UMass Chilly Challenge at Puffer’s Pond on Nov. 16

AMHERST — The Center for Women & Community at the University of Massachusett invites all to join its annual Chilly Challenge fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 16 at Puffer’s Pond in North Amherst beginning at 10:30 a.m.

The Challenge is an annual event that began in 2021 as a way to bring community together during COVID isolation.

Participants raise awareness and funds in support of free sexual assault support, advocacy and prevention services in Hampshire County. All funds raised support CWC’s free services for people impacted by violence.

All are invited to get chilly in Puffer’s Pond — from just dipping in a toe to taking a full-body plunge and anything in between — and then enjoy warm chili on the beach afterward. The rain date for the event will be Nov. 17. Individuals and teams can sign up any time, although UMass students who need transportation must register by Nov. 11.

Local businesses can lend their support by sponsoring the challenge. Learn more and sign up at www.umass.edu/student-life/cwc-chilly-challenge-2024.

The CWC was established at UMass Amherst in 1972 and is committed to providing education, advocacy, leadership and support services for people of all genders across Hampshire County.

Free and confidential services are available to anyone impacted by violence 24/7 by calling 413-545-0800.

Artists answer call for ‘Thrive’ exhibit at HCC

HOLYOKE — Artists from as far away as Florida and Ukraine answered the call for submissions for the latest exhibition at the Taber Art Gallery at Holyoke Community College – “Thrive: Beyond Surviving.”

The show, which opened Oct. 31, and runs through Dec. 20, is a collaboration between the Taber Art Gallery and the Thrive Center, which operates the college’s food pantry and provides other student support services focused on basic needs.

The show includes about 60 submissions from artists in the Pioneer Valley, across the United States, and around the world.

Gallery director Rachel Rushing said the theme sprang from conversations she had with Ben Ostiguy, the Thrive Center special programs director.

The Taber Art Gallery, located off the lobby of the HCC Library on the second floor of the HCC Donahue Building, is free and open to the public Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during regular school sessions.

Third ‘Name A Snowplow’ contest open

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is announcing the third annual “Name A Snowplow” contest for statewide elementary school students in Massachusetts. The contest seeks to solicit names for 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service for the upcoming 2024/2025 winter season.

Applications for the contest are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, and can be submitted by using an online portal: https://www.mass.gov/forms/name-a-snowplow-contest-submission. There is no limit to the number of applications that can be submitted per school. The contest winners will be invited to participate in a scheduled snowplow unveiling event. Winning selections will be announced by Monday, Dec. 23.

A selection panel composed of MassDOT employees will choose two elementary school classroom winners that are located within each of the six Highway Division districts. The winning submissions will be evaluated based on two grade-level categories: 1) kindergarten through fourth grade; and 2) fifth grade through eighth grade.