Kingsmen Chess Club: Meets Sundays, noon to 4 p.m., 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. Athol Hospital’s cafeteria.
TOPS: Take Off Pounds Sensibly Thursdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Athol Congregational Church.
Bernardston Elementary School will host its annual fall craft fair Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring more than 50 booths with vendors and personal crafters from all over New England. There will be raffles and refreshments. The event raises money for the elementary school for enriching children and teacher request items not covered by the budget.
Bernardston Recreation Cheerleading and Basketball registration will be Monday, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Town Hall, 38 Church St. Forms will be sent home through the school and are also available at the Town Hall and Cushman Library. For more information: rec@townofbernardston.org.
The Bernardston Council on Aging will host a workshop Wednesday Nov. 14 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. with Attorney Pam Oddy, for an hour-long information session. Oddy will cover legal issues related to aging such as retirement planning, Medicaid, guardianship and estate planning. There will be time for questions and answer session at the end of the presentation. Sponsored by the Mass Bar Association. Supper follows at 5:30 provided by Charlene Manor. Registration is required for presentation and supper by calling the Senior Center at 413-648-5413 no later than Nov. 8 at 1 p.m.
American Cancer Society Benefit Chicken and Biscuits Dinner: Saturday at 6 p.m. at Mary Lyon Church. The dinner will feature chicken and gravy with biscuits, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, peas, cabbage salad, homemade breads, apple cake with ice cream sauce, cider and coffee. Dinner will be prepared and served by the Willis Family Relay for Life Team. $12 per person, $6 ages 6 to 12, and under 6 free. For reservations or more information, call the Willis Family at 625-2649.
Greenfield Emblem Club meeting Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Greenfield Elks Club, Church Street. A Draping of the Charter and Memorial service will take place upstairs. Please bring items for troops. Arrive early to stuff goods in bags for troops.
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.
A roast pork supper will be served Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at Montague Church. The menu will include roast pork, gravy, potato, squash, applesauce, bread and home made apple cake. Adults $10, children $5. For reservations, call 413-367-2652. For take-out call 413-367-2061.
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.
Frontier Regional CFCE Free Drop-In Playgroup for Children infants to 5 years old and their caregivers. Mondays and Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sunderland Elementary School, Swampfield Drive. Playgroup follows school calendar, and there will be no playgroup on school holidays, breaks or snow days. For questions contact Karen Green at karen.green@frsu38.org or 413-665-1151.
Preschool story time: Fridays, 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: Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Congregational Church basement. Men’s women, children’s clothing, shoes and sneakers. Most items $1. Men’s suits and all coats, $3. Women’s suits, $2. Donations accepted. Proceeds to benefit the church. 665-2890.
Snow-less Creations: Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at Greenfield Savings Bank, 282 Avenue A. Put your creative talents to the test in a warm, climate controlled room without gloves, hats, coats or boots — with Play Dough. Enjoy a fun filled hour of engagement while working with different media to design a unique sculpture. All necessary items provided. Light refreshments provided by GSB.
Franklin Area Survival Center: The Food Pantry & Thrift Store hosted by staff and volunteers is at 96 Fourth St., 863-9549. 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.
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 care giver — 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 413-773-5555 or 978-544-2259. Read more at lifepathma.org.
SHINE: Serving the Health Insurance needs of Everyone: do you have Medicare but feel overwhelmed by your options? SHINE 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 SHINE at LifePath at 413-773-555 or 978-544-2259. Email info@lifepathma.org and learn more at lifepathma.org.
Vigil for Racial Justice Every Saturday, 9 to 10 a.m., at the Greenfield Common. Bring your own sign or use one of ours. Email@racialjusticerising.org.
Eventide Singers: Offering songs of hope and healing for seriously or terminally ill people, their families and caregivers. Offered in homes, hospitals and care facilities, without charge. Music can be selected in response to spiritual preference. For more information visit: www.eventidesigners.com or call Marcia Schuhle at 413-774-2335 or Joe Toritto at 413-774-5828.
Straight Spouse Support: One to one support for straight individuals currently or once married to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender partners. 413-625-6636 or
jcmalinski48@gmail.com.