Three Easthampton farms, Underline Farm, Mountain View Farm and Park Hill Orchard, are among the 116 recipients of this year’s Local Farmer Awards, a community-funded grant initiative that supports farm improvements across Western Massachusetts.
Now in its 11th year, the program has granted $267,850 to farmers across the region in 2025. The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation leads the program in partnership with Big Y, the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, and a network of local funders. Each grant of up to $2,500 helps farms invest in essential infrastructure and equipment.
Easthampton’s Underline Farm will use its award to purchase grain silos. The majority of Local Farmer Awards goes to farms in Hampshire and Franklin counties. The funded projects range from new livestock equipment and grain storage to permanent infrastructure and technological upgrades.
To learn more about the Local Farmer Awards and view the full list of 2025 recipients, visit https://hgf.org/programs/local-farmer-awards.
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The Springfield Thunderbirds announced a donation of $38,300 to the Rays of Hope, thanks to proceeds from the live jersey auction and accompanying fundraising elements during the T-Birds’ eighth annual Pink in the Rink game on March 8.
Thunderbirds President Nathan Costa, Vice President of Sales and Strategy Todd McDonald and Managing Partner Paul Picknelly presented a check to the Rays of Hope at the MassMutual Center. This year’s Pink in the Rink game, the eighth annual centerpiece of the T-Birds’ community calendar, raised money through auction sales of the T-Birds’ pink-themed, game-worn jerseys.
Established in T-Birds’ inaugural season in 2016-17, “Pink in the Rink” celebrates Rays of Hope fundraising efforts each March to shine a light on breast cancer awareness outside of the traditional October awareness month. Every year, the fundraising efforts culminate in the annual Rays of Hope Walk & Run in October in downtown Springfield. Since the establishment of this night, the Thunderbirds have generated more than $175,000 for the Rays of Hope Foundation, all of which stays local in Western Massachusetts in pursuit of a cure.
This year’s Rays of Hope Walk & Run Toward the Cure of Breast Cancer will be held on Sunday, Oct. 19. For more information, visit Baystatehealth.org/Raysofhope or call 413-794-8001.
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University of Massachusetts Dining Services hosted its14th annual UMass 5K Dash & Dine on April 26. Over the past 14 years, UMass Dining has raised over $57,000 that has been donated to the Amherst Survival Center.
The race fee included registration and a complimentary meal at the University’s dining facilities in the Berkshire Dining Commons.
Donations are still being accepted and can be made on the UMass 5K Dash & Dine website.
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A new culinary destination is set to open its doors in Downtown Amherst this June: Masuda’s Cafe at 17 Kellogg Ave. The restaurant promises a fusion of North American breakfast and lunch classics with South Asian flavors.
The grand opening will be marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony in early June, in collaboration with the Amherst Business Improvement District and the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, follow Masuda’s Cafe on Instagram at @masudas_cafe.
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Lyman Laundry, located at 228 Lyman St., Holyoke, announces its grand 0pening event on June 6 at 2 p.m. with new management and upgrades.
The celebration will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking this special occasion, followed by a pizza celebration.
Every attendee at the event will receive a $10 wash card (valued at $11).
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Price Rite Marketplace will mark its 30th anniversary in June with special promotions and events.
Starting May 30, Price Rite is launching exciting promotions on produce, specialty meats, everyday essentials and more – both in store and online.
In addition to anniversary promotions, Price Rite will host its next Feeding Minds & Bodies event on June 10 at the West Springfield–Price Rite Marketplace’s original location. This event is part of the brand’s 10-year partnership with Feed the Children.
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State Representative Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., (D-Springfield) will be visiting with members of the Wilbraham Senior Center to share pizza and conversation on Tuesday, June 10 at noon.
Pizza will be provided by Representative Puppolo. Wilbraham seniors are invited to attend the June lunch and participate in a conversation focusing on current legislative issues. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about issues of concern to them.
Those interested should RSVP to the Wilbraham Senior Center at (413) 596-8379. The Wilbraham Senior Center is located at 250 Springfield Street, Wilbraham.
