Registration for chair Pilates due Aug. 29
GREENFIELD — A four-week chair Pilates class begins at the Greenfield Senior Center on Friday, Sept. 5, and will continue on Sept. 12, 19 and 26, from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.
Chair Pilates helps improve posture and mobility, and is especially helpful for those struggling with osteoporosis. The class is slow-paced and gentle.
Advance registration with a $20 payment and Senior Center membership (free) are required for this class by Aug. 29.
Documentary screening explores climate crisis
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Public Library and The LAVA Center will present “Rising River’s Edge: The Climate Crisis in Franklin County” on Monday, Sept. 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the library’s Community Meeting Room.
“Rising River’s Edge” is a short documentary looking at the impacts of the climate crisis on the food systems of Franklin County, one of the poorest and most rural counties in Massachusetts, as well as how these food systems and the people behind them are coping with unpredictable weather.
The program will be presented by Clara Witty, co-coordinator at The LAVA Center; Matthew Barlow, humanities co-coordinator at The LAVA Center; filmmaker Hugh Finnerty; and Rebecca Rideout, owner of Told Video.
This project was funded with grants provided by the Greenfield and Massachusetts Cultural Councils, Greening Greenfield, The LAVA Center and Mass Humanities.
Soil testing, gardening advice coming to library
GREENFIELD — The Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association will be at the Greenfield Public Library to answer gardening questions and offer free pH soil testing on Saturdays, Sept. 6 and Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Visitors can bring a sample of their soil to learn what their garden needs. For information on collecting soil samples, visit tinyurl.com/SoilTestingGuidance.
The Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association is a member-managed nonprofit dedicated to the educational mission of promoting sustainable gardening practices. Each master gardener has completed an in-depth training program, including hands-on activities in gardening and public education, and has made a commitment to participate in association-sponsored public programs each year.
Sept. 5 program focusing on Lizzie Borden
GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. will host a program with Dennis Binette, called “In Search of Lizzie Borden,” on Friday, Sept. 5, at 6 p.m.
Binette will provide a look beyond the 1892 axe murders of Borden’s father and stepmother, and the subsequent trial, to examine Borden’s life in the context of her home and society. Binette, along with Michael Martins, wrote “Parallel Lives: A Social History of Lizzie A. Borden and Her Fall River.” The authors had unprecedented access to newly discovered, previously unpublished materials.
A native of Fall River, Binette has been associated with the Fall River Historical Society for 32 years, having held the position of assistant curator until his retirement in 2020. He is a noted authority on the Borden case and has appeared in several television documentaries on the subject.
In 1994, Binette edited, with Martins, “The Commonwealth of Massachusetts vs. Lizzie A. Borden: The Knowlton Papers 1892–1893.” The book consists of the personal files of Hosea Morrill Knowlton, prosecuting attorney in the case against Borden.
“Parallel Lives: A Social History of Lizzie A. Borden and Her Fall River” provides a look at Borden against the backdrop of Fall River during her lifetime. The book was the recipient of a Kirkus Starred Review and was listed among Kirkus Reviews Best of 2012.
Brown bag program returns Sept. 4
GREENFIELD — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ monthly brown bag program for income-qualifying seniors will be held at The Weldon apartments at 54 High St. on Thursday, Sept. 4, from 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Blue Cross Blue Shield rep to speak on Medicare
GREENFIELD — Heather Hurd of Blue Cross Blue Shield will give a presentation on Medicare on Tuesday, Sept. 9, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Advance registration is required, but Senior Center membership is not necessary. Call 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stop by the center’s front desk to reserve a seat.
Qi gong class starts Sept. 9
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Senior Center will offer qi gong classes with Lynne Smith on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. between Sept. 9 and Oct. 21.
Qi gong is an ancient practice that involves simple, gentle movements. All exercises are done standing. No experience is necessary.
Advance registration with a $65 payment (cash or check only) is required by Sept. 4. Participants will need to carry in clean shoes, as the class meets in the Fitness Studio.
Three-week yoga class starts Sept. 10
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Senior Center will offer a three-week yoga class on Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. between Sept. 10 and Sept. 24.
Participants will learn the fundamentals of yoga (mindful movement, breathing and meditation), along with ideas about how to incorporate these practices into daily life. Beginners are welcome.
Registration with a $30 payment and Senior Center membership (free) are required by
Friday, Sept. 5. Participants will need to carry in clean shoes, as the class meets in the Fitness Studio, and must be able to get on and off the floor unassisted.
Sept 12: Memory Cafe
GREENFIELD — Residents of all towns are welcome to attend the Memory Cafe, sponsored by The Arbors at Greenfield, on Friday, Sept. 12, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Greenfield Senior Center.
The Memory Cafe provides a supportive gathering place for people living with memory loss, together with their caregivers. Lunch is provided, followed by an activity.
Advance registration is required. To sign up, call the Senior Center’s front desk at 413-772-1517, ext. 0.
Reiki sessions available at Senior Center
GREENFIELD — Tomasin Whitaker is offering reiki sessions, by appointment, at the Greenfield Senior Center.
Reiki is a Japanese relaxation technique that channels universal energy to support
well-being in body, mind and spirit. During a session, Whitaker’s hands rest lightly (or hover over) a series of energy centers in a person’s body while the individual lies down or sits comfortably while fully clothed.
The cost is $25, payable to Whitaker at the time of the session. Residents can call the Greenfield Senior Center’s front desk at 413-772-1517, ext. 0, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., to make an appointment for reiki.
Author to speak on LGBTQ history
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Public Library will welcome Sarah Prager, who is dedicated to raising awareness of LGBTQ history through writing, speaking and other projects, on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room.
Prager’s first book, “Queer, There, and Everywhere,” came out from HarperCollins Children’s in 2017 and a new expanded edition was released in June 2023. The book tells the stories of individuals from queer history for a young adult audience.
Her other books, “Rainbow Revolutionaries: 50 LGBTQ+ People Who Made History” (2020), “Kind Like Marsha: Learning from LGBTQ+ Leaders” (2022) and “A Child’s Introduction to Pride: The Inspirational History and Culture of the LGBTQIA+ Community” (2023), bring queer history to children in middle and elementary school.
MassAbility members to detail services
GREENFIELD — Members of MassAbility will be at the Greenfield Public Library on the first Thursday of the month, starting on Thursday, Sept. 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. to answer questions and provide information about their services.
MassAbility aims to break down barriers and empower people with disabilities to live independent lives on their own terms. The organization’s programs and services expand possibilities in careers and training, home and community life, and legal rights and benefits.