Author Esther Johnson leading Senior Center program

GREENFIELD — Author Esther Johnson will give a talk at the Greenfield Senior Center on Friday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m. to noon.

Johnson will discuss her mother Millie Lindman’s life prior to World War I in Finland, the heritage recipes found in her mother’s notebook, and stories and recipes from her Scandinavian roots. A graduate of Bay Path College now living in Erving, Johnson is active in the Scandinavian Lodges and Vasa Order of America.

Though Senior Center membership is not required, advance registration is needed. To sign up, call the Senior Center’s front desk at 413-772-1517, ext. 0.

Theater festival brings 25-hour playwriting challenge

GREENFIELD — In 25 hours, a group of playwrights and actors will write and rehearse an evening of new plays, bringing them to life as part of The LAVA Center’s 25-Hour Theater Festival.

On Saturday, Nov. 2, local playwright Christine Benvenuto will give the writers — including Henry Balzarini, Nina Gross, Silvia Kaplan, Steve Poulin, Jan Maher and Brian Rust — a prompt to write to and they will each pick from a hat the names of a few local actors to write for. Each writer will create a play that is approximately 10 minutes long. The next morning and afternoon, they will rehearse with their actors.

The resulting performances will be open to the public on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at The LAVA Center, 324 Main St. Admission will be at the door only and a donation is suggested. The show at 6 p.m. will require masking; the show at 8 p.m. will not.

Documentary screening, Q&A to highlight Question 4

GREENFIELD — In support of the “Yes on 4” campaign that would allow people 21 and older to grow, possess and use certain natural psychedelic substances if approved during the Nov. 5 election, local advocacy groups will host an informal reception at the Garden Cinemas on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 4:30 p.m., followed by a screening of the feature-length documentary “Music for Mushrooms.”

If supported by voters, the ballot question would introduce not only decriminalization of psychedelics, but lay a regulatory foundation for monitored “trips” to be carried out by licensed professionals. A “yes” vote on Question 4 would introduce regulation of certain substances and establish a host of other rules governing its future legal use; a “no” vote would keep current regulations in place.

Representatives from partner organizations include Parents for Plant Medicine, Open Circle Alliance, the Veteran Alliance for Psychedelic Access, Heroic Hearts Project, Students for Sensible Drug Policy and the Western Massachusetts Psychedelic Society.

The documentary seeks to raise awareness about the healing potential of alternative therapies, including psychedelics, by sharing personal stories of those who have changed their lives through these methods. Following screenings in New York, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle and Boston, the western Massachusetts premiere will include a question-and-answer session moderated by local filmmaker and Executive Producer Christopher Seward and a panel of guests.

Fluvial geomorphologist to lead Greening Greenfield trip

GREENFIELD — Greening Greenfield has invited Nicolas Miller of Field Geology Services to lead a trip on Monday, Nov. 4, from 1 to 4 p.m. where attendees can learn about rivers and what can be done to reduce Green River flooding while improving river access and native habitat at Millers Meadow, the former Wedgewood Gardens mobile home park.

Miller is a fluvial geomorphologist. Fluvial geomorphologists study how rivers flow and change over time, and how human-built dams, channels and retaining walls, combined with increased storms due to climate change, are causing flooding.

Attendees will visit the South River in Conway, where Miller designed a flood mitigation project that bears similarities to what could be done at Millers Meadow in Greenfield.

“Millers Meadow has great potential,” Miller said in a statement. “Like in Conway, we can reduce flooding hazards and build climate resilience while improving recreation, river access, native habitat for pollinators and water quality for aquatic species.”

From Conway, the tour will return to Greenfield to the Museum of Our Industrial Heritage to look at the history of mills, waterpower and flooding on the Green River. The tour will then continue to Millers Meadow.

For more information, visit greeninggreenfieldma.org/upcoming-events/learn-how-you-can-help-restore-former-trailer-park-on-the-green-river. To sign up and receive directions for carpooling, email Edie Heinemann at ediesh82346@gmail.com or call 413-774-5667.

Brown bag program returns Nov. 7

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, Nov. 7, from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

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

Nov. 8: Memory Cafe

GREENFIELD — Residents of all towns are welcome to the Memory Cafe, sponsored by The Arbors at Greenfield, on Friday, Nov. 8, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the 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.

Nov. 15: Death Cafe

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Senior Center will host a Death Cafe on Friday, Nov. 15, at 1 to 2:30 p.m.

The objective of a Death Cafe is to increase awareness of death, with a goal of helping people make the most of their lives. A Death Cafe is a group-directed discussion on death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session.

Though Senior Center membership is not required, advance registration is needed. To sign up, call the Senior Center’s front desk at 413-772-1517, ext. 0.