Wilbraham – Hampden Calendar

Veteran’s Day celebration in Hampden

HAMPDEN – The Hampden Senior Center will be holding a social gathering in celebration of Veteran’s Day on Friday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m.

There will be an assortment of deserts served, and veterans are encouraged to bring old photographs from their time in the military.

All are welcome and reservations can be made at the front desk of the senior center or by calling 566-5588.

American Legion looking for veterans

WILBRAHAM - The Wilbraham American Legion Post #286 is looking for veterans in Wilbraham and Hampden who would like to join the American Legion. The Post is looking to be more active and increase their membership and would like to encourage veterans to join said Commander Glenn Trevallion.

“We offer scholarships to members’ children and grandchildren who are graduating high school. We also sponsor Boy’s and Girl’s State which is offered to juniors at Minnechaug and present the Good Citizenship Award every year to a male and female student graduating the eighth grade at the Wilbraham Middle School,” said Trevallion. The Post participates in the Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies and replaces the flags on veteran’s graves before Memorial Day in Wilbraham cemeteries. Meetings are held at the Children’s Museum, 678 Main St., Wilbraham the first Sunday of the month at 11:30 a.m.

For more information call Glenn S. Trevallion at 596-4302.

Hockey team to hold can and bottle drive

WILBRAHAM – The Minnechaug Regional High School Falcons hockey team will be holding a can and bottle drive on Saturday, Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. to noon at the main entrance of the high school, 621 Main St.

Water bottles redeemable in Connecticut will also be accepted, and the money raised will go to benefit the entire ice hockey program at Minnechaug. To arrange for a pick up, e-mail julie.shea@verizon.net.

American Legion hosts ‘Turkey Toot’

WILBRAHAM – The Wilbraham American Legion Post 286 will be hosting a “Turkey Toot” contest on Saturday, Nov. 13 at the Hampden VFW starting at 1 p.m.

The contest requires a $1 donation per person or six people for $5; with the inner receiving $300 and second place receiving a frozen turkey.

To participate all one must do is purchase a square from a Legion member, and then wait to see which square the turkey chooses to purge on the day of the event.

The profit will go towards the Legion’s Scholarship and Boys and Girls state funds.

Naturalist teaches how to interpret the land

HAMPDEN – Mass Audubon will be holding a “Stories of the land” seminar on Saturday, Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, located off Main Street, with naturalist Kevin Kopchynski.

Kopchynski will show participants how to pick out clues in the forest that hint at the land’s past uses and inhabitants, and how to interpret them.

The cost is $10 for Audubon members and $15 for non-members; pre-registration is required and participants are encouraged to dress warm and bring water or a hot drink as much of the program will be outdoors. To register or for more information contact 584-3009 Ext. 812 or by e-mail at arcadia@massaudubon.org.

French meat pie supper at FCC

HAMPDEN – The Federated Community Church, 590 Main St., will be hosting a French meat pie supper on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m.

The menu will include meat pie from St John the Baptist Church, vegetables, salad, rolls, desert and beverages.

The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children, for reservations call 566-3711.

Community clothing exchange at YMCA

WILBRAHAM, - The Scantic Valley YMCA in Post Office Park will host a Clothing and Toy Exchange from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 14.

Donations of gently used, clean clothing, shoes, handbags and toys may be dropped off at the Scantic Valley YMCA now through the day of the event.

Donated items will be displayed in the YMCA gymnasium on Sunday, Nov. 14. Anyone is welcome to come and fill as many bags as they like for $5 per bag. Medium size bags will be provided.

For more information or to volunteer, call the YMCA at 596-2749.

Planning Board to host bylaw public forum

HAMPDEN – The Hampden Planning Board has announced it will hold its third public forum Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Town House auditorium. According to Chairman Cornelius Flynn, the purpose of the forum is for the board to hear public input on the proposed bylaw amendments regarding home occupations, in-law apartments, and large vehicles.

During the last public forum Sept. 15, Flynn noted that most of those in attendance were the same who attended the first forum in August. He said that he and the board do not want to go to Town Meeting with amendments and changes to the town’s bylaws with no support at the floor.

Holiday Bazaar at Gardens of Wilbraham

WILBRAHAM – The Friends of Wilbraham Seniors will hold their Holiday Bazaar at The Gardens of Wilbraham, 2301 Boston Road Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The bazaar will feature 25 crafters, raffle gifts donated by local businesses, coffee and pastries; and lunch by David Miles and Harry Setian. All proceeds for the event will go towards the Friends of Wilbraham Seniors Rebuilding Fund.

Theatre Guild to hold first ever gala

HAMPDEN – As a fundraiser to help raise funds for a theater of their own, the Hampden Theatre Guild will hold its first ever gala “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” on Saturday, Nov. 20 at the Hampden Country Club.

A social hour will start at 6 p.m. and dinner will begin at 7 p.m. All interested are welcome to enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing, a silent auction, and raffle. Tickets are $40 and are available by calling Kiernan Rushford at 224-1174, at Mark Henry Florists on 439 Main St. in Indian Orchard, or by e-mail at theatreguildofhampden@gmail.com.

Thanksgiving Day football game at Minnechaug

WILBRAHAM - There is a Minnechaug Football home game on Thanksgiving Day at 10 a.m. residents are asked to support the Falcons as they face Central High School.  The team is asking they bring a nonperishable food item to the game. The team will be bringing all donations to a local food pantry.

On Wednesday, Nov. 24 the junior and senior football players will play their parents in a game of touch football. The game is at the high school after practice at 12:30 p.m.

Red Hats to attend ‘Festival of Trees’

WILBRAHAM – The Red Hat Ya Ya Sisterhood (RHYYS) will be taking a trip to “The Festival of Trees” in Springfield, on Friday, Dec. 3, followed immediately by a lunch at Lido’s Restaurant in Springfield.

The trip will be the Sisterhood’s Christmas Party, and is set to leave the senior center at 10:30 a.m. Carpooling and vans will be available, with a van fee of $4 which can be sent to Nicole Lussier, and parking will be validated.

Entrance to the exhibit is $4, payable at the door the day of, and lunch at Lido’s will be at 12:45 p.m., which will be ordered off the menu with separate checks.

Reservation and van payment is due by Friday, Nov. 19.