Kingsmen Chess Club: Meets Sundays, noon to 4 p.m., at Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St. For more information, call John Dould at 978-249-5905 or email aelb@trysb.net or aelb@hotmail.com.
Smoking Cessation: Led by Tim Sweeney, tobacco treatment specialist. Meets Mondays, 6 to 7 p.m. at Athol Hospital’s cafeteria.
TOPS: Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets Thursdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Athol Congregational Church.
A music puppet show titled “Whale Tales” will be presented by Talking Hands Theater on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Buckland Public Library, 30 Upper St. Refreshments served. Free.
Roast Pork Dinner with salad bar, vegetable, beverages and dessert will be served Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at the Florence Congregational Church, 130 Pine St. Free-will offering. Dinner reservations are encouraged by calling 584-1325.
Pioneer Valley Roller Derby (PVRD) will kick off its 12th season of roller derby in the valley with a doubleheader home bout on Saturday at the Bunker, 296 Nonotuck St. Doors open at 3 p.m. and the first 20 ticket holders in line will receive a $5-off certificate from Bueno y Sano. The first game will feature the Western Mass Destruction (PVRD’s women’s A team), led by captain Bratmobile, as they take on the Ithaca SufferJets (women’s A team) from the Ithaca League of Women Rollers. In the second game, the United Front (PVRD’s all/no-gender team), led by captain Mai Tai Fighter, will play a mash-up team featuring skaters from a variety of leagues in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. $10 adults; $5 for children 7 to 12; children 6 and under free. Doors open at 3 p.m. Games start at 4 and 5:30. After party to follow at Packard’s, 14 Masonic St, Northampton.
Community Meal: Stone Soup Cafe takes place Saturdays at noon at All Souls Church, 399 Main St. (Hope Street entrance). Local food served. Pay what you can. All welcome.
Vet to Vet: The RECOVER Project and the Recovery Learning Community offer Vet to Vet every Thursday from 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.
Food Pantry: The community food pantry will be open Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The pantry is in the basement of Dickinson Memorial Library, 115 Main St. The pantry is open the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.
Free Community Meal: Offered every Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Trinity Church, Severance Street.
Country Breakfast and Mini Bake Sale will take place Saturday from 7 to 10 a.m. at Sunderland Congregational Church. Menu will be pancakes, maple syrup, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, home fries and a beverage. One adult serving $7; all you can eat adults $10; and children $4.
Frontier Regional CFCE Playgroup runs through June 8. The playgroup at Sunderland Elementary School runs each Monday and Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Come to the free, drop-in playgroup for a morning of informal play, interactive literacy and conversation with other families and caregivers of children infant age to 5. Contact Karen Green with questions at: karen.green@frsu38.org or 665-1151. Playgroup will not take place during school vacations or weather-related school closures. This program is funded by the Mass EEC and supported by the Frontier Regional School District.
Preschool story time: Meets Fridays at 11 a.m. in the Children’s Room of the Sunderland Public Library. These story/craft times are for children ages 3 to 5 and their families/caregivers. Each story time is about 45 minutes and includes theme-related stories, songs, finger plays and crafts.
Serendipity Shop: Open Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., in the Congregational Church basement. Men’s, women’s, children’s clothing, shoes and sneakers. Most items are $1. Men’s suits and all coats, $3. Women’s suits, $2. Donations accepted. Proceeds to benefit the church. Call 665-2890 for more information.
Two events at Greenfield Savings Bank will take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at 282 Avenue A: John Hanold and Michael Naughton will be in the Community Room for Montague residents to drop in and ask relevant questions of these two experienced Finance Committee members in an informal setting. Feel free to share your thoughts and concerns as the annual Town Meeting is fast approaching in May. Before or after chatting with Hanold and Naughton, Massage Therapist Nancy Paglia will offer those who register in advance a 15 minute relaxing shoulder/neck massage and some stress management tips. Sessions will start shortly after 10 and go in 15 minute time frames. Register in person at GSB or confirm a time by phone by calling 413-775-8267. Leave your name, number and preferred time and Kristin will call back to confirm. Light refreshments courtesy of GSB.
Franklin Area Survival Center: The food pantry and thrift store, hosted by staff and volunteers, is at 96 Fourth St. The thrift store is open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The food pantry is open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The center is closed Federal holidays. The thrift shop is open to the general public and helps finance its food pantry. In an emergency, such as a fire or flood, the center will supply needed clothing and linens, free, and additional food to help the victims of a disaster. Call 863-9549 for more information.
Helpful Programs at LifePath: Any plan of care starts with your needs. LifePath services provide assistance with light homemaking, home-delivered meals, personal care and adaptive equipment. Caregivers can take a break to de-stress with LifePath’s respite services. In addition, the Consumer Directed Care Program at LifePath allows elders in need to select their own caregiver — perhaps a friend, neighbor or even a family member — who can be paid through this program (excludes spouses). For more information, visit: info@lifepathma.org or call 773-5555 or 978-544-2259. Learn more by visiting: lifepathma.org.
SHINE: SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) counselors are volunteers who provide free, unbiased health insurance information, education and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and adults with disabilities to help people figure out what their best health insurance options are based on their unique needs. Contact a councilor at LifePath at 773-555, 978-544-2259, or info@lifepathma.org. Visit: lifepathma.org to learn more.
Vigil for Racial Justice: Held every Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Greenfield Common. Bring your own sign or use one of ours. Everyone is welcome. For more information, contact: email@racialjusticerising.org.
Eventide Singers: Offering songs of hope and healing for seriously or terminally ill people, their families and caregivers. The service is offered in homes, hospitals and care facilities, without charge. The music can be selected in response to spiritual preference. For more information, visit: www.eventidesigners.com or call Marcia Schuhle at 774-2335 or Joe Toritto at 774-5828.
Straight Spouse Support: One to one support for straight individuals currently or once married to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender partners. Confidential helpline at 625-6636 or email jcmalinski48@gmail.com. Visit: www.straightspouse.org to learn more.
Counseling Referrals: The social work therapy referral service offers free, confidential referrals for individual, couple, family and group therapy, matched for specialty, location and insurance. This is a public service of the National Association of Social Workers. Call 800-242-9794 for more information.
Help the blind: Your car, truck or camper may be worth more as a donation than a trade-in. Call the Massachusetts Association for the Blind at 888-613-2777 for details. Proceeds benefit blind and vision impaired persons in Massachusetts.