Greenfield High School inducts National Honor Society members
GREENFIELD — Greenfield High School inducted 17 students into its chapter of the National Honor Society on Oct. 21 in recognition of their academic achievement and their commitment to the community.
The National Honor Society was created in 1921 to recognize students based on the four pillars of scholarship, service, leadership and character.
“Being inducted into the National Honor Society is an honor, and I am proud of our students who have worked hard to earn this recognition, and of the families who have supported them along the way,” said Superintendent Carol Kruser. “I look forward to getting to know each of them, learning more about their personal goals and what motivates them, and how they will continue to put the NHS values of scholarship, leadership, service and character into action.”
National Honor Society members mentor younger students, participate in community service projects and work with community partners, including the nonprofit Adopt-A-Family, where members collect holiday donations to support residents in need.
“Our NHS inductees are not only growing in their character, but also growing the beautiful school culture we have here at GHS,” said Greenfield High School Principal Michael Browning. “Recently our NHS members met with the ninth grade class to both share what NHS is, and to encourage them to get involved in our school community as leaders.”
City reminds residents of leaf disposal options
GREENFIELD — The city is reminding residents that there are several options for leaf disposal this fall.
First, leaves can be brought to the Greenfield Transfer Station compost pile without charge. Leaves must be either loose or in compostable paper bags. If brought in plastic bags, the leaves must be emptied from the bags and the bags taken. Transfer Station hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Alternatively, for a $10 prepaid fee, residents can have up to 20 compostable 30-gallon paper bags of leaves and grass clippings collected from their home. Residents can schedule a pickup by calling 413-772-1528 or emailing DPW@greenfield-ma.gov.
Payments for curbside pickup must be submitted to the Department of Public Works office by 4 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the scheduled collection date. Collection dates are Thursday, Nov. 5, Thursday, Nov. 12, and Thursday, Nov. 19.
Lastly, residents can allow the leaves to remain in place, as they provide winter habitat for pollinators and wildlife, and enrich the soil as they decompose. Leaves can also be composted at home and can produce enriching compost for gardening.
Coryat, Woodard featured speakers at Nov. 4 event
GREENFIELD — All ages are invited Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 5 p.m. at the Greenfield Public Library for an event featuring keynote speakers Corinne Coryat and Nate Woodard, and a celebration of the HerStory poets.
Coryat, former legislative aide and former staff director with state Rep. Natalie Blais’ office, is known for support for youth leadership. Woodard, a Greenfield Community College student, was recently appointed as a student advisor to the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education to represent community college students statewide.
The event is also a time to celebrate the poetry anthology published by Deerfield Academy’s HerStory Club. Deerfield Academy senior Peggy Huang will perform on cello.
The event will include a choice of workshops with each of the speakers. Woodard, who chairs the Greenfield Human Rights Commission, will offer a workshop that will address the election, as well as unlearning racism. The HerStory Club’s workshop will be on women’s advocacy.
The free event is sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Franklin County and the Traprock Center for Peace and Justice.
Franklin County Energy Fair returning for third year
GREENFIELD — The third annual Franklin County Energy Fair is slated for Thursday, Nov. 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the John Zon Community Center.
At 5:30 p.m., attendees can enjoy free pizza while exploring Eversource’s outside hands-on mobile exhibit with heat pumps, electric vehicle chargers, insulation and weatherization information, as well as an induction stove.
At 6 p.m., there will be an overview of a handout explaining the details of income levels and incentives for upgrading a home. Mass Save has three different programs that are customized for three income levels. Attendees will then be invited to meet with Mass Save home performance contractors and representatives of Community Action Pioneer Valley, who can help with charting out next steps.
“Reducing your energy use by weatherizing your home is still the cheapest way to reduce your heating costs as well as carbon emissions from your home,” Franklin Regional Council of Governments’ Energy and Environment Program Manager Allison Gage said in a statement. “If you have already weatherized your home, come explore the latest electric heat pumps with Mass Save vendors.”
Additionally, attendees can also chat with a heat pump installer or learn about how Green Energy Consumers Alliance’s Drive Green website can help compare electric vehicle options.
“With gas and oil prices at an all-time high, now is a great time to also explore making your next vehicle electric, as well as getting your home off of oil,” added Nancy Hazard of Greening Greenfield.
The Franklin County Energy Fair is organized by Greening Greenfield and FRCOG, and co-sponsored by the Sustainable Greenfield Implementation Committee. Register in advance for free pizza at bit.ly/26energyfair or call 413-774-5667.
Nov. 8: Plant trees, clip invasives at Just Roots farm
GREENFIELD — Greening Greenfield and Just Roots are inviting the community to join in planting trees and clipping invasives on Sunday, Nov. 8, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Just Roots community farm at 50 Glenbrook Drive. This will complete a tree-planting effort that began last spring.
“Just Roots is thrilled to host another afternoon of planting trees, cutting back invasives and increasing the diversity of habitat across the farm,” Meryl LaTronica, Just Roots co-executive director, said in a statement. “We welcome people to come lend a hand.”
“Fall is such a beautiful time to visit Just Roots,” Nancy Hazard of Greening Greenfield said in a statement. “In addition to planting 10 trees to enhance production by attracting pollinators and birds, we will improve the farm by clipping invasive autumn olive shrubs and bittersweet on the south fence. We are making great progress.”
The group will gather at the Just Roots parking area at 1:30 p.m. After introductions, attendees will walk to the fence along the southern edge of the property, where work was done last June.
Tools will be provided. Participants are asked to wear gloves, and are encouraged to bring shovels and clippers.
Register by visiting GreeningGreenfieldMA.org or by calling 413-774-5667.
Just Roots and Greening Greenfield have been collaborating for several years to increase native habitat on the farm. The trees were supplied by National Grid in partnership with the Connecticut River Conservancy.
Program to cover fire, fall prevention
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Senior Center will host a “Steps to Safety” program on Monday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m.
Steps to Safety is centered around 16 key safety messages — eight fire prevention and eight fall prevention — developed by experts from national and local safety organizations across the United States and Canada. The program is designed to be implemented by a coalition or community partnership made up of the local fire department, health and social service agencies, service clubs, social and religious organizations, retirement communities, and others to deliver messages related to fire prevention and fall prevention, and connect residents with resources.
Advance registration is required. To sign up, stop by the Senior Center’s front desk or call 413- 772- 1517, ext. 0. Senior Center membership is not required.
Nov. 13: Memory Café
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Senior Center will host a Memory Café, a social gathering for caregivers of people with memory loss, dementia or cognitive changes, on Friday, Nov. 13, at noon. The gathering connects others facing similar challenges, and provides a welcoming environment to enjoy lunch and shared activities.
Advance registration is required by calling 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stopping by the Senior Center’s front desk.