“Healthy Bones and Balance” Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., St. John’s corner. Free. For more information, call 413-625-2502.
Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS): Meets Thursdays at 5:45 p.m. at Athol Memorial Hospital, 2033 Main St. Attendees should use the main entrance and turn left to the conference room on the right. Visitors to a TOPS chapter are welcome to attend their first meeting free. Membership is $32 a year plus nominal chapter fees. Harvey Laprade has been named new chapter leader. To find another local chapter, visit tops.org or call 800-932-8677.
The Alzheimer’s Association’s MA/NH chapter will host a program on healthy aging practices on Wednesday beginning at 1 p.m. at the Bernardston Council on Aging, 20 Church St. Free and open to the public.
Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Research addressing the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement to promote a brain-healthy lifestyle. The program will provide hands-on tools to help incorporate recommendations into a plan for healthy aging. To register, or for more information, call the Alzheimer’s Association at 800-272-3900.
The Documentary “Reel Injun” will be shown Thursday at 10 a.m. in the LeVanway Room at Greenfield Public Library. “Reel Injun” explores the portrayal of North American natives through the history of cinema. Traveling through the heartland of America, Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond looks at how the myth of “the Injun” has influenced the world’s understanding — and misunderstanding — of Native Americans. With candid interviews with directors, writers, actors and activists. The Thursday Morning Movie Club, sponsored by the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library, is free and open to the public.
Building Bridges Veterans Initiative will offer free weekly veterans lunches Thursdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Greenfield Elks Lodge, 2 Church St. Building Bridges is a veterans initiative of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Mass. buildingbridgeswma.com.
Greenfield Moose Family Center: A pasta meal is served Wednesday, 6 p.m., at the center. The cost is $8. Open to members and guests. A line dance is at 7.
Gamblers Anonymous: Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., The RECOVER Project. Use 1 Osgood St. entrance. For more information, call 413-325-1389.
Knights of Columbus: Lt. John J. Galvin Council No. 133 of Greenfield will meet Thursday, 7 p.m., Holy Trinity Church’s parish hall. Meetings take place the third Thursday of the month.
Franklin County Cadet Squadron (CAP) Seeks Recruits: Meets Thursdays, 6:45 to 9 p.m. Greenfield Teen Center, Sanderson Street. CAP is seeking new recruits, ages 12 to 18. If interested, call Maj. Gary Longley at 413-773-9331.
Al-Anon — Struggles for Intimacy: Thursday, 7:15 to 8:30 p.m., The 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 al-anon.org.
Ongoing Yoga for Ages 60 and Up: Mats and props provided. Drop in anytime Thursdays, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., at Town Hall, 69 Main St., second floor. Elevator available at ground level; parking at rear of building. Donations appreciated but not required. Donations are used for equipment and additional exercise sessions. Simple seated and standing yoga postures, breathing exercises, relaxation and concentration techniques. Accessible to men and women with any amount of flexibility and yoga experience. Funded by grants from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Title III grant administered by LifePath, and Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA).
The Town of Orange will host a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Community Resilience Building Workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the American Legion, Orange Post 172, 40 Daniel Shays Highway. Workshop participants will help define Orange’s greatest vulnerabilities to climate change, as well as existing community strengths, with a goal of increasing Orange’s resilience to the impacts of climate change. The workshop will culminate in a prioritized list of actions for Orange that can help improve the resiliency of town infrastructure, residents and the environment. Once adopted by the Selectboard, the town will be eligible to apply to the state’s new MVP Action Grant program for funding to implement identified projects. The workshop will include refreshments and lunch. RSVP to Amanda Carey, administrative zssistant, at 978-544-1100, ext. 106 or acarey@townoforange.org.
Tai Chi led by Lois Bascom runs every Thursday morning from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at the Senior Center. Easy forms and repetition. Good for improving balance and stability.
The first-ever Changing Seasons golfing/bowling biathlon will take place Friday and Saturday. On Friday, bowl at the Shelburne Falls Bowling Alley. On Saturday (Sunday rain date), golf at Edge Hill Golf Course. The scores will be cleverly combined to come up with the best combined score. Bowl: three strings on Friday evening, 6:30 p.m. Arrive early to get shoes. Golf: nine holes on Saturday at 10 a.m. Arrive early to get a cart. $35 includes three strings of bowling, nine holes of golf with cart, prizes and pizza after the golf. Pizzas will be brought in after the golf; beer and soft drinks are available at the golf course. Register at the bowling alley, the golf course or by mail to: Dennis Merritt, 86 Main St., Shelburne Falls MA 01370. Make checks payable to Dennis Merritt.
A Low-Cost Yoga class will be offered for seniors (55 and older) Thursdays, 4 to 5 p.m. at the Gill-Montague Senior Center, 62 5th St. Andrea Chesnes will offer gentle mat yoga stretches, yoga breathing techniques and deep relaxation. Seniors from all towns, including beginners, are welcome. A $1 donation is requested. For more information, call 413-863-4500.
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 3rd Street.
Open Hours at the Women’s Center at Montague Catholic Social Ministries: 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.
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, a children’s 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.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program helps adults who are 55 and older find meaningful local volunteer opportunities. Share your lifetime of experience, meet new friends and help nonprofits in your community who depend on volunteer assistance, like volunteer drivers. If you have two hours weekly, a dependable vehicle and want to make a difference, contact Pat Sicard, RSVP volunteer manager, at 413-387-4558, ext. 1 or psicard@hcg-ma.org.
Greenfield Community Meals: Wednesdays, Salvation Army, 72 Chapman St. Breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m.; coffee and soup, 10 to 11 a.m.; and lunch from 11 a.m. to noon. Also on Wednesdays, Second Congregational Church, 16 Court Square, 5:30 p.m.
Free Hearing Screenings: Baystate Rehabilitation Care, 48 Sanderson St., Greenfield. For an appointment, call 413-773-2227.
Information and Caregiver Resource Center (ICRC) at LifePath: ICRC 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. 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 mediation 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.
Foster Care Review: Volunteers needed in Greenfield and Holyoke to serve on three-person panels making decisions about children in foster care. Volunteers must be 18 or older and participate in a day-and-a-half training. For an application and more information, contact LaShanda Stone at 413-452-3372 or lashanda.stone@state.ma.us.
Franklin Area Survival Center: The thrift store is open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Food pantry hours remain the same, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The center is at 96 4th St., Turners Falls.
Breastfeeding Support Group: Meets Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to noon, Obstetrics Classroom, third floor of Baystate Franklin Medical Center. Led by Suzanne Stoneham. The group is for mothers who are breastfeeding infants (moms are welcome to bring their infants). For more information, call the Birth Place at BFMC at 413-773-2359.
Stutterers Support Group: A support group for people who stutter, sponsored by the National Stuttering Association and led by Carla Bernier, speech language pathologist. Meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at 15 Brewster Court, Northampton. Anyone interested should call in advance at 413-586-1945 or email carla@comtherapy.com.
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