Area briefs: Skateboard paint party in Belchertown; Amtrak expands service; Plainfield Pond paddle

BELCHERTOWN — Children, teens and fans of skateboarding are invited to participate in a skateboard paint party at the Belchertown Skatepark Saturday, June 3, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Common Wealth Murals in partnership with the Belchertown Community Alliance is organizing this event, which will also include aerosol artists live-painting graffiti inspired pieces which will be installed at the skatepark. Participants will have a chance to design their own skateboard with help from professional artist Ramiro Davaro-Comas who has designed skate decks for Theory Skate. A variety of artists will be on hand to add custom stencils or draw custom graffiti-inspired letters on participants’ painted boards.

In addition, Theory Skate will be present at the event, offering giveaways and providing on-site skateboard building and servicing. Snacks will be available for purchase from Maddies Dogs.

This event is open to all ages and skill levels. Those who wish to paint a skate deck are required to preregister at https://bit.ly/skatepaint to reserve a board and a designated painting time. There is a fee of $5 for a reservation, which includes the skateboard deck and painting supplies.

The Belchertown Skatepark is located at 5 Whitlock Way.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Belchertown Cultural Council. The rain date is Sunday, June 4, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

WASHINGTON — Amtrak, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Connecticut Department of Transportation have announced two additional Amtrak Northeast Regional trains serving Springfield Union Station beginning Monday, June 5. Northeast Regional trains offer customers single seat rides and direct access from Springfield to New York City in three and half hours and connections to the Northeast corridor for travel to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington and more.

Officials say the new trains will meet the growing demand in the region. The additions will offer customers more service, reduce travel times and provide greater travel flexibility, including arriving in New York from Springfield and Hartford before 9 a.m.

Tickets are now available via Amtrak.com, the Amtrak app, Amtrak ticket desks and kiosks, and through 1-800-USA-RAIL.

FLORENCE — Families with Power will award its 2023 scholarship winners in a gathering June 12 from 7-8 p.m. at the Florence Civic Association, 90 Park St., in Florence.

The program supports the educational goals of high school graduates, young adults and parents/guardians who have participated in Families with Power programs and who have financial need.

Thanks to the support of community donors, the organization will continue to support its 2023 scholarship winners as well as the new scholars.

For more information, and if you would like to donate to the Scholarship Fund, contact familieswithpower@gmail.com.

PLAINFIELD — Join ecologists and naturalists Patricia Serrentino and Alex Haro for a paddle around Plainfield Pond on Sunday, June 4, from 9-11 a.m., in search of the plants, birds, fish, and other animals that reside in and around the pond. The plant communities in this Franklin County hilltown will be compared with those of the lower Connecticut River valley. Binoculars and polarized sunglasses will be helpful but not required, life jackets are required, and insect repellent is strongly suggested.

Participants need to bring their own canoe or kayak. Due to very limited parking, people are asked to carpool. Registration will be first-come basis.

To sign up, email: ediesh82346@gmail.com, simply write: “I wish to join the June 4th Paddle” and answer the following questions: name(s), phone number(s) and email address(es). Also say whether you will bring one or two boats, whether you can load two boats on your car, and whether you are willing to accommodate someone else’s boat on your car? If you have questions, please email Edie Heinemann at ediesh82346@gmail.com

Meet at 8 a.m. at Home Depot on Route 2 in Greenfield to carpool with boats, expecting to arrive at Plainfield Pond about 9 or 9:15. This event is free and heavy rain cancels.