ACOA Al-Anon: For adults raised by alcoholic caretakers/parents. Meets every Saturday, 10 a.m., Athol Hospital’s conference room.
Bernardston Vets Club, Hartwell Street: Open to the public. Wednesday open 5:30 to 9 p.m. all year. Pitch begins at 6. Open every Friday 4:30 to 9 p.m. or later. Food served from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, grilled cheese and fries available. Saturdays open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. all year. This Saturday “Halloween Scaryoke Party” with TNT Entertainment 5 to 10 p.m. Turkey Party Saturday Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. Stop in during regular open hours and become a member for $10 a year.
“Wisdom from the Indigenous Elders” will be presented Saturday from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 43 Silver St. On hand will be Lessert Moore (enrolled member Oglala Lakota Sioux) who grew up on the Rosebud & Pine Ridge reservations in South Dakota, and Grandmother Nancy Andry, Traditional Native Storyteller, Native American Elder/Healer, Cystal Healer. Child care available. RSVP with numbers and ages of children email@racialjusticerising.org.
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 413-624-0280.
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 413-774-4307, 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 413-475-0226.
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 413-774-1000.
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 413-475-1553. 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 413-774-3935 or visit: www.literacyproject.org.
Hollyberry Fair: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Trinitarian Congregational Church, 147 Main St. Twenty juried crafters, homemade baked goods and candy, handmade crafts, collectible dolls, raffles, brunch all day with 2 kinds of quiche, Christmas “fleas” tables featuring bargain-priced lights, decorations, Christmas Village buildings and accessories, much more.
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, 131 West Main St., or call 978-544-8917 or visit: www.literacyproject.org.
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. Curator, Elaine Parmett. 413-625-6150.
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 413-625-6240.
Free Weekly Playgroup: Come and enjoy time with your child(ren) and other families and caregivers from the community at the Shutesbury Elementary School. For the 2018-19 school year, playgroup continues on Fridays from 8:45 to 10:15 a.m. This playgroup is facilitated by Joie Ciepiela and is intended for children 0 to 5. Playgroup is sponsored by the Shutesbury elementary School 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.
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 413-773-5555, ext. 2258, or 978-544-2259, ext. 2258, for more information. Email info@lifepathma.org or visit lifepathma.org 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 413-773-5555, 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, 413-773-5555, 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 413-773-2227.
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 413-773-5555 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 413-773-7394 or 413-783-4198.
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 413-475-1405.
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.