Drug Take Back Day set for Saturday in region
NORTHAMPTON — People in 15 area communities will have an opportunity to safely dispose of unneeded drugs during the 28th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day set for Saturday, Oct. 25.
The Northwestern district attorney’s office, local police departments, the Hampshire Sheriff’s Office and the county-based TRIAD initiative are again teaming up to organize and host the event.
Ten Hampshire County communities and five in Franklin County are gearing up for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Agency, a twice-yearly event that aims to encourage residents to drop off prescription or over-the-counter drugs for humans or pets in a collective effort to save lives by preventing misuse or accidental ingestion.
Proper disposal of unneeded prescription and non-prescription drugs also keeps them out of water sources and landfills, preventing harm to wild animals and the environment.
Collections are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at police departments or public safety complexes in Deerfield, Easthampton, Erving, Hadley, Leverett, Montague, Pelham, Southampton, South Hadley, Sunderland and Williamsburg. Other drop-off sites are at Wildwood Elementary School on Strong Avenue in Amherst; the Town Common in Belchertown; Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School on Locust Street in Northampton; the Fire Station at 51 Huntington Road in Worthington.
More than 78,700 pounds of drugs have been safely disposed of since 2011 during Take Back Days offered twice annually and through permanent drug collection boxes stationed at area police departments.
Prof to discuss social impact of fed policies at Pelham talk
PELHAM — Nancy Folbre, a professor emerita of economics at the University of Massachusetts, is leading a discussion of the social impact of federal policies on family budgets, medical care, child care and food security.
“Trump, the Family and the Care Economy” is the title of converstion with Folbre, starting at 7 p.m. at the Ramsdell Room in the Pelham Library, 2 South Valley Road.
Folbre is a feminist economist whose website states she has “a particular interest in the measurement and valuation of care provision–the time and money devoted to the production, development and maintenance of human capabilities.”
Sponsored by the Pelham Democratic Town Committee, the event is open to people of all political affiliations.
Amherst to host Halloween Spooktacular
AMHERST — Amherst Recreation will host its annual Halloween Spooktacular on Sunday, Oct., 26 from 12 to 3:30 pm. The event includes an exciting lineup of festive activities.
The event will kick off with Downtown Trick-or-Treating from 12 to 1 p.m. in collaboration with the Amherst Business Improvement District. Participating businesses will be identified by flyers displayed at their locations. Pick up a free paper trick-or-treat bag and a list of participating businesses at the Amherst Visitor Information Center (35 South Pleasant St.) or the Amherst Recreation office (170 Chestnut St., Suite 1).
People who want to participate in a costume parade should gather at 1 p.m., with the parade officially starting at 1:15 p.m. on the North Common. All ages are welcome.
After the parade, Halloween Spooktacular continues at the Bangs Community Center (70 Boltwood Walk) from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Enjoy a variety of Halloween-themed activities including a haunted house, kid’s carnival, crafts, and not-so-scary story time with the Jones Library.
For more information, contact Amherst Recreation Outreach Director Becky Demling at demlingb@amherstma.gov or 413-259-3151.
WMass marks anniversary of gold medal to Dalai Lama
HADLEY — The Regional Tibetan Association of Massachusetts in Amherst observed the 18th anniversary of the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal Award conferred upon His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama with a special commemorative gathering held on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Most Holy Redeemer Church.
The event was attended by members of the local Tibetan community, friends of
Tibet, and students from nearby universities. Thondup Tsering, a member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPIE) representing North America, delivered the keynote address.
In his speech, Tsering highlighted the historical significance of the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest civilian honors in the United States, established during the American Revolution to recognize exceptional service and contributions to humanity. Over the years, the award has been bestowed upon distinguished individuals such as George Washington, Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King Jr.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama became the recipient of this prestigious honor on Oct. 17, 2007, in a historic ceremony held in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The award recognized His Holiness’s lifelong commitment to peace, nonviolence, human rights, and universal compassion.
Saturday’s event also featured the screening of a documentary film titled “18 Years of U.S. Congressional Gold Medal to His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama: A Reminiscence,” produced by Tibet TV. The film revisits the landmark event, and invites viewers to reflect on how that recognition continues to resonate.
Bilingual candidate forums continue in Holyoke
HOLYOKE — A series of bilingual candidate forums with candidates for Holyoke City Council and School Committee continue on Thursday and Friday at Holyoke Media, 1 Court Plaza. The forums are being organized by OneHolyoke CDC.
The forums, that will be in English and Spanish, and are free and open to the public in person, broadcast live by Holyoke Media, and recorded.
The first forums for candidates seeking ward positions on the council were held Monday night. School Committee candidates will answer questions on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., followed by City Council at-large candidates on Friday, Oct. 24, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
The municipal election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4.