Greenfield Notebook: April 30, 2025

Pianist Bruce Griffin will perform an all-Beethoven program at the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew in Greenfield on Wednesday, May 7.

Pianist Bruce Griffin will perform an all-Beethoven program at the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew in Greenfield on Wednesday, May 7. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

As part of this year’s Mass Kids Lit Fest, The LAVA Center in Greenfield will host a teen writing workshop with young adult author Kip Wilson on Saturday, May 10, at noon.

As part of this year’s Mass Kids Lit Fest, The LAVA Center in Greenfield will host a teen writing workshop with young adult author Kip Wilson on Saturday, May 10, at noon. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Published: 04-29-2025 2:47 PM

April 30: Health Occupations Job Fair

GREENFIELD — The MassHire Franklin Hampshire Workforce Board will offer a Health Occupations Job Fair on Wednesday, April 30, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Greenfield Community College Dining Commons.

Employers in attendance include Quabbin Valley Healthcare, Valley Medical Group, LifePath, Behavioral Health Network, Athol Hospital, RegalCare at Greenfield and more.

Visit masshirefhcareers.org for more information.

Brown bag program returns May 1

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, May 1, from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Call 413-247-9738 or visit foodbankwma.org for more information and applications.

Five-week chair Pilates class starts May 2

GREENFIELD — A five-week chair Pilates program will be offered at the Greenfield Senior Center on Fridays from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. on May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30.

Chair Pilates helps foster better posture and mobility, and is especially helpful for those struggling with osteoporosis. There are a variety of exercises that can be done seated in the chair to tone your whole body, including your core. This is a slow-paced and gentle exercise class.

Advance registration with a $25 payment and Senior Center membership (free) are required by May 1 to participate in this class.

Eventide Singers to perform at Senior Center

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GREENFIELD — The Eventide Singers will perform at the Greenfield Senior Center on Friday, May 2, from 1 to 1:45 p.m.

The Eventide Singers offer songs of hope and comfort for the ill, homebound, dying, their families and others who may benefit from music. Easing the end-of-life journey is the group’s essential mission. Hymns, spirituals, chants, rounds and contemporary standards are all included in the Eventide Singers’ songbook. Though many of the songs are solemn in nature, there is also no shortage of up tempo, inspirational material. All songs are sung a cappella.

The program is free. Senior Center membership is not required, but advance registration is suggested to ensure there is enough seating. To sign up, call 413-772-1517, ext 0 or stop by the center’s front desk.

Women’s Fund holding Franklin County listening session

GREENFIELD — As part of its listening tour in Franklin County, the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts invites residents to join a community conversation at the Greenfield Public Library on Monday, May 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. that will inform the organization’s strategy for the next few years, including the Women’s Fund’s grant priorities and local programs.

Light refreshments will be provided. Space is limited, so guests are asked to register at mywomensfund.org/event/listening-franklin-25. Use the password “franklin” to enter the event webpage.

With questions, email info@mywomensfund.org. For information about the Women’s Fund is available at mywomensfund.org.

Learn to knit in two-part workshop

GREENFIELD — Irene Woods will lead a free two-session knitting workshop on Monday, May 5, and Wednesday, May 7, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Participants will learn to cast on, purl, knit and cast off — and complete a pair of fingerless gloves to take home. Materials will be available, though people with knitting needles and yarn are advised to bring them.

Advance registration is required by calling 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or by stopping by the Senior Center’s front desk.

Qigong series starts May 13

GREENFIELD — Lynne Smith will lead a series of qigong classes on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. between May 13 and June 24 at the Greenfield Senior Center.

Qigong is an ancient practice that offers benefits for the body, mind and spirit. It is a simple movement practice that is gentle and easy to follow. All exercises are done standing. No experience is necessary.

The class will be held in the fitness studio, so participants will be asked to carry in clean shoes.

Registration with a $65 payment (cash or check only) is required by May 6. Stop by the Senior Center’s front desk to register.

Pianist Bruce Griffin is featured performer at Bach’s Lunch concert

GREENFIELD — The next Bach’s Lunch concert at the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew, at the corner of Federal and Church streets, will be held Wednesday, May 7, at 12:15 p.m.

Pianist Bruce Griffin will perform an all-Beethoven program consisting of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 5 in C Minor (Opus 10, No. 1), Andante Favori in F Major, and Beethoven’s final Piano Sonata in C Minor (Opus 111). The free concert represents Beethoven’s three creative periods, tracing his evolution as a composer. Audience members can bring their own lunch to eat during the concert.

