HCC annual ‘Trunk or Treat’ set for Friday
HOLYOKE — Visitors to Holyoke Community College on Friday, Oct. 23, 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 ninth annual Trunk or Treat event.
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.
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.
Last year’s trunk themes included 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
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 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.
Potluck, conversation to spotlight farmworkers
SUNDERLAND — A potluck supper and community conversation centered on an audio documentary about the lives of farmworkers will be held Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Sunderland Public Library, 20 School St.
The evening opens with supper and small-group icebreakers in the library’s Community Room. That will be followed by an airing of “Room to Grow: The Inner Lives of Farmworkers,” which mixes local testimonials with music. Facilitated small-group discussions will follow the documentary. The entire event will be translated between English and Spanish.
Attendees are asked to bring a dish to share with neighbors and with local farmworkers arriving from work.
Childcare for all ages will be offered in the library’s Children’s Room.
The documentary was produced by Nicholas Boyer and Carrie Kline with Michael Kline for Talking Across the Lines. The group produces oral history and music programs on local history, culture, politics and Indigenous life. Its work is available on the Talking Across the Lines YouTube channel and podcast and at soundcloud.com/talkingacrossthelines.
For more information, email kline@folktalk.org.
‘Just Susan’ concert benefits Haydenville church
HAYDENVILLE — Williamsburg singer Susan Farrell will perform a benefit concert for the Haydenville Congregational Church on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 3 p.m.
The concert, “Just Susan,” will include old favorites, a cappella pieces, sing-alongs and a new original song. The suggested donation is $5 to $20.
Farrell has been a professional singer for 60 years. Her repertoire spans pop music from the 1930s to the 1990s, folk, church choir music, musical theater and the Great American Songbook. In the 1970s and ’80s, she toured with eight Top 40 show bands.
The church is at 141 Main St. Parking is behind the building, and the church is wheelchair accessible.
Electronics recycling event in Deerfield to benefit parish
DEERFIELD — Residents from Deerfield and surrounding communities are invited to an electronics recycling event on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Holy Family Church parking lot, 29 Sugarloaf St., South Deerfield.
Green Day Recycling will collect electronics, appliances, anything with a plug or batteries, and reusable bicycles for responsible recycling. Most items are subject to a recycling fee, with prices ranging from $5 to $40 depending on the item. A limited selection of items will be accepted free of charge.
The event offers an opportunity to reduce waste and help keep hazardous materials out of landfills. The event will take place rain or shine, and residents from all towns and communities are welcome.
Part of the proceeds will benefit the parish.
When arriving, please follow the cones and directions from the workers. Bring your vehicle as close to the truck or dumpster as possible. You may remain in your vehicle while workers unload your items.
Cash payment is preferred. Checks will be accepted for payments over $30. Computer hard drives will be destroyed during the recycling process.
For additional questions, a complete list of pricing and accepted items, business cleanouts, or information about working with Green Day Recycling to host an event with your organization, visit GreenDayRecycling.net.