MotherWoman support group: A support group for new mothers. Meets on Mondays, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at St. John’s Corner, 469 Main St. This group, under the joint sponsorship of It Takes a Village and St. John’s Episcopal Church, meets each Monday, except on school holidays. Pregnant and postpartum mothers are welcome. Infants stay with mothers. Snack for all; free child care for children provided, up to age 4. For more information, contact Anna Westley at: Anna@MotherwellDoulaCare.com.
Kingsmen Chess Club: Meets Sundays, noon to 4 p.m., Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St. For more information, call John Dould at 978-249-5905 or e-mail aelb@trysb.net or aelb@hotmail.com
Smoking Cessation: Led by Tim Sweeney, tobacco treatment specialist. Meets Mondays, 6 to 7 p.m., Athol Hospital’s cafeteria.
TOPS: Take Off Pounds Sensibly Thursdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Athol Congregational Church.
Dick’s Angels Friday Night Special at the Bernardston Vets Club will be a fish sandwich or American chop suey. Tomato cheddar soup will also be available. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and grilled cheeses will be available. Food is served from 5 to 8 p.m. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.
The Salasin Center will host a One Billion Rising Event Friday, from 7 to 10 p.m., at the RPX at 1 Osgood St. There will be three components: drumming with Strong Oak from 7 to 8, Journey Dance with Lorena Norwood from 8 to 9, and creating Dream Flags from 9 to 10. All are welcome to join all or part of the event. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call The Salasin Project at 774-4307. One in three women across the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. Every February through March 8, thousands of Risings take place in hundreds of countries across the world and within local communities — to show the world what one billion looks like and shine a light on the rampant impunity and injustice that survivors of various forms of violence face.
Carley B. LeMay of Greenfield has recently been named to the Dean’s List at Boston University for the Fall semester. Each school and college at Boston University has their own criterion for the Dean’s List, but students generally must attain a 3.5 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), or be in the top 30 percent of their class, as well as a full course load as a full time student.
‘Vet to Vet’: The RECOVER Project and the Recovery Learning Community offer “Vet to Vet” every Thursday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at 74 Federal St. This collaboration is for all veterans, regardless of discharge status to offer support when the civilian world is a challenge. For more information, contact Tim at 475-0226.
Family United Network: The Family United Network (FUN) is at 3? Osgood St. Open hours are Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m.; Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. Contact Rachel Pariseau, Family United Network coordinator, at 774-4307, ext. 2, or email: Rpariseau@wmtcinfo.org.
Helpful Programs at FCHCC: At Franklin County Home Care any plan of care starts with your needs. Home Care Services provide assistance with light homemaking, home-delivered meals, personal care, and adaptive equipment. Caregivers can take a break to de-stress with Home Care’s respite services. In addition, the Consumer Directed Care Program at FCHCC allows elders in need to select their own care-giver — perhaps a friend, neighbor or even a family member — who can be paid through this program (excludes spouses). For more information on either, visit: info@fchcc.org or call 773-5555 or 978-544-2259. Read more at: www.fchcc.org.
Kristina Hadsel of Northfield has been named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2015 semester at Curry College.
To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must earn a 3.30 GPA, have no incompletes, and have no grade lower than a “C” for the semester. Full-time students must carry
12 or more graded credits for the semester.
Free Community Meal: Offered every Friday night at 5:30 at Trinity Church, Severance Street.
Playgroup on Fridays: Playgroup on Fridays at Shutesbury Elementary School, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Shutesbury Elementary School.
Preschool story time: Fridays, 11 a.m., in the Children’s Room of the Sunderland Public Library. These story/craft times are for children, ages 3 to 5 and their families/caregivers. Each story time is approximately 45 minutes in length and includes theme-related stores, songs, finger plays and crafts.
Serendipity Shop: Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Congregational Church basement. Men’s, women, children’s clothing, shoes and sneakers. Most items, $1. Men’s suits and all coats, $3. Women’s suits, $2. Donations accepted. Proceeds to benefit the church. Call 665-2890.
Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A: Friday, 10:30 to 11:30 p.m., Kidleidoscope — “Porcupines.” Come learn about our neighbors who share our home in the Connecticut River watershed. This program includes a story, interactive games, and a craft to introduce you and your child to wildlife along the river. Meet in the Great Hall. For ages 3 to 6. Siblings and friends welcome.
On Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m., “The Power of Water/The Power of Words.”
