ACOA Al-Anon: For adults raised by alcoholic caretakers/parents. Meets every Saturday, 10 a.m., Athol Hospital’s conference room.
Diabetes workshop: The Bernardston Council on Aging will present an educational workshop “Diabetes Prevention and Management” with Amber Letourneau from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts on March 20, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Learn about diabetes basics, reading food labels, managing blood sugar levels, identifying foods with carbohydrates in them. A light supper of wraps from Mim’s Market will be provided after the program. Call the Senior Center at 413-648-5413 to sign up for the program, and indicate if you plan on staying for the meal. Please sign up by Monday, March 18.
Bernardston Vets Club, 16 Hartwell St.:Hours: Wednesdays, 5:30 to 9 p.m., Pitch starts at 6; players are random draw, $5. Fridays, 4:30 to 10 p.m. Food served 5 to 7 p.m. This Friday, Jenn and the Bernardston cheerleaders will cook a fundraising dinner of baked potatoes with a variety of toppings. After dinner, stay for a St. Patricks Day Party with music by DJ Shaun Costello. Music starts at 7. all welcome. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop in during open hours and see what we are all about. The club is available to rent for showers, gatherings, birthday parties, etc. Find us on Facebook at Bernardston vets org. All welcome.
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.
Tonight: The Town Governance Study Committee will have a Public Session tonight at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Auditorium. The public is invited to comment on potential recommendations for the 2019 Town Meeting, including increasing the size of the Selectboard.
Caregivers Support Group: Meets every first and third Friday of the month, 10:30 a.m. at the Senior Center in Town Hall, 69 Main St. Join other caregivers this Friday for support and to share stories and ideas. New members welcome. Led by Heather Tower, MSW, LCSW.
Free Ongoing Classes: The Literacy Project North Quabbin offers ongoing free basic education classes, free GED preparation classes and free academic counseling services. For information, contact The Literacy Project North Quabbin, 131 West Main St., or call 978-544-8917 or visit: www.literacyproject.org.
Memory Cafe: The Senior Center in Shelburne will host a Memory Cafe at noon Friday. This is a monthly gathering of individuals with memory loss and their care partner. Register by today.
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. 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 up to age 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. For more information contact Gillian Budine at 978-544-5157.
CFCE of the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School District Free Weekly Playgroup and Story Hour for parents with young children. Mondays: 9:30 to 11 a.m., Buckland Shelburne Elementary School, 75 Mechanic St., Shelburne Falls. Thursdays: 9:30 to 11 a.m., Trinity Church, 17 Severance St., Shelburne Falls. Fridays: 9:30 to 11 a.m., Hawlemont Elementary School, 10 School St., Charlemont. Come and join other families with young children to play, learn, sing and have a snack. Wednesdays: Story Hour at the Arms Library at the corner of Bridge St. and Main St. in Shelburne Falls. Come and join other families with young children to read stories, sing songs and do an art activity. Contact Melissa Pincus, CFCE Coordinator for more information. mepincus@mohawkschools.org.
Greenfield SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council): Are you the parent or guardian of a child with an IEP or a 504 plan? The SEPAC is a volunteer organization of parents or guardians of children with special needs, both in-district students and private/out-of-district placements. It meets the second Thursday of each month at the Greenfield YMCA’s social room from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. Free childcare. RSVP to jfalk@mtholyoke.edu or mjmphtraver@crocker.com. This month’s meeting is open to all SEPACs in Franklin County. Guest speakers will be from Pathlight, a local human service agency.
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 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 Sicard,psicard@hcg-ma.org 413-387-4558 x 1