“Healthy Bones and Balance” for bone health, Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., St. John’s corner. Free. For more information, call 625-2502.
TOPS: Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Athol Memorial Hospital.
The Bernardston Council on Aging will present an educational workshop “Senior Savvy Trivia Game” Wednesday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. presented by the Northwest District Attorneys office with Rachel Senecal. This presentation is designed to test our knowledge about topics such as trending senior consumer issues, credit reporting, phone, Internet, and e-mail scams targeted towards seniors, elder law as well as “The adult protective services.” Come join us for a fun interactive evening and a light supper to follow. Pizza will be served provided by Hillside Pizza. Please call the Senior center at 413-648-5413 to sign up for the program, also let us know if you will be staying for the meal. In case of snow, this event will be moved to Jan. 23, same time.
Story hour: Cushman Library at 28 Church St. offers Story Hour, Wednesdays between 4 and 5 p.m. to families with children of all ages. Each gathering features thematic stories, craft and snack. Bonnie Declamp, Wendy Abramson and Karen Stinchfield take turns as presenters.
Wednesday Night Knitters: Cushman Library at 28 Church St., invites knitters of all abilities to join the Wednesday Night Knitters every Wednesday between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Participants each working on their own projects, are welcome to enjoy the company of others while everyone works toward completing their individual projects. Rebecca Lawlor offers her expertise and experience as instructor. for more information, contact 648-5402 or cushmanlibrary@yahoo.com.
Grief Support: Two new adult grief support groups, one for suicide loss, and one for men who are grieving, has started at Brattleboro Area Hospice. Both groups are free and will meet at the hospice office at 191 Canal St. Suicide loss can be an especially lonely experience, and people experiencing this kind of loss find it helpful to talk with others who have been affected by it. The new suicide loss support group meets the first and third Thursday of the month from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. in the downstairs kitchen at hospice. This group is for adults who have lost a loved one to suicide. Drop-ins are welcome, but pre-registration is appreciated by calling 802-257-0775, ext. 104. Men often grieve differently than women, and many men find it easier to express their grief in the company of other men. The men’s grief support group will meet the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room at hospice. This group for men who are grieving a death loss of any type. Advanced registration is required before attending. Call Cicely Carroll at 257-0775, ext. 108 for information.
Deerfield 350th: Deerfield will be turning 350 in 2023. The Deerfield 350th Committee is looking into gathering ideas, and volunteers for sub committees. Send us thoughts and let us know if you’d like to be involved to: Deerfield350th@gmail.com or by mail to: Deerfield 350th Committee, 8 Conway Street, South Deerfield MA 01373.
Greenfield Moose Family Center: A pasta meal is served Wednesday 6 p.m. at the center. the cost is $7. Open to members and guests. A line dance is at 7.
The RECOVER Project: The RECOVER Project hosts a daily “All Recovery Meeting” each morning Monday to Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m at 68 Federal St. Open to all to discuss recovery. All walks of recovery welcome. Meetings are held in the front community room. “Eddie’s Group” is held every Tuesday from 3 to 4 p.m. in the RPX. Please come join us. For more information call: 413-774-5489.
Gamblers Anonymous: Gamblers Anonymous Support Group, Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. RECOVER Project. Use 1 Osgood St. entrance. for more information, call 413-325-1389.
Family United Network: The Family United Network (FUN) Center is at The Salasin Center, 474 Main St. Open hours are Thursdays, 4 to 6:30 p.m. Fun for the whole family; all ages welcome. For more information, contact Pam at 413-774-4307, ext. 1, or email pfitzpatrick@wmtcinfo.org.
Knights of Columbus: Lt. John J. Galvin Council No. 133 of Greenfield will meet Thursday, 7 p.m., Holy Trinity Church’s parish hall, 133 Main St. Meetings take place the third Thursday of the month.
CAP seeks recruits: Franklin County Cadet Squadron, CAP, meets Thursdays, 6:45 to 9 p.m. Greenfield Teen Center, Sanderson Street. Call Maj. Gary Longley at 413-773-9331 for more information. CAP is seeking new recruits, ages 12 to 18. If interested call the number above.
Al-Anon: Struggles for Intimacy, Thursday, 7:15 to 8:30 p.m., Recover Project, 68 Federal St. Anyone who feels her/his life has been affected by close contact with a problem drinker is eligible for membership in Al-Anon or Alateen. Al-Anon is online at www.al-anon.org.
Raffle: The Senior Center in Shelburne is sponsoring a raffle for a wall hanging depicting a winter scene made by Lois Bascom. Funds raised are earmarked for the Senior Center Expansion Project. Drawing will be at 1 p.m. on Feb. 27 after the Beach Party lunch. Tickets can be purchased at the Senior Center, 7 Main St., or at Baker Pharmacy for $1 each or 6 for $5. Call the Senior Center at 413- 625-2502 for more information.
Tai Chi led by Lois Bascom runs every Thursday morning from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at the Senior Center. Movements follow the program designed by Dr. Lam with easy forms and repetition. Good for improving balance and stability. Program is open to all.
Emergency Basic Needs program: this is a program of Montague Catholic Social Ministries and is open Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, for resources and referrals. If you have questions or want to make an appointment, call Mary at 413-863-4804, ext. 1002, or email BasicNeeds@mcsmcommunity.org. to access Emergency Basic Needs, buzz No. 103 at the Moltenbrey entrance on Third Street.
Open Hours at the Women’s Center at MCSM: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. are open to all women. Computer lab available, community resources, peer support, arts and crafts, free gently used clothing. For more information, call 413-863-4804, ext. 1003 or email christine@mcsmcommunity.org. Program of Montague Catholic Social Ministries.
Playgroup: A program of Montague Catholic Social Ministries meets Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 78 Avenue A. This informal, drop in playgroup for parents, caregivers and children younger than 8 offers music, movement and other early literacy activities, unstructured playtime, and time for parent to connect, a kids clothing exchange and a parent resource lending library. For more information, contact Mary King at 413-863-4804, ext. 1005 or email mary.king@gmrsd.com.
RSVP volunteer program: RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) helps adults who are 55 and older find meaningful local volunteer opportunities. Share your life time of experience, meet new friends and help nonprofits in your community who depend on volunteer assistance. Contact Pat Sicard at RSVP, 413-584-1300, ext. 183 or email psicard@hampshirecog.org.
Community meals: Wednesdays, Salvation Army, 72 Chapman St. Breakfast from 8 to 10; coffee and soup, 10 to 11, and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon. Also on Wednesdays, Second Congregational Church, 16 Court Square, 5:30 p.m.
Free blood pressure screening: Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon, Baystate Franklin Medical Center, 164 High St., Greenfield. No registration required.
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 western 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 for more than 40 years, 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. Call 413-475-1405.
ICRC at LifePath: The Information and Caregiver Resource Center at LifePath has answers to all your questions about elder services/caregiver support. LifePath 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 ICRC at LifePath at 413-773-5555 or 978-544-2259.
Free mediation: Landlords/tenants can save money and time using free eviction prevention mediation services. The Mediation & Training Collaborative is offering meditation at no cost to help resolve housing related problems before they go to court. for more information call 413-475-1504 or 413-475-1503.