Book talk to discuss Greenfield women and their historic businesses

GREENFIELD — Local authors Sara Campbell and Shari Strahan will talk about their recently published historical book, “Did Grandma Have a Filling Station? Greenfield Women and Their Historic Businesses,” at the Greenfield Senior Center on Friday, Feb. 2, from 11 a.m. to noon.

Women in Greenfield have contributed to commerce, agriculture, social and religious life, education, and on the most basic level, raising each generation of citizens. This book reveals details of the lives of a dozen largely invisible women who filed Married Woman’s Business Certificates around the turn of the 20th century.

Campbell is the former Greenfield city engineer who dug into some of the historic City Hall records during her time there. The Married Woman’s Business Certificates in the City Clerk’s Office are the basis for this book.

Strahan is a lifelong Franklin County resident who has researched a wide range of local families over the years. The two met as census-takers in 2010 and have enjoyed collaborating on their research since then. Several steps in the research for the book were partially funded by the Greenfield Cultural Council.

There will be ample time for questions and answers, and time for book signing and sales. Books are $12 per copy.

This program is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Call 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stop by the Senior Center’s front desk to reserve a seat.

Home Fire Campaign comes to Greenfield

GREENFIELD — The American Red Cross’ Home Fire Campaign is partnering with the Greenfield Fire Department to install smoke alarms in residences on Feb. 8.

Teams consisting of a Red Cross volunteer and a firefighter will visit pre-registered Greenfield homes to install smoke alarms as well as educate homeowners on fire safety and personal preparedness.

Greenfield residents are encouraged to participate if their homes need smoke alarms or their current alarms are more than 10 years old. Register by calling the Greenfield Fire Department at 413-774-4737, ext. 1107.

The goal of this campaign in Greenfield and across the country is to reduce deaths and injuries from home fires.

“Seven times a day someone in this country dies in a home fire and we have witnessed that tragedy right here in our community,” said Mary Nathan, disaster program manager for the Red Cross of Western Massachusetts. “Smoke alarms save lives.”

Feb. 13: FRTA info session

GREENFIELD — Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA) Travel Ambassador Elizabeth Quirk will lead an FRTA information session at the Greenfield Senior Center on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 1 p.m.

Attendees will learn about the fixed-route service, how to read a bus schedule, “call stops” and how to find them, general bus policies, and how to use the Passio GO! app to see what call stops are available and where the bus is at a given time. Participants will also hear about the Demand Response & Access programs — two similar programs providing door-to-door transportation service for a fee — as well as the MedRide program and Employment Transportation Program. Lastly, Quirk will discuss opportunities to volunteer with FRTA’s Transit Advisory Committee or Transit Advisory Board.

After Quirk’s presentation there will be time for one-on-one training, and an opportunity to schedule one-on-one training in the future. The program is free and open to the public, though advance registration is required. Call 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stop by the center’s front desk to sign up.

Blood pressure checks offered biweekly

GREENFIELD — Free blood pressure monitoring clinics are offered by Karli Sacco, director of Powerback Rehabilitation to You, at the Greenfield Senior Center on the first and third Wednesday or the month from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Artspace seeks vendors for annual market

GREENFIELD — The Artspace Community Arts Center is seeking vendors for the 45th annual Artspace Market scheduled for Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Greenfield High School. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held Sunday, April 7.

The Artspace Market, held each spring, features work from more than 25 local artists and craftspeople. It also serves as Artspace’s largest annual fundraising event, with 35% of sales supporting Artspace’s instructors, free and low-cost classes, events, workshops and scholarship programs.

Vendor participation is on a first-come, first-served basis, and applications received by Tuesday, Jan. 30, will be subject to priority reviewing. Each accepted vendor is guaranteed space for one 6-foot-by-3-foot table. To view the application, visit bit.ly/3vD2RHD.