Mount Holyoke to hold conversation on US foreign policy

SOUTH HADLEY — Mount Holyoke College is holding a conversation on U.S. foreign policy, “The ‘Donroe Doctrine’: Where Is It Leading Us?” It will be held in Hooker Auditorium in Clapp Laboratory on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 5:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. 

This discussion will analyze the Trump administration’s foreign policy and its implications for peace and security at home and abroad.  Is the Trump administration operating in a fundamentally different way from previous administrations?  Are we indeed in the “midst of a rupture,” as the Canadian prime minister Mark Carney put it?  Or entering a new phase of great power competition and collusion?  Is the post-war international order essentially over?  These and other questions will be addressed by faculty with expertise in U.S. foreign policy and the politics of Latin America, East Asia and the European Union.  

Faculty speakers will be: Javier Corrales, professor of political science at Amherst College; Calvin Chen, professor of politics at Mount Holyoke College; Sidita Kushi, professor of politics at Mount Holyoke College; Christopher Mitchell, professor of politics at Mount Holyoke College; and will be moderated by Sohail Hashmi, professor of politics at Mount Holyoke College. 

This event is sponsored by The McCulloch Center for Global Initiatives at Mount Holyoke College and the departments of Politics, Asian Studies and International Relations. For more information, including a campus map, visit events.mtholyoke.edu. 

Valentine’s Day at Hadley Library

HADLEY — The Friends of the Hadley Public Library is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a Book Sale & Raffle from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 14 at the 50 Middle St. site.

The event will feature a selection of used books for sale with many new donations, along with a basket of wrapped “mystery” books and heart-themed jewelry.

“Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be fancy,” Marla Miller, a member of the Friends, said in a statement. “Small thoughtful pieces of jewelry or a chance on a raffle prize let people know you are thinking of them.”

Raffle prizes include gift certificates from local restaurants and a large relaxation gift basket.

Tickets will be sold that Saturday and on Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The drawing will take place on Feb. 21 at 2 p.m.

All proceeds benefit programs and services at the Hadley Public Library.

Southampton Dems to convene

SOUTHAMPTON — On Saturday, Feb. 21, at 9:30 a.m., Democrats will convene at the Southampton Town Hall, 210 College Highway, to elect four delegates and four alternates to represent Southampton at the 2026 Massachusetts State Democratic Convention. Doors open at 9 a.m. for the caucus in Southampton.

Registered and preregistered Democrats in Southampton, who are 16 years old by Saturday, March 29, may vote and be elected as delegates or alternates during the caucus. Youth (age 16 to 35), individuals with disabilities, people of color, veterans, and members of the LGBTQ+ community not elected as delegates or alternates are encouraged to apply to be add-on delegates at the caucus or by visiting https://www.massdems.org/caucus-and-convention. 

The 2026 Convention will be in person at the DCU Center in Worcester, on Friday and Saturday, May 29-30. 

Those interested in getting involved with the Southampton Democratic Committee should contact Janet Cain at any southamptonmadems@gmail.com.

Free lunchtime talk on philanthropy at HCC

HOLYOKE — Holyoke attorney Gina Barry, a 1994 graduate of Holyoke Community College and an estate planning specialist, will present “Pro Tips for Savvy Philanthropy” during a complimentary lunch at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute on Wednesday, Feb. 18.

The lunch, part of a series of “Inspired Giving” events hosted by HCC, will run from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute, 164 Race St., Holyoke. The lunch is free and open to the public, but advanced registration is required as seats are limited.

The event is being co-hosted by New England Public Media, the local affiliate of National Public Radio, which saw its federal funding eliminated last year. NEPM Executive Editor Elizabeth Román, a 2003 graduate of HCC, will speak about the impact of community journalism and her journey from HCC to her current role.

HCC President George Timmons will provide welcome remarks.  

Barry, chair of the Estate Planning and Elder Law Department of Bacon Wilson, P.C., will break down what donors should know about the shifting tax landscape.  

Parking is available on site and along Race Street. If the college is closed Feb. 18 due to inclement weather, the program will be moved online, and registrants will be emailed a Zoom link.

To register, please go to hcc.edu/inspired or contact John Sieracki, HCC leadership gift officer, at 413-687-0322 / jsieracki@hcc.edu.