Page 33 - BusinessWest May 11, 2026

AGENDA>> For more events, or to submit your upcoming events,
visit BusinessWest’s event calendar online: https://businesswest.com/eventcalendar
Age of Excellence
Award Nominations
Through June 14: Celebrating achievement, pur-
pose, and possibility at every stage of life, Glen-
meadow announced the opening of nominations
for the Age of Excellence Awards: Celebrating Suc-
cess Over 60 — now entering its third year of hon-
oring remarkable community members. Building
on the success of the past two years, this signature
event continues to spotlight older adults whose
lives reflect vitality, resilience, and meaningful
contribution. The Age of Excellence Awards honor
individuals age 60 and above who are making sig-
nificant contributions in a wide range of pursuits.
It may be through innovative career achievements,
active community involvement, ongoing personal
development, or outstanding commitment to
others. Nominations may be submitted online at
glenmeadow.org. Paper copy nomination forms
are available at Glenmeadow’s concierge desk, or
a PDF may be downloaded from the event page
and mailed to: Age of Excellence Awards, 24 Tabor
Crossing, Longmeadow, MA 01106. A distinguished
panel of community leaders will thoughtfully review
all submissions and select this year’s honorees.
Award recipients will be celebrated during an inspir-
ing ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at Twin Hills
Country Club.
Farm Credit East
Photo Contest
Through July 31: Farm Credit East is currently
seeking creative images of modern Northeast agri-
culture, commercial fishing, and forest products to
fill the pages of its 2027 Agricultural Views calendar.
Upload picturesque images from the farm, woods,
or dock at farmcrediteast.com/calendar by July 31
for a chance to win $100. Farm Credit East is look-
ing for fresh imagery that represents Northeast
farming, horticulture, forestry, and commercial fish-
ing during every season, as well as photographs that
celebrate rural life in New England, New York, or
New Jersey. Photos are selected based on technical
quality, clarity, and composition, as well as photos
that capture unique views of modern agriculture
and rural life. From all entries, 14 photos will be
selected for a $100 prize each. Additional photos
will be selected to fill the calendar pages, each
earning a $25 prize. Winning photographs will be
featured in Farm Credit East’s 2027 calendar. Only
digital photos are accepted. Contest rules and an
entry form, as well as inspiration from previous
calendars, can be found at farmcrediteast.com/
calendar.
Outrun Hunger
May 17: Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts,
a food rescue and hunger alleviation organiza-
tion, is set to Outrun Hunger in its biennial 5K race
and 1-mile family-friendly walk in Forest Park. The
event begins welcome announcements at 8:30 a.m.
and a 9 a.m. race start. Visit feedwma.org/outrun-
hunger-2026 to register. The proceeds from the
race go to fight hunger all year long, with programs
that feed the immediate need as well as nourish
long-term sustainable food secure solutions. The
race/walk is also presented by the Rachel’s Table
teen board, a youth leadership part of Rachel’s
Table whose mission is to educate themselves and
others about food insecurity while serving the local
community with impactful projects that help fight
hunger. The public is invited to register to run, walk,
do a virtual run, or just come by to help raise aware-
ness and make a difference. All registered runners
and walkers will be able to visit the Zoo at Forest
Park and Education Center for free on race day,
sponsored by the Zoo at Forest Park and supported
by the Community Foundation of Western Massa-
chusetts. Boomer from the Springfield Thunderbirds
will be in attendance, and DJ Matt Peterson will get
attendees moving with fun music and entertain-
ment. Local legislators have been invited to speak
as well; State Sens. Oliveira and Adam Gomez and
state Reps. Brian Ashe and Carlos Gonzales will be
in attendance.
Mozart and More at 52 Sumner
May 17: The Springfield Chamber Players will pres-
ent the SCP Oboe Quartet at 52 Sumner at 3 p.m.
Marsha Harbison, assistant concertmaster of the
Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO), will lead the
group to perform works by Mozart and more. She
will be joined by SSO oboist Karen Hosmer, SSO
violist Dani Rimoni, and SSO cellist Boris Kogan.
This concert is the last of a five-concert series at 52
Sumner, where the Springfield Chamber Players will
have finished their second season. Also, this concert
will be in honor of Marsha Harbison, who is retiring
from the Springfield Symphony Orchestra after 49
years, and her late husband, Dr. William Harbison,
who was a staunch supporter of the Springfield
Chamber Players.
