Fourth Annual Second* Saturday
Introduces New Mount Holyoke Students to Pioneer Valley

South Hadley, MA---On Saturday, September 13, more than 400 new students at Mount Holyoke College will explore the Pioneer Valley by participating in Second* Saturday, an annual day-long program that includes a wide variety of recreational activities and community-service projects led by upper-class students, faculty, staff, and alumnae.

A full list of activities and projects is attached.

"Each project is designed to introduce students to some of the rich resources and opportunities available in the surrounding towns and neighborhoods, and to encourage their connection to their new community," said Catharine Melhorn, program coordinator and Hammond-Douglass Professor of Music.

Reading to children at South Hadley's Gaylord Library; riding the Norwottuck Rail Trail Bike Path, which connects Northampton and Amherst; exercising the dogs at the Dakin Animal Shelter in Leverett; visiting Emily Dickinson's Amherst home; and cleaning up the playground at Springfield's North End Community Center are just a few of the 34 activities in which new students can participate.

Launched four years ago as part of the College's new-student orientation, Second* Saturday, named for the weekend it takes place, gives students a broader vision of their new home, according to Melhorn. "I always feel sad," Melhorn said, "when I encounter students whose experience of the off-campus community is limited to the Holyoke Mall or Main Street, Northampton, students who have never been to South Hadley Falls, or hiked a trail in the Notch, or visited the city of Holyoke."

For more information on Second* Saturday, please contact Catharine Melhorn at 413-538-2018.

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Second* Saturday 2003

Projects
September 13, 2003

1. Work & Play in Downtown Noho
Your day begins in the heart of wild and wonderful Northampton with a community service project at First Churches (UCC & American Baptist). You'll spruce up this big, beautiful, historic church: light carpentry, painting, yard work, and miscellaneous cleaning. At the lunch break, you'll take in the sights of "Noho" and people-watch, and at day's end, treat yourself to homemade ice cream at Bart's.

2. Gaylord Library
Located across the street from the College's main gate, is a popular resource for MHC students seeking the latest best seller. You'll contribute to a special children's story hour, reading and helping the kids prepare an "edible snack" based on the featured books. Limited to four participants.

3. Quabbin Reservoir
Located only 30 minutes from campus, this vast and breathtaking wilderness area is the principal water source for MHC and the city of Boston. An introduction to the Quabbin's history and construction, about two hours of trail work, and a one-hour interpreted hike to various watershed areas.

4. Dickinson Homesteads
You will have guided visits to two historic properties: the home of Emily Dickinson, one of America's most intriguing and remarkable poets, and also recently restored "Evergreens," the next-door home of Emily's brother, Austin. You will assist the Homestead staff, performing inventory tasks, cleaning or landscaping. You should have time to "talk poetry" with others who love to read and write it.

5. Leverett Peace Pagoda
About 40 minutes from campus, this large dome-like shrine is dedicated to Inner Peace and World Peace, open to people of all faiths and situated alongside a Cambodian Buddhist temple. Maintained entirely by volunteers, the Peace Pagoda is greatly in need of the simple maintenance and clean-up which you'll provide. Weather permitting, you're invited to swim or hot tub afterwards at a nearby faculty home.

6. Quilting
You'll travel to Ashfield, a Berkshires hilltown, where expert quilter Patricia Spees (FP) will direct the making of individual baby quilts to be donated immediately to AIDS/HIV newborns. No previous quilting experience.

7. Not Bread Alone
At this popular area soup kitchen, your group will sort produce, prepare the noon meal, eat with clients, distribute bagged groceries, and clean up. There may also be time for a walk in downtown Amherst and a side trip to Bart's Homemade Ice Cream.

8. Dakin Animal Shelter
Located in a country town about thirty-five minutes north of campus, is a modest shelter known for its humane care and conscientious, thorough adoption policies. Your group will provide deep cleaning, exercise the dogs and play with the cats. Weather permitting, you're invited to swim or hot tub afterwards at a nearby faculty home.

