Oxbow Water Ski Show set for Friday

NORTHAMPTON — The Oxbow Water Ski Show Team will host a water ski show to benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children on Friday from 6-9 p.m. at the Oxbow Sports Center, 384 Old Springfield Road, Northampton. The youngest skiers will take the water at 6:30 p.m.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, the Shriners’ clowns will be present, delighting children and adults alike with their whimsical antics and balloon animal creations.

Reflecting on Kennedy’s ‘Road to Peace’ speech

LEVERETT — A community conversation and reflection on President John F. Kennedy’s “A Strategy of Peace” speech at American University takes place upstairs at Town Hall, 9 Montague Road, Thursday at 7 p.m.

The New England Peace Pagoda, the Leverett Alliance and the Select Board are sponsoring the event 60 years after the June 10, 1963 speech.

Following the film there will be brief comments by Sister Clare Carter of the Pagoda and Jim Perkins of the Leverett Alliance. This will be followed by a community discussion on what actions are already being taken to move the war in Ukraine toward peace. The hope is to create small action groups.

“The Road to Peace Not Yet Taken” speech was featured on the Peace Pagoda’s recent Walk for a New Spring, where it was shared at community gatherings in an effort to apply it to the current moment in the world.

Kennedy’s message, in a call to Americans and a challenge to the military-industrial complex, was that war is not a viable option for humanity.

In addition to the meeting at Town Hall there will be a virtual option.

Construction to close Mountain Road at Sugarloaf

SOUTH DEERFIELD — Mountain Road at Mount Sugarloaf is expected to be closed daily through Wednesday as the state Department of Conservation and Recreation conducts drainage work. The road will be closed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Senior Center hosting PVTA for transportation talk

SUNDERLAND — The South County Senior Center is hosting the second of two conversations with regional transit authorities on Thursday, June 29, at 10 a.m.

The conversation will be held with Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) officials at the Senior Center’s Sunderland building at 22 Amherst Road. The conversation will revolve around the public transportation needs of southern Franklin County.

If residents need free transportation to the event, they can call the Senior Center by 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28, at 413-768-1066.

Church putting on strawberry supper

WHATELY — The Whately Congregational Church is putting on a takeout-only “strawberry supper” on Thursday, June 22.

The meal features ham, potato and other salads, as well as strawberry shortcake made with Nourse Farm strawberries and whipped cream. Meals can be picked up at the church, 177 Chestnut Plain Road, from 5 to 6 p.m.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased with cash or check. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 413-665-2653 by June 19.

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