Kiwanis Club of Bernardston: Tuesdays, Vets Club, Hartwell Street. Social time, 6 p.m.; dinner meeting 6:30. Open to public
Free weekly playgroup: Come and enjoy time with your child(ren) and other families and caregivers from your community at the Erving Elementary School gym. For the 2016-2017 school year, playgroup will continue on Wednesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. This Playgroup is facilitated by Emily Joseph and is intended for children 0-5 years of age and is sponsored by the Erving Elementary School and Union 28 Community Network for Children. Program not held during school closures. See CNC website for program and event schedules, bit.ly/2cTJjXK. For more information please contact Gillian Budine, 978-544-5157 or email budine@erving.com.
An Asian Silk & Silver sale featuring scarves, silver jewelry, handmade bags, hair accessories and more will take place Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, main lobby, 164 High St. Cash, employee checks, credit cards and payroll deduction accepted. Sponsored by the hospital gift shop to benefit patients and services at BFMC.
GriefShare grief recovery support group: Meets at Living Waters Assembly of God 450 Davis St., Greenfield every Tuesday at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. GriefShare features nationally recognized experts on grief recovery topics. Anyone experiencing grief now or in the past is welcome to attend these sessions. For more information, call Living Waters Church at 413-773-9506.
PFLAG offers welcoming support for LGBTQ people, their families, partners, friends and allies. We are now meeting on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. in the conference room of Baystate Franklin Medical Center, 164 High St., Greenfield. For information call the Helpline at 413-625-6636 or email FHCPFLAG@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at PFLAG Franklin-Hampshire Chapter or on our website at http://fhcpflag.weebly.com/
Baystate Franklin Medical Center is offering three support groups for individuals with special needs in our community. All three groups are free; advance registration is not necessary:
The Caregiver Support Group was formed to support caregivers in the emotionally and physically taxing role of taking care of loved ones who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to take care of themselves. All caregivers and family members are welcome. The group meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, 2 to 3 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room, 48 Sanderson St. (BFMC’s Medical Office Building). For more information on the Caregiver Support Group, contact Poppi Kelley, 413-325-4050.
The Salasin Center: 474 Main St., the home of the Greenfield Women’s Resource Center and Family United Networks FUN Center. Mondays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Women’s Center Open hours. Tuesdays, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Nurturing Program for Families in Recovery, ongoing. Free childcare, call Lynn Norwood to join the group at 774-4307, ext. 3; 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., women’s Center Open Hours; 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Journey Dance in the RPX, 1 Osgood St., or enter through the Recover Project, 68 Federal St., ongoing. Wednesdays, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Women’s Peer Writing Group, ongoing; 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Drumming Group with Strong Oak. (Call Strong Oak to join at 961-9167). Thursdays, 1 to 3 p.m., ongoing peer to peer Art Group; 4 to 6:30 p.m., Family F.U.N. Center: open FUN time for the whole family. All ages welcome. For a detailed list of what is happening at the center from month to month, view the monthly calendars at www.salasincenter.org. Also “like” us on Facebook for updates and information.
Resources include: women/children’s clothing exchange; access to computers, free Internet and Wi-Fi, printer/copier access; resource library and community support information; arts and crafts supplies for use while at the center and free coffee and snacks when available. For more information, contact Stacey at 774-4307, ext. 4 or slangknecht@wmtcinfo.org.
Voices/Visions/Extreme States Support Group: this group, sponsored by the Western Mass Recovery Learning Community, offers free weekly meetings, Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 74 Federal St. Open to people who hear voices, see visions or experience extreme states. No registration required. For information, call or text Matthew at 687-7042 or email Cindi at cindi@cindioldham.com.
The RECOVER Project: The RECOVER Project hosts a daily “All Recovery Meeting” each morning Monday to Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m at 68 Federal St. Open to all to discuss recovery, no matter what path that recovery has taken. All walks of recovery welcome. Meetings are held in the front community room. “Eddie’s Group” is held every Tuesday from 3 to 4 p.m. in the RPX. Please come join us. For more information call: 774-5489.
Al-anon Meeting: Wednesday, 7:30 to 9 p.m., Beacon Light, Second Congregational Church, Court Square. Ring bell at side door. Anyone who feels her/his life has been affected by close contact with a problem drinker is eligible for membership in Al-anon or Alateen. www.al-anon.org.
Free Acupuncture Clinic: For veterans and their families, Wednesdays, 5 to 7 p.m. Drop in clinic at Greenfield Community Acupuncture, 345 Main St., second floor. Treatments reduce stress. help sleep. No appointment required. For information, contact Karen at 768-8333.
Community Meal: The Salvation Army, 72 Chapman St. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at noon. Open to all who are hungry.
Free weekly Tales & Tunes: Come and enjoy stories, song and craft activities with your child(ren) and other families and caregivers from your community at the Leverett Public Library. For the 2016-2017 school year, Tales & Tunes will continue on Wednesdays, beginning Sept. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Tales & Tunes is facilitated by Heleen Cardinaux and is intended for children 0-5 years of age and is sponsored by the Leverett Public Library and Union 28 Community Network for Children. For more information please contact Gillian Budine, 978-544-5157 or email budine@erving.com.
