Next Writers Read set for March 12

GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. will present its next installment of the monthly Writers Read series, featuring Joannah Whitney, Madeline Leue and Zachary Jacob, on Wednesday, March 12, at 7 p.m.

On the second Wednesday of each month, three writers read from their work, followed by a discussion facilitated by Lindy Whiton. There is a suggested donation of $1 to $5.

Whitney is the 2024 Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest winner. Her work has been published in “Silkworm,” the annual anthology of the Florence Poets Society, as well as the Center for New Americans’ annual “30 Poems in November.” She has been active in the Franklin County writing community since moving to the area in 2012.

Leue, an Ashfield resident, writes with a group of poets called Cloud Saddle. Her poetry explores themes of interconnectedness and transformation.

Jacob once gave a poetry reading to 75 people in his hometown, all of whom had never attended a poetry reading before.

Series of programs exploring death and dying

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Public Library is hosting a series of conversations exploring death and dying. The free programs are designed to spark meaningful conversations and provide valuable information about end-of-life matters.

The next event, a panel discussion, will be held Wednesday, March 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the library’s Community Meeting Room. A diverse group of experts will help attendees navigate the complex world of end-of-life decisions. From legal matters to green burial options, the panelists will cover a wide range of topics, followed by time for audience questions.

Then, on Wednesday, March 19, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., community members are invited to “Getting the Last Word In: An Obituary Writing Workshop,” also to be held in the Community Meeting Room. Trouble Mandeson and Lilian Autler will be on hand to help attendees get started in crafting an obituary, giving them a chance to say what they want others to know about them and how they wish to be remembered.

The obituary workshop is free to attend, but advance registration is requested at greenfieldpl.libcal.com/event/13757939. All are welcome to attend the panel discussion.

For more information, contact Pamela McBride at pamela.mcbride@greenfield-ma.gov or call 413-772-1544.

Greening Greenfield to screen ‘The Grab’

GREENFIELD — Greening Greenfield will screen “The Grab,” a film by “Blackfish” Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite, at The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. on Thursday, March 13, at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6.

“The Grab” shows viewers how governments, private investors and mercenaries sometimes work to seize food and water resources at the expense of entire populations. A discussion led by Russ Vernon-Jones will follow the film. Due to the length of the program, a light supper will be offered.

Seating is limited, so attendees are advised to come early. To view possible weather-related cancellations, visit GreeningGreenfieldMA.org.

March 14: Pi Day Trivia Night

GREENFIELD — A Pi Day Trivia Night with prizes and pies will be held Friday, March 14, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church’s Parish Hall at 16 Court Square.

Participants are asked to arrive by 6:50 p.m. and enter through the church’s side door. There will be no late entry.

The cost to sign up is $5 per person (cash only, upon arrival) and teams can consist of up to six people. No advance registration is necessary.

Light refreshments will be served.

Pop-up shop to feature pet bandanas

GREENFIELD — The Baystate Franklin Medical Center Gift Shop is sponsoring a pop-up shop featuring Daisy’s Designs Handmade Pet Bandanas on Friday, March 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the hospital’s main lobby.

Cash and credit cards will be accepted, and hospital employees can opt for payroll deductions. Proceeds from the sale benefit patient services.

March 14: Memory Cafe

GREENFIELD — Residents of all towns are welcome to the Memory Cafe, sponsored by The Arbors at Greenfield, on Friday, March 14, 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.

Author talk to discuss ‘The Unofficial Harry Potter Companion’ books

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Public Library will welcome local author Kat Miller for a talk on her books “The Unofficial Harry Potter Companion: An In-Depth Exploration,” volumes one and two, on Saturday, March 15, at 10 a.m.

As co-creator and owner of the “Alohomora!” podcast, Miller enjoys dissecting the Harry Potter series with readers from around the world. A limited number of books will be available for purchase at the event.

RISE Engineering rep to speak on induction stoves

GREENFIELD — The Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew at 8 Church St. will welcome Cole Payne from RISE Engineering for a talk on induction stoves on Sunday, March 16, at noon.

Mass Save helped bring in Payne to speak on induction stoves. Mass Save has a $500 rebate for people replacing an existing natural gas or propane stove with an induction stove.

The roughly hour-long program will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Attendees may bring a lunch or snack to the event.

