Drive-through flu clinic Saturday

EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton Health Department and Fire Department, in partnership with Northampton’s shared services nursing team, will hold an annual free drive-thru flu vaccine clinic Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Public Safety Complex, 32 Payson Ave.

Flu vaccines are free and open to anyone 6 months and older. No one will be turned away for lack of insurance, but residents are asked to bring an insurance card if they have one, as reimbursement helps sustain the program. Both regular and high-dose flu vaccine, the latter for those 65 and older, will be available.

Health Director Ryan Griffin said timing matters when it comes to flu shots. It takes about two weeks for a vaccine to reach full protection, and its effectiveness fades by roughly 6% to 10% each month after that. With flu season typically starting in October and cases climbing through November, Griffin said waiting too long can leave people exposed just as flu activity picks up.

The clinic is designed for speed and convenience: residents can remain in their vehicle for the entire visit. Advance registration is strongly encouraged, as walk-in appointments will be limited.

Residents unable to attend the drive-thru clinic can get a flu shot at the Council on Aging clinic on Oct. 28. Homebound vaccination appointments are also available for residents with limited mobility and their caregivers.

COVID vaccine will not be offered at the drive-thru clinic due to supply limitations. It is available only at the Council on Aging clinic and through homebound appointments for residents 65 and older and high-risk adults.

To register or learn more, visit northamptonma.gov/2219/Vax, call 413-587-4903 or email nurses@northamptonma.gov.

Cutchins to hold Superhero Run, Fall Family Fair

NORTHAMPTON — Cutchins Programs for Children & Families will mark 10 years of its Superhero Run and Fall Family Fair on Sunday, Oct. 4, at its campus at 78 Pomeroy Terrace.

The event includes a 10K run at 8:30 a.m. and a 5K run/walk at 9 a.m., along with a free children’s Fun Run and an expanded Fall Family Fair open to the public, race participation not required.

Now in its 10th year, the Superhero Run has raised awareness of mental health and trauma affecting children and adolescents while promoting physical activity and community connection, organizers said. This year’s event carries the theme “Hope in Action.”

Planned activities include superhero-themed games, creative sessions with Art Always, cartooning workshops with local graphic novelist Jarrett J. Krosoczka, a Sparkle Salon with Salon 180, family activities, food and fall-themed games.

New this year, Cutchins will present its first Community Superhero Awards, recognizing children and adults across the region whose compassion, courage or advocacy make a difference for others, including teachers, neighbors, caregivers, clinicians, coaches and young people.

Registration, sponsorship and Community Superhero Award nominations are available through Cutchins Programs for Children & Families.

Cummington sets hazard plan meeting

CUMMINGTON — Residents, business owners and members of surrounding communities are invited to learn about and weigh in on Cummington’s Hazard Mitigation Plan at a public meeting on Thursday, Sept. 24.

The meeting will be held during the Select Board’s regular meeting at the Cummington Community House, 33 Main St., at 6 p.m.

The Hazard Mitigation Plan is intended to assess the town’s natural hazard risks and lay out an action plan to reduce its vulnerabilities. The plan is being developed by the town with assistance from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Once complete, it will be submitted to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and FEMA for review and approval. A FEMA-approved plan makes the town eligible for federal and state mitigation grant funding.

The meeting will include discussion of natural hazards and climate impacts in Cummington, the draft plan, and proposed mitigation actions. Municipal officials and Pioneer Valley Planning Commission staff will be on hand to answer questions and take comments on the plan and the planning process.

The draft Hazard Mitigation Plan is available on the town’s website. For more information, contact Derek Strahan of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission at dstrahan@pvpc.org or 413-285-1193.

Historic Northampton to host two free public tours

NORTHAMPTON — Historic Northampton will mark “We Want More History” Day on Saturday, Sept. 26, with two free public tours as part of the nationwide observance.

The Bridge Street Cemetery Walking Tour begins at 10 a.m. at Bridge Street Cemetery. Registration is required and limited to 25 people; the exact meeting location will be included in the confirmation email.

The tour will be led by Emma Winter Zeig, an exhibition developer at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and former museum educator at Historic Northampton. The tour will introduce visitors to Northampton residents — from students to soldiers to enslaved people — through letters, poems and diaries archived in the Historic Northampton collection, and will examine changing gravestone artisanry and symbolism.

At 12:30 p.m., Historic Northampton will host a gallery talk, “Slavery and Freedom in Northampton, 1654-1783,” led by Museum Educator and Program Coordinator Emma Bresnan. No registration is required.

The 45-minute talk will explore stories featured in the current exhibit of the same name, including the lives of enslaved individuals, their choices about family and freedom, the legal arrangements that kept slavery in place, and how enslaved labor fueled the Northampton-area economy.