POLICY: Our calendar section is intended to promote “free” events or ones that directly affect a volunteer-driven organization that benefits the community. The deadline to submit calendar items in the mail, by fax or emailed in Word document format is MONDAY BY NOON or sooner. The listings should be brief, with only time, date, location, brief activity explanation, and contact information. Please email all entries to ahenderson@turley.com.

REGISTER NOW

FIREARMS SAFETY COURSE: State Certified Instructor, Officer Edward Oey will be offering a firearms safety course on Sunday, Feb. 21. Class will be held at the Zumba Fitness Studio, 442 State St., Belchertown starting at 9 a.m. As required by State Law, it is an eight-hour classroom. Pre-registration is required to guarantee your seat. For your convenience applications are available at Oey’s Avon Store at 55 Main St., R&R Sports Shop on Federal St. or email robocop50@aol.com for an application.

WINTER BBQ DINNER: Winter Thaw BBQ Chicken Dinner will be held Feb. 14 with pick up time between 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Hope United Methodist Church, Belchertown. For the best barbeque chicken dinner, order today. Dinners are wrapped to go and include half a chicken, homemade macaroni salad, glazed baby carrots, and dinner roll for $9.99. You can place your order by calling the church office 413-323-7584; email your order to HopeUMC1@juno.com or mail orders payable to Hope UMC to P O Box 933, Belchertown, MA 01007 by Feb. 9^. Be sure to include the number of dinners, your name, and phone number. Pick up at Hope United Methodist Church, 31 Main St., Belchertown (side entrance).

THIS WEEK

Thursday, Feb. 4

FOOD DRIVE: The Belchertown Family Center, 720 Franklin St., will hold a food drive on Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. All donations will be given to local food pantries.

Friday, Feb. 5

WINE DOWN: Stop in to enjoy a relaxing glass of wine with old friends and new at Gaylord Library, 47 College Street in South Hadley on Friday, Feb. 5 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Price is $5 for the evening.

Saturday, Feb. 6

RELAY FOR LIFE KICK OFF: The American Cancer Society's 2010 Relay for Life of Quaboag Valley is holding its Kick-Off on Saturday, Feb. 6.  The Kick-Off Celebration will be held at the Belchertown Senior Center at 60 State St. (Route 202) near the Belchertown Police Station from 1 to 3 p.m.  There will be light refreshments, special prizes, a relay store and early team registration enticements. Everyone is invited to come along with a friend or two to learn more about the Quaboag Valley Relay for Life to be held at the Belchertown High School on June 25th and 26th or to register your team to be a part of the Relay.  If you are a cancer survivor, we would love to have you participate at the Kick-Off and at Relay.  Please join us as we Celebrate more Birthdays!

Please RSVP to Linda at 413-493-2150 or linda.remillard@cancer.org.  Visit our Relay website at:  www.relayforlife.org/quaboagvalleyma

LITTLE LEAGUE: Little League baseball is open to all boys and girls living in Belchertown who are between the ages of 8 and 12. Registration dates are Saturdays, Feb. 6 or Feb. 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Police Station Training Room. Call Craig for more information at 323-4749.

NATIVE AMERICAN POW WOW: The New England Native American Institute (a non-profit organization), will be holding its annual winter Pow-Wow on Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Burgess Elementary School in Sturbridge from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is open to the public and will include Native American drumming, dancing, crafts and food.  There will be an entrance fee of $2 for adults, and $1 for elders and children 6-12.  Children under 6 are free.  For more information, call 508-347-7829 or e-mail acw1213@verizon.net.

ANNUAL MURDER MYSTERY DINNER: The sixth annual murder mystery dinner will be held Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m. (show at 7 p.m.) at the Grapevine Grill in Belchertown, 62 Turkey Hill Rd. “Bedlam in Cabin B” by Paula Hilton will be performed by BUCC’s Playhouse. Event benefits the Belchertown Historical Association and the Belchertown Congregational Church. $39 per person includes 8 oz prime rib dinner and show. Call Tom Stockton at 323-0946 or purchase tickets at Belchertown Copy Center or at the Grapevine Grill.

HCHS ENTRANCE EXAM: Holyoke Catholic High School will administer a second entrance exam for prospective ninth-grade students Saturday, Feb. 6 from 8 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at the school on Springfield Street in Chicopee. Applications may be obtained by calling Theresa Zaborowski, admissions director, at 413-331-2480, x1132 or by logging on to the admissions page of the school web site at www.HolyokeCatholicHigh.org to download a form.

