Monthly program to make seasonal projects, hands-on crafts
GREENFIELD — Beginning Monday, Oct. 27, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., the Greenfield Public Library Makerspace will host seasonal projects and hands-on crafts with artist Danielle Lucier on the fourth Monday of the month.
Through March, each month will feature a new project inspired by the time of year, such as cozy autumn décor, festive holiday creations and spring florals. Beginners and experienced crafters alike can learn new techniques, share ideas and create finished products to take home. In October, the project will entail making collaged self-portraits.
This free program is intended for ages 13 and up. Space is limited and registration is required at greenfieldpl.libcal.com/event/15104189.
GCC Community Chorus announces fall concerts
GREENFIELD — The GCC Community Chorus is launching the 2025-2026 concert season with three performances during the fall semester.
The first two programs are titled “Peace.” The preview concert will be held Friday, Oct. 24, from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. in Stinchfield Lecture Hall, Room N335, at Greenfield Community College. After that, a full performance will be given at Greenfield’s Second Congregational Church at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9, and the group’s annual holiday concert will take place from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. in GCC’s Main Lobby on Friday, Dec. 5.
The “Peace” programs will include some of the many choral works from the Renaissance to the present that address the theme through words and music. The preview concert includes the succinct “Agnus Dei” from Hans Leo Hassler’s 1599 Missa Secunda; “Lo Yisa Goy,” a Hebrew peace round; “The Peace of the Earth,” a Guatemalan blessing arranged by John Bell; “O Lovely Peace” performed by a small group of sopranos and altos; “How Lovely are the Messengers” by Felix Mendelssohn; and “Peace I Ask of Thee, O River” by contemporary New England composer Gwyneth Walker.
The full performance adds “Agnus Dei” by F.J. Haydn; “O Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem” by Renaissance composer Thomas Tomkins, presented by a double quartet from the chorus; “Prayer of St. Francis” by Allen Pote; Rollo Dilworth’s gospel number “Take Me to the Water” that weaves two familiar spirituals, “Down by the Riverside” and “Wade in the Water,” with original composition; and “Shalom” by Dan Forrest.
The GCC Community Chorus is made up of 20 GCC students and community singers from Greenfield and the surrounding area. The group was formed in the fall of 2023 and is conducted by Margery Heins, who also directed the GCC Chorus from 2001 until the beginning of the pandemic. John Yannis is the group’s accompanist.
GCC Community Chorus concerts are free, with donations welcome at the door. For more information, email Heins at heins@gcc.mass.edu.
Oct. 29 program to discuss addressing hate in schools
GREENFIELD — A workgroup of the Communities That Care Coalition (with staffing from the Franklin Regional Council of Governments), in collaboration with the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, Greenfield Community College and Northeastern University’s Center for the Study of Sport in Society, will host a regional training on addressing hate in schools and communities on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Greenfield Community College.
This regional training is geared toward school administrators, school staff, school committee members, law enforcement members and interested community members. It aims to empower participants to identify, disrupt and confront incidents of discrimination, interpersonal violence and toxic speech, with a focus on the school context. The program is designed to be interactive and will include personal and group reflection, facilitated discussion and customized activities. Additionally, attendees will use practice scenarios to enhance their skills and build the basic knowledge to develop sustainable action plans.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration is required at tinyurl.com/AddressingHateinSchools. For more information, contact Shaundell Diaz at sdiaz@communityaction.us, Matt Allen at mattallen@masshirefhcareers.org or Rachel Stoler at rstoler@frcog.org.
Bingo offered on Sunday
GREENFIELD — The Blessed Trinity Rosary Society will host an afternoon of bingo on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m. in Blessed Trinity Church’s Father Casey Hall, located at 135 Main St. Doors will open at noon.
The afternoon will feature bingo games and a raffle. Participants must be at least 18 years old. The cost is $25 for 21 games. Homemade snacks and baked goods will also be sold.