Hello neighbor.
I want to apologize for being away so long without any explanation. I spent the last couple of weeks with my dad, who passed on March 27. Thanks to those of you who sent along your thoughts and prayers during that trying and sad time.
I’m back in the saddle and ready to bring you news of events and happenings around Franklin County. I thought spring was here, but apparently, the joke’s on me. Enjoy the snow while you can, because I don’t think it will be here long.
MUSICA FRANKLIN, a free after-school music program open to students in grades 4 through 6 anywhere in Franklin County, will meet Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church on Federal Street in Greenfield. Students must come every day — it is not a drop-in program. Once a month, there will be a Family Night with performances by students and professional guest musicians, followed by pizza for all. There will be singing, drumming and opportunities to learn the violin. For more information, call 413-625-6269 or visit: www.musicafranklin.org
ATHOL PUBLIC LIBRARY AND FRIENDS OF THE ATHOL PUBLIC LIBRARY will present “The Basics of Tea” with Danielle of the Cozy Tea Cart tonight from 6:30 to 8 in the large program room. Danielle will discuss the difference between white, green, oolong and black teas, as well as loose teas and tea bags. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required by calling 978-249-9515.
THE PIONEER VALLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA will present its annual education concert to Franklin County third- and fourth-graders on Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Greenfield High School auditorium. The program is called, “Fanfares and Finales.” It will feature music from PVSO’s 77th season concerts. The event is free.
GREENFIELD COMMUNITY COLLEGE CHORUS will perform “Music for Chorus, Strings and Piano” on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Second Congregational Church on Court Square in Greenfield. This is a continuation of GCC’s spring concert series. For more information, call Margery Heins, who directs the chorus, at 413-775-1171.
LEVERETT ARTS AND CRAFTS will present “The Birdwatchers,” a painting exhibit about birdwatchers, birders, bird photographers and painters, and what they create from a hobby, which often borders on obsession. The exhibit will be in Barnes Gallery, 13 Montague Road in Leverett through April 30. A reception will be held Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. The gallery is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.
EXPERIENCE NATASHA HANNA’S photographic art at Nina’s Nook at 125A Avenue A in Turners Falls from now until May 7. “On the Cusp” brings the viewer into a magic world focusing on everyday scenes transformed with digital artistry. Meet Natasha on May 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Nina’s, which is open Thursday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, call 413-834-8800.
OUR LADY OF PEACE WOMEN’S GROUP will hold a Stash Bash on April 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church on Seventh Street in Turners Falls. There will be fabric, sewing supplies, yarn, knitting patterns, beads, craft paint, rubber stamps, scrapbook supplies, art supplies and more. Lunch will be available for purchase and there will be a bake sale, as well. For information about the event, call Bev at 413-863-7783.
DAKIN HUMANE SOCIETY WILL OFFER no-cost spay and neuter surgeries and free rabies vaccinations for homeless cats throughout April. It’s part of “Community Cats,” a PetSmart Charities spay and neuter campaign to alter free-roaming cats. If you find a free-roaming cat and want to help, call Dakin at 413-781-4019 for more information on how to do so.
EGGTOOTH PRODUCTIONS IS ACCEPTING submissions of written poetry that will be performed at its Full Disclosure Festival on June 10 and 11 at the Arts Block in Greenfield. Eggtooth is looking for poems that connect with the theme of the festival: “Against the Current: Human Impact on the Environment, Past, Present and Future.” We want poems that excavate the human relationship with planet and place. The selected poems will be read by performers of Eggtooth’s choosing. The poetry reading will be one part of a festival that pairs artists with climatologists, anthropologists, and historians to create art of many kinds that will be expressed throughout the streets of downtown Greenfield. Submission deadline is May 1, 2016. Please email all poems to Linda McInerney at: lmciner@gmail.com
DO YOU CARE ABOUT SUSTAINABLE ENERGY? The 5th annual Pioneer Valley Transition Towns Film Festival, which will be held in the fall, is looking for films that tell a story about some aspect of sustainable living in the valley. If you’d like to submit one, they’re due Oct. 7. The festival will be held Nov. 4. For more information, call 413-774-4288.
THE COUNTRY PLAYERS will present Neil Simon’s hit Broadway comedy, “God’s Favorite” at Frontier Regional High School on North Main Street in South Deerfield on April 15, 16, 21 and 22, all at 7 p.m. There will also be a show on April 17 at 2 p.m. and April 23 at 1 p.m. April 17 is the Senior Show, so everyone age 65 and older will be admitted for $10. For reservations and information about the show and ticket prices, call 413-768-9126. Also visit The Country Players on Facebook.
To contact Anita Fritz, features editor at The Recorder, send an email to: neighbors@recorder.com. Information you want included in Neighbors should be submitted by noon two days before you want it to run. Neighbors runs on Tuesdays and Fridays.