Pardon Our Progress to hold workshop for small businesses

NORTHAMPTON — Downtown business are invited to a “Survive and Thrive” workshop hosted by Pardon Our Progress and the Downtown Northampton Association scheduled for Monday, March 31, at noon, at Hotel Northampton.

This workshop will be led by Emily Innes, founder of Innes Associates, a consultancy firm collaborating with POP through a OneStop grant awarded to Northampton.

The conversation will discuss ways to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the Main Street redevelopment project. The workshop is exclusively for Northampton small business owners and their staff. Unfortunately, and is not open to residents or businesses outside of Northampton.

HCC gallery hosting 2025 Pioneer Valley HS Art Show

HOLYOKE — High school art students from western Massachusetts will see their work displayed in the Taber Art Gallery at Holyoke Community College during the 2025 Pioneer Valley High School Art Show.

The show started Monday and concludes Thursday, with a reception for artists and their families from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the gallery.

This is the first time the Taber Art Gallery has hosted the biennial high school art show since 2017.

Participating high schools include Agawam, Belchertown, Granby, Minnechaug Regional, St. Mary’s, South Hadley, West Springfield, Wilbraham and Monson Academy, and Westfield.

The Taber Art Gallery, located off the lobby of the HCC Library on the second floor of the HCC Donahue Building, is free and open to the public Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during regular school sessions.

Free Creative Movement series for Hilltown families

The Hilltown Community Health Center’s Family Playgroups will hold a free multiweek Creative Movement program for kids 0-5 and their caregivers during playgroups held from 10-12 on Fridays at Stanton Hall in Huntington.

Laurel Lenski, owner of Intrinsic Movement, and a highly experienced dance and expressive arts teacher, will facilitate sessions on Fridays March 28, April 4, April 11, April 25, May 9 and May 23.

The Hilltown Family Center offers free caregiver playgroups weekly on Mondays at Worthington Library, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Wednesdays at the Chester Train Station from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and on most from Fridays 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Stanton Hall in Huntington. On the third Fridays of the month the playgroups take a field trip.

A free home visiting program, ParentChild+, is also available through HCHC Community Programs for children 16 months through 3 years old. For more information on any of these programs call Chris at 413-303-6071.

Legislators to deliver for Meals on Wheels

HOLYOKE — Access Care Partners (formerly WestMass ElderCare) is supporting End the Wait, a national campaign led by Meals on Wheels America to address the urgent and growing needs of older adults experiencing hunger and isolation.

As demand for home-delivered meals and support services continues to climb, Access Care Partners, which delivers 1,200 meals each day, is calling on the community to join in ensuring no one is left waiting.

To highlight this urgent issue and show their support, local legislators are joining Access Care Partners throughout March and April to deliver meals and connect with older adult constituents. State Rep. Mindy Domb, D-Amherst, will deliver meals on Monday, March 31, and state Rep. Patricia Duffy, D-Holyoke, will do the same on Thursday, April 3, along with Holyoke City Councilor Juan Anderson-Burgos.

The legislators will tour Access Care Partners’ “Nutrition Central” in Holyoke and accompany Meals on Wheels drivers as they deliver meals in Holyoke, Chicopee, Ludlow, South Hadley, Granby and Ware.

To support Access Care Partners’ work or learn how to volunteer, donate, or advocate, visit accesscarepartners.org or contact Lynn Wolf at lwolf@accesscarepartners.org or 413-538-9020, x329.