Turners Falls High School students attend Reality Fair

TURNERS FALLS — UMassFive College Federal Credit Union and the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Workforce Board recently partnered to hold a Reality Fair for the Turners Falls High School junior class.

A Reality Fair is an immersive budgeting exercise for high school students, allowing them to envision their life at age 25. During the event, students chose a career they are interested in and were assigned a salary connected with that field, including their “take-home” pay after taxes. Using that figure, students visited booths where they were asked to make life choices on expenses such as housing, insurance, transportation, food, retirement and more.

Each student managed a budget within simulated checking and savings accounts, as well as credit cards. Once students worked through their budgets, they met one-on-one with a financial coach from UMassFive to discuss their experience and gain additional financial education and insights.

This event, held at MassHire’s Greenfield office, was supported by more than 20 volunteers from partner organizations, including Greenfield Community College, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, the Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority, and Davis Financial Group.

School Committee seat open

MONTAGUE — There is an open seat for a Montague resident on the Gill-Montague Regional School District School Committee.

Interested Montague residents should email Executive Assistant Tara McCarthy at tara.mccarthy@gmrsd.org or send a letter to Tara McCarthy, 35 Crocker Ave., Turners Falls, MA 01376, by Monday, Nov. 11, so the School Committee can consider potential candidates at the meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

NMH hosting dance performances

GILL — Northfield Mount Hermon School’s dance program will present a series of performances, called “Power & Powerlessness,” from Nov. 14 through Nov. 16 in the Chiles Theater at the school’s Rhodes Arts Center.

The performances will take place on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 16, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.

NMH student dancers will explore the dynamics of power and powerlessness through the art of dance. The music consists of original pieces in a range of styles, including contemporary ballet, hip-hop, jazz, K-pop, modern, musical theater and Navajo/hip-hop fusion. All the pieces were choreographed by faculty members and students with guest artist Caroline Burden.

Gretel Schatz, director of NMH’s dance program, said in a statement, “Each piece in the concert serves as a narrative, delving into the contrasting forces that shape our experiences — whether it’s the empowering rise of the individual or the quiet struggles of feeling overshadowed.”

For tickets, visit nmhschool.org/academics/arts/tickets.

Tech support available in Erving

ERVING — Student volunteers from Franklin County Technical School will be at the Erving Senior & Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 14, from noon to 2 p.m. to provide one-on-one tech support on any electronic device.

Booking an appointment is required ahead of time by calling 413-423-3649.

Nov. 14: Health plan seminar

ERVING — A representative from the Massachusetts Blue Cross Blue Shield will be at the Erving Senior & Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 1 p.m. to answer questions from Blue Cross Blue Shield members and those looking to change their Medicare health plans.

The representative will discuss Medicare plans for 2025, and the differences in Medicare Advantage plans or Medicare Supplement plans.

Call 413-423-3649 to sign up. Pizza will be served starting at 12:30 p.m.

Christmas fair planned at church

MONTAGUE — The First Congregational Church of Montague at 4 North St. will host a Christmas fair on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Crafts, baked goods, a straw pull table, a tin can drawing, a Lottery ticket wreath and food basket drawings of Christmas items will be available. Santa will make an appearance from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Coffee and baked goods will be available in the morning, followed by a corn chowder and sandwich lunch.

For more information, call 413-367-2812.

Cannabis specialist to speak in Erving

ERVING — A cannabis specialist will be at the Erving Senior & Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m. to provide information on cannabis and its medicinal properties.

After the talk, there will be a question-and-answer session. Refreshments will be served. Registration is not required ahead of time.