Cooley Dickinson reopens hospital coffee shop
NORTHAMPTON — Cooley Dickinson Hospital leaders, volunteers from the Friends of Cooley Dickinson, and community members gathered for a ribbon-cutting marking the official reopening of the hospital’s coffee shop.
The coffee shop was closed this summer for renovations and has reopened with expanded hours of operations, including being open seven days a week.
The new hours are Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shop is now managed by Cooley’s Nutrition Services team, but will continue to employ staff who have volunteered in the shop, as well as additional staff to support the expanded hours.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Friends of Cooley Dickinson for their support of the coffee shop and our patients over the years, and we’ve worked with them on this new operating model,” said Catherine Reed, executive director of operations. “We know the coffee shop has become a place for our patients’ friends and family members to relax in what can be stressful, personal moments, and the renovations and expanded hours are meant to keep this welcoming environment going for years to come.”
Two employees from the previous coffee shop helped prepare the new space and are now working there, said Jennifer A. Johnston, manager of volunteer services at the hospital.
The updated menu will feature a selection of breakfast and lunch sandwiches, individual pizzas, grilled items and fresh salads, with the addition of new fresh grab-and-go options for convenience. Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options will also be available to meet a variety of dietary preferences. Starbucks hot and cold beverages will be available in addition to other beverage options.
UMass to host discussion on Dalai Lama’s succession
AMHERST — The University of Massachusetts Amherst will host an interdisciplinary panel discussion on Monday, featuring His Eminence the 13th Kundeling Tatsak Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist scholar and teacher, to explore the historical, religious and geopolitical implications of the Dalai Lama’s succession.
The talk will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Old Chapel on the UMass Amherst campus. The event is free and open to the public.
Rinpoche’s visit comes as the 14th Dalai Lama has reaffirmed that the institution will continue with a 15th Dalai Lama. The Chinese government has asserted authority over the recognition of Tibetan Buddhist reincarnations, raising questions about what might happen if Tibetan religious authorities and the Chinese government recognize different successors.
The discussion will also feature Ka Zeng, professor of political science at UMass Amherst, who will examine Chinese state policy, sovereignty and the broader geopolitical implications of the succession, and Elizabeth Angowski, the Numata Professor of Buddhist Studies at Smith College, who will explore Buddhist morality, political authority, legitimacy and statecraft.
Stephen Platt, professor of Chinese history at UMass Amherst, will moderate the panel. Dhardon Sharling, lecturer of communication at UMass Amherst, will interpret for Rinpoche, who will deliver his remarks in Tibetan.
Born in Lhasa, Tibet, in 1983, Rinpoche completed his monastic studies at Drepung Monastery, earning the Geshe degree in 2013, and later pursued advanced tantric studies at Gyudmed Monastery. He has spoken at Harvard Divinity School, the Harvard Asia Center and the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies.
The discussion is sponsored by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at UMass Amherst.
About the University of Massachusetts Amherst
The flagship of the commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors.
Ruggles Center to hold free history tour at Florence cemetery
NORTHAMPTON — The David Ruggles Center will hold a free history tour at Park Street Cemetery in Florence on Saturday, Oct. 31, at from 1-2 p.m.
The center’s founder and tour guide, Steve Strimer, will lead the walk among the gravesites and then by the homes of several of the progressive heroes of Florence history. Utopian community founders, abolitionists, African American freedom seekers turned stalwart citizens, reformers, radical free thinkers and others are buried in the shadow of Cosmian Hall, the Temple of Free Speech.
Attendees should meet at the cemetery. A suggested donation of $5-$10 is welcome. To RSVP, or for more information, email info@davidrugglescenter.org.
Good Neighbor energy aid fund opens applications
The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund opened its 2026-27 campaign Wednesday, offering grants of up to $400 to help eligible households cover a month’s energy bill.
The fund, administered by the Salvation Army Massachusetts Division, serves residents facing temporary financial hardship who don’t qualify for state or federal energy assistance. To be eligible, a household’s gross income must fall between 60% and 80% of the state median income. Payments go directly to the household’s energy provider. Applications opened Oct. 19.
The campaign launched at the fund’s 41st annual kickoff breakfast in Quincy. National Grid and Eversource Energy together contributed more than $325,000 to the fund.
Last season, the fund helped more than 1,250 households statewide. Since 1985, it has raised more than $25.5 million and assisted nearly 99,000 households.
Western Massachusetts residents can apply through their local Salvation Army corps community center or service extension unit, or by calling 800-262-1320. More information is available at magoodneighbor.org.