NORTH ADAMS — Berkshire Family & Individual Resources (BFAIR) announced its second annual Walk for Independence on Saturday, June 24. Last year, the inaugural walk along the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail saw participation of nearly 100 walkers of all ability levels, with this year already set to exceed that number.

A stroll to Cheshire and back (with or any distance in between), the walk will be a fund-raising event in which BFAIR participants, community members, and sponsors can get involved in through sponsored walking, lunch, bucket raffles, and entertainment. Starting and finishing at the Adams Visitors Center, the walk is a day of fun and helps BFAIR share its mission to enrich the lives of people of all ages and abilities by providing positive life experiences and advocacy through distinctive, individualized, quality services.

As a local nonprofit, BFAIR relies on public funds to provide critically needed residential, vocational, habilitative, and clinical services for adults, adolescents, and children with developmental disabilities, autism, and acquired brain injury, as well as home-care services for the elderly.

The registration fee for the walk is $25 for adults and $12.50 for children 10 and younger. Registration includes a picnic lunch and ball-cap giveaway. Interested walkers can register online at thedriven.net/bfairwalk, by calling (413) 664-9382 ext. 40, e-mailing [email protected], or visiting www.bfair.org.

In addition to registering, walkers may seek individual sponsors by asking family and friends to support their walk. Donations are accepted via thedriven.net/bfairwalk, or donation envelopes can be provided for walkers.

Corporate sponsorships are available for the trail, mile, bronze, silver, and gold levels, ranging from $100 to $2,500, respectively. Interested businesses should contact Jennifer Civello at [email protected] for more information. Current gold-level walk sponsors include Greylock Federal Credit Union, MountainOne, and the Print Shop Williamstown.

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank will host a complimentary workshop titled “Home Care and Financing Strategies: A Workshop for Families and Caregivers,” featuring Paul Hillsburg, president and owner of Amada Senior Care of Western & Central Massachusetts, and Nancy Simms, sales vice president, Long Term Care for Highland Capital Brokerage.

Finding the right senior care for you or a loved one can be overwhelming and time-consuming. This event is designed to help people learn and understand what options there are for care and how to pay for it. Hillsburg and Simms both have extensive backgrounds in long-term healthcare and understand how daunting the process can be. This workshop will be held on Tuesday, May 16 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Monson Savings Bank Corporate, 107 Main St., Monson. It is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

“So many people are concerned about senior care these days,” said Steve Lowell, president of Monson Savings Bank. “The options are confusing, and people want to know how they can help their loved ones live as independently as possible. We want people to know that the event is open to the public, not just our customers.”

Seating is limited. Those interested may call Anna Calvanese at (413) 267-1221 or e-mail [email protected] to RSVP.

SPRINGFIELD — The Museum School at the Springfield Museums is currently offering classes and experiential learning opportunities for both children and adults. Spaces are still available for spring and summer courses and trips. Gift certificates are also available.

All classes are led by experienced and supportive instructors, in topics tied to the museums’ collections and special traveling exhibits. Summer courses for young people include explorations ranging from turtles to samurai to Marc Chagall. Offerings for adults include silk painting and ‘learning to look.’ Many courses are one-day offerings, allowing even the busiest adults to participate.

Adult travel opportunities are also being planned, including trips to MASS MoCA, the MFA in Boston, and Glimmerglass. The Museum School is also offering a cruise through Southeast Alaska.

For complete course descriptions, travel itineraries, fees, and registration information, visit springfieldmuseums.org and select ‘classes’ under ‘programs,’ or call (413) 263-6800, ext. 377 or 382.

SPRINGFIELD — There’s still time to nominate someone for the Continued Excellence Award, as BusinessWest will accept nominations through Friday, May 12. The winner of the award will be unveiled at the magazine’s 40 Under Forty gala on June 22.