FELTED BABY BOOTIES: On Saturday, Feb. 6, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. make felted baby booties with Jean Gauger at New England Felting Supply, 84 Cottage St., Easthampton.

Sunday, Feb. 7

CHARITY DINNER: Cooks for Compassion (CFC), a locally-founded group, is hosting a charity dinner Sunday, Feb. 7 at Café Evolution in Florence. All proceeds of the dinner will go to Maple Farm Sanctuary, a local farm animal shelter in Mendon. Tickets start at $25.

Monday, Feb. 8

ZONTA CLUB MEETING: The next Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley dinner meeting is on Feb. 8 at Johnsens Catering, Main Street, Palmer.  Social at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. followed by business meting and program.  Haiti and the resilient spirit of its people will be the main topic of conversation with members of a local non profit, Opportunities for Communities. Guests are most welcome to pre-register for the $18 meal by contacting Mary Knight, President at 413 219-8260 or info@zontaqv.org by Feb. 3.

Tuesday, Feb. 9

COMPUTER HELP: PC Software Doctor Hank will be at the Munson Memorial Library in South Amherst to help PC users with those pesky software problems.  Drop-in sessions will be available from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 9.  Contact the Munson Memorial Library at 259-3095 after 2 p.m. or email  huguss@joneslibrary.org for more information. 

FOOD DRIVE: The Belchertown Family Center, 720 Franklin St., will hold a food drive on Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. All donations will be given to local food pantries.

Wednesday, Feb. 10

GED PRACTICE TEST: To determine your readiness for the GED test, Top Floor Learning at the Palmer Library will be offering the GED half-length Practice Test on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Participants must attend both dates. Upon test completion, each person will meet individually to review the results.  Call 283-2329 to register. The full battery GED will be offered at the Library on March 15, 16, and 17. Registration for this test is during the week of Feb. 22 – Feb. 27.  Call 283-2329 for more detailed information.

UPCOMING

Friday, Feb. 12

COMEDY SHOW: The Stress Management Show will take place at Clapp Memorial Library on Friday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. The show is intended for people ages 16 and older (please no children). Please let us know you are coming so we can contact you if the weather doesn't cooperate, 323-0417 ext. 2. If you need child care please contact Jennifer Whitehead, 323-0417 ext. 3.

Saturday, Feb. 13

ILLUMINATED ICE CAVES: On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2 to 6 p.m.: Illuminated Ice Caves with Christine White www.magpiefelt.com. Beginner Friendly at New England Felting Supply, 84 Cottage St., Easthampton.

Sunday, Feb. 14

 BBQ CHICKEN DINNER: Winter Thaw BBQ Chicken Dinner, Feb. 14, pick up time 5 to 6:30 p.m.at Hope United Methodist Church. For the best BBQ Chicken Dinner, order today.  Dinners are wrapped to go and include half a chicken, homemade macaroni salad, glazed baby carrots and dinner roll for $9.99.  You can place your order by calling the church office 413-323-7584; email your order to HopeUMC1@juno.com or mail orders payable to Hope UMC to P O Box 933, Belchertown, MA  01007.  Deadline is Feb. 9. Be sure to include the number of dinners, your name, and phone number.   Pick up at Hope United Methodist Church, 31 Main Street, Belchertown (side entrance).

Monday, Feb. 15

WINTER WONDERLAND: A winter wonderland of family fun at Mount Tom State Reservation in Holyoke will be Feb. 15 from 2 to 3 p.m. Free program for school age children and their families. Wear warm clothing in layers and winter boots. Meet inside the Bray Lake Warming Hut, Reservation Road, off of Route 5, Holyoke.  Questions, call 413-584-6788.

Wednesday, Feb. 17

GED PRACTICE TEST: To determine your readiness for the GED test, Top Floor Learning at the Palmer Library will be offering the GED half-length Practice Test on Wednesday, Feb. 17. Participants must attend both dates. Upon test completion, each person will meet individually to review the results.  Call 283-2329 to register. The full battery GED will be offered at the Library on March 15, 16, and 17. Registration for this test is during the week of Feb. 22 – Feb. 27.  Call 283-2329 for more detailed information.

