Athol
ACOA Al-Anon: For adults raised by alcoholic caretakers/parents. Meets every Saturday, 10 a.m., in the Athol Hospital’s conference room.
Bernardston Vets Club, 16 Hartwell St., will be open Friday from 4:30 to around 9 p.m. Friday night meals are not served during the summer. However, a hot dog machine will be set up Friday through the summer months. The monthly dinner will be served Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. This month, the Saturday dinner will be a baked potato and salad bar.
Buckland Historical Society Program and Pie Social: Friday at 7 p.m. at the Buckland Public Hall, Upper Street, Buckland Center. Peggy Hart will talk about the history of satinet, and Joanne Semanie will share her research into the Franklin Manufacturing Company for the Rowe Historical Society. The Program is followed by a pie social. Admission, $6; students 12 and under, $3.
Local Graduate: Cooper M. Hemphill of Gill graduated Cum Laude from Bowdoin College in Maine on May 26. He was also elected to Phi Beta Kappa National Honorary Society. He majored in classics and mathematics and won the Classics Hannibal Hamlin Emery Latin Prize. According to the college, the prize is awarded to a member of the junior or senior class for proficiency in Latin. Hamphill was also a four year member of the golf team. He graduated from Eaglebrook School in 2010 and Northfield Mount Hermon School in 2014.
Relax and Rejuvenate: This Friday, and June 15, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Greenfield Senior Center, 35 Pleasant St., take time for self care with gentle accessible chair stretching, guided relaxation and visualization exercises taking you to the rainforest or the beach without ever leaving your chair, and concluding with conversation and a soothing hand massage with fragrant essential oils. Put on by Franklin County Technical School, Health Technology Program. All sessions are free. Registration required. Space is limited. Call 413-772-1517 ext. 0, or stop by the front desk to register.
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.
Farmers Market: The Northfield Farmers Market takes place every Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. in front of Cameron’s Winery, 105 Main St., from May 31 to Oct. 4.
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.
Local Graduate: Niko K. Ames of Sunderland graduated Summa cum Laude from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Conn. While at Albertus, he played both soccer and lacrosse. He was named to the GNAC All-Academic team each semester. Ames was also a member of the Kappa Gamma Pi National Honor Society and the Advisory Committee for Dominican Ministries. He received awards for Health Care Management Academic Excellence and Health Care Management Intern of the year. In the fall he will attend the University Of Connecticut School of Law.
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.