‘Trunk or Treat’ returns to HCC on Friday

HOLYOKE — Visitors to Holyoke Community College on Friday, Oct. 24, can expect to see witches, ghouls, ghosts and an assortment of characters from popular children’s movies, games, books, and TV shows as the college celebrates Halloween with its eighth annual Trunk or Treat event. 

Trunk or Treat runs from 5 to 7 p.m. in Parking Lot M by the Bartley Center for Athletics and Recreation on the main HCC campus, 303 Homestead Ave.

Every year, the event draws thousands of children and their parents to the HCC campus for a fun, safe, and early Halloween celebration as dozens of HCC departments, programs, and student clubs, as well as community groups and area businesses, decorate their cars and trucks with a wide assortment of themes. 

This year’s trunk themes include Disney’s Cars, the Wizard of Oz, Minions, Dr. Seuss, pirates, a haunted vet clinic, aliens, Jurassic Park, Shrek, the Adams Family, witches, The Nightmare Before Christmas, cartoons, pumpkins and ghosts, Harry Potter, Scooby Doo, Bob’s Burgers, fun at the farm, Irish dancing fairies, haunted house, brains, aliens, and Bluey, among others

Vehicle sponsors include HCC Student Engagement, Veterinary and Animal Science, the Latinx Empowerment Club, Radiologic Technology, Nursing, Campus Police, HCC Volleyball, Jan’s Flowers, Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start, Elms College Teachers Lounge, and the Black Rose Academy of Irish Dance, among others.

Prizes are awarded to vehicle sponsors in various categories including best executed theme, scariest trunk, best costumes, and most original.

Each vehicle will be handing out free Halloween treats and also have non-food items for children with dietary restrictions.

Trunk or Treat at HCC started in 2017 as a safe, fun, and early alternative to traditional trick-or-treating on Halloween night. Rather than going door to door seeking Halloween treats, children go “trunk to trunk” to collect their candy, visiting cars decorated with seasonal themes and familiar stories and characters.

The event is free and open to the public and will be held outdoors, rain or shine. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Rep. Sabadosa to host town hall in Hatfield

HATFIELD — State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa will hold a town hall discussion on Friday, Oct. 24, at 5 p.m., at the Hatfield Town Hall. The event will last until 7 p.m. and will feature updates on the legislative session, specific policy updates and a question-and-answer session. All are welcome to attend.

‘Coolidge & the Jewish community in the 1920s’

NORTHAMPTON — A program called “Coolidge & the Jewish Community in the 1920s” will take place on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 10:30 a.m., at Congregation B’Nai Israel, 253 Prospect St.

The talk will involve a discussion of President Calvin Coolidge and Jewish relations in the 1920s in recognition of the 100th anniversary of an address by the president called “Spiritual Unification of America” given at the laying of the cornerstone of the Jewish Community Center in New York City.

The panel will feature Jennifer Young, education program manager at the Yiddish Book Center, and Aaron Berman, professor emeritus of history at Hampshire College. This discussion will be moderated by Bill Scher, Coolidge Museum Standing Committee vice chair. All are welcome; no registration is required.

This program is part of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum’s Centennial Series and is also part of Congregational B’Nai Israel’s Cafe series on Sundays in person in the synagogue’s Social Hall.

Northampton to host ‘Boo! To The Flu’ vax clinic

NORTHAMPTON — The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) invites community members to roll up their sleeves and have some Halloween fun at its annual Boo! to the Flu vaccine clinic on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, 80 Locust St., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Public health nurses will be providing free flu vaccines for everyone ages six months and older, including high-dose flu vaccines for adults 65 and older.

Each year, flu viruses change, and the vaccine is updated to provide the best protection. Research shows that flu vaccines can prevent flu infection, reduce the duration and severity of flu symptoms, and lower the risk of being hospitalized for the flu.

While the clinic is free of charge, DHHS requests insurance information when available.  Insurance reimbursement helps sustain future vaccine programs.

Families are encouraged to come in costume, and there will be treats for children and Halloween fun for everyone. Pre-registration is encouraged at northamptonma.gov/2219/Vaccine-Programs, but walk-ins are also welcome. If you need assistance with registration, call 413-587-1214.