Buttery Brook Park Santa’s Land-Dec. 11-14 and 18-21

Annual Santa’s Land 2025

December 11-14 and December 18-21, 2025
Thursday-Sunday, 5:30-7:00pm
Buttery Brook Park
123 Willimansett Street (Rt. 33), South Hadley MA
www.southhadley.org/1200/Buttery-Brook-Park

The outdoor decorations are up and the Friends of Buttery Brook Park and Park Staff look forward to welcoming everyone to the 53nd year of Santa’s Land. Visitors are invited to come and visit Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves. After visiting with Santa, children receive a cookie and coloring book from Mrs. Claus. There is no admission charge, but donations in support of the Park are always appreciated.

Parents are welcome to take their own family photographs with Santa, and everyone can enjoy a free cup of hot chocolate on the log cabin porch (across from the playground) and take a walk to delight in all of the displays outside. In season, Santa’s Land information and updates are posted at the Buttery Brook Park Friends Facebook page, www.facebook.com/butterybrookpark or www.facebook.com/southhadleyrecreation.

11/16-Bachelor/Stony Brook North Loop Trek

Bachelor Brook-Stony Brook North Loop Trek
SUNDAY, November 16, 2025 at 11:00am  
Meet at 10:45am at the small hiker parking lot at the trailhead on Rt. 47/Hadley Street just north of the Community Garden 
Bachelor Brook-Stony Brook Conservation Area-North Loop Trek Map (PDF)

South Hadley Bike/Walk Committee will lead a free, guided Trek on the on the North Loop of the Bachelor Brook-Stony Brook Conservation Area located off Hadley Street/Route 47 in South Hadley. Bike/Walk members Anne Barry and Riley Kranz will lead the Trek through the area’s beautiful, but underused, north section trail, which can be accessed from a trailhead on Hadley Street/Route 47. The beginning part of the hike is somewhat steep while the return section is more wide-open and either flat or downhill. The area is fairly wild and there are lots of interesting plants and many birds, as well as a view of river on the way in. The loop will take approximately 90 minutes to complete.

Parking for 12-15 cars is available in a small hiker lot on the left (just before the bridge over the brook) as you head north on Rt. 47/Hadley Street. If that lot is full, more parking is available in the larger Town Farm lot, about a quarter mile south of the small hiker lot. Please use caution when walking on Rt. 47 from parking areas as the road is a bit curvy. There is room to move off the road and walk on the adjacent grassy strip.

Meet at 10:45am at the small hiker lot (just north of the Community Garden, which is at 100 Hadley Street). We will leave at 11:00am from the trailhead, which is on Rt. 47 and marked by a brown wood sign with yellow letters. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and safe footwear, and bring water and walking poles, if desired. Please keep in mind that some areas of the trail can be wet and one section in particular can be quite muddy, so hiking footwear is preferable to sneakers. While no hunting is allowed in MA on Sundays, bright clothing is always a good idea.

All events are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or ground conditions and any decision to cancel will be made and posted by 9:00am the day of the Trek. For more information, to check for a weather notification at www.southhadley.org/bikewalk.

Our Roots, Our Voices-This Friday and Saturday!

Our Roots, Our Voices

AMERICAN STORIES, AROUND THE CLOCK FOR 25 HOURS
From Friday, November 7 at 5:00pm
to Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 6:00pm

Each of us living in America today has a singular story to tell about our origins, our families, our lives, passions, and dreams, and who we are as individuals. Together, our stories form a powerful narrative about this land and who we are as a people as we approach our 250th year as a nation. Come and learn more about your neighbors in South Hadley and other communities, and the people who lived here before us.

PLAN TO COME THIS WEEKEND!

Fellowship Hall at Center Church
1 Church Street (enter on Church Street; elevator accessible)
South Hadley, Massachusetts

www.OurRootsOurVoices.org
A nonpartisan, nonsectarian civic event hosted by Center Church and South Hadley DTC

Free admission and refreshments:
There is no admission charge and the public is invited to come and listen at any time. Refreshments will be served, and visitors may stop in as often as they wish to hear stories. During early AM overnight hours, some pre-recorded video and live constitution-reading may be presented.

Presented with support by  Fiberspring Gig Speed Internet  |  SHELD

October 6-10 | Morning Walks at Buttery Brook Park

Take a Walk in the Park
MONDAY-FRIDAY, October 6-10, 2025, daily at 10:00am (weather permitting)
Meet at 9:45am at the Log Cabin, adjacent to the playground 
Buttery Brook Park, 123 Willimansett St (Rt 33), South Hadley

In celebration of Active Aging Week, the Friends of the South Hadley Seniors is sponsoring a series of morning walks at Buttery Brook Park, to introduce the local community to the Park’s new accessible walking trail and new disc golf trail, both of which offer benches along the way.

