Sugarloaf Mountain Road to close for pedestrians

SOUTH DEERFIELD — Beginning Wednesday and continuing through Tuesday, Nov. 26, the Department of Conservation and Recreation will close Sugarloaf Mountain Road to pedestrians at Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation in the town of South Deerfield to accommodate construction work. Sugarloaf Mountain Road has closed for vehicle access for the season. Pedestrians may still access the summit of the mountain by way of designated trail systems.

Sen. Comerfordto hold virtualtown hall

Sen. Jo Comerford will hold a virtual town hall for Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district constituents on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 6-7:30 p.m., via Zoom.

The town hall will highlight what Comerford and her team have been doing on behalf of the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and/or offer feedback.

Registration is required for this free event at bit.ly/3YL0CwH.

The Town Hall will be recorded and shared online for those who are unable to attend live, and a transcript will be posted on the senator’s website after the event.

High Streetmerchants launch toy drive

HOLYOKE — The city’s High Street merchants have launched a Community Toy Drive to benefit area children. Participating businesses are collecting new, unwrapped toys that will be distributed to families on Dec. 22 during a street party featuring a visit from Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, photos with Santa, music, snacks, hot chocolate, and activities for children.

Individuals are invited to donate new, unwrapped toys suitable for children of all ages. Popular items include Legos, dolls, action figures, educational games, and art supplies. Deja Vu Nightspot, Old San Juan Bakery, Cuba Supermarket, and City Pizza will have clearly marked donation bins where contributions can be dropped off.

Monetary contributions, which would be tax-deductible, are also welcome. Funds raised will go toward purchasing additional toys and ensuring every child who attends the event receives a gift.

To volunteer as Santa, or to be part of the supporting staff for the street party, email christmasonhighstreet@gmail.com.

For more information visit christmasonhighstreet.com, call 413-787-9955 or email christmasonhighstreet@gmail.com.

Markham-Nathan Fund awards grants

NORTHAMPTON — The Markham-Nathan Fund for Social Justice (MNF) serves grassroots social justice and peace groups in western Massachusetts. The fund was created in 2009 by Northampton activist organizers Marty Nathan and Arky Markham, and their friends, in honor of their deceased husbands’ tireless devotion to building a better world. The MNF makes awards of up to $4,000 to small activist organizations in the region that are dedicated to organizing and supporting the poor and powerless for a more just and peaceful world.

The board recently awarded fall grants to seven organizations, including:

Racial Justice Rising, an Amherst racial justice group that will use the money to support its Empowering Communities program.

Demilitarize Western Mass will use its grant to support its ongoing peace building efforts and work related to local weapon manufacturers.

Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership that offers classes that teach movement building and organizing skills to address challenges that oppressed communities face.

The Compost Co-operative, a Greenfield organization that works to reduce food waste and seeks to implement transformative justice solutions to foster equality and the prison system. The cooperative will use the money to support its work to train their workers to further remove barriers to employment for the current and formerly incarcerated.

Local Access to Valley Arts, a Greenfield organization that received a grant because of its continued efforts to combine a variety of arts with that of social justice work. Their latest effort will feature a variety of local groups in an event that features “Songs of Resistance, Survival, and Hope.”

Cloudgaze Productions, an arts collaborative that used the money for an October 2024 event, “A Happening IV: Leviathan,” an immersive, multidisciplinary arts festival to be held at the Shea Theater.

Eggtooth Productions, a Greenfield group that offered production of “Orlando” by Sarah Ruhl that will be a benefit for the LGBTQIA+ Youth Program at the Academy of Music in Northampton.