Good morning! You’re reading Western Mass Insider, your inside look at what’s fun, fresh, and worth discovering close to home. Every issue brings you hand-picked events, local business spotlights, and hidden gems around Western Mass and nearby CT.
October is really showing off right now. There’s so much happening across Western Mass this week, and because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’m adding a special section this week highlighting Rays of Hope and other local ways to support the cause right here in Western Mass.
As always, there’s even more waiting for you in the Events Calendar.
WESTERN MASS COMES TOGETHER FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Throughout Western Mass, people are walking, fundraising, donating and showing up for friends, family members and neighbors affected by breast cancer.
The biggest local gathering happens this Sunday.
Rays of Hope Walk & Run Toward the Cure of Breast Cancer
Photo Rays of Hope
Sunday, Oct. 18 | 8 AM–1 PM | Temple Beth El, 979 Dickinson St., Springfield
There’s something pretty powerful about seeing thousands of people come together for one reason.
For 33 years, Rays of Hope has brought survivors, families, friends and teams together in Springfield to walk, run, remember and support people going through breast cancer.
More than $17.2 million has been raised since it began, and the money stays here in Western Mass to support breast cancer care, research, education and survivor programs.
Gary Rome Hyundai Keeps Driving Pink
I love seeing a local business support something this meaningful. Gary Rome Hyundai's Drive Pink campaign raises money for Rays of Hope, with $5 donated for every pink license plate frame sold. This year, that added up to a $25,000 gift to Baystate Rays of Hope, thanks to everyone who picked up a pink frame. They've also sponsored the Pink Hope Survivors Lounge, giving breast cancer survivors a welcoming place to gather, connect and feel supported during the walk.
For a lot of families, that support is personal. And seeing a local business keep showing up really matters.
More Ways to Support
You'll find more breast cancer walks, giving campaigns and community programs happening through the end of October in the Events Calendar.
Know of an event or fundraiser? Click Submit an Event to add it.
Our Community Partner
Having someone you can call when you have a tax or accounting question makes a big difference.
Turgeon & Associates in East Longmeadow works with individuals and local businesses on tax preparation, planning, accounting, payroll, bookkeeping and financial guidance. What I like about firms like this is the relationship piece. You’re working with people who understand your business, your goals and the decisions you’re trying to make throughout the year, not just when tax season arrives.
Western Mass Snapshot
Tony Phở Is Coming to East Longmeadow
This one has such a good story behind it. Tony Nguyen and his wife, Van Le, came to the U.S. from Vietnam more than 25 years ago with the dream of someday opening their own restaurant. Now their son Dan, who is in medical school, is helping them finally make it happen.
Tony Phở is set to open in East Longmeadow in the next few months, with dishes inspired by the food Tony and Van grew up eating in Sài Gòn, including phở, bánh mì, egg noodle dishes and Vietnamese coffee. I already know this is one I'll be watching for.
Cottage Melts, Ludlow
I love finding places like this! At Cottage Melts, their candles, soaps and home products are made right there in the Ludlow shop, but that’s only part of the story.
The store also carries handmade work from more than 35 local artists and makers, so one shopping trip can support a whole collection of Western Mass small businesses at once. They’ve also sold more than 50,000 handmade products and shipped to all 50 states, which is pretty impressive for a local shop tucked away in Western Mass. This feels like the kind of place you walk into for one candle and leave with three gifts.
Right now they're offering $5 shipping, or FREE shipping on orders over $35.
This Week in Western Mass
Doors Open Holyoke
Saturday, Oct. 17 | 10 AM–3 PM | FREE
Holyoke has some of the most beautiful historic buildings in Western Mass, and this is your chance to see them up close! For one day, doors all over Holyoke are opening, and you can wander into places you probably pass all the time.
Tour the ballroom inside City Hall, step inside the historic Victory Theatre, visit the Volleyball Hall of Fame, explore Wistariahurst, ride the merry-go-round, stop at the Children's Museum and discover art along High Street.
And it’s all FREE. One important tip: Victory Theatre tours require advance registration.