Walk Schedule:
Accessible Walking Trail on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (easy, flat walk)
Disc Golf Trail on Tuesday and Thursday (moderate, uneven surface).
Participants are invited to stay for coffee and conversation after the walks. All are welcome!

Oct. 10-Gaylord Wine Down

Please join the Friends of the Gaylord Library!

OCTOBER WINE DOWN (and CIDER!)
Friday, October 10th
5:30pm – 7pm | 21+ Only
$10 entry (cash/credit)
Gaylord Memorial Library
47 College Street, South Hadley, MA

Kick off the weekend with wine tasting and appetizers at the historic Gaylord Library. The leaves are changing color, the air is getting more crisp, so let’s enjoy some fall treats and cider tasting to go along with our wine. We will also have some festive mocktails for sampling! Wine Downs are a great way to meet new people in town and to catch up with old friends–hope to see you there!

 

Sept. 25-KYT program with Town Administrator Lisa Wong

The Know Your Town community group will sponsor “All Roads Lead Local-South Hadley in a Changing Landscape,” on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 6:00pm in the Community Room of the Main Public Library, 2 Canal Street, South Hadley. Town Administrator, Lisa Wong will lead a robust discussion about the importance and impact of town government on the community’s residents and businesses.

This is the first Know Your Town-sponsored event of the 2025-2026 KYT Season. The program is free of charge and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

 

Monday Evening Bike Rides thru October 6

Weekly Evening Social Bike Rides    
MONDAYS at 5:30pm (weather permitting)
Last rides of the season: September 22, 29, and October 6, 2025
Meetup and leave from Rocky’s parking lot, 487 Newton St

www.southhadley.org/bikewalk

Bike/Walk committee member Jake Woodruff will be leading free social bike rides on Monday evenings at 5:30pm, leaving from the parking lot of Rocky’s Ace Hardware (487 Newton St). All people and bikes are welcome-rides will be 3-6 miles at an easy pace. Email: SHsocialride@gmail.com with any questions.

Oct. 18-Free Screening at Tower Theaters

Taking Care: THE LEGACIES WE’LL ACCEPT AND THOSE WE WON’T
Saturday, October 18, 2025.
From 9:30am-11:30am
South Hadey Tower Theatres

Karen Buscemi-Saunders, NP and the Tower Theaters invite you to a special screening of an intimate documentary.

Directed and produced by award-winning filmmaker James Keach, Taking Care is a 38-minute documentary following the journey of acclaimed filmmakers Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen as they navigate the complexities and heartbreak of the advancing Alzheimer’s disease of Lauren’s mother. Through humor, heart, and an unwavering commitment to change, Taking Care imparts a message of hope, resilience, and the profound impact individuals can have when they seek solutions to society’s greatest challenges.

If you are looking for inspiration and support, the film is followed with a discussion with an elder law attorney, a geriatric nurse practitioner, and a geriatric care manager.
Plan to come to this free event for conversation, collaboration, community–and a free screening, pop-corn, and beverages.

September 7-South Hadley River Road Bike Ride

The public is invited to participate in an afternoon Bike Ride hosted by the South Hadley Bike/Walk Committee on Sunday,  September 7, 2025. The Ride is approximately 6 miles long, and will start and end at the South Hadley Public Library Parking lot. Before the ride, there will be a short introduction to group riding, hand signals, and basic safety. Younger people are welcome to come on this ride, as long as they’re comfortable riding on roads.

Meet at 1:15pm in the South Hadley Library parking lot, adjacent to the main library at 2 Canal Street.

This route passes through one busy stop sign intersection but is otherwise on quiet side streets. We’ll stay together and stop at turns to make sure everyone’s doing well. Participants should plan to bring a water bottle and snacks are encouraged. Grab your bike and helmet, and come enjoy some nature and sunshine with the Bike/Walk Committee!

The Bike/Walk Committee also hosts a weekly Social Ride on Mondays at 5:30pm, leaving from the Woodlawn Plaza/Rocky’s Ace Hardware parking lot on Newton Street.

Weather/cancellation information: Bike/Walk Rides and Treks are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or ground conditions. Please visit the Bike/Walk Committee page on the Town website for any cancellation notices or other details, as well as upcoming events: www.southhadley.org/bikewalk. Should there be a cancellation decision, information will be posted online after 6:00pm the night before the Ride.