July 26: Bella Voce to perform in Old Deerfield

DEERFIELD — The Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association’s Summer Concert Series will continue on Sunday, July 26, at 3 p.m. with Bella Voce, a group with vocalists Lisa Woods and Teri LaFleur and pianist Jerry Noble.

Attendees can catch the trio inside Memorial Hall’s Music Room, 8 Memorial St., where they will perform a mix of Broadway melodies and other tunes. Free refreshments will be available in the Garden Alcove.

Tickets at the door are $15 for adults, and $8 for seniors and students.

July 30: South County Senior Center holding picnic

FLORENCE — The South County Senior Center’s summer picnic will be held on Thursday, July 30, at 11 a.m. in Look Memorial Park in Florence.

Tickets are $10 and park entry is $5, with free parking for veterans and drivers with a handicap placard. Those who are interested in attending can call or text Program Coordinator Tom Patria at 413-665-9508 or email scpa@town.deerfield.ma.us to register.

Historic Deerfield hosting ‘Tea and Revolution’ program

DEERFIELD — Visitors can stop by Historic Deerfield’s Discovery Center on Wednesdays through Sundays until Aug. 2, between noon and 4:30 p.m. for “Tea and Revolution.”

“Tea could be a controversial choice during the Revolutionary War, and some people chose to make a statement by drinking herbal teas instead,” Historic Deerfield’s website reads.

Participants will learn about the role of the divisive sip during the American Revolution while crafting a paper teapot and filling a tea bag to brew at home.

The program is included with general admission to Historic Deerfield.

250 meals sold at Whately’s chicken barbecue

WHATELY — The Whately Fire Department’s annual chicken barbecue drew a crowd when it returned on July 4.

The firefighters sold 250 meals to visitors, which included half a chicken, an ear of corn, a baked potato and a snack. Through these meals, the barbecue raised more than $3,000 for the Whately Firefighters Association, which will cover updates to the tank in the department’s 5-ton brush tanker.

“We thank our generous community for their support,” Whately Fire Chief JP Kennedy said.

Deerfield dog declared nuisance

DEERFIELD — The Selectboard voted to declare Bennett, a dog owned by Deerfield resident Amy Herchenreder, a nuisance on Wednesday night after the dog allegedly bit Herchenreder’s uncle, Joe Sojka, in February.

According to Sojka, he was alone with Bennett when the dog lunged and bit his pant leg or shoe, the latest of several alleged bites from Bennett. The bite did not puncture skin.

“I’ve tried to avoid the dog 100% of this time, that’s how frightened I am of this animal,” Sojka said. “If I didn’t have those bags in my hand on Feb. 14, he would’ve ripped my face apart, I believe that. … This was a terrifying experience for me.”

Elise McMahon with Canine Head Start visited Bennett for a behavioral evaluation. According to McMahon, the “very vocal” dog seemed nervous and avoidant, and is a good candidate for behavioral modification. She recommended that Herchenreder install a gate at the door where other family members enter the house and a sign warning visitors. She also recommended introducing “counter-conditioning” to Bennett that would involve associating Sojka’s voice with a positive connotation through a treat, for example.

While Sojka agreed to record his voice for the “counter-conditioning,” he said he would not engage with Bennett in person and disagreed with McMahon’s assessment of the dog.

Since the first hearing for Bennett in February, Herchenreder has installed a deadbolt on the door, started using a clicker for counter-conditioning, began turning on fans and music to drown out outside noise that might trigger barking, started putting a muzzle on Bennett for the outdoors and began looking into anxiety medications.

“The plan has been going well. … I feel like people are moving in the right direction,” said Selectboard member Trevor McDaniel before the board voted to declare Bennett a nuisance.