From the Sentinel...

Every once in a while, I post things of interest that I find in the Sentinel. For this week:

The Pioneer Valley Therapeutic Riding Association is continually looking for volunteers, and are currently looking for volunteers for their fall season. Horse knowledge is useful, but not necessary. Visit http://www.pvtra.com for a volunteer form. For more information and contact info, visit http://pioneervalleytra.org/. This is a great opportunity to volunteer a few hours of your time to make somebody's life a little better!

The Trustees of the Clapp Memorial Library are seeking citizens interested in serving on the Building Committee for the proposed library expansion plan. Send a letter with a brief statement identifying your expertise and interest by September 4 to:
Clapp Memorial Library
PO Box 627
Belchertown, MA 01007

You can read the full announcements in this week's paper -- at home or online.

Belchertown Showcase, Take 2

Belchertown CAN and participants of showcase are feeling grateful today -- the weather cooperated for their first annual Belchertown Showcase on Saturday, despite all indications to the contrary.

Yesterday I took the opportunity (twice) to get out to the Belchertown Showcase on the Common (see the previous post). There was a great turnout of vendors and providers, including Mandala Massage (from whom I received a free chair massage), Rippa Chiropractic, PVTRA, Luca's K9 Playhouse (and Shepherd Rescue), Teaching Creatures, the Boy Scout Troop & Cub Scouts, Oak Specialists Inc, Mountain Women Goods, Portraits by Neill, Summersault Soaps, Belchertown Conservation Commission, and so many more -- probably close to 40 (I didn't take paper, so this all from memory and photographs). There was music to listen to, a quiz about Belchertown, contests and raffles, face painting, toys and games, and other entertainment. It was a great place to be.
Here are a few pics from the show:

Vendor Tents

Wagon Rides

Corn Snake (from Teaching Creatures)
Crafted Wares (from Mountain Women Goods)Summersault Soaps Display

Town events like this that bring the community together and show off where we live are part of what I love about this area and part of what makes me glad I moved here. Look forward to next year's Showcase.

(The past week's Sentinel lists out other vendors planning to be in attendance -- I just finally had time to open the paper.)

Showcase Belchertown

Tomorrow (Saturday) on the Common from 10-4: Showcase Belchertown.

I've been meaning to post this for a while now, having passed by the sandwich board on the Common a number of times in the past week, but I haven't taken the opportunity to look up the information until tonight. My apologies. This is what I'm gleaning from a few websites:

Showcase Belchertown is a free event sponsored by Belchertown CAN with the goal to boost the local economy and educate the citizens on services, agencies, and merchants available for them. It will feature local arts, crafts, and foods, restaurants, information, local businesses, and more. It's a family affair and will include pony rides, a sidewalk sale, and the Belchertown Twirlers. Bring the whole family! Rain date: June 21.

This is supposed to be the first annual Showcase Belchertown, and I think it sounds like a great idea. I hope the weather lets it be successful and that it grows in the years to come. Enjoy!

PVTRA

I have had the opportunity in recent Saturday mornings to volunteer with the Pioneer Valley Therapeutic Riding Association (PVTRA), a non-profit with the purpose of teaching horsemanship skills to individuals -- children and adults -- with various disabilities, including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, autism, amputations, and more.

PVTRA has been offering lessons to children and adults with disabilities since 1984 -- that's 25 years! Certified instructors and trained volunteers work with individuals and the horses provided by PVTRA to help them build confidence, self-esteem, patience, and independence through the challenges and rewards of therapeutic riding.

I found PVTRA through a web search when I was looking for someplace to volunteer a few hours a week. Specifically, I wanted to work with animals and meet new people and actually be of use to someone. This week was my second week with PVTRA, and all three of my requirements for my volunteer service have been filled. I have already learned to love the horses, having had the opportunity to curry them and brush them, talk to them, and walk with them. I have met an incredible set of supportive volunteers, an endearing group of kids, and wonderful families taking advantage of the services offered.

I'm sure that as time progresses, I will learn more about the organization, but in accordance with what I know now, the PVTRA offers great opportunities for the following:

1. People who suffer from physical, emotional, or cognitive disabilities.
2. People who want to volunteer their time and skills to a non-profit organization.
3. People who are looking for a worthy association to donate to.

PVTRA can be contacted from the website.

On Saturday, May 9, there will be a horse show to benefit the Pioneer Valley Therapeutic Riding Association. Information can be found on Craigslist or on the PVTRA website under "Horse Show" (see the poster).

Belchertown CAN: Jan 24

Mark your calendars and get ready for a community give in (aka food drive) on January 24. A new organization in town, the Belchertown Community Aid Network, or Belchertown CAN, has formed in response to a call for public service and with the purpose of providing assistance with heating fuel and food to vulnerable citizens during these difficult economic times.
On Jan 24, nonperishable items will be collected from 9-4 at town hall, and can also be dropped at Stop and Shop, Checkers, or the Belchertown Family Center. If you can't make it to any of these locations that day, items can also be left at various other drop locations during the month (see the site). Donations will be distributed through the three community food pantries and the Amherst Survival Center.

If you want to get more involved, you can attend a meeting, become a volunteer, and/or provide suggestions -- information is on their website.

Visit the Belchertown CAN website
Read the article from MassLive