ACOA Al-Anon: For adults raised by alcoholic caretakers/parents. Meets every Saturday,10 a.m., Athol Hospital’s conference room.
The theme of Thursday’s meeting of BrattleMasters, the local Toastmasters club, will be “Acts of Kindness.” The meeting will be at Marlboro College Graduate Center, 28 Vernon St. Lee Tice will be the Toastmaster of the Evening. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and will include prepared speeches, evaluations, and reports by members. Guests are welcome to attend, and are invited to participate in the extemporaneous speaking exercises.
The Greenfield Community College Chorus will present an informal holiday concert on Friday from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. in the GCC main lobby. The chorus will be under the direction of Margery Heins, with Marilyn Berthelette, accompanist, and with soloists from the chorus. The chorus will present music for the season, including traditional carols and rounds, an energetic Ladino (Spanish/Hebrew) song, an African lullaby, music by Mason, MacDowell, Persichetti, Ord, and sing-along numbers.
Pioneer Valley Symphony Youth Orchestra Chamber Ensemble will play a classical music concert Friday from 3:30 to 4 p.m. at the Greenfield Senior Center. Repertoire includes music from Mozart to Johann Strauss and more. The Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Luca Antonucci, rehearses weekly and performs several times a year side by side with the Pioneer Valley Symphony. Call 772-1517, ext. 0, or stop by the front desk to register for this musical event.
The Theatre Historical Society of America has published an entire issue of their quarterly journal “Marquee” devoted to the history of film venues of Greenfield Massachusetts throughout the twentieth century. The publication was written by Theatre Historical Society member and Greenfield native Jonathan A. Boschen, and is his third piece for the journal. His first two articles were on the history of Athol’s Capitol and York theaters. The publication features information, photographs and architectural drawings of Greenfield’s iconic Garden, Victoria, and Lawler theaters and also information on other long-forgotten Greenfield venues such as the Washington Hall Auditorium, The Bijou Theaters, The Starlight Outdoor Drive-In Theatre, and the 1924 Greenfield High School (now Middle School) auditorium. Boschen spent several years writing the article that features research that he has been acquiring since he was in middle school. In 2014, Boschen worked with Chris Harris and The Recorder to help write the newspaper’s “In Business Since” supplement that was devoted to the history of movie theaters of Franklin County. Copies of the Journal are available to read at the Greenfield Public Library and also other issues have been donated to the libraries of educational institutions here in town.
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, childcare, 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.
Make and Take Craft Day: Montague Common Hall, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. People of all ages can make and take home gifts, enjoy homemade breakfast and lunch, and weather permitting, hang out by the outdoor fire pit. Admission is free. Crafts cost between 1 to 10 tickets to make; tickets are $1 each or 25 for $20. This year’s crafts include vintage fabric belts, bracelets and chokers, colored beeswax candles with unique wrappers, glass window ornaments, beaded snowflake decorations, bath salts and lavender sachets, sparkly spin art gift boxes and more.
Benefits Counseling Program: Are you age 60 or older and worried abut your home heating bill? Income eligible seniors can find help through LifePath Benefits Counseling Program. LifePath will help file an application for fuel assistance and find other ways to save you money. Contact Gretchen Smith at 773-5555 for more information.
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.
A Sweet Artisans Reception at POP Artisan Collective will take place during Arts Night Out on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Thornes Marketplace, Lower Level between Herrell’s Ice Cream and Cornucopia. Meet POP Artisans in the holiday pop-up shop.
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.
Mohawk Trail Concerts presents renowned cellist Rebecca Hartka at the Arms Library on Friday at noon. This concert, free to the public, is the second in the 2016-2017 “Music at the Arms” series sponsored by Mohawk Trail Concerts and The Arms Library. This intimate concert will take place in the library rotunda. Featured will be the works of J.S. Bach, Cassado, and Warshauer (MA Premier). Free admission. For more information, call 625-0306.
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. It is on the FRTA bus route. The free clinic takes place every Tuesday at 9 a.m. Call 625-6240.
Holy Name of Jesus Parish, 15 Thayer St., is selling frozen cheese, potato and cheese, and sauerkraut pierogi throughout the Advent/Christmas season. To arrange a time for purchase and pick-up, call 665-2129, 665-4471 or 774-3800 through Dec. 22 or until sold out.
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 Ave. 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.
Find interesting long term and short term volunteer opportunities in Hampshire and Franklin Counties through RSVP. If you are 55 or older, have skills and time to share, contact Pat Sicard, psicard@hampshirecog.org or 413-387-4558 to get started. Keep busy, make new friends, and share your experience.
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 ways 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.
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 or to locate meetings throughout Massachusetts, Brattleboro and northern Vermont, call 773-7394 or 783-4198.
Child Care/Preschool/Home-Visiting: The Parent-Child Development Center, serving families with children birth to kindergarten age and expectant women over 40, offers free Head Start preschool, free Head Start and early Head Start home visiting programs and child care in Franklin/Hampshire counties. Spanish speaking services available. In Franklin County, call 475-1405.