Northampton to celebrate Polish Heritage Month
NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton Polish Heritage Committee will celebrate Polish Heritage Month with a Polish flag-raising ceremony and memorial observance on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 11 a.m. at Memorial Hall.
The ceremony will commemorate the 45th anniversary of Polish Heritage Month and recognize the contributions of Polish Americans to the community, state and nation.
Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra will read the city of Northampton proclamation declaring October as Polish Heritage Month. The program will also include the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the American and Polish national anthems.
Following the flag-raising ceremony, participants will proceed to Pulaski Park for a memorial program honoring General Casimir Pulaski, a hero of both Poland and the American Revolution.
The Pulaski Park observance will feature welcoming remarks by Bob Gibowicz, followed by the reading of a Massachusetts Senate proclamation by Sen. Jo Comerford recognizing General Pulaski Day. Olen Bielski, a director of the Polish Center will offer reflections on the life of General Pulaski. The program will include a wreath-laying ceremony at the General Pulaski monument, a ceremonial salute, remarks by committee members, patriotic musical selections, and the participation of committee members dressed in traditional Polish costume.
The public is invited to attend both ceremonies and join in celebrating Polish heritage, history and culture.
The Northampton Polish Heritage Committee will also host its 14th Annual Polish Christmas Carol Sing Along (Kolędy) program on Jan. 10, 2027, at 2 p.m. at St. Valentine’s Polish National Catholic Church, 127 King St., Northampton.
Craig’s Doors to mark 15 years
AMHERST — Craig’s Doors: A Home Association, Inc. is marking its 15th year of providing shelter, supportive services and resources to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing instability.
Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road, community members, supporters, volunteers and staff will come together for the event.
Craig’s Doors was founded in 2011, named in honor of the late Craig Lorraine, a former guest at what was then known as the Warming Place. Since then, the agency has operated Craig’s Place, a homeless shelter currently at Immanuel Lutheran Church, and a resource center from the parking lot at First Baptist Church.
Some of those expected to be present or speaking at the event include Town Manger Paul Bockelman, Jill Brevik and Lynn Griesemer from the Town Council, state Rep. Mindy Domb, state Sen. Jo Comerford and Jesse Lederman, regional director for U.S. Sen. Ed Markey.
Those interested in attending should RSVP at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=mrn84er-wkOfqL1M17prHIgf1xEMGdJHkpek1cfmJ-9UQ04xTFZUWTBWRUZES0Q4WlYwM1hQNEhOMiQlQCN0PWcu
Light refreshments will be provided. In case of incelement weather, the event will be postponed a week.
Hatfield Historical Society to host history reenactor
HATFIELD — “Loyalist Perspectives on the American Revolution” is the title of a presentation being put by a history reenactor for the Hatfield Historical Society Thursday.
Dressed in the uniform and accoutrements of the 1770s, Justin Kennick will discuss the perspectives of a loyal American during the war for independence at the event, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Congregational Church, 41 Main St.
Kennick portrays a member of John Peters’ company of Queen’s Loyal Rangers, who served with Gen. John Burgoyne in his 1777 campaign in the Champlain Valley. For 25 years, Kennick has been working as a professional historical interpreter at Old Sturbridge Village.
Both Loyalists and Revolutionaries lived in Hatfield at the time in the 18th century, indicating how the American Revolution was, in some ways, its own civil war.
The series is funded in part by a grant from the Hatfield Cultural Council. For more information, send email to hatfieldhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
Leverett talk confronts fear of death
LEVERETT — Photographer Heather Pillar will discuss facing fears of death and how to
live fulfilling lives, as well as leading a related art exercise, at the Leverett Library, 75 Montague Road, Saturday at 1 p.m.
Pillar documented the last six months of Morrie Schwartz’s life in her books “Memento Morrie: Images of Love and Loss” and “Remembering Morrie: A Visual Guide to All That
Matters in the End.”
Schwartz is best known to the public from the book “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom.
The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is optional by going to
https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=1728&EventID=596026&PK=