savory bites to sweet treats, attendees will experience the best of Western Mass. cuisine, all under one roof. In addition to food, guests will enjoy a fun-filled evening featuring a silent auction, raffles, photo booth, and cash bar. It’s an ideal way to connect with friends, colleagues, and community members while supporting local businesses and restaurants. Tickets are available through the West of the River Chamber of Commerce. For tickets, restaurant participation, or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.westoftheriverchamber.com.

Friends of Children Artisan Market

Nov. 16: Friends of Children Inc. will host its first-ever Artisan Market from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Garden House at Look Park, 300 North Main Street, Florence. This juried artisan event will feature 30 local creators, food vendors, and a silent online auction with a selection of local seasonal experiences to bid on. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit children and young adults affected by the child welfare system. Admission is free, and there is no parking fee. Artisan items available for purchase include fiber arts, pottery, woodworking items, kiln glass, framed prints, holiday decor, jewelry, and all-natural self-care items. Push for Joy and Local Burger will be the featured food vendors. The online silent auction will run through Nov. 23. Visit www.32auctions.com/focartisanmarket to view or bid on available items, including experiences at New England’s premier holiday season attractions, museum admissions, lift tickets to local ski resorts, and an array of handmade items from local artisans.

A+ Awards Dinner

Nov. 18: The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce announced the return of the A+ Awards Dinner, created to honor leaders in the Amherst area who have made a positive impact through their dedication in education, business, and civic engagement. The 2025 A+ Awards Dinner will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at the UMass Student Union Ballroom. Presented by PeoplesBank, the event recognizes contributions to the community across Amherst, Belchertown, Hadley, Leverett, Pelham, Shutesbury, and Sunderland, as well as the broader Pioneer Valley. Attendees have the opportunity to network with business leaders in the community and enjoy a meal catered by award-winning UMass Dining. Following dinner, the A+ Award honorees are celebrated with custom videos that share their story. The 2025 A+ Award recipients include Alyssa Petrides, owner of Nature & Nurture Preschool (Young Professional Award), Sarah Maroney, chair of the Belchertown Creative Economy Committee (Community Service Award), Weston Dripps, director of Sustainability at Amherst College (Leader in Sustainability Award), Robert Allingham, Marketing & Communications manager at the Amherst Business Improvement District (Chamber MVP Award), Clare Higgins, retired executive director of Community Action Pioneer Valley (Legacy Award), and Tullio Inglese, founder and principal architect of TIA Architects (Lifetime Achievement Award). Tickets to the dinner are available at www.amherstarea.com/awards.

Women of Impact

Dec. 9: BusinessWest will celebrate its eighth annual Women of Impact cohort at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow. Tickets cost $95 per person, and tables of 10 are available. To purchase tickets, visit www.businesswest.com/eventcalendar/womenof-impact-2025. The class of 2025, featured in the Oct. 27 issue of BusinessWest and at businesswest.com, includes Tara Brewster, vice president of Business Development and Director of Philanthropy at Greenfield Savings Bank; Tracy Friedenberg, executive director of Bacon Wilson, P.C.; Chelsea Kline, executive director of Cancer Connection; Ayanna Crawford, president of AC Consulting and Media Services; Rania Kfuri, vice president for Philanthropy, Sales, and Marketing at Glenmeadow; Angelina Ramirez, CEO of Stavros Center for Independent Living; Amanda Sanderson, executive director of Resilience Center of Franklin County; and Sarah Rose Stack, lecturer of Public Relations at UMass Amherst. The event is presented by Country Bank and TommyCar Auto Group and sponsored by Bacon Wilson, P.C.

Follow My Steps Foundation Annual Gala

Dec. 14: Follow My Steps Foundation announced its annual gala, Stepping Into 2026, will be held at the Basketball Hall of Fame. This event will bring together community leaders, partners, supporters, and youth to celebrate the strides made over the past year and to rally support for future expansion of the foundation’s mentorship, career readiness, and financial literacy programs. The event will also introduce the Pioneers for Change Award, recognizing exemplary changemakers whose actions resonate with Follow My Steps’ mission. Guests will enjoy a catered dinner, live entertainment, and uplifting stories about the youth served by the foundation. The evening also marks the launch of a community giving campaign, aiming to raise $10,000 in individual contributions that fuel mentorship, education, and empowerment initiatives throughout the year. Early bird tickets (through Nov. 14) cost $55 for adults and $27.50 for children. General admission tickets (Nov. 15-30) cost $65 for adults and $32.50 for children. Final admission tickets (Dec. 1-14): cost $75 for adults and $37.50 for children. Visit www.followmysteps.org/steppinginto2026 to purchase tickets. Businesses and community partners are also invited to join as sponsors of the Stepping Into 2026 Gala. Five tiered sponsorship levels — copper, bronze, silver, gold, and platinum — offer meaningful opportunities to align one’s brand with youth empowerment and community advancement. Each level includes a range of benefits such as brand visibility across digital and print channels, recognition during the event, logo placement, program ads, reserved tickets, and social media promotion.