9. Girls' Inc.
Located in Holyoke, is an afterschool program designed to help girls (ages 6-13) develop socially, creatively and intellectually in a fun and safe environment. Over the years, many Mount Holyoke students have been involved here as math or language tutors, or in other mentoring roles. Your group will work alongside staff members to prepare the space-cleaning, organizing, perhaps some painting-for the coming year.

10. Berkshire Hills Music Academy
A unique residential school for students with learning disabilities. The Academy opened two years ago on an estate formerly owned by Mount Holyoke College, just a few minutes walk from campus. The Academy provides young adults who might not have been able to attend a traditional college with the opportunity to live in a collegiate setting and acquire independent living skills while developing their musical potential. You'll work alongside the students to help get the school ready for a new year.

11. Habitat for Humanity
A non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry whose goal is to make home ownership possible for low-income citizens through land purchase, new construction and renovation of older properties. Supervised by building professionals, your group will work approximately 5 hours at a variety of tasks: simple carpentry, painting, grounds work.

12. Urban Debate Outreach
You'll help prepare students at the New Leadership Charter School in Springfield for competition in upcoming debate tournaments sponsored by MHC's DEAL program. One-on-one and in small groups, you'll brainstorm ideas or seek to improve their writing and speaking skills. Your previous experience in debate or public speaking is a plus, but all you really need is a desire to help kids learn. Supervised by Eric Barnes (Weissman Center & philosophy) and students from the DEAL program.

13. Northfield Mountain/Riverboat
Located north of Greenfield, MA, almost at the New Hampshire border. Northfield Mountain is a recreational area operated by the Northeast Utilities/ Western Mass Electric. You'll take a one-hour interpreted cruise on the Connecticut River, drop by the Visitors Center for a video introduction to the history and programs at this site, then picnic and hike some of the scenic nature trails on the mountain. [$5 subsidized cruise ticket]

14. StonyBrook Children's Center
A adjacent to campus, a handsome full-service community childcare center for infants to eight-year-olds at all income levels, offering state-assisted and United Way scholarships. An expanded Second* Saturday crew will accomplish much needed maintenance and cleanup, and provide child care for kids of faculty board members involved in organizing this project.

15. The Arbors in Chicopee
A new "assisted living" facility for senior citizens. You'll engage the residents in a variety of activities, including exercise, crafts, informal discussions and opportunities to reminisce. Students with special talents (music, art, dance, acting?) to share are especially welcome.

16. Raku Firing
In a country setting about 35 minutes from campus, you'll participate in a pottery workshop led by Donna Gates, founder/director of Mudpie Potters Community Clay Center, part of the Leverett Crafts & Arts collective. You will glaze and fire one "group piece" and small individual pendants. [$5 subsidized materials fee] Weather permitting, you're invited to swim or hot tub afterwards at a nearby faculty home.

17. The Old Firehouse Museum
Houses the collections of the South Hadley Historical Society. Your group will reorganize and refresh exhibits in the Hook & Ladder childrens annex. You'll be welcomed warmly by Museum board members who will share their knowledge of our town and provide ice cream floats just for fun!

18. Food Bank Farm
Located in Hadley, is a 60-acre organic farm operated by the Food Bank of Western Mass, contributing fresh produce to their more than 395 programs which feed more than 77,500 people annually. Your group will help with the fall harvest. Think pumpkins and fresh flowers!

19. Riding the Bike Path
Two MHC professors will be your guides as you make a round trip on the popular Norwonuck Rail Trail Bike Path which connects Amherst and Northampton. You can ride your own bike, or rent a bike and helmet [$5 subsidized fee] at trailside.

20. Apple Fest
Sponsored by South Hadley's Stony Brook Church, you'll join other community members in a day of apple picking and baking, their fourth annual Apple Fest. After harvesting apples from trees at nearby Olesiuk Orchards, you'll be divided into small groups and invited into several local homes and kitchens to create traditional apple pies and/or invent other apple-based concoctions, with prizes awarded at day's end.

