Annual Maple Fest! Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon at First Congregational Church. All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast: pancakes, eggs, sausage, etc., $10 for adults, $5 for children. Served from 8 a.m. until noon.
SERRV gifts for sale. SERRV partners with 55 small-scale artisan / farmer organizations and cooperatives to bring unique, handcrafted product collections. In the world today, handicraft production is the second largest form of employment after agriculture. Each year we offer beautiful items from around the world.
And from Rada, American made high-quality kitchenware.
Also, art and handicrafts by local artists will be for sale.
Mother Woman support group: A support group for new mothers. Meets 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 school holidays. Pregnant and postpartum mothers welcome. Infants stay with mothers. Snack for all; free child care for children 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 email 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 roast pork with mashed potatoes, butternut squash, and applesauce. Hamburgers, Hot dogs and grilled cheeses will also be available. Serving from 5 to 8 p.m. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.
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 3½ 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 Rpraseau@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 caregiver — perhaps a friend, neighbor or even a family member — who can be paid through this program (excludes spouses). For more information, visit: info@fchcc.org or call 773-5555 or 978-544-2259. Read more at www.fchcc.org.
Food Pantry: the community food pantry will be open Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The pantry is in the basement of Dickinson Memorial Library, 115 Main St. The pantry is open the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.
Free Community Meal: Offered every Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Trinity Church, Severance Street.
Playgroup on Fridays: Playgroup on Fridays at Shutesbury Elementary School, 9 to 10:30 a.m. Shutesbury Elementary School.
Country Breakfast and Mini Bake Sale will be servied Saturday from 7 to 10 a.m. at Sunderland Congregaitonal Church. The breakfast will feature pancakes, maple syrup, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, home fries, beverage. One service, adults $7; all you can eat adults, $10. Children $4.
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 about 45 minutes and includes theme-related stories, 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. 665-2890.
Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A: Great Falls Coffeehouse with Keith Murphy and Becky Tracy. Friday, 7 to 9 p.m. The Tracys are dynamic performers of traditional music from Newfoundland, Quebec, Ireland, France and beyond. Each month the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center host an evening coffeehouse with local musical talent. Refreshments available. Museum and museum store open during intermission. Donations suggested.
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 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, and additional food to help the victims of a disaster.
Whately Library: Saturday, 11 a.m., Book Discussion, “Brooklyn” by Colm Toibin. Now a major motion picture — A Love Story for this generation, Brooklyn brings to life two people who couldn’t have less in common and asks, what do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart? Books available at library.
Monday: 11 a.m.: Whately Knitting Circle and Instruction. Did you always want to learn to knit or want to learn new techniques? Join the first monthly meet up! Bring your own projects, tips, techniques and ideas to share with fellow knitters at the Whately Library. Beginners will learn to make a simple scarf. Just bring two 7- or 8-inch knitting needles and two worsted weight yarns.
Tuesday: 3 and 6 p.m.: Movie Tuesday. “Trumbo,” (Rated R). Bryan Cranston shines in this remarkable, Oscar nominated film based on a true story about one of the darkest periods in Hollywood’s history. Popcorn provided by Friends of the Library.
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.eventidesigners.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 or at the Straight Spouse Network 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 two, quick pick up and donations are tax deductible. Proceeds benefit blind and vision impaired persons in Massachusetts.