On the Calendar
‘Taking Steps to Protect Our Planet’
Nov. 19: Glenmeadow will offer an educational program on protecting the planet from 10 a.m. to noon at Agawam Public Library, 750 Cooper St., Agawam. “Environmental Responsibility: Taking Steps to Protect Our Planet” is the third and final program in the fall Glenmeadow Learning series, which provides free educational offerings in the community.
The presentation will be led by Terra Missildine, who will speak about how her mission to protect the planet began and why it’s important for everyone to commit to doing so. Missildine will also outline what individuals, organizations, and legislators can do to begin to bring about positive change and environmental healing. She will offer samples of earth-friendly products.
Missildine has had a lifelong passion for sustainability. While in an early iteration of a sustainable-living program at UMass Amherst in 2005, she founded Beloved Earth, the first eco-friendly cleaning company in Western Mass. Since then, the business has blossomed to support 18 team members and still operates by cooperative principles and the values of the triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit. Missildine also helps to support her sustainability and that of her family through running a small suburban homestead, where they grow a fair amount of their own organic food.
“Environmental Responsibility” is free, but space is limited, and reservations are required. To register, contact Jazlyn Wanzo at jwanzo@glenmeadow.org. For more information, or to register online, visit glenmeadow.org/events.
Harmony House Quarter Paddle Auction
Nov. 22: Harmony House of Western Massachusetts, a home for the terminally ill, will present its annual quarter paddle auction at the Moose Family Center in Chicopee.
There will be an auction with participants bidding on items, as well as raffles, snacks, and a cash bar. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with the paddle auction starting at 7 p.m. Paddles are purchased at the door. Many vendors will be in attendance, including the Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple, Pure Romance, Mary Kay Cosmetics, and Tocara.
Harmony House is a local, nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a loving home providing compassionate care for the terminally ill who have limited or no resources for special care in their final stages of life. The organization is currently in the process of renovating a large home in Chicopee. Harmony House is entirely staffed by trained volunteers, including licensed nurses, caregivers, companions, and others.
Girls on the Run End-of-season 5K
Nov. 23: Girls on the Run (GOTR) of Western Massachusetts and presenting sponsor MedExpress Urgent Care will host the annual GOTR 5K celebration at 10:30 a.m. at Smith College. The 5K event is open to the public. Event-day registration is available for $30. Approximately 1,600 runners are expected to participate.
The mission of Girls on the Run is to inspire girls to be healthy, joyful, and confident. Girls on the Run is a positive, physical-activity-based, youth-development program that uses fun running games and dynamic discussions to teach life skills to girls in grades 3 to 8. During the 10-week program, girls participate in lessons that foster confidence, build peer connections, and encourage community service while they prepare for an end-of-season celebratory 5K event.
The event begins on the Smith athletic fields and goes through the Smith College campus. The run will begin at 10:30 a.m., but the festivities, including a group warmup and games, will begin at 10 a.m. Early arrival that morning is strongly suggested.
Registration is available online at www.girlsontherunwesternma.org. The pre-registration cost is $25 for adults and $10 for children and includes a GOTR 5K event shirt. Registration will also be open the day of the event beginning at 9 a.m. For more information about the event, how to register, and volunteer opportunities, visit www.girlsontherunwesternma.org.
Event supporters include Scout Curated Wears, Cooley Dickinson Medical Group – Women’s Health, Holyoke Gas and Electric, Marisa Labozzetta and Martin Wohl, Mill 180 Park, PeoplesBank, People’s United Bank, River Valley Counseling Center, RunReg, Smith College, and Synergy Physical Therapy.
Holyoke Medical Center Gala
Nov. 23: Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) will host its annual gala at the Log Cabin. All proceeds will benefit Valley Health Systems, which includes Holyoke Medical Center, Holyoke Medical Group, Holyoke VNA Hospice Life Care, and River Valley Counseling Center.
The annual gala will feature a complimentary cocktail reception; a seven-course chef’s dinner, each with its own wine pairing; a silent auction to support Valley Health Systems; award presentations; and dancing to music performed by the O-Tones.
Holyoke Medical Center has selected Dr. M. Saleem Bajwa to be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication and hard work on behalf of Holyoke Medical Center and the local community for more than 40 years.
“My motto is to provide state-of-the-art care close at home,” says Bajwa said. “HMC has been a wonderful place, and very supportive in helping me to provide the best possible medical care to Valley residents.”
Also being recognized are select members of the Valley Health Systems staff who exemplify exceptional care in the categories of Best Physician, Best Caregiver, Best Supporting Employee, and Best Leader. This year’s finalists are:
• Best Physician Finalists: Dr. Tedd Ackerman, Psychiatry; Dr. John Mazzucco, General Surgery; Dr. Lorenver Po, Internal Medicine.
• Best Caregiver Finalists: Kirsten Lindgren, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy; Cornelius Maddox, Nursing (Intermediate Care Unit); Maria Quinn, Center for Behavioral Health.
• Best Supporting Employee Finalists: Terry Hoague, Environmental Services; Angelo Martinez, Plant Operations; Jennifer Zelasko, Food Services.
• Best Leader Finalists: Kathryn Girardin, Speech & Hearing; Hasaan Khawaja, Centers of Rehabilitation Excellence; Sheila Laroche, Revenue Cycle.
“We are proud to have the ability to offer our community an opportunity to support Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems through this fun event, while also providing them a chance to celebrate some of our most talented team members who tirelessly care for our family, friends, and neighbors every day,” said Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems.
Tickets for this black-tie-optional gala are $125 per person and can be purchased through the Holyoke Medical Center website at www.holyokehealth.com/gala19 or by calling the Development Office at (413) 534-2579.
Atrial Fibrillation Discussion
Nov. 25: Atrial fibrillation (AFib) affects more than 2 million people in the U.S. and is the most common type of irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia). Back by popular demand, the community is invited to attend an educational seminar about AFib from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Snow Conference Room at Baystate Wing Hospital.
“There are a number of different treatment options for patients with AFib to help them live a normal life,” said Dr. Zachry Zichittella, cardiologist at Baystate Wing Cardiology, who will offer information about AFib, as well as sign and symptoms, associated risk factors, and treatment options.
Zichittella joins Dr. Brian Laliberte, chair of Cardiology, and Gina Zichittella, nurse practitioner, in providing comprehensive cardiology care at Baystate Wing Cardiology located at Baystate Wing Hospital, 40 Wright St., Palmer.
Baystate Health Senior Class is a free loyalty program dedicated to health and wellness, offered exclusively for men and women age 55 and over.
The AFib seminar with Zichettella is offered at no cost, and a light lunch will be provided. Registration is required by calling (413) 794-5200 or visiting afibwithcardiologist.eventbrite.com.