Two years ago, BusinessWest inaugurated the award to recognize past 40 Under Forty honorees who had significantly built on their achievements since they were honored. The first two winners were Delcie Bean, president of Paragus Strategic IT, and Dr. Jonathan Bayuk, president of Allergy and Immunology Associates of Western Mass. and chief of Allergy and Immunology at Baystate Medical Center. Both were originally named to the 40 Under Forty class of 2008.

“So many 40 Under Forty honorees have refused to rest on their laurels,” said Kate Campiti, associate publisher of BusinessWest. “Once again, we want to honor those who continue to build upon their strong records of service in business, within the community, and as regional leaders.”

Candidates must hail from 40 Under Forty classes prior to the year of the award — in this case, classes 2007-16 — and will be judged on qualities including outstanding leadership, dedicated community involvement, professional achievement, and ability to inspire. The award’s presenting sponsor is Northwestern Mutual.

The nomination form is available at businesswest.com/40-under-forty/40-under-forty-continued-excellence-award. For your convenience, a list of the past nine 40 Under Forty classes may be found at businesswest.com/40-under-forty/40-under-forty-past-honorees.

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — Spirit Airlines’ inaugural flights from Bradley International Airport to Orlando, Fla. and Myrtle Beach, S.C. launched on April 27.

“Bradley International Airport is a critical piece of Connecticut’s transportation infrastructure. Every day, more and more businesses and residents are turning to the airport as their first choice for air travel,” Gov. Dannel Malloy said. “The addition of these new flights increases options for people in the region to get to where they need to go.”

Added Mark Kopczak, vice president of Network Planning for Spirit Airlines, “we are thrilled to deliver this non-stop service to two of the country’s most popular summer destinations. These news flights, with new service to Fort Lauderdale starting in June, give Hartford even more ultra-low-cost options for summer travel.”

Spirit Airlines is currently Bradley Airport’s only ultra-low-cost airline. This airline business model, which is increasing in popularity among economy travelers and the college-student population, offers introductory service to a variety of destinations for competitive fares.

“Spirit Airlines is a strong addition to Bradley’s growing menu of direct flights,” Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) Chairman Charles Gray said. “A continued mission of the Connecticut Airport Authority is for Bradley’s travelers to love the journey through the airport and beyond. One way of doing that is by continuing to diversify Bradley’s flight options, which is why we’re very pleased to be welcoming Spirit to the Bradley family.”

All of Spirit’s operations at Bradley Airport will utilize either a 145-seat Airbus A319 or a 182-seat Airbus A320 aircraft. The Orlando route is offered daily, year-round, and the Myrtle Beach non-stop is a seasonal service offered four days per week. Spirit will commence non-stop service to Fort Lauderdale on June 15.

“The key to successful route development is a loyal customer base,” CAA Executive Director Kevin Dillon said. “The Myrtle Beach service has been frequently requested by our travelers, and the additional frequencies between Bradley, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale will provide travelers with more options. It is our hope that these additions to our route structure will continue to encourage our travelers to come home to Bradley and choose our local airport over other airports.”

LONGMEADOW — Carol Leary, president of Bay Path University, will present at Holyoke Public Library, on Wednesday, May 10, from noon to 1 p.m. during a free event designed to help adult women seek a college degree. All attendees will receive a complimentary copy of Leary’s book, Achieving the Dream: A How-to Guide for Adult Women Seeking a College Degree.

“The importance and benefit of earning a college degree, particularly for women, is extraordinary,” Library Director Maria Pagan said. “Holyoke Public Library is pleased to welcome Dr. Leary in sharing her expertise and personal anecdotes with the local community.”

Pagan also noted that Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse will be in attendance.

All library programs are open to the public and free of charge. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Holyoke Public Library at (413) 420-8101 or by registering in person at the library’s front desk. Parking is available along the street in front of the new entrance to the library and in lots adjacent to and immediately across the street from the library.

