Good morning, Springfield.

Wellpoint honored Steve Athas at Picknelly Field, celebrating decades of service to Springfield youth through work at Greenleaf Community Center and Springfield Public Schools (recognized in the local baseball hall of fame and with a street named for him).

Volunteers, including First Alert Meteorologist Liam Murphy + Sloane Wick, packed dozens of books at Link to Libraries in Hampden on Wednesday morning to help local kids gain access to reading materials and build strong reading skills.

On May 6, 12, and 20, the Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards will honor 90 educators from over 20 school districts at banquets at the Log Cabin (Holyoke).

Awardees receive engraved plaques, monetary awards, tuition incentives, plus memberships to a regional YMCA and the Springfield Jewish Community Center.

Both municipal golf courses opened for the season on Wednesday.

City officials spent $6 million to renovate the clubhouses — last updated in the 1960s — and introduced adaptive golf carts for disabled golfers so play remains affordable for local families.

Springfield Thunderbirds clinched a playoff berth with a 7-1 win over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (their fourth playoff appearance in five years) Wednesday night at the MassMutual Center.

The Magical Music of Harry Potter - Live in Concert

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Symphony Hall — Experience the enchanting score from the Harry Potter films performed live.

2026 Stifel Stars on Ice Tour

7-10 p.m. — MassMutual Center — Ticket required for entry — Celebrate Olympic greatness with top U.S. Figure Skating stars showcasing breathtaking performances on ice.

Play by the Books: A Novel Night of Creative Crafting

5:30-7:30 p.m. — Springfield Museums — $20 ($15 for members) — Celebrate literature and creativity with art-making stations and a gallery tour.