Regional commemoration of atomic bombings in Japan
SPRINGFIELD — A regional commemoration of the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki takes place at Court Square Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
Dr. Ira Helfand of Northampton, a representative of the Western Massachusetts Back from the Brink Hub and co-founder and past president of Physicians for Social Responsibility, will give the keynote addrress, while closing prayers will be offered by members of the New England Pace Pagoda in Leverett.
Other aspects of the event will be a welcome and opening prayer from the Greater Springfield Campaign Nonviolence, a dramatic reading of: “Original Child Bomb” by Thomas Merton and a call to action by Mayors for Peace and the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Seeds Project.
The event will be held outdoors, rain or shine.
HCC opens registration for fall noncredit classes
HOLYOKE — Registration is now open for noncredit professional development and personal enrichment classes at Holyoke Community College for the fall 2026 semester.
The fall calendar begins Tuesday, Sept. 8, with individual classes running on different schedules throughout the semester. Many are available as single sessions that cost as little as $20.
Class topics include cooking, wine tasting, sewing, painting, piano, dance, conversational Spanish, music technology, voiceover coaching, investing, graphic design, financial literacy, retirement planning, Social Security strategies, writing, starting a home business, applying to college, mediation, understanding AI (artificial intelligence), K-12 education (professional development), and computer technology (with specific classes geared toward seniors).
Most classes meet in the Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development on the main HCC campus, 303 Homestead Ave, or on Zoom. Cooking and wine tasting classes meet at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute, 164 Race St.
To see complete fall course listings and schedules, or to register, please visit hcc.edu/bcs.
Free movie nights in Hadley in August
EASTHAMPTON — bankESB and Hadley Park & Recreation invite families from across the region to enjoy three nights of classic films, family fun and community connection during the Hadley Summer Movie Series at Hadley Elementary School this August.
The free event series, to be held at Hadley Elementary School on Wednesdays, Aug. 5, Aug. 12 and Aug. 19, is being held in celebration of bankESB’s upcoming transition to TruNorth Bank on Aug. 22. Families are encouraged to join friends and neighbors for an evening of outdoor entertainment featuring beloved throwback films, yard games, ice cream and concessions.
The movie schedule includes “The Goonies” on Aug. 5, “Back to the Future” on Aug. 12 and “Jumanji” on Aug. 19.
The school field will open at 6 p.m., with family-friendly yard games available from 6 to 8 p.m. Each movie will begin at 8 p.m.
Attendees can purchase treats from the Flayvors of Cook Farm ice cream truck, which will be on site at all three events. Additional concessions will also be available for purchase.
S. Hadley veteran named VFW’s national sergeant-at-arms
SOUTH HADLEY — Brian Willette of South Hadley was appointed National Sergeant-at-Arms of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for the sixth consecutive year on July 29 at the organization’s 127th National Convention in Reno, Nevada.
Willette, an Army combat veteran, earned his VFW eligibility through service in Bosnia during Operation Joint Forge and in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. He received the Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge.
He is a Gold Legacy Life member of VFW Post 3104 in South Hadley and currently serves as the Department of Massachusetts Sergeant-at-Arms. He has held the national post since 2021 after joining the Sergeant-at-Arms team in 2016, and has been a member of the National Honor Guard since 2019.
Willette also belongs to the American Legion, DAV, AMVETS and several other veterans organizations, and serves as National POW-MIA officer for the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
The VFW, founded in 1899, has more than 1.3 million members in nearly 6,000 posts worldwide.
Granby church to host Summerfest Aug. 23
GRANBY — Immaculate Heart of Mary Church will hold its Summerfest on Sunday, Aug. 23, from noon to 4 p.m.
A chicken dinner will be available for $15 and includes a half BBQ chicken, baked potato, corn on the cob, dessert and bottled water. Hamburgers and hot dogs will also be sold.
The event will feature raffles with prizes of $500, $250 and $100, along with raffle baskets, a bake sale, kids’ games, lottery trees and other family activities.