Page 34 - BusinessWest March 2, 2026

AGENDA>> For more events, or to submit your upcoming events,
visit BusinessWest’s event calendar online: https://businesswest.com/eventcalendar
Alumni Achievement
Award Nominations
Through April 9: BusinessWest is accepting nomi-
nations for its 12th annual 40 Under Forty Alumni
Achievement Award. Nominations are due by Thurs-
day, April 9. They can be submitted at businesswest.
com/40-under-forty/alumniachievementaward.
The finalists will be profiled in BusinessWest, and
the winner will be announced at the 40 Under Forty
awards gala, presented by PeoplesBank, on Thurs-
day, June 11 at the MassMutual Center in Spring-
field. BusinessWest launched its 40 Under Forty
program in 2007 to identify and celebrate rising
stars across our region who are excelling in busi-
ness and involved in the community. Launched in
2015, the Alumni Achievement Award was created
to honor the 40 Under Forty honorees who have
most impressively continued and built upon their
track records of accomplishment. For more infor-
mation, contact Natasha Mercado-Santana, Market-
ing and Events Manager, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100,
or [email protected].
License Plate Auction
March 2-8: The Springfield Museums announced a
second online auction of low-number Massachu-
setts license plates featuring Dr. Seuss’s iconic Cat
in the Hat. The auction will run from March 2 at
10 a.m. through March 8 at 5 p.m. The Springfield
Museums is home to the world’s only museum
dedicated to the Springfield native and beloved
children’s author (born Theodor Seuss Geisel), with
proceeds from the plates supporting the its mis-
sion to promote literacy and learning. With just 26
remaining, this might be the final opportunity for
Massachusetts residents to own a coveted low-
number Dr. Seuss plate. The catalog of plates can
be viewed online now at drseussplates.givesmart.
com. Highlights include single-digit plates such
as DR 2 and DR 5, as well as DR 50, a nod to the
publisher’s challenge that inspired Green Eggs and
Ham, written using only 50 unique words. Addi-
tional double-digit plates — potentially meaningful
for birthdays, anniversaries, or other special dates
— will also be offered. The auction will take place at
drseussplates.givesmart.com, where interested buy-
ers are encouraged to register in advance to receive
updates. Bidders can participate in real time from
desktop, mobile, and tablet devices. Registration is
also available by texting DrSeussPlates to 76278.
Outlook 2026
March 6: The Springfield Regional Chamber
announced that Susan Collins, president and CEO
of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, will serve as
the keynote speaker for Outlook 2026, taking place
from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the MassMutual Center in
Springfield. Collins contributes to the Federal Open
Market Committee’s deliberations on U.S. monetary
policy and brings timely insight into the economic
forces affecting businesses and communities
across New England and the nation. Since taking
office in 2022, she has led the Boston Fed’s work in
economic research, financial stability, community
development, and financial innovation. A nation-
ally respected macroeconomist, Collins previously
served as dean and provost at the University of
Michigan and as a professor at Georgetown Univer-
sity and Harvard University. She was recently recog-
nized by thr American Economic Assoc. as one of its
Distinguished Fellows for 2025. Outlook 2026 will
bring together business leaders and policymakers to
explore what lies ahead from local, state, and fed-
eral perspectives. Visit business.springfieldregional-
chamber.com/eventcalendar to register.
‘The ABCs of EV Ownership’
March 7: DC Station will host a workshop, “The
ABCs of EV Ownership,” from 1 to 2 p.m. at 5 Fulton
Ave., Northampton. Attendees will learn all there is
to know about making the switch to electric driving.
The 45-minute offering will be led by Greg Goff,
who oversees EV Base Camp, the education center
for DC Station. Goff is an automotive consultant
with over a decade of experience with EVs, and he
will offer a talk and then answer questions. Topics
to be covered include the benefits of going electric;
home versus public charging options; understand-
ing charging times and costs; battery care, range,
and lifespan; costs; ownership experience; and tax
credits, rebates, and other incentives. DC Station
opened in October, offering 10 fast, level 3 charging
ports for electric vehicles.
