Outdoor Workshop on Backyard Orcharding: Longtime Ashfield orchardist Alan Surprenant will walk workshop participants through his diverse orchard, explaining the art of planting, nurturing and harvesting a wide range of fruit trees on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Brook Farm Orchard, 947 Apple Valley Road. His 100-tree orchard includes 30 varieties of apples, five varieties of peaches, five varieties of plums, three varieties of Asian pears and also filberts. For directions, call 413-625-9615. Free; contributions to support Brook Farm Orchard are welcome. For more information about the Brook Farm Orchard, visit: www.brookfarmorchard.com.
Athol
ACOA Al-Anon: For adults raised by alcoholic caretakers/parents. Meets every Saturday, 10 a.m., in the Athol Hospital’s conference room.
Dinner: Bernardston Vets Club, 16 Hartwell St., is open every Friday from 4:30 to 10 p.m. with food served from 5 to 7:30. On Fridays, the club offers a menu of hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hotdogs, grilled cheese and French fries. Visit our Facebook page for details each week at: bit.ly/2n7Kzrk
BrattleMasters, the local Toastmasters club, will have its next meeting Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Marlboro College Graduate Center, 28 Vernon St. Carolyn Handy will be the Toastmaster of the evening. The public is encouraged to attend and admission is always free for visitors. There will be prepared speeches, evaluations and reports by members. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators and leaders. For information about the local Toastmasters club, visit http://brattleboro.toastmastersclubs.org.
Greenfield
Parents Helping Parents Grandparent/Parent Support Group: Baystate Franklin Medical Center, 164 High St. meets Fridays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. For more information, contact facilitator Dorian at 624-0280.
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, 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.
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.
A pork roast supper will be served Saturday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 41 Main St. The menu will include roast pork, gravy, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, roll with butter, homemade applesauce and brownie ice cream sundae for dessert. $12 adults; children under 10, $6. Take-outs available from 5 to 6:30 p.m. For reservations, call 413-247-5604.
Orange
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.
Shelburne
Shelburne Historical Society, 33 Severance St. (old Arms Academy) is open every Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m. Stop in and see some of our special displays celebrating Shelburne’s history. For more information, call curator Elaine Parmett at 413-625-6150.
Shelburne Falls
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.
Regional
Benefits Counseling Program: Are you age 60 or older and worried about your home heating or electric bills? 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. ext. 2258 or 978-544-2259, ext. 2258 for more information.
Healthy Living Program: The program, at LifePath, promotes wellness and independence among older adults. Workshops on chronic disease and pain self management, healthy eating, falls prevention and more make up this program. Contact Marcus Chiaretto at 773-5555, ext. 2304, or 978-544-2259, ext. 2304, 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.
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.
Join us: More than 600 RSVP of Hampshire and Franklin counties active adults 55 and older give a few hours weekly to improve their communities. RSVP has many volunteer openings close to home to fit your interests, skills, and time availability. Contact Pat at psicard@hampshirecog.org or 413-387-4558 for more information.