VISITORS GUIDE

Western Massachusetts Travel and Tourism News and Attractions

• Season of extremes for ironman
Doug Guertin's half-ironman triathlon season was filled with extremes.

• Illusionist brings magic to CityStage
Some entertainers' careers seem to ascend almost magically.

• Conductor eyes Hartford post
SPRINGFIELD - Kevin Rhodes, conductor of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, is a finalist to lead the nearby Hartford Symphony Orchestra.

• Orchestra conductor eyes Hartford post
SPRINGFIELD - Kevin Rhodes, conductor of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, is a finalist to lead the nearby Hartford Symphony Orchestra.

• Illusionist brings magic to CityStage
Some entertainers' careers seem to ascend almost magically.

• Conductor eyes Hartford post
SPRINGFIELD - Kevin Rhodes, conductor of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, is a finalist to lead the nearby Hartford Symphony Orchestra.

• Orchestra conductor eyes Hartford post
SPRINGFIELD - Kevin Rhodes, conductor of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, is a finalist to lead the nearby Hartford Symphony Orchestra.

• Museum paintings sought after in the U.S., abroad
Almost daily, the staff of the Michele and Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts receives calls or e-mails from people seeking more information about works of art they have seen in the galleries here in Springfield.

• Bay Path hosts women writers' workshop
Novice and experienced writers are invited to the first ever "Kitchen Sink: A Women's Writers' Workshop" at Bay Path College in Longmeadow. The event, to be held Friday through Sunday, will feature nationally bestselling authors who will speak and lead intimate seminars for writers and aspiring writers.

• Marie Osmond: Little bit quilter
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - Have you noticed how celebrity Marie Osmond seems to be everywhere these days?

• Garden inspires art show
WESTFIELD - The 60th anniversary of Stanley Park and its recent addition of a Japanese garden serve as the inspiration behind the new exhibit, "East Meets Westfield," at the Westfield State College Downtown Art Gallery.

• Exhibit dwells on body image
Award-winning documentary photographer Lauren Greenfield, 42, hopes her exhibits, "Girl Culture" and "Thin," currently at the Smith College Museum of Art in Northampton, will provoke much discussion on two topics that have been her focus for many years - the importance of body image to females and a look at eating disorders as part of a serious mental illness.

• Symphony offers concert collection
It is a wisely acknowledged truth that great, exciting and introspective music can provide an oasis in tough times, so we invite you to attend the Springfield Symphony Orchestra concerts as we continue with the second half of our 65th anniversary season.

• Yankee Candle wax works exhibit appeals to families this holiday season
With a light snow falling gently from the ceiling, visitors to the Yankee Candle flagship store in Deerfield watch as a train travels around the room, examine Christmas ornaments and check out a vast array of nutcrackers and German steins.