Free Shred Day
May 23: bankESB invites customers and members
of the community to a free Shred Day on Saturday,
May 23 at its Belchertown office, located at 40 State
St. Residents can reduce their risk of identity theft
by bringing old mail, receipts, statements and bills,
canceled checks, pay stubs, medical records, or
any other unwanted paper documents containing
personal or confidential information and shred-
ding them safely and securely for free. InfoShred, 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 car. No appoint-
ment is necessary.
Forest Park Zoo Wine Safari
May 30: The Zoo in Forest Park invites everyone on
a trip around the world at its Wine Safari fundraiser
from 2 to 6 p.m. Wine Safari pairs wine from differ-
ent countries with an animal from the same region,
allowing guests to sample wines and meet wild-
life from destinations near and far — without the
cost of airfare. The Zoo has partnered with MGM
Springfield’s Food and Beverage team and the Culi-
nary Arts program at Lower Pioneer Valley Career
Technical Education Center (CTEC). The $55 ticket
includes wine samples from 2 to 6 p.m. (while sup-
plies last), charcuterie, small bites and desserts, and
animal encounters and keeper talks from members
of the Zoo’s animal care and education teams. This
event is restricted to adults age 21 and older, and a
pre-purchased ticket is required to attend. All IDs
will be checked at the door. Tickets are limited and
are on sale now at www.forestparkzoo.org/wine-
safari. The Zoo will be open to the general public
prior to the event on May 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
but will close to the general public at 1 p.m. to allow
staff to prepare for Wine Safari.
Step into Summer
Walk, Run, or Roll
June 1-7: Access Care Partners is encouraging
community members to “move with purpose” by
participating in its upcoming Step into Summer
Virtual Walk, Run, or Roll. This flexible, inclusive
event invites participants of all abilities to complete
a 5K (approximately three miles) or engage in one
hour of movement during the week — whether
that’s walking, running, rolling, biking, dancing, or
any activity that gets them moving. Participants can
take part anywhere, from their neighborhood or a
local trail to their own living room, and complete
the challenge all at once or spread it out over the
week. All proceeds from the event will go directly
to Access Care Partners programs, which sup-
port older adults and individuals with disabilities
throughout the community. Registration costs $25,
which is applied towards the fundraising goals of
participants, who are encouraged to invite friends
and family to support their efforts through pledges
or donations. Those who raise at least $100 will
receive a thank-you gift. Visit givebutter.com/
stepintosummer/join to register or learn more.
Junior Achievement
Golf Tournament
June 5: Junior Achievement of Western Massachu-
setts (JAWM) will host its 28th annual golf tourna-
ment at Crumpin-Fox Golf Club in Bernardston,
inviting community members and business leaders
to enjoy a day of golf while supporting programs
that empower local youth. The event begins with
registration at 8 a.m., followed by a 10 a.m. shotgun
start. The tournament offers participants a top-tier
golfer package in support of JAWM’s mission to
prepare young people for success in work and life.
Proceeds from the tournament directly fund JAWM
learning experiences provided to students ages 5-25
throughout Western Mass. and beyond. These pro-
grams focus on financial literacy, career readiness,
and entrepreneurship, equipping students with the
skills and confidence they need to thrive. Sponsor-
ship opportunities are available for businesses and
individuals looking to support JAWM’s mission while
gaining visibility at a well-attended community
event. To register or learn more about sponsorship
opportunities, email Amie Miarecki at amiarecki@
jawm.org.
40 Under Forty
June 11: BusinessWest will celebrate the 20th
annual class of its 40 Under Forty awards, the
region’s most prestigious recognition program
honoring outstanding young professionals who are
shaping the future of Western Massachusetts. This
year’s honorees are profiled in the April 27 issue of
BusinessWest and at businesswest.com. The awards
gala will take place at 5 p.m. at the MassMutual
Center in Springfield. Tickets cost $140 per per-
son, and tables of 10 are available; reserve a spot
at businesswest.com. The 20th annual 40 Under
Forty program is presented by PeoplesBank and
sponsored by the Dowd Agencies, Mercedes-Benz
of Springfield, and the Isenberg School of Manage-
ment at UMass Amherst.
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