Ashfield
Al-Anon meeting Mondays: Weekly at 7:30 p.m. Mondays at 469 Main St., opposite St. John’s Church.
Athol
Celebrate Recovery: A 12-step program open to all seeking freedom from hurts, hang-ups and habits. The program meets Tuesdays, 7 p.m., New Testament Church, 500 Main St. For more information, call Mike M. at 978-249-3024.
Smoking Cessation: The group meets Mondays, 6 to 7 p.m. in the Athol Hospital dining room. Quitting is more successful with support. For more information, call 978-249-3511.
Friends of Charlemont Fairgrounds annual meeting will be Sunday at 10:30 a.m., at Hawlemont Elementary School.. Open meeting. We will discuss a Yankee Doodle Day fair schedule, events schedule and more volunteers are needed.
Colrain
The Community Clothes Closet, at the old schoolhouse at 83 Foundry Village Road, is closed during the months of January and February. However, donations of clean and gently used clothing may still be dropped off at the shed, out back. For more information, call Chris at 413-339-8477.
The Brick Church Music Series at The First Church of Deerfield, 71 Old Main St., will present Sirena Huang, violin, and Pi-Hsun Shih, piano, in a concert on Sunday at 3 p.m. Both musicians are exceptionally talented and are seasoned performers in Europe, Asia, and the United States. Suggested donation of $10 at the door. A reception in the Caswell Library at Deerfield Academy will follow. For more information contact Jean Pitman Turner, Artistic Director, 413-774-2657.
Zumba will be Monday nights at Deerfield Elementary from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. No pre-registration is necessary, it is pay as you go the cost is only $5 per week and the sixth class is free. Everyone is welcome to attend. More information can be found online at www.deerfieldma.us or contact Sue at suea@town.deerfield.ma.us 665-1400
Yoga classes: Pure Yoga & Wellness Studio, 10C Elm St., offers classes in Yoga, Kidz Yoga program, Pilates, Core-Fitness Tai Chi, Reiki, Seimei and massage. The first class is free. Contact Jody Fontaine at 824-9435 or info@pureyogawellness.com.
Gill
Children’s Story Hour at Slate Memorial Library, 360 Main Road, takes place Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
Greenfield Lodge of Elks 1296 Friday night meal will be served tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. All meals $10 or less. Special “All Valentine” raffles.
Valentine’s Day Party Tuesday from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Greenfield Senior Center.Dessert buffet, coffee or hot chocolate with whipped cream. Watch favorite “I Love Lucy” episodes on the big screen TV. Tickets $3 are on sale now at the front desk. One lucky ticket holder will win a Valentine Gift Basket generously donated by the Arbors of Greenfield. the basket is on display at the center.
The Center for Self-Reliance Food Pantry, 3 Osgood St., is open every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to eligible Franklin County residents. The pantry provides a free variety of healthy and nutritious food choices, including fresh produce and frozen meats. Call 413-773-5029 or email jcosta@communityaction.us for more information.
A Caregiver Support Group will take place the second and fourth Tuesday of the month on the Second Floor Conference Room, 48 Sanderson St., Baystate Franklin Medical Center from 2 to 3 p.m. The goal is to support caregivers in the emotionally and physically taxing role of caring for their loved ones. All caregivers and family members welcome. For more information, contact Poppi Kelley at 325-4050.
Free Diabetes Support Group, Second Tuesday every month, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the YMCA, 451 Main St. in Greenfield. Opportunity for guidance and support for lifestyle change, healthy eating, and skills building for diabetes management in a supportive setting; the group offers time for sharing and monthly topics of interest, with occasional guest speakers who specialize in the care of people with diabetes. This group is open to adults with Type 2 diabetes as well as partners, spouses or caregivers. For more information check the VMG website at www.vmgma.com, or contact Marjorie Sobil, RD, CDE, diabetes educator at 413-992-7392, 413-772-3351 or via email at msobil@vmgma.com. The group is open to the community, and not limited to Y members or patients of Valley Medical Group
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.
MEGAdance Zumba Fitness: Mondays and Thursdays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Guiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St. First class is free. For more information, call Megan at 552-6288 or visit Facebook at MEGAdance Zumba Fitness.
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 anytime. For more information, call Mark Maloney at 773-8618 or John Passiglia at 773-3757.
Greenfield Zen: Meets Mondays, 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. Green River Yoga, 158 Main St. All are welcome to join as participants practice sitting and walking Zen meditation. Both group and individual instruction is offered; beginners are invited to come at 7 for initial instruction. Suggested donations of $5 to cover expenses is appreciated, but not required. Contact Paul Sonier at 665-0278 or prajna801@icloud.com.
Debtors Anonymous: Tuesday, 6 p.m., The RECOVER Project, 68 Federal St. This is a 12-step program designed to help transform one’s relationship with money. For additional information, call 773-5608.
