Cushman Library, 28 Church St., presents Story Hour every Wednesday through mid-June, from 4 to 5 p.m. All ages of children are welcome. Presenters share thematic tales, a craft or activity, and snack. Cushman Library Story Hour is funded by the Friends of Cushman Library. Cushman is open Mondays 2 to 6 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information about Cushman’s programs, follow Cushman Library on Facebook, visit www.cushmanlibrary.org, call 648-5402, or drop in during open hours.
Kiwanis Club of Bernardston: Tuesdays, Vets Club, Hartwell Street. Social time, 6 p.m.; dinner meeting 6:30. Open to public.
Community Clothes Closet is closed during the months of January and February. Donations of clean and gently used clothing may still be dropped off. For more information, call 339-8477.
Open Forum on Conway Right to Farm by-law presentation of the RTF by-law draft will take place Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. in the General Purpose Room at Conway Town Hall. This is an opportunity to review the new version of the Right to Farm By-Law. The public’s input will insure a fair and equitable RTF By-Law for Conway residents and Conway agriculture. For more information call Jason Silverman at 768-9437 or email jfsilverman413@gmail.com.
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, https://sites.google.com/site/communitynetworkforchildren/home. For more information please contact Gillian Budine, 978-544-5157 or email budine@erving.com.
Avon Bingo will be played Wednesday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Greenfield Senior Center, 54 High St., Suite 2. Avon Bingo is like regular bingo, except the board is Avon related instead of numbers. The prizes are Avon products. There is also a chance for a $5 gift card prize for Avon products. Registration is required by stopping by the front desk or calling 772-1517 Ext. 0.
New free Healthy Bones/Balance Class: The YMCA in Greenfield is offering free exercise classes for people who have osteoporosis, osteopenia or who just want to strengthen their bones. This fun, beneficial exercise program builds bones, muscles, strength, flexibility and improves balance with light weights and balls provided. Classes are offered Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10 to 11. Classes are led by trained Retired and Senior Volunteer Program leaders of Hampshire and Franklin Counties and the YMCA. Pre-registration is required. Call Jayne at 773-3646 Ext. 448. You do not have to be a Y member to participate. The Y is wheelchair accessible.
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 from now or from the past is welcome to attend these sessions. For more information, call Living Waters Church at 413-773-9506.
Baystate Franklin Medical Center is offering the following support groups for individuals with special needs in the. The groups are free; pre-registration is not necessary: The Stroke Support Group takes place the third Tuesday of the month, 10 to 11 a.m., Conference Room C. The next meeting will take place Tuesday, June 21. Light refreshments available. Diane Stephan, RN, BSN, Emergency Department nurse educator and stroke coordinator at BFMC, will facilitate the group. The goals of the new support group are to promote an atmosphere of caring and cooperation, promote new goals and friendships for stroke survivors and their families and caregivers, and to renew hope and encourage independence. All stroke survivors, their family members and caregivers are welcome. For more information on the Stroke Support Group, contact Diane Stephan, 413-773-2641, or email diane.stephan@baystatehealth.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.
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 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.
The Leyden COA lunch group will meet Wednesday from noon to 1:30 on Wednesday in the Community Room downstairs at Town Hall. Lunch will be: shepherds pie, salad and grapenut pudding. To make reservations call Sue Howarth at (413) 774-3118 by today. Let her know if there are special dietary concerns, accommodations will be made whenever possible.
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.
Dementia Caregiver’s Support Group: Wednesday, 5 to 7 p.m. at LifePath, 330 Montague City Road, large conference room. Free group meets the first and third Wednesday of the month. For more information, call Molly Chambers group facilitator at 773-5555, ext. 2229 or 978-544-2259, ext. 2229.
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, https://sites.google.com/site/communitynetworkforchildren/home. For more information please contact Gillian Budine, 978-544-5157 or email budine@erving.com.
Watermelon Wednesdays Summer Concert Series benefit concert will be offered Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy of Music. “In It Together” will feature Chris Brashear and Ben Demerath, the Wistaria String Quart, Mister Sun, Charles Neville Quartet, and the Valley Jazz Divas. This is a Concert to Build Community and Benefit Local Social Justice Groups. Tickets are available through the Academy of Music ticket office online, at the box office or by calling 584-9032.
Shelburne Grange Annual Dues-Paying Potluck Supper will take place Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Members are asked to bring a main dish or salad and place settings. Bread, beverages, and desserts provided.
Annual dues are $32 per member or $64 for a family of three or more. Program books still available. Following the supper there will be a presentation by Drew Sencabaugh who spent a semester traveling to Nepal, Jordan, Chile and Peru. Some of the highlights of the trip: Petra, Mount Nebo, Jordan River, Dead Sea, Red Sea and Machu Picchu. Shelburne Grange programs are open to all. For those who want to come just for the program, it will begin at 7:20.
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.
Fraternal Order of Eagles: Shelburne Falls Eagles 2758 meet Wednesday, 7 p.m. at 52 State St. The club meets the first and third Wednesday of the month.
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, https://sites.google.com/site/communitynetworkforchildren/home. 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.
The Montague Institute for New Directions (MIND) Training Program helps women identify strengths, set personal goals and identify the steps to attain them. This free 12 week program will run on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jan. 23 through April 11 at the Women’s Center at MCSM. MIND is for women who are ready to take the next step in their lives. Women who feel ready to take their next step but are unsure of what that step is are encouraged to sign up. For more information, call (413) 863-4804, ext 1003 or email christine@mcsmcommunity.org. Program of Montague Catholic Social Ministries.
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 Playgroup, “Come Play & Learn” for Parents/Caregivers with children, infant to age 5, Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Warwick Community School, 41 Winchester St. The playgroup will follow the public school calendar. Sponsored by PVRSD CFCE. For more information contact Deb Wood @ 413-648-5450 woodd@pvrsdk12.org.
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 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, https://sites.google.com/site/communitynetworkforchildren/home. For more info, 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.