Saturday, Feb. 20

LITTLE LEAGUE: Little League baseball is open to all boys and girls living in Belchertown who are between the ages of 8 and 12. Registration dates are Saturdays, Feb. 6 or Feb. 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Police Station Training Room. Call Craig for more information at 323-4749.

Tuesday, Feb. 23

GO RED FOR WOMEN: The American Heart Association announces that it will host its first ever western Massachusetts Go Red For Women Educational Forum and Luncheon presented by The Yankee Candle Company on Tuesday, Feb. 23 with registration at 7:30 a.m. For more information on sponsorship, to donate to the silent auction or to purchase tickets, call Linda Martins, regional director at 414-735-2109.

Thursday, Feb. 25

LIBRARY MEETING: Friends of Clapp Memorial Library monthly meeting rescheduled to Feb. 25.  The more the merrier.

Friday, Feb. 27

FAMILY FUN DAY: Enjoy warm and delicious fare at the First Congregational Church of West Brookfield, 36 North Main St. during Family Fun Day on the West Brookfield Town Common, Feb. 27. The church will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with hot cocoa, cider, coffee, chili, beef stew, grilled cheese sandwiches, hot dogs and more. Come in from the cold and warm up with our delicious lunch and hot beverages. Call the church for more information at 508-867-7078.

Sunday, Feb. 28

MANAGING WILDLIFE AT QUABBIN: As the largest open space in Southern New England, Quabbin Reservoir is home to a wide diversity of wildlife. Join Quabbin wildlife biologist Kiana Koenen for a discussion about how wildlife is managed at the reservoir. The program will take place from 2 to 3 p.m.

Sunday, April 11

AQUATIC INVASIVES AND THE QUABIN: The threat to Quabbin Reservoir from many aquatic invasives was brought to the public’s attention in 2009 with the appearance of zebra mussels in Massachusetts lakes. Join aquatic biologist Paula Package for a discussion on the different threats to the reservoir (and other lakes and ponds) and how to control them.

ONGOING

PHOTO EXHIBIT: An Eclectic Vision: Photographs by Jim Gambaro will be on display Feb. 1 through 26 at the Amherst Chamber of Commerce, 28 Amity Street, Amherst. Images in the exhibition will include the subtlety of sunrise on the Connecticut River in Holyoke, the vibrancy of autumn on the Swift River, and the starkness of Yellowstone National Park in winter. The Chamber is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. www.jimgambarophotography.com

HELP HAITI: Hope United Methodist Church is inviting the community to join them in creating Health Kits to be distributed in Haiti. The kits are distributed through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).  For more information please call the church office at 413-323-7584

SING WITH YOUR BABY: Presented by Happy Dan the Music Man at the Clapp Memorial Library. Music, movement, instruments and fun for 0-2 year olds on Fridays from 10 to 11 p.m. There is a $3 to $10 donation requested. Call 259-1808 for more information or visit www.HappyDanTheMusicMan.com.

FOOD DRIVE: The Belchertown Family Center, 720 Franklin St., will hold a food drive on Feb. 2, 3, 4 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. All donations will be given to local food pantries.

CONES FOR KIDS: Friendly Ice Cream Corporation will run its 29th annual Cones for Kids campaign from now to Feb. 13 to benefit Easter Seals summer camp and youth leadership programs for children and young adults with disabilities.

TUTORING: Teens, need help in math, English, French, or science? Come down to the Belchertown Teen Center for your tutoring session. Tutoring will be offered on Mondays and Tuesdays, the cost is $15 per hour-long session. Sign up at the Belchertown Rec. Dept.

HEART OF THE VALLEY CHORUS: The Heart of the Valley Chorus has open rehearsal every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at JFK Middle School, Northampton. Women of all ages welcome - no professional singing experience required. For information call 323-5460 or 584-7878 or visit heartofthevalleychorus.org.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS: The group Overeaters anonymous meets on Mondays, 6 to 7 p.m. at the Hope United Methodist Church, 31 Main St. (on the Common) in Belchertown. Meetings are free and the only requirement is the desire to stop eating compulsively. Handicapped accessible. Contact Carol at 323-9011.