What do you want for your rivers? Help gather 1,000 of your river stories to be turned into a monumental and inspiring public-participation River of Words art exhibit. Create your river story and it will later join the larger River of Words exhibit urging federal officials to improve the health and recreational use of the Connecticut River. This is an exciting opportunity to creatively engage in a policy-making process. You own your rivers and now is the time to speak up for a positive impact that will last for a lifetime. Sponsored by the Connecticut River Watershed Council.
Franklin Area Survival Center: The Food Pantry & Thrift Store, hosted by staff and volunteers, is at 96 Fourth St., 863-9549. The Thrift Store is open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Food Pantry is open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The center is closed on Federal holidays. The Thrift Shop is open to the general public and helps finance its Food Pantry. In an emergency, such as a fire or flood, the center will supply needed clothing and linens, free of charge, also additional food to help the victims of a disaster.
MCSM’s Women’s Center: The Montague Institute for New Directions (MIND), a free program that helps women identify strengths, set personal goals and identify the steps to attain them, will run on Mondays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jan. 11 to April 11 at Montague Catholic Social Ministries Women’s Center (formerly known as the Turners Falls Women’s Resource Center). MIND is a 12-week training program for women who are ready to take the next step in their lives: continuing their education, entering or re-entering the work force, or starting a business. MIND can help them define their course and set attainable goals. For more information, contact Christine Diani, coordinator, MCSM Women’s Center, 41 third St. For more information, call 3-4804, ext. 1003, christine@mcsmcommunity.org.
Whately Library: Monday, 10:30 a.m., Mother Goose on the Loose. A fun-filled thirty-minute interactive session that uses rhymes, songs, puppets, musical instruments and more to stimulate the learning process of babies and toddlers followed by open play and social time. RSVP at 413-665-2170.
Hospice of Franklin County is scheduling a Spring Volunteer Training, to begin Tuesday, March 29. This is an eight-week training course preparing interested individuals to serve our hospice patients and their families through their life-limiting diagnosis. Trained Volunteers assist by providing a range of services to our patients including; respite care, supportive listening, companionship, running errands, assisting with meals and other duties as requested. Special service needs at this time include; volunteers living in the outlying towns of Franklin County, bilingual individuals, military veterans’, individuals willing to share their musical talents and certified pet therapy volunteers. The training will be held at 329 Conway Street, Greenfield, the office area of Hospice of Franklin County. Classes will run on eight consecutive Tuesdays, 5pm to 7pm. To schedule an interview or for more information please contact Jayne Allen, Volunteer Services Coordinator, at 774-2400 or jallen5@bhs1.org. Class size is limited.
Hadley Garden Center, 285 Russell St., Hadley, will offer a free clinic on Hydrangeas on Saturday at 1 p.m. For more information, call 584-1423.
Free Reiki sessions: Reiki for Breast Cancer Patients/Survivors in Franklin County, Saturday mornings, by appointment, 474 Main St., Suite 2, Greenfield. Reiki, an ancient and relaxing, noninvasive therapy, enhances the body’s natural healing ability while calming the body, mind and spirit. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Mary Jessie Blazejewski, Reiki master/teacher, at 774-9927.
Eventide Singers: Offering songs of hope and healing for seriously or terminally ill people, their families and caregivers. The service is offered in homes, hospitals and care facilities, without charge. The music can be selected in response to spiritual preference. Eventide’s purpose is to provide a bed of supportive music on which a person may rest in harmony while in transition from this time to what is next to come. For more information and a YouTube video of the group, go to: www.eventidesingers.com or call Marcia Schuhle at 774-2335 or Joe Toritto at 774-5828.
Straight Spouse Support: One-to-one support for straight individuals currently or once married to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender partners. Confidential helpline at 625-6636 or email jcmalinski48@gmail.com locally or the Straight Spouse Network nationally at: www.straightspouse.org.
Counseling Referrals: The Social Work Therapy Referral Service offers free confidential referrals for individual, couple, family and group therapy, matched for specialty, location and insurance. This is a public service of the National Association of Social Workers. Call 800-242-9794.
Help the blind: Your car, truck or camper may be worth more as a donation than a trade in. Call the Massachusetts Association for the Blind at 888-613-2777 for details. This is a free tow, quick pick up and donations are tax deductible. Proceeds benefit blind and vision impaired persons in Massachusetts.