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.
Summer Saturday Reading Series, Story time and activities for young children will take place at the Buckland Public Library, 30 Upper St. on Saturdays, July 9, 16, 23 and Aug. 6. at 10 a.m. This summer’s theme is “Sports & Physical Activity.” All sessions are free and open to the public, and a light snack will be served.
The Second Congregational Church of Greenfield has awarded scholarships to Courtney H. Kimball and Daniel J. Labrie for the upcoming academic year. Kimball is the daughter of Russell and Julia Kimball of Greenfield and will be entering her third year at Bridgewater State University as an Exercise Science major. Labrie is the son of Dennis and Leigh Labrie of Greenfield. He will be a senior at Becker College in Worcester, majoring in Interactive Media Design with a specialization in Computer Games Development. Funds are available to members and affiliates of Second Church through the Frances W. Saunders Scholarship, Charles W. Saunders Scholarship, Florence V. Leach Scholarship and the Memorial Scholarship.
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.
Helpful Programs at LifePath (formerly Franklin County Home Care). 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 LifePath’s respite services. In addition, the Consumer Directed Care Program allows elders in need to select their own caregiver, 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.
Danielle Spear of New Salem has received the Ann “Annie” Dolan Award for Compassion from Worcester State University. Spear, who recently graduated cum laude with a B.S. in nursing, was honored this past spring at the 2016 Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.
Happenings at the Northfield Senior Center: This morning at 11 a.m., Recorder columnist Chip Ainsworth will be at the Northfield Senior Center to talk about the Saratoga Race Track and how to decipher the racing forms. There is a trip to the race track planned for Aug. 10. Call 498-2186 to sign up for the trip.
On Saturday from 6 to 7 p.m., there will be a free concert at the Stanley Wickey Pavilion behind the Northfield Town Hall featuring Rob Fletcher performing jazz.
On Sunday at 1 p.m., Ted Thornton and Bruce Browne will discuss “Two Rooms,” a play about a hostage in Beirut and how his wife shares his captivity at their home. The discussion will take place at the center. The Silverthorne Theater Co. will present the play July 14 to 23 at the GCC theater.
Northfield 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.
Orange Historical Society, 41 North Main St., will serve Breakfast on the Porch Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m. Breakfast includes quiche, French toast, pancakes, waffles, doughnuts, fruit and beverages. $6. Other Breakfasts on the Porch will be Aug. 13 and Sept. 10.
The society is open for tours through its property, which includes the main 18-room house and the attached three-story barn, where, among other things, is stored the 1904 Grout steam powered automobile made here in Orange in one of the first two automobile factories in America. The Weymouth-French House became the Orange Historical Society in 1942, and the Society will offers tours Sundays and Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. and by appointment.
This year, the Society is asking members to “Adopt-a-Room” to help with cleaning. Anyone who would like to help out or make a donation to the maintenance fund, mail to: Orange Historical Society, 41 North Main St., P.O. Box 28, Orange, MA 01364.
Membership information: General membership is $5 for an individual; lifetime membership $50, or $75 for a family. Gift memberships are also available. www.orangehistoricalsocietyma.org
Free Community Meal: Offered every Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Trinity Church, Severance Street.
Niko K. Ames of Sunderland was named to the Dean’s List at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Conn. Ames is a Business Major and was also recognized as a student-athlete making the Dean’s List. Students are required to obtain a 3.5 GPA to receive this honor.
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: Kidleidoscope Saturdays take place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. This Saturday: turtles; July 16, rabbits; July 23, beavers and July 30, coyotes. Come learn about our neighbors who share our home in the Connecticut River Watershed. This program includes a story, interactive games, and a craft to introduce you and your child to wildlife along the river. Meet in the Great Hall. For ages 3 – 6. Siblings and friends welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
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 Thrift Shop is open to the general public and helps finance its Food Pantry.
Living Waters AOG Church is inviting children of Franklin County to join its Vacation Bible School Monday, July 11 through Friday, July 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at 450 Davis St., Greenfield. There will be a celebration party July 15 at 1 p.m. for all participants. Call 413-657-9584 for more information.
Monadnock Tri-State Dance Club featuring music by Champagne Jam will be Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m. at ELMM Community Center, Durkee Street, off Parker Street, Winchester, N.H. For more information call 603-357-0794 or 802-722-9205.
Vigil for Racial Justice Every Saturday, 9 to 10 a.m., at the Greenfield Common. Bring your own sign or use one of ours. Everyone is welcome. For more information: email@racialjusticerising.org.
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, 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. 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 help line at 625-6636 or email jcmalinski48@gmail.com locally or at the Straight Spouse Network nationally 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. Proceeds benefit blind and vision-impaired persons in Massachusetts.