ACOA Al-Anon: For adults raised by alcoholic caretakers/parents. Meets every Saturday,10 a.m., Athol Hospital’s conference room.
On Saturday volunteers from Boy Scout Troop 5, Cub Scout Pack 3, Greenfield High School Key Club and Student Council will pick up donations of food as a part of the annual Scouting for Food event. Door hangars were dropped at homes all over Greenfield Saturday with the information about Scouting for Food and requesting donations to support the Turners Falls Survival Center. Donations should be placed outside the home by the front door between 9 a.m. and noon Saturday. Nonperishable items only.
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 for 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, child care, snacks. For more information, call 774-1000.
Community Action’s Family Center: The Family Center, 90 Federal St., offers Plays & 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.
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 call 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.
St. Patrick’s Church, 80 Main St., will serve a lasagna dinner on Saturday at 5 p.m. in the parish hall. Menu includes lasagna, salad, rolls, beverage and dessert. Adults $10 and children under 12 are $6. For more information or to make reservations call 413-498-2728,
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. or call 978-544-8917 or visit: www.literacyproject.org.
New Therapy Dog Reading Program at the Arms Library: On Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, Shelburne resident Kathy Puckett will bring her therapy dog, Cricket, to the library for children to read to. Reading to a dog has been shown to provide a nonjudgmental experience for readers who worry about making mistakes. For some children, it can be the first pleasurable experience reading. All children are invited to read to Cricket. A sign-up sheet for scheduling will be available at the circulation desk at the library. Arms Library is offering a fun (and educational) program once a month at the library on Saturdays. Free. The library is handicapped accessible via the lower level entrance. 625-0306.
Ziti and meatball dinner: St. Joseph Parish will sponsor a ziti and meatball dinner on Friday at 6 p.m. in Shelburne Buckland Community Center, Church and Main streets. The menu will included baked ziti, meatballs, tossed salad, garlic bread and peach melba. $12 adults; children 12 and under $6. Proceeds benefit the Missionaries of the Poor. For reservations call Hugh Knox at 834-2842, Father Roach at 624-5508 or St. Joseph Rectory at 625-6405. Leave a message with name, phone number and number of people attending. Guests are welcome to bring wine to enjoy with their meal.
TEDx enthusiasts will come together on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mohawk Trail Regional High School, 26 Ashfield Road for a day of networking and dialogue around the theme “Body of Knowledge.” Building upon the success of TEDxShelburneFalls’ past signature, salon and TED livestream conferences, Buckland resident Stacy Kontrabecki has curated another independently organized TEDx event. A free internet livestream for real-time viewing begins at 10. General tickets, including lunch catered, are $40, or bring your own lunch for $30. Student/senior tickets with lunch are $30 and $20 BYOL. Purchase admission and lunch tickets at www.TEDxShelburneFalls.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the door, however lunch tickets are not available on the day of the show.
Community Supper: West County Community Supper, Fridays, Trinity Church, Severance 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, downtown Shelburne Falls. It is on the FRTA bus route. The free clinic takes place every Tuesday at 9 a.m. Call 625-6240.
Free concert: On Friday from 7 to 9 p.m., the Sunderland Public Library will host a free concert by Vermont Folk duo Hungrytown. The band has released three albums of original songwriting and have spent more than a decade touring worldwide. Its timeless folk music features compositions that nod toward the original folk tradition. More information about Hungrytown can be found on its website www.hungrytown.net. 665-2642.
“Waterways and Crossroads: Connecting Sacred Sites in Nolumbeka.” Evan Pritchard, director of the Center for Algonquin Culture, will be guest speaker at the fourth annual Beaver Moon Gathering at the Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. His topic is a continuation of his September presentation “The Great Configuration and Islands of Fire.” For Native Americans, the Beaver Moon was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. The event is free and co-sponsored by the Nolumbeka Project and DCR.
Time for Mothers: Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free early-literacy child care 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.
Benefits Counseling Program: Are you age 60 or older and worried abut your home heating bill? Income eligible seniors can find help through the Benefits Counseling at LifePath. Volunteer benefits counselors will help file an application for fuel assistance and find other was to save money. Contact Gretchen Smith at 773-5555, ext. 2258 or 978-544-2259, ext. 2258, email info@lifepathma.org, or visit lifepathma.org for more information.
Healthy Aging Program: The program, at LifePath, are for people who want to enjoy healthier lives. Groups meet for several weeks in different communities and are led by local volunteer leaders. Choose from six, evidence-based workshops on information or to register for a free workshop or leader training, contact Marcus Chiaretto, Healthy Living Program Coordinator 773-5555, ext. 2304, 978-544-2259, ext. 2304 or mchiaretto@lifepathma.org. Read more at lifepathma.org.
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.
Information and Caregiver Resource Center: The ICRC” at LifePath has answers to all your questions about elder services, help for people with disabilities, and caregiver support. 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 the ICRC at 773-5555 or 978-544-2259 or email info@lifepathma.org. Go online to learn more at lifepathma.org.
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.