QUABBIN BUSINESS GROUP BNI meets every Thursday from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at Bell & Hudson Insurance Agency Inc., 19 North Main St., Belchertown. Visitors are welcomed. Call Barbara Kelleher, Chapter President at 583-5220 or email barbara@ludlowprinting.com. For more information about BNI, visit bni.com

MEMBERS NEEDED: American Legion Post 266 Granby is now recruiting for new membership. Young and older veterans are encouraged to become members. The Legion meets at the Legion Hall, 73 Pleasant St., Granby, on the second Wednesday of every month or call 467-9545 at approximately 8 to 9 a.m. on Monday through Friday.

NATURE’S STORY TIME: The Nature’s Story Time meets every Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Hitchcock Center for the Environment. Listen to a storybook for the large selection of nature books for children, then participate in a short outdoor (weather permitting) activity related to the theme of the book. Young children and their families are welcome to attend this free program.

WAR MEMORIAL EFFORTS: In their ongoing efforts to raise money for the intended War Memorial to be erected on the Town Common, Belchertown VFW Post 8428 is accepting donations. This Memorial is intended to honor our men and women who have served in the Middle East Wars. Please send your donation to: The War Memorial Fund, Belchertown VFW, 41 Pelham St., Belchertown, MA 01007.

OUTDOOR WALKING CLUB: The Outdoor Walking Club meets at the Belchertown Senior Center every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m.

BEREAVEMENT GROUP: A bereavement group at St. Francis meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month in the Tovet Room of St. Francis Church, Jabish St., Belchertown at 7 p.m. If you have lost a spouse, family member or someone close to you, the group is ready to welcome you. It is a place of quiet and confidential discussion among others who have suffered loss. Come tell about the life of the person you lost, share your loss or just sit and listen. There are no requirements or dues. Everyone is welcome. For further information, call Pat Crosby at 323-4602 or Mike Hurst at 323-9313.

SUPPORT GROUP FOR WOMEN: Is there someone giving you a hard time? Is your relationship stressful or hurtful? Do you find yourself needing a place to go, to talk, to get advice, to get resources? The Belchertown Congregational Church, UCC (18 Park St.) sponsors a confidential, professionally facilitated support group two times per month. Free childcare is provided. Call the church office (323-7442) for further information on dates and meeting times.

SQUARE DANCE CLASSES: The Quabbin Valley Twirlers sponsor square dance classes on Wednesday evenings in Belchertown at the American Legion, behind the police station on Route 202 from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, call Gloria or Fran at 467-3352.

THE SWIFT RIVER RUNNING CLUB: The club meets every Sunday at 10 a.m. All levels/abilities are welcome and encouraged to participate. If you have any questions contact Andy at 256-6862.

BOTTLES AND CANS RETURNS: Please continue to drop off your returnable bottles and cans at the Granby Dump in the dumpster marked for the Granby Booster Club. Monies raised help support programs for all Granby Jr. Sr. High School students. Want to join our team of volunteers? Please call Sherry Hurley for details at 467-7648.

HOPE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: The church, located on the Belchertown Common at 31 Main St., Belchertown, has Sunday school from 9 to 9:45 a.m. for children and adults. Worship Service is at 10 a.m. Childcare is provided. Bible Study classes weekly. For more information contact the church at 323-7584.

ADULT WOMEN’S PICK-UP SOCCER GAMES: Games are held every Sunday at 9 a.m. Games are played at the Chestnut Hill Community School field, near the wooden play structure. All skill levels are welcome. Call Karen at 323-5390 for more information.

CPR CLASSES: The Belchertown EMS Association is offering CPR classes for the Professional Rescuer (First Responder, EMT, RN, etc.). They also offer child and infant CPR and choking for childcare providers and new mothers, as well as CPR for the layperson. Pre-registration and pre-payment is required. Visit their Web site to register at http://www.belchertown.org/departments/ambulance/ambuhome.htm or call 323-0454 to sign up for a class.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIMES: A story time for pre-schoolers, younger siblings and caregivers take place at the Granby Public Library on Fridays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. throughout the school year with some dates excluded (check library calendar). Story times are part playtime, part story time, movement, songs, a story, art activity and snack.

PLAYGROUP TIMES: Playgroups at the Granby Public Library take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Attendees may drop in and leave at any time. The Granby Library is very child friendly with a lower level children’s room stocked with books and toys for all ages. This is a get-together of parents and children for socializing and play. The children are babies and young children who are not yet old enough to be in school. However, home schoolers are most welcome.