Grace Episcopal to hold Messiah community sing
The Grace Episcopal Church in Amherst will host a G.F. Handel Messiah community sing to benefit the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund this Sunday, Dec. 21, at 5 p.m., at the church at 14 Boltwood Ave.
The Messiah event — where audience members become a choir to accompany four soloists and a chamber orchestra — features Arianne Abela and her husband, Noah Horn, as conductors. It will feature soloists Paige Graham, soprano; Justina Golden, alto; Todd Fruth, tenor; and Liam Shannon, bass; and an orchestra with strings, winds, organ, harpsichord and timpani.
Messiah sings are a Christmas tradition from 19th-century United States and Europe, and occur throughout New England during the holiday season.
Come to listen or sing. A limited number of scores are available. Free-will cash or check donations benefit the Toy Fund of the Daily Hampshire Gazette.
River Valley Co-op donates $20K to Survival Center
NORTHAMPTON — River Valley Co-op announced a contribution of more than $20,000 to support the Northampton Survival Center. This contribution was made through the co-op’s November “Change for Change” round up donations at the check outs in both their Northampton and Easthampton store locations.
This is the most recent and largest of the co-op’s last four monthly Change for Change contributions to local food security focused nonprofits which totaled nearly $62,000. These contributions included $13,745 for the Easthampton Community Center ,$14,064 for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, $13,915 for Manna Community Kitchen, as well as the November contribution of $20,309 for the Northampton Survival Center.
Each time a customer shops at River Valley Co-op, they are given the opportunity to “round up” their purchase to the nearest dollar, with the extra cents going into the Change for Change donation fund. That fund is allocated each month to a local nonprofit organization nominated and chosen by co-op member votes.
The $20,309 raised will enable the Northampton Survival Center to keep up with high levels of increased demand from new and returning clients worried about food insecurity while they navigate threats to SNAP, heating assistance, and general economic instability.
Winter Solstice at UMass Sunwheel
AMHERST — The public is invited to observe sunrise and sunset on the day of the winter solstice among the standing stones of the UMass Amherst Sunwheel on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Faculty from the UMass Amherst astronomy department will discuss the astronomical cause of the solstice, and a telescope will be set up to observe the waning gibbous moon, Venus, and the surface of the sun. Heavy rain or snow will cancel the gatherings.
Astronomers mark the start of winter as the moment the sun reaches its southernmost apparent position relative to the stars. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. On this date the sun rises and sets at its most southerly spot along the horizon, over the southeasterly and southwesterly stones in the Sunwheel, respectively. The official solstice occurs at 10:03 a.m. and the sun reaches its southernmost position at 6:34 p.m. Eastern standard time on Dec. 21. After that moment, the sun begins moving northward, and the days start getting longer.
At the approximately hourlong gatherings, UMass Amherst astronomers Stephen Schneider (sunrise) and Grant Wilson (sunset) will discuss the astronomical cause of the solstice. They will explain the seasonal positions of Earth, the sun and moon, and the design of the Sunwheel and other calendar sites such as the Temple of Karnak in Egypt and at Chankillo in Peru.
The UMass Amherst Sunwheel is located south of McGuirk Alumni Stadium, just off Rocky Hill Road (Amity Street) about one-quarter mile south of University Drive. Visitors to the Sunwheel should be prepared for freezing temperatures and wet footing. Rain or blizzard conditions cancel the events. Donations are welcome to help with the cost of additional site work and future events.
St. Patrick’s Committee honors longtime volunteer
HOLYOKE — The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke has selected James Menard as the 2026 Gallivan Award recipient, honoring his years of dedication to the parade, the community, and his enduring Irish spirit.
The Daniel J. Gallivan Award is given annually to a member of the Parade Committee who, while not a resident of the city of Holyoke, has made significant contributions to the overall success of the parade and/or the association. The award is named in honor of Daniel Gallivan, who was from South Hadley and a longtime member of the St Patrick’s Committee.
Born and raised in Holyoke, Menard now lives in Chicopee with his wife, Katie, whom he married in November 2025. James joined the Parade Committee at just 18 years old and has been a hardworking and dedicated member ever since. His commitment spans many years during which he has played an integral role in some of the Parade’s most cherished traditions.
Menard serves on the Road Race Committee, helping to organize one of the region’s most anticipated athletic and fundraising events. His work and reliability quickly earned him the respect of fellow volunteers, paving the way for his current role as co-chair of the Float Committee. In this position, Menard works with the Float Committee to oversee the design and construction of the iconic Grand Colleen float — signature symbols of the Parade’s pageantry and pride.
Menard will be honored at the Grand Coronation Ball on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. For tickets or more information, please visit holyokestpatricksparade.com.