Greenfield Farmers’ Market opens for season

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Farmers’ Market, celebrating its 50th year, opens for the season on Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Court Square.

The market sells locally grown produce, plants and flowers. In addition to meat, eggs, cheese, wine, cider, granola, jams and jellies, baked goods, maple syrup and honey, the market also features locally made crafts such as quilts, herbal ointments and salves, homemade soap and handcrafted clothing with nature-inspired themes.

The Greenfield Farmers’ Market accepts debit cards, credit cards and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. For more information, visit greenfieldfarmersmarket.com.

Event to highlight
veterans’ services

GREENFIELD — The Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services District and Greenfield Community College’s Office of Veteran Services will be joining the Veterans Administration of Northampton for an informational gathering focused on veterans’ benefit programs. The event will take place on Monday, April 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. at GCC.

“Our office takes tremendous pride in assisting the veterans community,” Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services District Director Christopher Demars said in a statement. “We are grateful for our partnership with Veterans Administration of Northampton and Greenfield Community College’s Office of Veteran Services for this evening of information and support for veterans.”

The event, which is part of the VA’s Rural Initiative to connect with local veterans, will focus on critical support systems that the veterans community can use. Some of the highlighted services include: enrollment assistance for veterans’ health care (staff will be on site to help veterans enroll and veterans are encouraged to bring discharge documentation if they are interested); toxic exposure screenings; briefings on how veterans can place a claim with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; mobility and transportation services through the VA Healthcare Transportation Services; and details on the PACT Act.

The Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services District serves the municipalities of Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Hawley, Heath, Leverett, Leyden, Monroe, Montague, New Salem, Northfield, Plainfield, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, Sunderland, Warwick, Wendell and Whately.

Organizers preparing for National Gun Violence Awareness Day event

GREENFIELD — As June’s National Gun Violence Awareness Day event on the Greenfield Common approaches, organizers are seeking the community’s help in crafting orange hearts inscribed with the names of victims of gun violence that will be hung on the trees. The goal is to place at least 255 hearts to represent the average number of Massachusetts fatalities from gun violence each year.

Organizers invite volunteers to the Community Room at Green Fields Market, 170 Main St., on Wednesday, May 1, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to craft the hearts. Attendees are advised to bring scissors and a black Sharpie if they have one.

On Friday, June 7, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., the hearts will be placed on the Greenfield Common, where they will stay through the weekend. A short vigil will follow.

For information, contact Robin Neipp at rneipp.ma@gmail.com.

Book on Rudolph Diesel subject of author talk

GREENFIELD — In partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium, the Greenfield Public Library invites residents to a virtual talk with New York Times bestselling author Douglas Brunt on Wednesday, May 1, at 3 p.m. about his debut non-fiction work “The Mysterious Case of Rudolph Diesel: Genius, Power and Deception on the Eve of World War I.”

The book reveals the hidden history of inventor Rudolf Diesel and his mysterious disappearance from the steamship Dresden on the eve of World War I.

For more information and to register, visit libraryc.org/greenfieldpubliclibrary.

Applications being accepted for Senior Tax Work-Off Program

GREENFIELD — Homeowners ages 60 and up may apply throughout May to work off a portion of their real estate tax bill for fiscal year 2025, up to $2,000.

Applicants must have lived in Greenfield for at least five years and in Massachusetts for at least 10 years. The applicant’s name must be on the title and they must reside at the property for which they are applying.

Qualifying seniors may pick up an application packet starting May 1 at the Greenfield Senior Center, 35 Pleasant St., Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Once an application is complete, qualifying seniors should contact the Senior Center at 413-772-1517, ext. 0 to schedule an appointment.

Interviews will be scheduled through May 31. If more than 20 qualified people apply, a lottery will be held. Placement notifications will be in June. The fiscal year 2025 work period runs from July 1, 2024 through Nov. 30, 2024.

Brown bag program set for May 2

GREENFIELD — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ monthly brown bag program for income-qualifying seniors will be held at the Weldon apartments at 54 High St. on May 2, from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Call 413-247-9738 or visit foodbankwma.org for more information and applications.

Seven-week qigong series starts May 7

GREENFIELD — Lynne Smith will lead a seven-week series of qigong classes Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. between May 7 and June 18 at the Greenfield Senior Center.

Qigong is an ancient practice that offers benefits for the body, mind and spirit. It is a simple movement practice that is gentle, relaxing and easy to follow. All exercises are done standing. No experience necessary.

Registration with a $45 payment is required by May 3. Senior Center membership (free) is also required. Stop by the center to register.