Around town

Meet the Blind event is Saturday

October is Meet the Blind Month, and the community is invited to join Mark Meusborn of Holyoke at a free event Saturday, Oct. 16, at 2 p.m. at the Peerless Theatre.

Meusborn, who is blind, will be sharing how he manages blindness and continues to live independently. Since Oct. 15 is White Cane Safety Day, he will also enlighten attendees on how he uses his cane. Meusborn was born in Holyoke and attended the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind.

Guest speaker Sharon Bishop of Texas, who is also blind, will speak on technologies that assist the blind.

This program is sponsored by Holyoke Lions Club. Refreshments will be served.

Welcome sign options considered

If you’ve noticed that the Holyoke welcome sign by the courthouse is not working properly, don’t worry. Holyoke Chamber of Commerce is aware of the problem and is looking at different options so Holyoke can continue to have an informational sign in the future.

Food, coat drives going on now

It’s time for the fourth annual food drive and eighth annual coat drive organized by Viaero Wireless. Nonperishable food items can be dropped off now through Monday, Nov. 15. Donations will be split between local food banks. Adult and children’s coats can be dropped off any time between now and Friday, Dec. 3. Anyone in need of a coat can also stop by and pick one up.

Donations are being accepted at Holyoke’s Viaero Wireless or Melissa Memorial Hospital.