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.
Dick’s Angels Relay For Life team will be cooking at the Bernardston Vets Club Friday, serving from 5 to 7 p.m. The special will be a meatball grinder with fries or chips. Hamburgers, hot dogs, truck burgers, and grilled cheeses will also be available, along with corn chowder. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.
Silver Bells: The First Congregational Church of Buckland, commonly known as The Mary Lyon Church, will host its annual Silver Bell Bazaar on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the church at 17 Upper St. in Buckland Center. The bazaar is a long-standing tradition held at the church every November for decades. The event features homemade baked goods, sweet treats, hand-crafted items, arts and crafts, cards, paintings and prints, and a variety of unique holiday gifts. There will also be a tag sale, silent auction and Chinese Raffle. The Monday Nighters’ group will raffle a hand-stitched Lover’s Knot queen sized quilt, second prize is an original watercolor print “Red Barn” by local artist Cyndy Stetson. The winner will be
drawn at 2 p.m. Coffee and snacks are available all day. A buffet luncheon is offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. which includes soups, salads, entrees, vegetables, homemade breads and desserts. No reservations are required for this all-you-can-eat feast. $10 adults, $5 children 6 to 12, and children under age 6 eat free.
Holiday Village: This festive bazaar will take place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Federated Church on Route 2 . Shopping will include arts and crafts, children’s items, collectibles, and a bake sale. (Come early for the best choice of Thanksgiving pies!) A silent auction will benefit the Minister’s Discretionary Fund, which helps area residents in need. For those hungry while shopping, breakfast and lunch will be served. Live music.
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 413-475-0226.
TGSC Listening Session tonight: The Town Governance Study Committee is holding a listening session tonight at 7 Town Hall. The committee is interested in feedback on four major recommendations proposed in 2013 and any new ideas or suggestions on town governance. https://www.northfieldma.gov/town-governance-study-committee.
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.
Holiday Fair: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Universalist Church,, 31 North Main St. The fair will feature painting by Ruie Hall, gently used Christmas decorations, center chance table, raffles, door prizes, pie/cheddar cheese, children’s gifts, crafters, food table, toys, gifts and more. Lunch available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Free Community Meal: Offered every Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Trinity Church, Severance Street.
South Deerfield Holy Family Parish Craft Fair, 29 Sugarloaf St., will take place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring more than 30 local vendors, food and bake sale and cafe serving lunch. Handicap accessible. Free admission.
Frontier Regional CFCE Free Drop-In Playgroup for Children 0-5 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.
Christmas Bazaar: The Gill-Montague seniors will have a Christmas Bazaar Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Senior Center, 62 Fifth St. The fair will feature a bake sale, craft table, holiday gifts and a can raffle table for a chance to win donations and gift certificates from friends and local businesses. The seniors’ annual bazaar raffle is: 1st prize, $100 worth of lottery tickets; 2nd prize, $200 gift certificate to Food City, and 3rd prize, $10 gift certificate to Food City. Winners will be drawn after 1 p.m. Saturday.
Holiday cards for veterans: Addressing Holiday Cards for the Holyoke Soldier’s Facility will take place Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Greenfield Savings Bank, 282 Avenue A. Might you have an extra holiday card to cheer a Veteran over these sometimes lonely next few months? If so, please bring them to the upcoming event. If not, come anyway and help address blank cards that Greenfield Savings Bank will provide. A handwritten card addressed to a special soldier will bring a smile to their face knowing someone cared and remembered them. Cards and pens provided by GSB along with light refreshments. The cards will be delivered to the Holyoke location.
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.
Wendell Full Moon Coffeehouse will be Saturday with open mike at 7:30 p.m. in Old Town Hall, Wendell Center. Music by indie-rock sound of Old Flame. The family-friendly event also features a dessert-o-rama. Visit www.wendellfullmoon.org for directions, more information, and sign-up for open mike. The coffeehouse will benefit The Friends of the Wendell Meetinghouse which is raising funds to open the doors of the historic Wendell Meetinghouse in 2021.
Mission Fair: The Ladies’ Society of The United Church of Winchester will sponsor its annual Mission Fair on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church at Main and Parker Streets. There will be holiday crafts, Christmas trees, knitted and crocheted items, raffle baskets, plants, berry bowls, White Elephant tables, Serrv items, Church World Service opportunities, jewelry and more. Coffee and donuts available in the morning and lunch available from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Proceeds support local and world missions.
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. Everyone is welcome. For more information: 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 and a YouTube video of the group, go to: 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. Confidential helpline at 625-6636 or email jcmalinski48@gmail.com locally or at the Straight Spouse Network nationally at www.straightspouse.org.
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.
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. This is a free two, quick pick up and donations are tax-deductible. Proceeds benefit blind and vision impaired persons in Massachusetts.