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.
Zachary Bitzer of Colrain received an MBA from UMass Dartmouth Charlton College of Business during the commencement ceremony at UMass Dartmouth May 13. The event took place on campus and the keynote address was given by interim Chancellor Reyton R. “Randy” Helm.
Sweet as Sin: The Unwrapped Story of How Candy Became America’s Favorite Pleasure: Book Signing and Candy Tasting on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in Visitor Center at Hall Tavern.
Susan Benjamin, candy historian and owner of True Treats Candy, the nation’s only research-based historic candy company, is the author of Sweet as Sin: The Unwrapped Story of How Candy Became America’s Favorite Pleasure. She will sign copies of her new book, and discuss candy’s remarkable history, from the harvesting of the marshmallow plant in ancient Egypt to the mass-produced candy innovations of the twentieth century. Tickets: $6 (event only); with museum admission: $20 adults, $11 children. Register online or tickets available on day of event at the Visitor Center.
Steven Schechterle of South Deerfield graduated from UMass Dartmouth with an undergraduate degree from the Charlton College of Business during the commencement ceremony in May.
Megan Foster of Gill graduated from Emerson College, Boston. Foster earned a BA in Writing, Lit and Publishing.
Family United Network: The Family United Network (F.U.N.) Center is at The Salasin Center, 474 Main St., Thursdays, 4 to 6:30 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 Tim 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 Play & 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 LifePath (formerly Franklin County Home Care) Benefits Counseling Program. LifePath will help file an application for fuel assistance and find other ways to save you money. Contact Gretchen Smith at 773-5555 for more information.
Healthy Aging Program: The program, at LifePath, 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 978-544-2259, ext. 2297.
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.
Zoe Licata of Northfield was named to Emerson College’s Dean’s List for the spring 2016 semester. Licata is majoring in Journalism. The requirement to make Emerson’s Dean’s List is a grade point average of 3.7 or higher.
Rosalind Miller, 19, graduated summa cum laude Saturday with a B.S. in Biology from St. Gregory’s University, Shawnee, Okla. She is the daughter of Phillip and Elissa Miller of Orange who operate a small farm in town. Miller has accepted an offer to study Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine (Scotland, UK) and will be heading there in September.
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., call 978-544-8917 or visit www.literacyproject.org.
Annual Spring Concert: On Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Recital Chorus directed by Margery Heins will present its twentieth annual Spring Concert at Trinity Church, Severance Street, on Friday at 7:30 p.m. the same location where the group’s first Spring Concert took place in 1997. Amy Roberts-Crawford will accompany at the piano. The free concert will include a variety of music from the Renaissance to the present: folk songs, rounds, spirituals, classic Italian songs from the eighteenth century, songs from musical theater, and works of Couperin, Dvorák, Puccini, Britten, Gershwin, and Paulus.
May is Elder Law Month. Local attorney Will Flanders will present a program on Estate Planning at the Senior Center in Shelburne on Thursday at 2 p.m. He will share information on essential documents you should have and keep current, details on Health Care Proxy, Power of Attorney, Wills, Trusts, and HIPAA forms. There will be time for questions. Presentation is free and open to the public.
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. 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 nfants 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 purchase and pickup call 665-2129 or 774-3800.
Time for Mothers: Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free early literacy childcare provided to children ages birth to 8 at the Family Center, 78 Avenue A, while mothers meet at the Women’s Center, 41 Third St. The Women’s Center provides a computer lab/Internet service, community resources, peer support, arts & crafts, and gently used clothing. Call Christine for information at 863-4804, ext. 1003 or email christine@mcsmcommunity.org. Both Centers are programs of Montague Catholic Social Ministries.
Book Fiscussion: Whately Public Library: On Saturday at 11 a.m., there will be a book discussion on “Old School” by Tobias Wolff.
The protagonist of Tobias Wolff’s shrewdly — and at times devastatingly — observed first novel is a boy at an elite prep school in 1960. Like many of them, he wants more than anything on earth to become a writer. But to do that he must first learn to tell the truth about himself. Books available at library.
Plant Sale: The Garden Club of Amherst will have its annual plant sale Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the Amherst Common.
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.