Bank sponsoring Habitat for Humanity build

NORTHAMPTON — Greenfield Cooperative Bank has announced a $10,000 sponsorship of Habitat for Humanity’s Victoria Bismark Farm project. This initiative will see the construction of three single-family homes on Burts Pit Road in Northampton that will be built by hundreds of volunteers alongside three future homebuyers.

“At Greenfield Cooperative Bank, we believe in the power of homeownership to build strong communities,” Tony Worden, the bank’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “The Victoria Bismark Farm project embodies this principle perfectly, offering families a chance to achieve stability, prosperity and a sense of belonging within the Northampton community.”

Executive Vice President of Residential Lending Jane Wolfe added, “We are honored to contribute to this impactful project and look forward to witnessing the positive transformation it will bring to these families and the neighborhood.”

The Victoria Bismark Farm project aligns with Greenfield Cooperative Bank’s values of community engagement and financial empowerment. By sponsoring this project, the bank hopes to make a difference in the lives of local families while building a brighter future for western Massachusetts.

“The housing crisis is real and happening now. Habitat’s response can only succeed with the help of strong community partners,” Megan McDonough, executive director of Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity, said in a statement. “We are grateful to Greenfield and Northampton Cooperative Bank for joining us in creating three opportunities for affordable homeownership for local families with low incomes who are ready to make their dreams of owning a home a reality.”

Garden Cinemas screening ‘Flesh and the Devil’ as next silent film

GREENFIELD — The classic silent film “Flesh and the Devil” (1926) will be screened at the Garden Cinemas on Monday, Feb. 5, at 6:30 p.m.

The screening will feature live accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis, a New Hampshire-based composer who specializes in creating music for silent films. Admission is $10.50 for adults and $8.50 for children, seniors and students.

Set in Germany, “Flesh and the Devil” tells the story of a love triangle between two boyhood friends (John Gilbert and Lars Hansen) and the amoral seductress (Greta Garbo) who comes between them. The two men are eventually forced into a violent struggle over the woman, who marries one but carries on an affair with the other.

“Flesh and the Devil” is the latest installment of a monthly series of silent film screenings at the Garden Cinemas. The series aims to recreate the lost magic of early cinema by bringing crucial elements needed for silent film to work: classic films in best available prints, projection on the big screen, live musical accompaniment and a live audience.

“These films are still moving and intense experiences if you can show them as they were designed to be screened,” Rapsis said in a statement. “There’s a reason people first fell in love with the movies. At their best, they were communal experiences in which the presence of a large audience intensifies everyone’s reactions.”

Upcoming titles in the Garden Cinemas’ silent film series include:

■Monday, March 4, at 6:30 p.m. — “The Passion of Joan of Arc” (1928).

■Monday, April 1, at 6:30 p.m. — “Safety Last” (1923).

Movie theater hosting ‘Wizard of Oz’ cosplay contest

GREENFIELD — The Garden Cinemas has partnered with Fathom Events for a three-day celebration of the 85th anniversary of the “Wizard of Oz” (1939). The film will be screened on Sunday, Jan. 28, at 1 p.m. as well as Monday, Jan. 29 and Wednesday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m.

“We are so pleased to be working with Fathom to bring back these amazing pieces of film history,” Garden Cinemas co-owner Isaac Mass said in a statement.

To kick off the Fathom series, the Garden has organized a cosplay contest on Sunday, Jan. 28, from noon to 1 p.m. immediately before the film. Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jessye Deane, who judged the Barbie cosplay contest last summer, will reprise her role leading a team of judges.

Winners will be eligible for prizes donated by event sponsors. Chief sponsor Cleary Jewelers of Greenfield has donated a sterling silver “Emerald City” tennis bracelet featuring emeralds and white topaz, a $389 retail value, and a sterling silver ruby pendant with diamond accent on a 18-inch sterling silver chain with a $115 value. Other prizes include an oil change donated by Goly’s Garage and Byrne Towing, a gift certificate for Doggie Dips N Clips and a gift certificate to Clarkdale Fruit Farms.

Other Fathom classic events playing at the Garden Cinemas include the 60th anniversary of “My Fair Lady” on Feb. 4 and 5, the 2024 re-release of “Labyrinth” on March 6 and 10, and the 85th anniversary of “Gone With the Wind” on April 7, 8 and 10.