21. The Children's Museum
Located in downtown Holyoke, educates and entertains about 45,000 visitors annually, offering over 30 permanent, hands-on exhibits. Your group will assist in their annual September Shutdown, when staff and volunteers "rehab" the facility after a year of use by very active children.Tasks might include repainting the outdoor railings, painting the TV Studio to make way for a new exhibit, remodeling and rearranging the theater closet, etc.

22. Northend Community Center
Located in Springfield's Brightwood School, the Northend Community Center provides after school and summer programs for elementary and high school kids. Working alongside the children, your project will involve a playground cleanup and/ or painting some part of the school.

23. A Better Chance
A national organization "dedicated to substantially increasing the number of well-educated minority youth capable of assuming positions of responsibility in American society." For nine young men of color from urban areas, the Amherst ABC House is home while they attend Amherst Regional High School. The house has just been expanded and renovated, and you will join with the guys to paint or clean or organize-whatever will help them get ready for the year ahead.

24. Camp Lewis Perkins
Located only a mile or so from campus, a small, rustic Girl Scout Camp. After a busy summer, there is much maintenance and repair work to be done. Former scouts especially welcome (or anyone who loves the outdoors).

25. Save the Trees!
With materials furnished by the Amherst Conservation Commission and under the supervision of MHC geology Professor Al Werner and his wife, MHC alumna Karen Bourque, you'll wrap and rescue trees threatened by beavers along one portion of the popular Norwottuck Rail Trail Bike Path.

26. Temenos
A rustic and remote retreat center-lodge, cabins, mineral spring, and trails-founded by Quakers and nestled in 78 acres of forest on a small mountain about 50 minutes from campus. Your volunteer labor, such as painting, or hauling and stacking wood (rain or shine), will help keep Temenos accessible to all who seek a place of quiet and beauty.

27. Self-Defense with Girl Scouts
You'll learn self-defense techniques alongside South Hadley scouts (ages 12-13) in a workshop led by MHC public safety Officer Barbara Arrighi, a consultant to the RAD ( Rape Awareness and defense) program for young girls.

28. ARCH Kids Picnic
You'll meet up with kids from families who are leaving situations of domestic violence, currently in temporary housing provided by the Springfield YWCA. ARCH program staff member Laura Betts (MHC Alum), has organized a field trip to Northampton's Look Park. A picnic, games, storytelling may be all part of the outing.

29. Zoo in Forest Park
Located in downtown Springfield in a 750-acre municipal park with lovely gardens, small lakes, and trails, an independent nonprofit organization that maintains an Ecology Center and exhibits animals both indoors and in their natural habitat. Under the supervision of zoo personnel, you will (for example) prepare food and feed the animals, clean and change exhibits, or bathe and exercise animals.

30. C & G Hike
A moderately strenuous rain or shine 5-mile hike along one of the many Pioneer Valley scenic trails-Holland Glen? Amethyst Brook? Robert Frost Trail? Mt. Tom? Led by staff member Charmaine Colino and student Gemma Laser '06. Insect repellent, sunscreen, light rain parkas provided-other surprises too. You find your own walking stick! A couple of dogs may accompany.

31. Mt. Toby Hike
Led by faculty member John Lemly (English & African Studies), you'll hike through red and white pine, shagbark hickories, sugar maples, birches and ferns galore and climb to where a fire tower awaits to lift you above the clearing summit. On a clear day, you'll see Mount Monadnock, Mount Graylock and up and down the Connecticut River Valley. Weather permitting, you're invited to swim or hot tub afterwards at a nearby faculty home.

32. Lithia Springs Hike
Led by faculty member Thomas Millette (Director, Center for Environmental Literacy), you'll hike to Lithia Springs on Mount Holyoke, occasionally picking up trail trash. You'll receive instructions in map reading using GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) receivers, and "high tech" orienteering strategies.