Writing group: Cushman Library, at 28 Church St., will host a casual writing group every first Tuesday, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., beginning Nov. 1. Facilitated by Karen Stinchfield, each gathering will encompass two periods of thematic writing and sharing, with the goal being an opportunity to put words on paper for the simple enjoyment of it. Participants are to bring a pad and pen and join us around the big table. Questions can be directed to cushmanlibrary@gmail.com, and interested folks can find Cushman Library on Facebook.
Exhibit of art and writing by people incarcerated at the Franklin County Jail runs at Artspace Oct. 31 through Dec. 2 with a public reception Friday, Nov. 4, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The Elm Street Think Tank is the sponsor. It is a group of incarcerated people and community educators who meet weekly inside the jail to work on collective projects and raise awareness about incarceration. This year’s show features writing by residents of the jail as well as images created in a class taught by Joan O’Beirne, professor of photography at Greenfield Community College. For more information contact: Joan O’Beirne at OBeirneJ@gcc.mass.edu or Revan Schendler at rschendl@smith.edu.
Overeaters Anonymous: Meets Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. and Sundays, 10 a.m., both at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Conference Room A, and Monday, 5 p.m., St. James Episcopal Church Street. For more information, call Linda at 625-6488.
Cub Scouts Pack 3: Meets Mondays, 6:30 p.m., First Congregational Church, 43 Silver St. All boys in grades 1 to 5 are invited to come and join the fun and adventure of Cub Scouting. New members can join at any time. For more information, call Mark Maloney at 773-8618 or John Passiglia at 773-3757.
NELCWIT Support Group: Monday Morning Around the Coffee Table. Drop in from 10 to 11 a.m. For women who are or used to be in abusive relationships. Free and confidential. For more information, call 772-0871 or visit www.nelcwit.org.
Yoga For Life: In West Leyden: Tuesdays by appointment therapeutic, private/movement sessions. Thursdays, seasonal balancing class/workshop, by appointment or workshop. Call Linda Romano for listing at 624-3334. First assessment free, by phone or in person.
Morning yoga at the Montague Retreat Center with Lisa Enzer. Tuesdays 9 a.m. First class free. Contact 367-2658 to register.
PVRS Weight Room: Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Wheeler Memorial Library: Mother Goose on the Loose, Mondays, 10:30 a.m., at the library, 49 East Main St. For children through preschool age and families. Make music, learn rhymes, sing songs. Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., Rise and Romp Storytime. Stories, finger plays, make a craft. 978-544-2495, ext. 103. No registration required.
Fun Aerobics takes place every Tuesday beginning from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Senior Center, 7 Main St. Instructor is Ann Doty. Cost: $10 for a six-week session for members; $15 for non-members and participants under 60. All welcome.
Conversational French class happens most Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. at the Senior Center, 7 Main St.
Instructor is Tu-Vi Luong. Newcomers of intermediate or fluent French are welcome at any time. Free to members. Donations from others.
The annual Rag Shag Parade will take place Monday (Halloween) at 6 p.m. starting at McCusker’s Market, 3 State St. Refreshments will follow at the VFW.
Final Shelburne Falls Farmers Market of the season will be Friday from 2 to 6:30 p.m. For more information visit the website: shelburnefallsfamersmarket.org
CFCE play groups: Free CFCE play groups for families with young children who live in West County.
Mondays, 9:30 to 11 a.m., Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School and Thursdays, same time, at Trinity Church.
First Friday of the Month Family Playgroup from 5 to 7 p.m., Cowell Gym, 15 Maple St. All play groups follow the public school calendar. For more information, contact Melissa Pincus or Helene Uprichard at 625-6194 or mepincus@mohawkschools.org.
Free story hour: Enjoy stories, songs and craft activities with your children and other families/caregivers at the MN Spear Memorial Library on Mondays, 10 to 11 a.m. led by Julie Stepanke. Story hour for children, infants to age 5, and is sponsored by the library and Union 28 Community Network for Children. For more information, contact the CNC office at 978-544-5157 or email budine@erving.com.
Halloween Fete will be Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Chapel of First Congregational Church, UCC, 91 South Main St. Friends and neighbors are invited for a bit of “wicked” good Halloween fun. Photo booth, bring your own camera, refreshments and fun.
Introductory computer classes at The Sunderland Public Library. Four in November aimed at helping adults learn more about computers. Each weekly class will focus on a new topic and by the end of the month participants will be comfortable using a computer and the internet. The sessions are on Thursdays, beginning at 5 p.m. on Nov. 3 and 17, Dec. 1 and 8. topics include terminology, the parts of a computer, understanding what data and files are, how to use programs, the internet, how to use a search engine, the “cloud,” cyber security, trends in technology and smartphones. Classes are free. For more information, contact the library.
Chess Club: The library is also offering a free, all-ages Tuesdays, Nov. 1 through 29 from 6 to 7 p.m. Chess teacher Andy Morris-Friedman leads this multi-level club, with lessons, tips and techniques and free play. Beginners welcome. For more information, contact the Sunderland Public Library at 413-464-5635.