WESTFIELD — Salons throughout the U.S. will be participating in HAIRraising, a fund-raising event benefiting Boston Children’s Hospital’s Heart Center. Puffer’s Salon and Day Spa has joined this initiative with a month-long celebration including raffles, featured items, and promotions. Throughout the month of May, 100% of the proceeds from all children’s haircuts will go to Boston Children’s Hospital.

Founded in 2010 by longtime business partners John Frieda and Gail Federici, HAIRraising brings together the salon and hair communities to help support the life-saving care and breakthrough cures, treatments, and innovations at Boston Children’s Hospital.

“We’re so grateful to the salon community for their ongoing support of Boston Children’s Hospital,” said Frieda. “We’re consistently overwhelmed and amazed by the level of commitment this effort receives from salon owners and stylists.”

Added Federici, “support for Boston Children’s Hospital is critical. We need everyone to understand the huge global impact that this hospital has, not only for children, but for adults as well. Together with this event, we can help save countless lives.”

Judy Puffer, owner of Puffer’s Salon & Day Spa, said she is “thrilled to participate in HAIRraising this year to support Boston Children’s Hospital. It’s exciting to be a part of something that unifies our community and can make such a huge difference in the lives of sick children.”

In the past seven years, salons have raised more than $1 million for Boston Children’s Hospital through HAIRraising and the generosity of the salon community. This year’s event is expected to raise more than $300,000 for the hospital.

AGAWAM — Dave’s Soda and Pet City will host the “Calling All Dog Lovers” book signing and informational event on Sunday, May 7 from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. at the Dave’s store located at 151 Springfield St., Agawam. Well-mannered dogs are encouraged to attend.

The event is sponsored in part by the Springfield Jewish Community Center and Kehillah, the JCC Special Needs Department. Author of The Underdogs, Melissa Fay Greene will share the story of her book about service dogs and the amazing acts they perform for the people they love and explore what can be accomplished through unconditional love. This is a free family friendly event where local nonprofit service-dog organizations and pet-adoption agencies will have informational booths on site. Attendees will be provided a 10% coupon off their entire purchase that day.

SPRINGFIELD — The Saturday, May 6 performance of the play Wit at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) will be staged as a benefit for Longmeadow-based Survivor Journeys, which provides social and emotional support services to cancer survivors, their families, and caregivers.

The STCC College Theater Workshop will present Margaret Edson’s acclaimed play at the Scibelli Hall Theater at STCC on Thursday, May 4, 11 a.m.; Friday, May 5, 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 6, 7 p.m.; and Sunday, May 7, 2 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

Wit focuses on the final hours of English professor Vivian Bearing, who is dying from ovarian cancer. She agrees to undergo an experimental treatment that might not save her but will provide research data for the future of oncology. The character reflects on her life over the course of the play, using the intricacies of the English language. The play chronicles the professor’s journey while touching on the moral and ethical dilemmas of medical research. The professor also, not surprisingly, uses wit to help her to the end.

In addition to winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1999 for Best Drama, the play was made into an HBO movie starring Emma Thompson and was recently revised on Broadway with Cynthia Nixon in the lead role.

“Everyone associated with Survivor Journeys is honored and thrilled that the Springfield Technical Community College Theater Workshop will be donating the May 6 Wit performance proceeds to our organization,” said Dr. Jay Burton, founder of Survivor Journeys and a cancer survivor himself. “We are grateful to all of the actors, stage crew, and supervisory staff, including Professor Phil O’Donoghue, for their recognition of Survivor Journeys and its mission to help provide emotional and social support to cancer survivors, their families, and caregivers.”

Burton will speak at the theater after the Saturday performance.

SPRINGFIELD — Jessica Collins, executive director of Partners for a Healthier Community, has been appointed to Gov. Charlie Baker’s Special Commission on Behavioral Health Promotion and Upstream Prevention.

The commission is tasked with investigating “evidence-based practices, programs, and systems to prevent behavioral-health disorders and promote behavioral health across the Commonwealth. The Commission is comprised of an interdisciplinary group of leaders in behavioral health, prevention, public health, addiction, mental health, criminal justice, health policy, epidemiology, and environmental health.

