Our neighbor Jayson Luippold will be deployed to Afghanistan this month. A Green Beret in the U.S. Army Special Forces, Jayson is the son of Timothy and Pamela Tierney of Erving. His wife, Laura, and two children, Alexa and Troy, are so proud of him, though sad to see him leave.
His family and friends recently gathered to celebrate all of the holidays and special events Jayson will miss while away.
Good luck, Jayson. Please return home safe. Thank you for your service. And thanks to all of you who serve, have served or plan to serve our country.
GREENFIELD SENIOR CENTER will offer a free community education workshop on how to prepare for disasters today at 1:30 p.m. in the senior center in the Weldon House on High Street. Robert Quinn-O’Connor will speak. Register by calling 413-772-1517 or just stop by the center.
SHELBURNE FALLS MILITARY BAND will perform a concert on Wednesday in the band shell at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School on Mechanic Street. It’s free and open to the public at 7 p.m. Brownie sundaes will be served to raise money for a marching snare drum.
THE NEXT SOUTH DEERFIELD PLANT SWAP will be held Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. at 2 Hobbie Road. Arrive early to chat with other gardeners. A guided educational garden tour, led by Bette Sokoloski will start at 5:45. Swapping will begin at 6:15. For more information, call 413-665-4039.
POLLY ANDERSON OF BUCKLAND will give an illustrated talk on the artwork of Edwin Romanzo Elmer (1850-1923). Elmer’s paintings, “The Mourning Picture,” “Lady of Baptist Corner,” and “Magic Glasses” have been acknowledged as his “masterpieces.” A pie social will follow the program on Friday at 7 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for students 12 and under.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH at 43 Silver St. in Greenfield will hold a strawberry supper on Friday at 5:30 p.m. The menu will include ham, baked beans, red potato salad, coleslaw, rolls, beverages and strawberry shortcake. Gluten-free biscuits will be available upon request. Tickets are $10 for adults and children age 9 and older. Children 8 and under are $5. Reservations may be made by calling 413-773-3731.
A MEMBERS’ SHOW AT Sawmill River Arts Gallery at The Montague Book Mill will be held now through Aug. 29, with a Summer Celebration grand opening reception on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Featured artists are Lousie Minks, Roy Mansur, Christine Mero, Christine Pellerin, Patricial Czepiel Hayes and more. There will be paintings, drawings, photography, ceramics and more at 440 Montague Road in Montague Center. Gallery hours are Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, call 413-367-2885 or visit: www.sawmillriverarts.com
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH at 25 Church St. in Greenfield will hold a tag and bake sale on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. There will be household items, furniture, tools, collectibles, linens, books, toys, children’s clothing and more. Starting at 11:30 a.m., you can fill a bag for a buck.
SY’S SIZZLING WOMANLESS BEAUTY PAGEANT will be held at French King Bowling and Entertainment Center on Route 2 in Erving on Saturday from 8 to 11 p.m. The event is for adults ages 21 and older. Tickets are $15. Buy them online at: syspageant.brownpapertickets.com
There will be raffles and more. Money will be riased for young adults fighting cancer. For more information please email sysfund@gmail.com or call 413-512-9177. For more information about Sy’s Fund please go to sysfund.org
BERNARDSTON COUNCIL ON AGING will hold a workshop on June 29 at 4:30 p.m., with attorney Kate Downes speaking on strategies for paying the costs of in-home assisted living and skilled nursing, as well as various Mass. Health programs and why there is no such thing as, “too much income or too many assets.” There will be limited copies of “Taking Control of Your Future, A Legal Checkup” available. A light supper will be served at 5:30. The event is free and open to the public. Reserve your seat at 413-648-5413. You can also call Nancy Wood at 413-522-8245.
FRIENDS OF GREENFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY have kicked off a raffle of a special wall-hanging titled, “Roseville.” Tickets are $5 or $10 for three. The drawing will be Nov. 12. Go to Greenfield Public Library for raffle tickets or to learn more.
THE T-SHIRTS WORN BY THOUSANDS of volunteers and runners at this year’s Bridge of Flowers 10K Classic and Steve Lewis Subaru Charity 3K Run and Walk in Shelburne Falls will be adorned with artwork by Jane Beatrice Wegscheider. The shirts depict a whimsical scene by the bridge, complete with a tennis shoe-shod otter. If you’d like to learn more, visit: www.shelburnefalls.com
To contact Anita Fritz, features editor at The Recorder, send an email to: neighbors@recorder.com or afritz@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.