ACOA Al-Anon: For adults raised by alcoholic caretakers/parents. Meets every Saturday,10 a.m., Athol Hospital’s conference room.
Free Playgroup: Come Play & Learn, for parents/caregivers with children, infants to age 6, every Thursday, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Bernardston Elementary School gymnasium, 37 School St. The playgroup follows the public school calendar and is sponsored by PVRSD CFCE. For more information, contact Deb Wood at 498-2660 or email: woodd@pvrsdk12.org.
Pie Sale: Robbins Memorial Congregational Church. Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Apple pie, $10; blueberry pie $12. Unbaked and sugar free available by reservation only. To reserve pies call 773-7624.
Family United Network: The Family United Network (F.U.N.) Cener is at The Salasin Center, 474 Main St., Thursdays, 4 to 6 p.m., a fun time fo the whole family. All ages are welcome. For more information, contact Stacy at 774-4307, Ext. 4, or visit: slangknecht@wmcinfo.org.
Vet to Vet: The RECOVER Project and the Recovery Learning Community offer “Vet to Vet” every Thursday, 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 Time at 475-0226.
Circle of Moms: Meets Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon, Community Action Family Center, 90 Federal St. Free parking, childcare, snacks. For more information, call 774-1000.
Community Action’s Family Center: The Family Center, 90 Federal St., offers Plays & Learn Groups, Parent Support Group and special early literacy events. The staff can help answer questions you have on topics like parenting, discipline, child development and school readiness. Free books, clothing and diapers on site. Staff can help you find other resources in the community. Open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 475-1553. Find us on Facebook.
Free ongoing classes: The Literacy Project/Greenfield offers ongoing free basic education classes, free GED preparation classes, free job readiness workshops, free college transition workshops and free academic counseling services. For more information, call 774-3935 or visit: www.literacyproject.org.
Benefits Counseling Program: Are you age 60 or older and worried abut your home heating bill? Income eligible seniors can find help through Franklin County Home Care’s Benefits Counseling Program. FCHCC will help file an application for fuel assistance and find other ways to save you money. Contact Gretchen Smith at 773-5555, email info @fchcc.org, or visit www.fchcc.org for more information.
Healthy Aging Program: The program, at Franklin County Home Care Corp., promotes wellness and independence among older adults. Workshops on Chronic Disease Self Management, Healthy Eating, Falls Prevention and Walking Groups make up this evidence-based program. To volunteer as a peer leader/trainer or to find a workshop in your community, contact Lesley Kayan at 773-5555, Ext. 2297 or call 978-544-2259, Ext. 2297. Read more at: www.fchcc.org.
Knitting at the Library: All knitters are invited to drop by to knit, chat, exchange helpful hints and share ideas on Thursdays, 6 to 8 p.m., Dickinson Memorial Library. The group will be led by Kathy O’Shea, a graduate of WEBS knitting program. Drop in anytime.
Join the New Salem Agricultural Commission as they host Fred Swedler for a workshop on All Things Tomatoes! The event will be Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the New Salem Library. We will learn about: Seed starting, Indeterminate vs. determinate types, fertility, blight, pruning and staking methods. The workshop is free to the public thanks to the New Salem Academy Trustees for sponsoring our event.
Free Ongoing Classes: The Literacy Project North Quabbin offers ongoing free basic education classes, free GED preparation classes and free academic counseling services. For more information, contact The Literacy Project North Quabbin, 34 North Main St. or call 978-544-8917 or visit: www.literacyproject.org.
Community Supper: West County Community Supper, Fridays, Trinity Church, Severane Street, Shelburne Falls. Coffee and tea at 5 p.m.; supper at 5:30. Supper sponsored by caring groups and organizations.
Free Medical Clinic: Trailside Health at 111 Bridge St., downtown Shelburne Falls, downtown Shelburne Falls. It is on the FRTA bus route. The free clinic takes place every Tuesday at 9 am. Call 625-6240.
Free weekly playgroup: Enjoy time with your children and other families ad caregivers from your community on Fridays, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Shutesbury Elementary School gym. This playgroup is facilitated by Gillian Budine and Joie Ciepiel and is intended for infants to age 5. it is sponsored by Shutesbury Elementary School and Union 28 Community Network for Children. The program does not take place during school closures. For more information, contact Budine at 978-544-5157 or email budine@erving.com.
