Wendell Meetinghouse seeks actors for production of ‘Swamped’

WENDELL — The Wendell Meetinghouse needs two actors who can play a man and a woman, mid-20s to 50, in a production of “Swamped,” a full-length play written and directed by Court Dorsey.

A stipend is available if you are cast. Rehearsals will take place at the Wendell Meetinghouse and proceed on a slow track until the production in June. Email courtcdorsey@gmail.com for more information or to arrange an audition.

Union 28 CNC, New Salem Academy to offer literacy workshop

NEW SALEM — The Union 28 Community Network for Children program, with support from New Salem Academy, is offering a free early literacy workshop for families.

Families will enjoy a playful, interactive storytime led by Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art educators and discover strategies for selecting and sharing books. In addition to hands-on training, caregivers will receive free picture books and materials for supporting early literacy at home.

There are two options to participate: at the New Salem Library on Tuesday, March 18, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., or virtually via Zoom on April 1, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Register with the Community Network for Children at tinyurl.com/4hfvtrda.

With questions, contact Gillian Budine at cnccoord@erving.com.

Reading Aloud for Grownups set for March 20

NEW SALEM — The New Salem Library’s Reading Aloud for Grownups season finale is set for March 20, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Mira Bartok and Jo Boskind will be the readers. Each will read a short story of their choosing with a brief intermission in between.

The event will be held at the library but people can also join via Zoom at https://tinyurl.com/RAGU2025. In the event of bad weather, the finale will be on Zoom only. After registering, you will receive an email with a Zoom link.

There is no charge, but the Friends of the New Salem Public Library will accept donations. Email the Friends at nsfriendsoflibrary@gmail.com with questions.

Walk in woods planned in Wendell

WENDELL — A walk in the woods has been scheduled to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring by getting better acquainted with nature and wildlife.

Participants will explore some of the ways organisms deal with winter conditions and prepare to burst forth in the spring. They will gather at the Wendell State Forest headquarters on Montague Road in Wendell at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 22 (rain date: March 29) for a walk led by local naturalists Adam Kohl and Bill Stubblefield. Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather.

The walk is free, but donations are welcome to support the activities of sponsors No Assault & Batteries and the Wendell State Forest Alliance.

With questions, contact Stubblefield at 978-480-0708 or bill@stubblefield.org.

Orange developing Long Range Plan

ORANGE — The town is developing a new Long Range Plan to guide planning activity and is seeking the public’s input during a community engagement session on Monday, March 24, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Ralph C. Mahar Regional School.

The format will be a series of roundtables where attendees can share comments and ask questions about the various topics covered in the plan. Food and child care will be provided, and the Orange Council on Aging will provide transportation to those who need a ride to and from the event.

There is also an information hub (tinyurl.com/OrangeLongRangePlan) where residents can offer their feedback and thoughts, and surveys have been distributed with residents’ water bills.

Formerly the Master Plan, last produced in 2005, the Long Range Plan will demonstrate public support for specific priorities. The plan is a key element in obtaining grants and other funding.

Seeds of Solidarity announces season

ORANGE — The Seeds of Solidarity Farm and Education Center has announced its 2025 season of events, with at least 16 free and sliding-scale workshops.

The season kicks off with a free mini-workshop, “Grow Great Gardens,” on April 26. All are welcome and no advance registration is needed for this 10:30 a.m. event. Participants are welcome to enjoy a self-guided tour of Seeds of Solidarity’s no-till, climate-resilient gardens, fields, greenhouses and energy-efficient buildings after the presentation, as well as the bounty from its farmstand, which opens mid-April and features its renowned salad greens.

Advance registration is required for the other sliding-scale spring workshops. They include a deep dive into techniques for no-till, low-maintenance gardens and farms from 1 to 4 p.m. on April 27 and a restorative Reconnect Retreat on May 4. For the April 27 workshop, a partnership with Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust and the American Farmland Trust Soil Health Stewards Program makes several spots available for farmers of color and new farmers, or those running community or school gardens. They are free.

The summer schedule features a new workshop, Create Your Own-Garden Altar, on June 21; an interdependence potluck and conversation in July; a weekend building immersion Aug. 16 and 17; and a full-day no-till gardening and farming workshop on Oct. 26.

In addition, the organization’s Women Healing Women Healing Earth initiative consists of unique workshops that are free or by donation to support access for women of all income levels. This year, a range of presenters will speak on topics such as meditative painting in nature, visible mending, local to global cooking, water dowsing and fables for a new world. Space in each is limited and advance registration is required. Priority is given to women who live in Franklin County and the North Quabbin region, with those from nearby communities encouraged to reach out.

For details on these and other events and registration information, visit seedsofsolidarity.org.