Learn how to use Yoga to tune-up your own body when it needs it most. Classes begin Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Montague Community Hall. This is a well-rounded 10-class series, offering a mellow, meditative flow of postures that help gently unwind and tune-up the whole body. Each session will have a special focus on a different area of the body, offering essential yogic tools and take-away materials that will help you release tension and build strength in areas that most commonly need attention — making your body feel whole. Great for beginners and advancing yogis. Registration required. More information and registration go to: www.sunessenceyoga.com/Fall-Yoga-Workshop
Alzheimers Caregiver Support Groups: Michael and Marjorie Paton hold an Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group on the third Tuesday of the month, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Congregational Church at the common, church basement. The Patons are affiliated with the Alzheimer’s Association of Mass/N.H. chapter. The group is open to all persons caring for an individual suffering from Alzheimer’s type dementia. For more information: mmpaton@yahoo.com, 498-5995.
Free weekly playgroup: Come and enjoy stories, song and craft activities with your child(ren) and other families and caregivers from your community at the Swift River School in New Salem. For the 2016-2017 school year, playgroup will continue on Tuesdays, from 8:45 to 10:15 a.m. This Playgroup is facilitated by Emily Joseph and is intended for children 0-5 years of age and is sponsored by the Swift River School and Union 28 Community Network for Children. Program not held during school closures. See CNC Website for program and event schedules, http://bit.ly/2cTJjXK. For more information please contact Gillian Budine, 978-544-5157 or email budine@erving.com.
TOPS: Take Off Pounds Sensibly, Chapter 179, meets Tuesdays, Shelburne-Buckland Community Center, 53 Main St. Weigh-in from 6:30 to 7 p.m., program from 7 to 7:45. Free first visit. Contact Mary Cromack at 625-0127.
Community Clothes Closet: Community outreach of Trinity Church. Free clothing for all ages. Open to the public on the second, third and fourth Wednesday of the month, noon to 6 p.m. Donations of clean clothing and bedding accepted any time. Located at the lower level of Cowell Gym, 51 Maple St. for more information, call the church at 625-2341.
Free weekly playgroup: Come and enjoy time with your child(ren) and other families and caregivers from your community at the Shutesbury Elementary School gym. For the 2016-2017 school year, playgroup will continue on Fridays from, 9 to 10:30 a.m. This Playgroup is facilitated by Joie Ciepiela and is intended for children 0-5 years of age and is sponsored by the Shutesbury Elementary School and Union 28 Community Network for Children. Program not held during school closures. See CNC Website for program and event schedules, bit.ly/2cTJjXK. For more information please contact Gillian Budine, 978-544-5157 or email budine@erving.com.
Preschool Story Time: Wednesday, 11 a.m., Tilton Library, 75 North Main St.
Our Lady of Fatima Statue comes to Holy Family Parish in South Deerfield. On Wednesday at 7 p.m., the statue of Our Lady of Fatima will visit the Holy Family Parish after traveling throughout the Diocese of Springfield bringing the graces of Fatima and Our Lady’s message of hope, peace, and salvation to those unable to travel to Fatima. The evening begins with meditation, adoration, and Mass followed by a talk on the message of Fatima as well as fellowship and refreshment. Please join us for this very special event.
Teen/Tween Writing Club: Join Megan Russell for a free monthly writing club for teens and tweens. The club meets the last Tuesday of the month, 6 to 7 p.m., Young Adult Room of the Sunderland Public Library. Fun exercises, prompts and activities designed to hone one’s writing skills. 665-2642.
MCSM’s Women’s Center: Formerly known as the Turners Falls Women’s Resource Center, 41 Third St., has open hours Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. this safe, welcoming place for women offers opportunities for connection and growth, and builds leadership through programs/activities. Come for mutual support, free clothing, books and food items, to use the computer lab, and enjoy or learn a variety of arts and crafts. All materials are free. Call Christine for information on additional workshops at 863-4804, ext. 1003, email christine.mcsmcommunity.org or visit www.mcsmcommunity.org
Parent-Child Development Center: In Turners Falls, early Head Start infant/toddler full-day, full-year classrooms. The center continues to offer: Free Head Start half-day preschool programs; free Early Head Start and head Start home visiting programs and state subsidized, sliding scale options for full day child care. In Franklin County, call 475-1405.
Basic Needs Program: the program, at Montague Catholic Social Ministries, is open Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, for resources and referrals. To leave a message or to make an appointment, call 863-4804, ext. 1002. to access Basic needs, buzz 103 at the Moltenbrey entrance on Third Street.
ACIM study group: A Course in Miracles meets Wednesdays, 7 to 9 p.m., 4 George Ave. It is a study group that helps people see this world in a better light and live a more peaceful life. For more information, call 863-4147.
Free weekly playgroup: Come and enjoy time with your child(ren) and other families and caregivers from your community at the Wendell Free Library. For the 2016-2017 school year, playgroup will continue on Wednesdays, beginning Sept. 14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. This Playgroup is facilitated by Sylvia Wetherby and is intended for children 0-5 years of age and is sponsored by the Friends of the Wendell Free Library and Union 28 Community Network for Children. Program does not take place during school closures. See CNC Website for program and event schedules, bit.ly/2cTJjXK For more information please contact Gillian Budine, 978-544-5157 or email budine@erving.com.
Reiki share: Tuesdays, noon to 2 p.m., Stone Mountain Reiki, 9 Masterson Road. Free. Reiki share is a chance to give and receive Reiki in an atmosphere of friendship and love. For more information, call 665-8382 or email cecelia@stonemountainreiki.com.
Learn to cope: A support network for families affected by addiction, has weekly support meetings Tuesdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Greenfield Community College’s main building, Room C-208. Meetings, free and confidential, are run by trained facilitators and offer hope, support, education and resources. Free overdose education and Narcan, the opioid overdoes reversal drug, available at each weekly meeting. For more information, call Marcy Julian at 508-404-3539 or email mjulian@learn2cope.org. www.learn2cope.org.