Westfield PumpkinFest
Saturday, Oct. 17 | 11 AM–3 PM | Westfield Middle School fields, Westfield
If you want one really good dose of fall this weekend, Westfield is making it easy.
PumpkinFest brings together pumpkin carving, live entertainment, costumed characters, games, food, local vendors and plenty to wander through.
New this year are the Autumn Arcade and Homer’s Harvest Workshop, along with all the familiar festival favorites. This sounds like one of those Saturdays where you show up for an hour and somehow stay all afternoon.
Your Next Outing Is Here!
There’s far more happening around Western Mass than I can fit into one email.
The Western Mass Insider Events Calendar is where I keep everything together, from festivals and concerts to markets, fundraisers, family activities and things you probably wouldn’t hear about otherwise.
Friday, Oct. 16 | 7:30 p.m
DoOkie - America’s Green Day Tribute Show
MGM Springfield Plaza, Springfield
A high-energy Green Day tribute kicking off another Free Music Friday in Springfield
Saturday, Oct. 17 | 6-9 p.m.
Live Music Saturday Song Swap
Abandoned Building Brewery, Easthampton, MA
A Saturday song swap brings Matt Hebert and friends to the taproom for live acoustic performances.
Saturday, Oct. 17 | 7 PM
Shooting Star (Bad Company Tribute)
Sonny's Place, Somers, CT
Sunday, Oct. 18 | 3:00 p.m.
Holyoke Civic Symphony: Old Wine In New Bottles
Holyoke Community College, Holyoke
The symphony opens its new season with Beethoven’s Fifth, a world premiere and a contemporary trombone concerto featuring guest soloist Matthew Russo.
Home Sweet Wow
186 Tanglewood Dr, Longmeadow
Photo Credit Abby Goodman
This house was made for entertaining. The gourmet kitchen was recently featured on a chef’s cooking show, and it’s easy to see why. Think custom cherry cabinetry, Wolf appliances, Sub-Zero refrigeration, two dishwashers and a huge island with seating, imported granite and its own prep sink.
The rest of the house keeps going. There’s a dramatic great room with soaring ceilings and a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, a movie room with a retractable screen and wet bar, plus a hotel-style primary suite with its own fireplace and spa bath.
Outside might be my favorite part. A full stone kitchen with a Viking grill, fire pit and in-ground pool makes this feel like the kind of house where everyone ends up staying longer than planned.
Five bedrooms, four and a half baths, a three-car garage and an in-law suite round it all out.
$1,325,500 | 5 bedrooms | 4 full + 1 half baths | 3 car garage | 4,302 sq. ft.
Listed by Abby Goodman, Keller Williams Realty.
Date Nite Pick
Calico in Easthampton
This feels like the kind of place you go when you want dinner to actually feel like a date.
Calico is small, intimate and a little unexpected. The menu changes with the seasons and pulls inspiration from all over the world, with everything made fresh in a tiny kitchen using ingredients from local farms and vendors.
And the menu is anything but boring. Think black sea bass in coconut lemongrass broth, red chile braised pork, fried green tomatoes and an apple galette with miso caramel. The cocktail list is just as interesting, with drinks like the Sicilian Sensation with tequila and pistachio, or the Forest Spirit with gin, lychee and Thai basil.
This is the kind of place where I’d order a couple things I’ve never tried before, share dessert and stay for one more drink.
95 Main St., Easthampton
Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday | 5–9 PM
Friday & Saturday | 5–10 PM
A Holiday Party They’ll Remember
Paint Social Art brings the whole experience to your group, whether it's friends getting together, a fundraiser, a team event or a private party. We bring the supplies and guide everyone step-by-step through to your finished painting. Everyone goes home with their completed masterpiece, ready to hang. It’s creative, social and one of those nights where the laughter usually becomes as memorable as the painting.
Did you like this week's issue
Know someone who would love to go see live music or attend a PumpkinFest?
Forward this issue and start making plans!
See you next week,
Christine
That's a wrap for this week!
Until next time … keep exploring Western Mass
Curated with care by Christine Carbonaro-Freda westernmassinsider.com