Fiery Hope chorus holding two open rehearsals
GREENFIELD — Fiery Hope, the Greenfield-based chorus formerly known as Amandla, will hold open rehearsals in Stoneleigh-Burnham School’s Capen Room on Tuesdays, May 19 and May 26, at 6:30 p.m. for those interested in joining the chorus starting in September.
“Ideal traits for membership include people who are musically skilled to any degree and/or are eager, dedicated learners,” Eveline MacDougall, founder and director of the chorus since 1988, said in a statement. “We’re looking for cooperative individuals, teens and up, who can commit to regular Tuesday evening rehearsals.”
Members are asked to contribute a voluntary, sliding-scale fee to support MacDougall’s work, but for next season, she’s waiving fees for participants under the age of 30.
“We’d like to diversify our age range,” MacDougall noted.
Fiery Hope performs songs of joy and community-building from many parts of the world, as well as MacDougall’s original compositions. For more information, visit fieryhope.org. Interested singers can reach MacDougall at eveline@amandlachorus.org or 413-773-8655.
Wendell resident giving book talk
GREENFIELD — Wendell resident Nina Keller will discuss her book, “Where Have All the Hippies Gone,” at the Greenfield Public Library on Tuesday, May 26, at 6 p.m.
Sewer overflow impacts local waterways
GREENFIELD — A sanitary sewer overflow occurred on Sunday, May 17, between approximately 3 and 4:30 p.m. The discharge, consisting of untreated sewage and waste, was into the Green River near Meridian Street.
The overflow was caused by a backed-up sewer main, according to Greenfield’s Communications Director Jonathon Weber. The amount discharged is estimated to be under 100 gallons.
The sanitary sewer overflow is impacting the Green River and Deerfield River in Greenfield, as well as the Connecticut River in Deerfield, Montague and Sunderland. The overflow does not impact drinking water.
The city advises community members to avoid contact with these bodies of water for 48 hours due to increased health risks from bacteria and other pollutants.
Stoneleigh-Burnham School senior ranks at World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championship
GREENFIELD — Stoneleigh-Burnham School senior Maeve Noble competed at the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championship, held this year in Bristol, England. With nearly 200 speakers competing from around the world, Noble finished 28th overall, and placed 12th in persuasive speaking and sixth in impromptu speaking.
Impromptu speaking requires participants to craft and deliver a speech on the spot with minimal preparation time. Speakers are given a prompt — a quote, word or abstract idea — and must quickly develop a clear, compelling speech to be delivered without the use of notes. It is a test of critical thinking, communication skills, authenticity and presence.
For Noble, impromptu is one of her strongest events. Her prompts included “Problems are just opportunities,” “Silence,” “Shoot for the moon; land among the stars,” and “You don’t make the history books by being liked.”
“I always connect my speeches to what it means to be human,” Noble said in a statement. “It helps make them real.”
Reflecting on her time at the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championship, Noble emphasized that the experience extended beyond the competition.
“Being surrounded by people who share this passion was incredible,” she said in a statement. “But more than that, these are people who are thinking deeply, challenging ideas and really want to make a difference in the world. We are future leaders.”
‘Earth’s Greatest Enemy’ to be screened at library
GREENFIELD — Abby Martin’s new film, “Earth’s Greatest Enemy,” will be screened in the Greenfield Public Library Community Room on Tuesday, May 19, from 5 to 7:45 p.m.
The film, five years in the making, documents the impacts of the Pentagon on the planet, and makes a case for peace, social justice, climate action and ecosystem protection.
“Exempt from international climate agreements and rarely scrutinized in mainstream reporting, the Pentagon is the world’s single-largest institutional polluter — spewing carbon, contaminating water and scarring landscapes across the globe,” the film’s website reads.
The free showing in Greenfield is being organized by the Climate & Democracy Project, part of the Traprock Center for Peace & Justice.
“It’s a powerful film,” Anna Gyorgy, of the Climate & Democracy Project, said in a statement, “with so much packed into its two hours that we will offer follow-up programs for more discussion, as well as supporting local showings, especially in town libraries.”
As space at the May 19 screening is limited, a seat can be reserved using the form at mailchi.mp/traprock/support-the-peacemakers.
Recital Chorus to perform 30th annual Spring Concert
GREENFIELD — The Recital Chorus will hold its 30th annual Spring Concert at Greenfield Community College’s Sloan Theater on Thursday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, though donations are welcome.
Margery Heins will conduct this program of vocal and choral music. The chorus is primarily made up of community singers who take private voice lessons with Heins. They will present traditional seasonal music for women’s chorus and small ensembles from the Renaissance to the current century. Henry Gaida, organist at Our Lady of Czestochowa in Turners Falls, will accompany at the piano.