UMass to hold 14th 5K Dash and Dine

AMHERST — University of Massachusetts Dining Services invites the community to participate in its 14th annual UMass 5K Dash & Dine on Saturday, April 26, at 11 a.m., with the goal to promote health and wellness at UMass while raising funds for the Amherst Survival Center.

UMass Dining’s focus is on quality ingredients and meals, customer service, student health and wellness, customization options, and appreciation of global influences. Over the past 13 years, UMass Dining has raised over $50,000 for the Amherst Survival Center.

Check-in starts at 9 a.m. at the Southwest Horseshoe, followed at 10 a.m. by a free fun run for children 8 and under. The race itself begins at 11 a.m., with an awards ceremony after at 11:30 a.m. Lunch in the Berkshire Dining Commons will take place at noon.

The race fee is $15 for all Five College students, $25 for UMass faculty and staff, and $30 for the general public. Children 8 years old and under are free to participate. The race fee includes registration, and a complimentary meal.

Donations can be made and participants can register on the UMass 5K Dash & Dine website. Online registration will end at midnight on April 24. Walk-up registration will be available on Race Day.

Meet the Moms of #Fat Bear Week

SOUTHAMPTON — Southampton resident Stacey Schmeidel will give a free public talk about her experience volunteering with the U.S. National Park Service in backcountry Alaska Saturday at 1 p.m. 

The event – titled “Volunteering at Katmai National Park 2024: Meet the Moms of Fat Bear Week” – will take place at the Springfield Armory as part of its celebration of National Park Week. The event is open to the public at no charge.

Since the event is just a few weeks before Mothers Day, the talk will focus on Schmeidel’s experience volunteering at Katmai in the summer of 2024 – a summer that provided great insights into what it means to be a real “Mama Bear.” Schmeidel will introduce people to Katmai’s famous moms (and their cubs) – like 435 Holly, 128 Grazer and 402 – and discuss different mothering styles. 

Among other things, Katmai is home to #Fat Bear Week, a popular annual event in which millions of people vote online for which bear is the fattest.

As a visitor assistant volunteer for interpretation at Katmai, Schmeidel worked 40 hours a week, answering visitors’ questions about bears, sharing the stories of the 60-100 bears that guests saw fishing at Brooks Falls, and introducing visitors to other aspects of Katmai National Park. Her presentation in Springfield will focus on bear behavior, bear science, motherhood, dominance, resilience and more.

Schmeidel has a long career as a college public relations officer, having worked at several liberal arts colleges, including Amherst, Smith and now Wellesley.

Mount Toby Concerts hosting John Sheldon on April 19

LEVERETT — Mount Toby Concerts is welcoming longtime singer-songwriter John Sheldon on April 19 at 7 p.m.

Sheldon, who is in his 50th year of performing music, has accumulated a wide range of musical experience throughout his life, including serving as the lead guitarist for Van Morrison, songwriting for James Taylor, as well as touring with Linda Ronstadt and Taylor.

“My view of music has changed. It is not just entertainment anymore, but a way to connect to the energies of spirit and to invite them to our presence. I used to think I was playing music to get somewhere, but it turned out it was really a journey of healing myself,” Sheldon stated in a news release. “I now commit every note I play and every store I tell as a prayer and dedication to this beautiful, sentient planet we live on.”

A suggested donation of $15 to $25 is requested. To reserve tickets, call Diane at 413-835-1695 or email diacrowe@yahoo.com.