Parking is available along Church Street and in the parking lot off Saint James Court. The event is being organized by the church’s Green Team, which is part of a broader movement advocating for environmental justice and ways to combat climate change.

Congressman McGovern holding town hall

GREENFIELD — Congressman Jim McGovern will hold a town hall event on Tuesday, March 18, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Greenfield Middle School. Doors will open at 6.

The program is being organized by Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution (FCCPR), a multi-issue community organization that emerged during Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaigns. McGovern will make some opening remarks, addressing the federal government’s impact on his constituents, including veterans and farmers. There will be time for audience questions.

“At a time when many Republicans in Congress are refusing to meet with their constituents, we are pleased that our congressman so quickly accepted our invitation to speak with us here in Franklin County,” Susan Triolo, a member of FCCPR’s Coordinating Committee, said in a statement. “We look forward to hearing his perspectives on the current crisis and what sorts of creative and powerful actions he and we can take to preserve Social Security, Medicare and all the governmental programs we depend on.”

McGovern, who has been in Congress since 1997, represents Massachusetts 2nd Congressional District, which includes 68 towns. Twenty-two of those communities are in Franklin County: Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Heath, Leverett, Leyden, Montague, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Shelburne, Shutesbury, Sunderland, Warwick, Wendell and Whately. He is the ranking member of the House Rules Committee and the senior member of the House Committee on Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight and Department Operations.

For more information, email info@fccpr.us.

Next ‘Connections’ meeting set for March 20

GREENFIELD — Social worker Matt Aversa will lead “Connections,” a group exploring ways to be proactive about making connections with others, at the Greenfield Senior Center on Thursday, March 20, 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.

Farley String Band to perform at Senior Center

GREENFIELD — Residents are invited to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a concert by the Farley String Band on Friday, March 21, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Greenfield Senior Center.

The performance will include a mix of reels, jigs and upbeat tunes. Wearing green is not required, but is highly encouraged.

Senior Center membership is not required, but advance registration is necessary. Call 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stop by the center’s front desk to sign up. There is a limit of three registrations by any one person and early sign-ups are recommended.

March 30: ‘Adapting to a Changing World’

GREENFIELD — As part of the Environmental Sunday Series offered by the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew’s Green Team, a panel discussion called “Adapting to a Changing World” will be held Sunday, March 30, at noon at the church.

The discussion will highlight some of the adaptations underway to address the impacts humans have had on the environment. The panel will include Chelsey Little, superintendent of the Montague Clean Water Facility; Glen Ayers, who is active with Massachusetts Elders Climate Action and the Massachusetts Health Officers Association; and Tom Sullivan of Pollinators Welcome.

Attendees are advised to enter through the main doors of the church on Federal Street. Parking is available on the street and in lot off Saint James Court. Attendees can bring lunch or a snack.

Kids’ reading challenge underway

GREENFIELD — A month-long reading challenge that is intended for middle schoolers, but is open to all kids, is now underway at the Greenfield Public Library and will continue through Monday, March 31.

Participants can pick up a punch card in the Children’s Room, then get the card punched for every visit to the library, every time they check out a book, and every time they come to a library program or event. Participants will get a prize after every five punches on their card, and with punches 10 and 15, they’ll get two entries into a raffle to win a Kindle Fire.

For more information, contact Ellen Lavoie at ellen.lavoie@greenfield-ma.gov or call 413-772-1544, ext. 5104.

One-on-one tech help or weekly Tech Club available

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Senior Center provides help with technology to residents of all towns who are ages 60 or older.

To set up a 30-minute, one-on-one session with a tech helper, call 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stop by the Senior Center’s front desk. The center also hosts a drop-in Tech Club on Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m.

Registration open for Artspace summer programs

GREENFIELD — Registration for Artspace Community Arts Center’s summer programs is now open. Offerings include week-long and single-day art workshops for children and teens between June and August.

To view the list of classes, visit tinyurl.com/ArtspaceSummer.

Puppet maker leading marionette-building class

GREENFIELD — Vermont-based painter and puppet maker Julia Zanes will teach a seven-week marionette-building class at Greenfield’s Looky Here, 28 Chapman St., starting in May.

The “British control” style of marionette is easier to make and control, and leaves much elbow room for personal vision while still making a marionette that can realistically imitate life.

All materials will be included in the $225 cost of this seven-week class, which will run on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. between May 7 and June 18. Visit tinyurl.com/MarionetteBuilding for details.