Call for nominations for 2025 Eva Trager Memorial
NORTHAMPTON – The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2025 Eva Trager Memorial, a biennial tribute honoring individuals whose lives profoundly enriched the vitality of downtown Northampton.
Established in 2012, the memorial recognizes those who demonstrated unwavering dedication to the heart of the city and left a lasting legacy of community spirit.
Eligible nominees must have died since the last memorial event in September 2023. Nominations must be submitted online by Monday, Aug. 18, via northamptonchamber.com/eva-trager-memorial.
Trager, affectionately known as the “Queen of Main Street,” was a beloved business leader and tireless advocate for downtown Northampton for nearly four decades. The memorial named in her honor celebrates individuals who, like Trager, embodied a deep personal commitment to the city’s cultural and economic vibrancy.
The selected honorees will be announced on Friday, Aug. 22. The Eva Trager Memorial Ceremony will be held in front of the Owl at 157 Main St., at 4 p.m., on Friday, Sept. 19.
For more information or to submit a nomination, visit northamptonchamber.com/eva-trager-memorial.
‘Light Northampton Purple’
NORTHAMPTON – The Northampton Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Prevention program, Hampshire HOPE, is recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day by inviting the community to “Light Northampton Purple” throughout August.
As a visible tribute to lives lost to overdose and a call to action around the ongoing opioid crisis, several Northampton businesses will be lighting up their entire outdoor facades during the month as a show of support. Thornes Marketplace and Tellus & the Satellite Bar plan to keep their facades illuminated in purple every night in August.
Community members and local businesses are encouraged to join the effort by displaying purple lights in their windows as a show of solidarity, awareness and remembrance. To learn more or get involved, contact hampshirehope@northamptonma.gov.
The purple lighting illuminating the community this month serves as a visual reminder of the lives lost, support for those grieving, and a call to action in response to the overdose crisis. Lighting neighborhoods in purple also helps to bring the issue of substance use out of the shadows, encouraging open conversations about overdose, harm reduction, treatment access, and recovery.
In Northampton, the monthlong display will culminate in the annual International Overdose Awareness Day vigil on Wednesday, Aug. 28th, at 6 p.m. at Forbes Library. For more information on the vigil, visit the event Facebook page at bit.ly/NorthamptonVigil.
Holyoke Care Center preps for annual regatta
HOLYOKE- The Care Center’s 25th annual “Rowing Strong, Rowing Together” Young Parents Regatta will take place on Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Holyoke Rows Boathouse, 25 Jones Ferry Road in Holyoke, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (rain date is Sunday, Aug. 24).
Now in its 25th year, the Young Parents Regatta is the annual culminating event of “Rowing Strong, Rowing Together,” a regional program designed by The Care Center and Mount Holyoke College. The program partners community boathouses with agencies supporting young mothers and has received national recognition for its innovation and impact. This year participating teams include young mothers from Holyoke, Springfield, Chelsea and Hartford. More than 100 spectators and fans are anticipated.
Located in Holyoke, The Care Center is a comprehensive and transformative educational program for young mothers and all women facing systemic barriers to success. The center offers individualized instruction to prepare students for their high school equivalency exam, college preparatory classes and coursework and an on-site associate degree program through Bard College; as well as transportation, meals, child care, counseling and the skills and support needed to achieve their goals.
Canines Against Cancer walk set for Friday
WEST SPRINGFIELD – The 6th annual Canines Against Cancer Support Walk, hosted by Each Moment We’re Alive Cancer Support Network, will take place on Friday, Aug. 22, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Morgan Road Pavilion, 429 Morgan Road, in West Springfield.
This evening brings together families, dog lovers and cancer survivors for a walk filled with joy, connection and compassion. Along the path, hidden inspirational rocks will offer moments of reflection and hope for participants of all ages. Additionally, there will be live music by the band CO2, a cookout provided by the Beavers Club of Western Mass, kids’ craft table, games and raffles, and craft beer, wine, soft drinks and more.
A $15 donation includes a coupon for a hot dog or hamburger. Proceeds benefit Each Moment We’re Alive’s free emotional, spiritual and navigation services for cancer survivor, especially during the critical and often overlooked time after treatment ends.
Since its founding in 2015, EMWA has supported hundreds of individuals and families on their healing journeys. The annual walk is one of the organization’s most meaningful fundraisers.