ORANGE — The Literacy Project adult education program is enrolling new students.
The nonprofit — which has locations in Orange, Greenfield, Amherst, Northampton and Ware — has free classes to improve reading, writing and math skills, computer skills, High School Equivalency test (also known as GED or HiSET) preparation and college-readiness classes.
The Literacy Project has both in-person and online classes. Call 978-844-9187 to enroll in free adult education classes or stop by The Literacy Project at the Orange Innovation Center at 131 West Main St., Suite 100, in Orange.
NEW SALEM — The Union 28 Community Network for Children program is partnering with the New Salem Public Library and the town Cultural Council to feature a StoryWalk series at the New Salem Quabbin Overlook.
Families with young children can meet at the library, at 23 South Main St., on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. for outdoor walks with fall-themed stories, according to a press release from Joie Ciepiela, program assistant with the Community Network for Children. The schedule is “Fletcher and the Falling Leaves” by Julia Rawlinson on Oct. 26, “In the Middle of Fall” by Kevin Henkes on Nov. 2, and “Greetings Seasons: Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter” by Kenard Pak on Nov. 9.
There will be a take-home activity and a free book for each child participating. Registration is required. Visit bityl.co/94PH to register, or call or text 413-422-0170 or email budine@erving.com.
WENDELL — The town is working with the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) to update its Open Space and Recreation Plan.
The most recent plan was completed in 2010 and expired in 2017, according to a press release from Allison Gage, land use and natural resources planner with FRCOG. It contains conservation and recreation goals for the town; includes an inventory of cultural, natural and recreational resources; identifies open space and recreation needs; and outlines a seven-year action plan. Having an updated plan enables the town to apply for state grants for land conservation and recreation facility improvements.
The town Open Space Committee wants input from residents as its members work to update the Open Space and Recreation Plan and create an action plan for the next seven years, the release states.
A survey will be mailed to Wendell households, and is also available online at surveymonkey.com/r/wendellopenspace. The survey includes questions about which open space protection efforts should be prioritized, which open spaces and recreational facilities are used or needed in town, and where investment is needed and how recreation experiences could be improved.
Paper copies of the survey can be returned to the black dropbox in front of Town Offices, brought to the Wendell Free Library or mailed to the Wendell Open Space Committee. Paper surveys can also be found at the library.
ORANGE — The Orange Scholarship Foundation trustees met last week at Witty’s Funeral Home for their annual fall meeting, which included the election of officers and a review of the past year.
Representatives of Hart & Patterson Financial Group presented a year in review focused on the investments held by the foundation. Since 1996, the Orange Scholarship Foundation (established in 1961) has awarded more than $810,100 in scholarships through Ralph C. Mahar Regional School in Orange, according to a press release from the foundation.
The business meeting also included election of officers. Those elected were Jeffrey Cole, president; Larry Fisher, vice president; Beverly Stone, treasurer; Margaret Lawless, assistant treasurer; and Helene Holmes, secretary. The officers will serve as trustees of the Orange Scholarship Foundation along with attorney Lynne Goodnow, Kathlyn Kilhart, Kathleen Koonz, Thomas Smith, Ingrid Whitten and Sarah Woodard.
Donations can be mailed to Orange Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 298, Orange, MA 01364-0298.