The Commission is zeroing in on three overarching questions: what’s working in behavioral-health promotion and upstream prevention? How can we better fund what’s working? And what can we achieve if we fund what works? More information can be found at promoteprevent.com/mission.

SPRINGFIELD — Single-family home sales were up 5.9% in the Pioneer Valley in March compared to the same time last year, while the median price was up 1.7% to $188,000, according to the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley.

In Franklin County, sales were up 21.2%, while the median price fell 12.0% from a year earlier. In Hampden County, sales were up 10.2%, while the median price was up 2.8%. And in Hampshire County, sales fell 8.0% from March 2016, while the median price was up 4.3%.

HOLYOKE — May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and the American Stroke Assoc., a division of the American Heart Assoc., will once again host a forum open to stroke survivors and their caregivers. The 2017 Pioneer Valley Stroke Survivors and Caregivers Forum, “The Future Belongs to Those Who Dream,” will take place on Wednesday, May 3 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

Close to 300 people are expected to attend the event, which is designed to bring together stroke survivors and caregivers so they may become better connected with the network of resources available. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the day will include exhibitors, local healthcare providers, and stroke survivors who will educate and share information. The forum will once again be hosted by Boston comedian and American Stroke Assoc. supporter Chris Tabb, whose family has been personally touched by stroke.

The Pioneer Valley Stroke Forum is open to the public, and admission is $5, which will include a light breakfast and heart-healthy lunch. For tickets, call the American Heart Assoc. local office at (203) 303-3373.

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University will stage its 120^th Commencement on May 21 at 3 p.m. at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. Kathryn Hayward, class of 1976, founder of International Integrators, will address the Class of 2017.

More than 1,000 Bay Path students earned bachelor’s, master’s, and advanced degrees, with more than 800 students anticipated to be part of the Commencement event.

Hayward will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree for her leadership in the practice of integrative health. With her husband David Thomas, Hayward is the founder of International Integrators, an organization whose mission is to promote a more balanced approach to healthcare by focusing on the blending of the best of conventional medicine, whole food lifestyles, conscious movements, and mind/body/spirit connections. Hayward earned her medical degree from the Boston University School of Medicine, and is retired from her positions as Associate Physician at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

An Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters will also be presented to Dr. Susanne Churchill at the University’s 120th Commencement. Churchill received her Ph.D. from the Boston University School of Medicine. She went on to found the Institute for Circadian Physiology in Boston, and was also appointed Associate Dean of Research at the Harvard Medical Center. Dr. Churchill is world-renown in the area of biomedical informatics, and among her many accomplishments, she has worked with Dr. Isaac Kohan to lead the successful and ground-breaking Information for Integrating Biology and the Bedside (i2b2) National Center for Biomedical Computing at Partners HealthCare. Churchill has been a trustee at Bay Path for 15 years, serving as Chair of the Academic Committee, as well as being a member of the executive committee and the committee on trustees.

For those who cannot attend Bay Path’s 120th commencement, the event will be streamed live on www.baypath.edu/commencement.

SPRINGFIELD — White Lion Brewing continues to root itself as Springfield’s craft beer brand. Pride Stores which has a beer-and-wine selection in five of its 30 locations will feature White Lion as the preferred local beer brand.

“The partnership is part of Pride Stores commitment to the local community,” said David Horgan, director of Advertising. “The company recently announced a distribution partnership with Big Mamou Restaurant, a Springfield based establishment, and we are excited to expand our partnerships through the ‘Support Local’ campaign with White Lion.”

White Lion has accounts throughout Massachusetts, but company president, Raymond Berry, stated “there is no better feeling than knowing local decision makers like Pride Stores want to be part of our growth, this partnership will put the brand and our portfolio in front of people daily. Both companies are committed to the city and surrounding communities.”

The stores will carry White Lion’s portfolio of bottled and soon to be released canned products.