BELCHERTOWN — The inaugural Quabbin Days celebration (www.quabbindays.org) will have its official launch ceremony on Friday at 10 a.m. at the Quabbin Reservoir Les and Terry Campbell Visitor Center, 100 Winsor Road, in Belchertown.
The opening ceremony will feature remarks by Quabbin region state senators, representatives and other invited guests. Speakers will include state Sens. Jo Comerford and Jake Oliveira and state Reps. Aaron Saunders, Todd Smola, and Susannah Whipps.
Running October 10–13, at the height of New England’s foliage season, Quabbin Days is a four-day celebration designed to highlight the natural beauty, cultural heritage and community spirit of the Quabbin region. It is a project of the Friends of the Quabbin (www.friendsofquabbin.org) and is being supported through a grant from the Mass Cultural Council’s Creative Experiences program.
Quabbin Days will include historical tours and outdoor adventures to local arts, food, and culture.
The Quabbin Reservoir, created in the 1930s, is one of the largest man-made public water supplies in the United States. Today, it provides drinking water to 2.7 million people, primarily in the Metro Boston area, while serving as a haven for wildlife and outdoor recreation.
Managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), the Quabbin Reservoir and its surrounding lands stand as a model of conservation. For hikers, anglers, nature photographers, and history enthusiasts, Quabbin Days is an invitation to experience this extraordinary landscape at its most vibrant.
For the full Quabbin Days schedule and interactive map of regional events, visit www.QuabbinDays.org.
Doors Open Holyoke returns Saturday
HOLYOKE — The city of Holyoke invites residents and visitors to experience the culture, history and creativity of the Paper City during Doors Open Holyoke 2025 on Saturday.
The event kicks off at Holyoke City Hall, where guests can check in, pick up maps and plan their day exploring a variety of open sites throughout the city. The annual celebration offers an opportunity to go behind the scenes of Holyoke’s most treasured landmarks and hidden gems.
Some of the event highlights include:
- Free Mural Tours. A mural tour shuttle bus will depart from City Hall at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., taking visitors on a guided tour through the city’s colorful and ever-growing collection of public murals.
- Free merry-go-round rides. Families can enjoy free rides on the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round from 12 to 2 p.m.
- Part of “A Day in the Yoke,” Doors Open joins other community events including The Great Holyoke Brick Race, the Paper City Food Festival and more.
MGM Springfield is providing complimentary transportation to the event between the casino and Holyoke from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit exploreholyoke.com.
Cancer Connection’s upcoming programs
NORTHAMPTON — Cancer Connection is sponsoring several programs this month, which are free for patients and their caregivers. All in-person events will be held at our office on 41 Locust St. in Northampton. Anyone interested in registering can call 413-586-1642 x104. You can visit our website for more details: www.cancer-connection.org.
The programs include:
- Sound Healing Workshop with Carolyn Walker on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 3-4 p.m., in person. Sound Healing is a complementary healing modality which uses frequencies from both instruments and the voice to regulate the nervous system. In this workshop, Walker will offer a Sound Bath and Guided Meditation/Shamanic Journey.
- Gratitude Journaling: Creativity & Play with Sharon Rudnitzky is a monthly program on three Saturdays: Oct. 25, Nov. 22 and Dec. 20. Each session will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in person. Discover the uplifting power of gratitude in this hands-on workshop that blends journaling, art, and play. Explore words, colors, doodles, photos, and more to create a personal sanctuary of inspiration and joy.
- Healing Song Circle with Mariah Freemole on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., in person. The event is an evening of singing, connection, and nervous system-soothing through simple rounds and songs. No experience is needed! All voices welcome.
- Queer Cancer Affinity Group with Artist E Tubergen and Writer Ayden LeRoux on Thursday, Nov. 13, and Thursday, Dec. 11, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., in-person and via Zoom. Queer patients, survivors, and caregivers are invited to join this supportive space to explore the intersections of cancer, caretaking, gender, and sexuality, and to connect around shared experiences and reimagined networks of care.
- Talk with Dr. Amy Rothenberg, “You Finished Treatment, Now What?,” on Tuesday, Nov. 18, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., in person and via Zoom. Explore evidence-based, integrative approaches to healing after cancer treatment with Dr. Amy Rothenberg, a cancer survivor and thriver and author. This informative talk offers practical strategies to manage lingering effects and reduce the risk of recurrence.
- Whole Food, Plant-Based Cooking with Paul Sustick on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join Paul Sustick of Paul & Elizabeth’s restaurant for a hands-on cooking workshop focused on creating delicious, nourishing meals from fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Learn practical skills, tips, and techniques to support good health during and after cancer treatment. Includes cooking demos, hands-on practice, and knife skills.