Green River Yoga: Yoga for Relaxation classes at Green River Yoga, 158 Main St. First class free for new students. Monday, 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Gentle Yoga for Everyone and Thursday, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Over 50 Yoga classes will be at Green River Yoga, 158 Main St. On Wednesdays, Women’s Yoga offered from 5:45 to 7 p.m., Community Yoga, 16 Federal St. All classes offer individualized instruction in gentle stretches/yogic breathing. For more information or to receive a brochure of these and other classes, contact Jean Erlbaum at 773-9744 or jean.erlbaum@verizon.net
Zen Meditation: Tuesday, 7 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Green River Zen Center, Studio B, second floor, 158 Main St. Open to the public. For more information, call 256-1549 or visit www.greenriverzen.org.
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.
Leyden
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. Phone or in person.
The Montague Congregational Church, 4 North St., will serve a Community Soup Luncheon on Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meal is open to all residents of any community. The meal is served the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month in Fellowship Hall. This week’s meal will be provided by the Triad Division of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. A special Valentine’s Day dessert will also be served by the church luncheon chefs, Luanne and Mike. There is no fee for the meal, but free will offerings accepted. For more information, call Mark Fisk at 367-2812.
Northfield
PVRS Weight Room: Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Orange
Wheeler Memorial Library: Mother Goose on the Loose, Mondays, 10:30 a.m., at the library, 49 East Main St. For children birth preschool 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.
Shelburne Falls
CFCE Playgroups: Free CFCE Playgroups 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.
A free talk at Sheep & Shawl by Faye Whitney of Ashfield who has raised Shetland Sheep for over 20 years, will take place Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. Learn about the Shetland Islands, the origins of this primitive breed of sheep, their traits, including many colors, and reasons why Whitney calls them “an ideal breed for many farms” in North America. Call 397-3680 to reserve a seat. www.sheepandshawl.com
Sunderland
Frontier Regional CFCE Free and Drop-In Playgroup For Children 0-5 and their Caregivers: Join us for a morning of informal play, literacy, conversation and brain building activities. Each Tuesday and Friday, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Sunderland Elementary School, OSTP room, Swampfield Drive, Sunderland. Exception: Weather related closings and school vacations. Through June 9.
Weekly Knitting Circle: The Knitting Circle, a free knitting club, meets Mondays, 10 a.m. to noon, in the Lane Reading room of the Sunderland Public Library. Open to people of all ages and skill levels. Each week members receive free knitting lessons, get help with difficult patterns, share ideas, learning kills. The group often work on charity projects. For more information, contact the library at 665-2642.
Valentine’s Craft Fair will take place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Kazimierz Society, 197 Avenue A. Vendor items include jewelry, crochet items, wire wrapping and more. There will be a raffle with proceeds to benefit the Franklin County Sheriff’s office Regional Dog Shelter.
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.
Winchester, N.H.
Al-Anon Support Group: For friends and families of alcoholics. Meets Mondays, 7 to 9 p.m., United Church parsonage, 97 Main St.
Regional
Free Reiki Sessions: Breast cancer patients and survivors in Franklin County are eligible to receive free individual Reiki sessions, thanks to a grant from Rays of Hope. Reiki practitioners will offer sessions on Saturday mornings at 474 Main St., Suite 2. Reiki is described as a healing energy therapy, which can help provide relaxation and energy, decrease pain or anxiety, and promote physical, mental and emotional health. Reiki is received through a series of light hand placements on the client’s fully clothed body. For an appointment or more information, call Kate at 774-3083.
Community meals: Salvation Army Free Community Meals and Drop-in Center. Open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Breakfast from 8 to 10. Lunch 11 a.m. to noon on Mondays and Tuesdays and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday to Friday. Coffee always on. All welcome to come in out of the heat or cold.
Community meal is served Mondays at 5:30 p.m., Our Lady of Peace Church, Seventh Street. Free meal sponsored by Franklin County Community Meals.
Second Helping Supper: Mondays, St. James Episcopal Church, 8 Church St. Doors open at 5 p.m., supper served at 5:30. Sponsored by St. James Episcopal Church, Deerfield Academy and Franklin County Friends for the Homeless.
Loaves & Fishes: free hot meal, Mondays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m., Bethany Lutheran Church, Cheney Street, Orange, sponsored by Franklin County Community Meals Program.
Community meal: Tuesdays and Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Second Congregational Church, Court Square, Greenfield, sponsored by Franklin County Community Meals Program. Volunteer groups interested in assisting in the preparation of the meal or anyone who wants more information about the community meal can call 772-1033 or write: P.O. Box 172, Greenfield MA 01302.
Free community meal: every Friday at 5:30 p.m., Trinity Church, Severance Street, Shelburne Falls.
A community meal is served at Holy Trinity Church, 177 Main St., Greenfield, on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Doors open at 5:15 p.m.; dinner served at 5:30.
Stone Soup Cafe: meal at All Souls Church, Greenfield, on Saturdays at noon this is the only community meal on the weekend in Franklin County. As a pay what you can offering, those who can afford to make a donation may do so while others who cannot are never discriminated against or turned away. Food includes vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Rep. Paul Mark office hours: Mark hosts office hours at various Franklin County town halls this year. Mark, or his aide, hold office hours Mondays at the GCC Downtown Center, 270 Main St., Room 119, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday at the Charlemont Town Hall, 9 a.m. to noon, and Northfield Town Hall, 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays by appointment. For more information, call 464-5635.