Smoking Cessation: Led by Tim Sweeney, tobacco treatment specialist. Meets Mondays, 6 to 7 p.m. Athol Hospital’s cafeteria.
The town Community Clothes Closet at 83 Foundry Village Road has reopened after its winter break. The closet will open every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. until next winter. All towns are welcome. Clothes are free and suit all ages. The closet accepts donations of clean clothing, which can be delivered any time at the building’s rear. Contact Linda Wagner at 413-625-6157 or Sarah Looman 413-625 6169 for more information.
Erving Public Library: Friends of the Library Perennial Plant Sale, Raffle and Book Sale to benefit library programs and events will take place through May 9, 1 to 7 p.m.
Helen Keller Performance: The Friends of the Erving Library and E.E.S. library will sponsor a performance by actress Sheryl Faye Friday at 1:30 p.m. at Erving Elementary School, 28 Northfield Road. Faye performs Historical one-woman shows portraying famous women. She will portray Helen Keller. The program is written from Helen’s mind eye. Admission free, but donations to the Friends of the Library will be accepted. Open to the public. Doors open at 1:20 p.m. Questions/concerns, call Erving Library at 413-423-3348 or Becky at 413-422-2273.
Abigail Adams Performance: The Friends of the Erving Library will sponsor a performance by Sheryl Faye as “Abigail Adams: America’s First, Second Lady” Friday at 7 p.m. at the Sr.-Community Center, 1 Care Drive, just past Erving Elementary School. She is sometimes considered to have been a founder of the United States and is now designated as the first Second Lady and second First Lady of The United States. The story goes through Abigail Adams’ childhood and adult life. The show is appropriate for children and adults. Admission free, but donations to the Friends of the Erving Library will be accepted.
Slate Memorial Library Open House: The library will reopen after six months of renovations with an open house Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Coffee and donuts served and children’s activities. Regular library hours will resume in May: Tuesdays, 2 to 6 p.m., Wednesdays, 3 to 7 p.m., and Thursdays, 2 to 8 p.m.
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.
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 up to 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. 413-665-2890.
Story Walk: Join Hillcrest Elementary School for a Story Walk Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, featuring the book “Call Me Tree/Llamame arbol” by Maya Christina Gonzalez. The walk will begin at Avenue A and 4th St (even side) and end across the street at La Mariposa (111 Ave. A). At 11 a.m. there will be an English/Spanish concert for little ones at La Mariposa featuring local duo Tom & Laurie. Pages of the book will be displayed in the planters that line the block. Each stop reveals more of the story the students have used as inspiration for their artwork, which will be featured at the end of the journey as an installation at La Mariposa.
Puzzle Swap Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at Greenfield Savings Bank, 282 Avenue A. Swap with other puzzlemasters. Bring a puzzle to swap. There will be puzzles for all ages. No reservations needed. Light refreshments.
Franklin Area Survival Center: The Food Pantry & Thrift Store hosted by staff and volunteers is at 96 Fourth St., 413-863-9549. 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.
Spring Pop Up Shop: A group of craftspeople from Wendell will present a Spring Surprise Pop Up Shop Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wendell Senior Center. The shop will include several Wendell artists offering a variety of products including fiber art, stationery, jewelry, and other items.
“Fantastic Voyage” will be shown Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Wendell Free Library. Scientist Jan Benes, who knows the secret to keeping soldiers shrunken for an indefinite period, escapes from behind the Iron Curtain with the help of CIA agent Grant. There will be a short (1/2 hour) film before the movie, an episode of “Fireball XL5,” “Robert to the Rescue.” This is part of the monthly series of Science Fiction/Fantasy and Horror/Monster movies at the library. Free. For more information about the Wendell Free Library visit www.wendellfreelibrary.org or call 978-544-3559.
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 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 413-625-6636 or email jcmalinski48@gmail.com locally or at the Straight Spouse Network nationally at www.straightspouse.org.
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.