Polish Food for Sale: Through March 21, Holy Name of Jesus Parish, 15 Thayer St., has for sale frozen cheese, potato and cheese, and sauerkraut pierogi. To arrange a time for purchse and pickup call 665-2129 or 774-3800.
Irish Music at Greenfield Savings Bank, 282 Avenue A on Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon provided by Ray and Rob. Free St. Patty’s cookies available as supplies last. Wear your green!
Mama Me Time: Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., there is free childcare for children, birth to age 8, at the Family Center while mothers enjoy a little time to themselves at the MCSM’s Women Center, 41 Third St. The Women’s Center provides computers with Internet access, community resources such as help with housing applications, peer support, arts and crafts, and women’s gently used clothing. All free. Call Christine for information at 863-4804, ext. 1003, email: www.mcsmcommunity.org.
Spring Eggstravaganza at the Whately Public LibraryCome to our annual Spring Party on Saturday. Decorate a basket, dance and party with stories and songs and THEN? Go on the best egg hunt ever. You just might have Mr. Bunny helping you out! For more information and to RSVP call 665-2170. Sponsored by The Friends of the Library.
Apple Tree Grafting: A hands-on workshop. Presenter: Dr. Wesley Autio. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at UMass Cold Spring Orchard, 391 Sabin St., Belchertown. Many people do not realize that all apple varieties are reproduced by grafting — they are not grown from seed. For horticultural enthusiasts, one of the most satisfying techniques to master is grafting. Wes Autio will present a hands-on workshop on ‘bench grafting’ and ‘cleft grafting’ of apple trees. Other grafting techniques will be discussed. Proper tools and sharpening will be included. All participants in the workshop will graft several of their own apples trees to take home. There will be a break for participants to enjoy a BYO lunch. Fee $100. To register, go to UMassGarden.com
Volunteer advocate for elders and people with disabilities volunteer training: In just a few hours each week, you can make a big difference in the lives of residents of local nursing and rest homes. Attend the next free Volunteer Training for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program at LifePath (formerly Franklin County Home Care) on March 21, 22, and 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a break for lunch, in Northampton.With questions, call Trevor Boeding at 413-773-5555, ext. 2241 or 978-544-2259, ext. 2241. To apply, visit the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program page. Interested parties must successfully complete application process before attending the training.
Hospice of Franklin County is offering a six-week Bereavement Support Groups — Loss of Spouse/Partner, beginning April 6 to May 18 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. This group will meet at the office of Hospice of Franklin County at 329 Conway St., Greenfield. A phone interview is required to register for the group. It is recommended that the death be at least three months prior to the start of the group. Membership is limited to eight people. Deadline for registration is Friday, April 1. To register, call 774-2400 and speak with Pat Gallagher, the HoFC Bereavement Co-coordinator.
Rehabilitation services at BFMC: Rehabilitation Services at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, 48 Sanderson St. For more information or to schedule a free screening, call 773-2227.
Overeaters Anonymous: Free meetings every week. In Greenfield: Saturday, 9:30 a.m., Baystate Franklin Medical Center, conference room 9; Sunday, 10 to 11:15 a.m., also at BFMC. For more information to locate meetings throughout Massachusetts, Brattleboro and northern Vermont, call 773-7394 or 783-4198.
Child Care/Preschool/Home-Visiting: The Parent-Child Development Center, serving families with children birth to kindergarten age and expectant women over 40, offers free Head Start preschool, free Head Start and early Head Start home visiting programs and Child Care in Franklin/Hampshire counties. Spanish speaking services available. In Franklin County, call 475-1405.
ICRC at Franklin County Home Care: The Information and Caregiver Resource Center at Franklin County Home Care has answers to all your questions about elder services/caregiver support. FCHCC resource consultants are experts in finding the information you need to solve any problem. If we don’t have the answer, we will find someone who can help you. Contact ICRC at Franklin County Home Care at 773-5555 or 978-544-2259.
RSVP Volunteer Opportunities: Do you want to share your experience and skills but don’t have much time to volunteer? RSVP’s Experience on Call program offers episodic volunteer opportunities for one time or short term events and projects that will help local non-profit organizations. More than 600 adults, 55 and older, lend their skills and time, experience and interests to improve their communities through RSVP of Franklin and Hampshire counties. For more information, contact pat Sicard at Psicard@hampshirecog.org or call 413-584-1300, ext. 183.