Exhibit highlighting Eastern European immigrants comes to LAVA Center

GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. will host “New Roots in River Banks: Polish and Other Eastern Immigrant Stories,” an exhibit exploring these histories by the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association. An opening reception will be held Friday, March 7, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

“New Roots” explores the history of the Polish and Eastern European farmers of Franklin County, their arrival in the United States in the late 19th century, and their process of settling and thriving in the Connecticut River Valley.

A work of family genealogy, “New Roots” draws on historical and personal family documents, photographs and other aspects of material culture to present the experience of three Eastern European immigrant families. The Skibkicki/Skibiski family farmed in Sunderland, the Sojka family settled in Turners Falls, and the Grzesik family settled in Holyoke and worked the factories there. This exhibit chronicles their journey from Poland and Ukraine to America and their lives in the U.S.

“New Roots” was the result of a Mass Humanities Expand Massachusetts Stories grant. The exhibit was most recently on display at Holyoke Heritage State Park and will be at The LAVA Center through May.

For more information, visit thelavacenter.org/humanities/new-roots-in-river-banks-polish-immigrant-stories.

Opening reception planned for ‘New England Dreamscapes’ exhibit

GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. will host an opening reception for its latest art exhibit, “New England Dreamscapes: New Paintings on Slate” by Sarah Adam, on Saturday, March 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The exhibit will be on display throughout March and April, and a closing reception is planned for Friday, April 25, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Adam, in an artist’s statement, said, “I am an interpreter of stories found in slate stone, unearthed from the forest floors of central New England. ... My early paintings were kept minimal, not wanting to interrupt the natural beauty of the slate itself. As I allowed my palette to bloom, I embraced the unique shapes in each shard, excited to discover the hidden landscape in each piece.”

For more information, visit thelavacenter.org/exhibits/sarah-adam.

Monday talk to explore bird nutrition

GREENFIELD — The third talk in Greening Greenfield’s 2025 series, “Supporting Birds in Our Community,” will be held Monday, March 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church on Court Square. Admission is free.

Susan Smith Pagano will present “Berries for Birds: A Nutritional Perspective.” Pagano is an associate professor of biology at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Her research focuses on the role of native plants and nutrition for migrating songbirds at stopover sites in the Northeast.

“I heard Dr. Pagano speak at a ‘Landscaping with Natives’ conference,” Greening Greenfield member Mary Westervelt said in a statement. “I was intrigued to learn that, though birds eat the berries of most of the shrubs in my yard, not all shrubs produce berries that provide the appropriate nutrition for birds. This inspired me to plant more of the native species that really support the birds I love.”

Pagano’s talk will explain the often negative consequences non-native invasive shrubs have for birds. In fact, she concludes, “impactful habitat management for migratory songbirds should incorporate a variety of native plants that produce calorific, high-fat and antioxidant-rich berries. These high-quality foods promote the rapid fat deposition necessary to allow birds to fill up their fuel tanks before continuing on their fall migrations.”

Links to the two previous talks in this series can be found by looking under “Past Events” at greeninggreenfieldma.org/upcoming-events.

Senior Center talk explores Lake Pleasant history

GREENFIELD — A talk at the Greenfield Senior Center on Tuesday, March 11, from 2 to 3 p.m. will explore the history of Lake Pleasant and its spiritualist community.

David James, co-author of “Spirit and Spa” with the late Louise Shattuck, a third-generation spiritualist, and the Rev. Sheryl Sadler-Twyon of Montague Center, whose great-grandparents were spiritualists, will read excerpts from the book, then answer questions.

Bach’s Lunch concert series to feature pianist John Newell

GREENFIELD — The next concert in the Bach’s Lunch concert series will take place Wednesday, March 12, at 12:15 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew, at the corner of Federal and Church streets in Greenfield. Pianist and composer John Newell will perform music by J.S. Bach, Frédéric Chopin and one of his own compositions, “Variations on Amazing Grace.”

The concert is free. Audience members are invited to bring their own lunch to eat during the concert. Cookies and a beverage will be provided.

Newell, a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, has composed a broad range of works for orchestra, chorus, solo instruments and chamber groups. Organizations that have commissioned works include Eight Strings & a Whistle, Bowery Ensemble and Atlantic Sinfonietta (New York), Monday Evening Concerts (Los Angeles), the Enid Symphony Orchestra (Oklahoma), Resinosa Ensemble, Passamaquoddy Bay Symphony Orchestra and Songs From Here (Maine). His work has received support from the American Music Center, the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Meet the Composer. Newell also self-publishes his works through Abierto Music. More information about his work is available at johnnewellmusic.com.

Newell was the founding director of Quoddy Voices, a community choral ensemble in Eastport, Maine. He currently maintains a private teaching studio and is on the faculty of the SummerKeys adult music program in Lubec, Maine. He and his wife Linda divide their time between Maine and western Massachusetts.

‘Pints for Programs’ series heads to Four Phantoms

GREENFIELD — The Friends of the Greenfield Public Library will host the next “Pints for Programs” fundraiser at Four Phantoms Brewing Co. on Thursday, March 13, from 4 to 8:30 p.m.

In addition to craft beers, hard cider, wine, mead and non-alcoholic drinks, there will be a Cajun food pop-up from Bon Couillon, serving gumbo, jambalaya and more.

Trivia will begin at 6:30 p.m. with proceeds from sign-up fees going directly to the Friends to fund the diverse programs the library offers.

Pints for Programs is a fundraising series at local breweries where a portion of the profits from the night go directly to the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library. For more information, email info@friendsofgpl.org.