Griffin, a Vermont native, received his formal musical training at the Peabody Conservatory of Music studying with Walter Hautzig and Leon Fleisher. In 1985, Griffin gave his New York debut at Carnegie Recital Hall. He has appeared in solo recitals and chamber music programs throughout the country, and has been a soloist with the Vermont and Tacoma symphony orchestras. Griffin is a member of the Leschetizky Association in New York and has been a member of the Brattleboro Music Center piano faculty since 1990.

“In assembling this program, I recognized how deeply Beethoven’s influence has shaped my own musical journey,” Griffin said in a statement. “At 12, I was introduced to the Adamant Music School in Adamant, Vermont, founded by Dr. Edwine Behre, a student of Theodor Leschetizky — who in turn studied with Beethoven’s own pupil, Carl Czerny. Later, at the Peabody Conservatory, my teachers Walter Hautzig and Leon Fleisher were both students of Artur Schnabel, who was also a student of Leschetizky. Through these connections, Beethoven’s music has remained a guiding force in my life, making this program especially meaningful to me.”

May 9: Memory Cafe

GREENFIELD — Residents of all towns are welcome to the Memory Cafe, sponsored by The Arbors at Greenfield, on Friday, May 9, 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.

LAVA Center hosting teen writing workshop

GREENFIELD — As part of this year’s Mass Kids Lit Fest, The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. will host a teen writing workshop with young adult author Kip Wilson on Saturday, May 10, at noon.

In this hands-on workshop, teens will learn what a short story is, find out how to get started and do some hands-on writing. Participants should bring something to write with (notebook and pencil or device), as well as any ideas or stories in progress.

Wilson is the author of the historical YA novels-in-verse “White Rose” (Versify, 2019), “The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin” (Versify, 2022) and “One Last Shot” (Versify, 2023). Awards for her books include the Malka Penn Award and the Julia Ward Howe Award, and her books have been named a Massachusetts Book Awards Honors title, an Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award finalist and a Los Angeles Times Book Award finalist. She is also the editor of and a contributor to “All the Love Under the Vast Sky” (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2025), a YA anthology of stories in verse.

Registration is required at KipWilsonWorkshop.

This Mass Kids Lit Fest event is presented in partnership with the Massachusetts Center for the Book. For a full schedule of events, visit makidslitfest.org.

Senior Center group explores making connections

GREENFIELD — Social worker Irene Woods will lead “Connections,” a group exploring ways to be proactive about making connections with others, at the Greenfield Senior Center on Tuesday, May 13, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Advance registration and Senior Center membership (free) are required. Space is limited to 11. Call 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stop by the center’s front desk to sign up. Seniors from all towns are welcome.

10-week farm share program available for seniors

GREENFIELD — Prospect Meadow Farm will bring fresh summer produce to the Greenfield Senior Center for 10 weeks starting July 17, with each farm share costing $10 for the 10 weeks.

Prospect Meadow Farm is a therapeutic vocational farming program that provides employment and activities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Senior farm share applications are available at the Greenfield Senior Center and will accepted until the program is full. Eligible applicants, ages 60 and older, must have an income of less than $29,160 for a single individual or less than $39,440 for a household. One share is allowed per household.

With questions, call Kathy Dunn at 413-772-1517, ext. 3.

Drop-in sewing sessions held twice monthly

GREENFIELD — Residents can stop by the Greenfield Senior Center with new or unfinished sewing projects on the second and fourth Mondays of each month from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Participants are advised to bring their own materials. Two sewing machines will be available. There is no need to register for these free, drop-in sessions.

Help with Social Security web portal available

GREENFIELD — Residents who need help setting up an online Social Security portal can make an appointment with the Greenfield Senior Center’s volunteer, Avery Cassell.

This service is not intended for general Social Security advice or claims assistance; it’s limited to helping with an online account.

Call the Senior Center’s front desk at 413-772-1517, ext. 0 to make an appointment. Residents are advised to bring their phone, laptop or other email-capable device if they have one, and any necessary passwords.

Audio program centers on Wally and Juanita Nelson

GREENFIELD — Join Michael and Carrie Kline for a one-hour audio program on the lives of Wally and Juanita Nelson — civil rights activists, peace activists, war tax resisters and subsistence farmers — at the Greenfield Senior Center on Friday, May 30, from 1 to 3 p.m.

In western Massachusetts, the Nelsons were founding members of the Greenfield Farmers’ Market, the annual Harvest Supper and Valley Community Land Trust.

As folklorists, gatherers of oral testimonials and audio producers, the Klines, along with Production Assistant Nicholas Boyer, produced an audio program that includes music.

Senior Center membership is not required, but advance registration is necessary by calling 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stopping by the center’s front desk.