First Saturdays at the Print Shop
March 7, April 4, May 2: The Print Shop Makerspace
in downtown Holyoke invites families, creatives, and
curious community members of all ages to explore
hands-on art and design through First Saturdays at
the Print Shop, a free, monthly workshop series run-
ning February through May. Held on the first Sat-
urday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the
Print Shop Makerspace, 62 Main St., the series offers
welcoming, drop-in workshops that introduce
participants to the tools, technology, and creative
possibilities of a working print shop and classroom
space. No prior experience is required, and all
materials are provided while supplies last. Each First
Saturday features a different make-and-take activ-
ity designed to spark curiosity and build creative
confidence. Upcoming workshops include custom
sticker printing, wearable art using heat transfer
vinyl, and a Print Day in May open house on May
2, part of an international celebration of printmak-
ing and creative production. That event will feature
expanded activities and demonstrations, inviting
the public to circulate through the space, try mul-
tiple creative processes, and celebrate Holyoke’s
long history as the Paper City while connecting to a
global printmaking movement.
Women Making a Difference
Award Dinner
March 9: Each year in March, the global com-
munity recognizes women for their achievements
regardless of national, ethnic, linguistic, economic,
or political divisions. The Zonta International com-
munity also celebrates Zonta Rose Day, a time to
reflect and give tribute to the women who have
empowered us. In this spirit, the Zonta Club of
Quaboag Valley announces its Women Making a Dif-
ference Award dinner at the Ludlow Country Club.
The theme of this year’s International Women’s
celebration, “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women
and Girls,” calls for inclusive legal systems, eliminat-
ing discriminatory laws, and addressing structural
barriers to justice and opportunity for women and
girls. The honorees for 2026 are champions for this
theme: Jacqueline Velez, lead organizer for Holy-
oke’s Neighbor to Neighbor and community project
coordinator for Live Well Springfield, drives cam-
paigns for criminal justice reform, climate action,
and housing justice. Samantha Hamilton, director of
Coalition Building and Community Engagement at
the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts
and co-founder of A Queen’s Narrative, leverages
more than 22 years of experience to advance health
equity, address environmental and social dispari-
ties, and empower women and girls. Marianne Win-
ters, who has forged a career dedicated to ending
domestic violence and sexual assault, held executive
leadership roles at Jane Doe Inc. and the Rape Crisis
Center of Central Massachusetts prior to her nearly
15-year tenure as executive director of Safe Passage.
Darlene Elias, a social worker, writer, activist, and
long-time advocate in child welfare and community
organizing, is a co-founder of the Writing Sisters
collective and a board member of Alianza and the
Straw Dog Writers Guild. The event will start with
a reception at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. and
the program to folow. RSVP by March 2 at info@
zontaqv.org. Attendees can pay at the door for the
buffet ($35 for an individual or $30 each for a table
of eight) or pay online. For more information, visit
www.zontaqv.org.
‘Homebuying 101: Your
Path to Homeownership’
March 12: Monson Savings Bank will host a free
workshop, “Homebuying 101: Your Path to Home-
ownership,” from 6 to 9 p.m. at Red Rose Pizzeria in
Springfield. The bank has designed this workshop to
break down the homebuying process from start to
finish in an easily digestible format, focusing on the
fundamentals. It was developed to be informative,
friendly, and actionable, ensuring attendees leave
the event feeling hopeful and supported as they
take steps toward homeownership. The event will
be hosted by Monson Savings Bank homebuying
experts Wil Morales, Terry Poloski, and Brett Char-
ron, who will provide helpful advice and answers to
attendees’ questions, as well as cheat sheets, tools,
and a clear plan to make homeownership possible.
The bank will provide registrants with complimen-
tary light refreshments and free parking. To further
support the homebuying success, registered attend-
ees will be gifted a coupon offer of up to $585 off
an appraisal fee, along with an opportunity to win
gift card drawing prizes. Pre-registration is required,
and space is limited. To register, visit www.monson-
savings.bank/homebuyers-event or call (413) 267-
4646 for assistance.
St. Patrick’s Breakfast
March 18: The Greater Holyoke Chamber invites the
entire community to its annual St. Patrick’s Break-
fast, presented by Witman Properties, PeoplesBank,
HG&E, bankESB, and Greenfield Cooperative Bank.
The event will take place at 7:30 a.m. at the Log
Cabin. This traditional gathering offers an oppor-
tunity for residents, business leaders, community
leaders, and community members to reconnect,
celebrate local achievements, and honor this year’s
distinguished award recipients. Award presentations
will be complemented by a raffle featuring a variety
of prizes. Businesses and individuals are encour-
aged to submit raffle prizes, further highlighting their
commitment to the community, while attendees are
invited to purchase raffle tickets in advance or at
the breakfast to support the chamber’s efforts. As an
added highlight, crowd favorites Last Night’s Fun will
Agenda
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MARCH 2, 2026
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