ACOA Al-Anon: For adults raised by alcoholic caretakers/parents. Meets every Saturday, 10 a.m., Athol Hospital’s conference room.
Bernardston Vets Club, 16 Hartwell St. Open Wednesdays, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Pitch starts at 6 p.m., players are randomly drawn, $5. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Open one or two Fridays a month for a special music event. This Friday: Summer barbecue with food by Cliff’s Backyard BBQ starting at 5 p.m. Music by Heath Lewis at 7 p.m.
Mohawk Trail Concerts presents “A Night at the Opera,” with Tundi Productions, on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., at Federated Church of Charlemont, 175 Main St. For tickets and information, visit mohawktrailconcerts.org.
Historic Deerfield’s Free Summer Lecture Series, “Going Global,” starts Thursday at the Deerfield Community Center, 16 Memorial St., at 7 p.m. Topic: “Made in China: The Rise and Fall of the Old Canton Trade,” by Stephen R. Platt, Professor of History, University of Massachusetts Amherst.
“Guerrilla Gardening Tactics with Farmer Dan,” Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon, at Laughing Dog Farm. This is an intro-level workshop for any inspired food grower, chef, “foodie” or wannabe seeking to produce nutrient-dense food on small backyard plots, rooftops, in containers, passive solar hoophouses, etc. Danny Botkin will explain and demonstrate “opportunistic” low-tech gardening practices and shortcuts. Class includes a walking greenhouse tour, Q&A and farm snacks. $25-$35 suggested donation. RSVP requested: 413-863-8696.
Honors: Parker W. Brown of Greenfield was awarded Faculty Honors for the spring 2019 semester at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.
The Greenfield Duplicate Bridge Club offers a weekly game every Thursday at noon at the First Congregational Church, 43 Silver St. For information, call 413-774-2687.
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, child care and snacks. For more information, call 413-774-1000.
Community Action’s Family Center: The Family Center, 90 Federal St., offers play and learn groups, a parent support group and special early literacy events. The staff can answer questions on topics like parenting, discipline, child development and school readiness, as well as help you find other community resources. Free books, clothing and diapers on site. Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 413-475-1553.
Free Ongoing Classes: The Literacy Project/Greenfield offers ongoing basic education classes, GED preparation classes, job readiness workshops, college transition workshops and academic counseling services. For more information, call 413-774-3935 or visit: literacyproject.org.
Graduate: Benjamin G. Potee, son of Stephen A. Martin and Ruth A. Potee, graduated with Honors in Public Health from Brown University in Providence, R.I. Benjamin is a 2015 graduate of Pioneer Valley Regional School in Northfield.
Free Weekly Playgroup starts Friday at Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center, and runs for four Fridays through Aug. 2. Meets rain or shine. For more information, contact the Community Network for Children’s office at 978-544-5157.
Orange Community Band Concert Kids Night: Friday, 7:30 p.m., at the bandstand. Conducted by Stephanie Parker. Concession stand with proceeds going to send local kids to summer camp.
Free Ongoing Classes: The Literacy Project North Quabbin offers ongoing basic education classes, GED preparation classes and academic counseling services. For more information, contact The Literacy Project North Quabbin, 131 West Main St., call 978-544-8917 or visit: literacyproject.org.
Free Medical Clinic: Trailside Health at 111 Bridge St., downtown Shelburne Falls on the FRTA bus route. Every Tuesday at 9 a.m. Call 413-625-6240.
Honors: Tierney R. Roche of South Deerfield was awarded Faculty Honors for the spring 2019 semester at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.
New Sunderland Riverside Park opens Saturday. Accessible, 8-acre recreational site along the Connecticut River. Full day of free activities for people of all ages begins with a ribbon-cutting at 9:30 a.m.; ends with an outdoor concert by The Nields at 6:30 p.m. Food, drinks and ice cream will be available for purchase.
Collage for Fun! Saturday, 9:15 to 11:45 a.m., at the Greenfield Savings Bank in Turners Falls. Park in the Food City lot. Call to serve your space at 978-544-2974 or message Nila Patterson on Facebook. This art group is supported in part by the Montague Cultural Council grant.
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. Join other families with young children to play, learn, sing and have a snack. Contact Melissa Pincus, CFCE coordinator, for more information. mepincus@mohawkschools.org.
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’s Benefits Counseling Program. LifePath will help file an application for fuel assistance and find other ways to save you money. For more information, contact Gretchen Smith at 413-773-5555, ext. 2258 or 978-544-2259, ext. 2258, or email info@lifepathma.org.
Healthy Living Program: The program, at LifePath, promotes wellness and independence among older adults. Workshops on chronic disease and pain management, healthy eating, falls prevention and more. 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, is 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. 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 Baystate Franklin Medical Center: For more 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 or to locate meetings throughout Massachusetts, Brattleboro, Vt. 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 preschool, home visiting and child care programs in Franklin/Hampshire counties. Spanish speaking services available. In Franklin County, call 413-475-1405.
RSVP: More than 600 active adults ages 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 availability. Contact Pat Sicard, psicard@hcg-ma.org or 413-387-4558, ext. 1
Submit items to Talk of the Towns: https://www.recorder.com/Reader-Services/Contribute/Submit-to-Talk-of-the-Town