Retirement party planned for library director

GREENFIELD — A retirement party for Greenfield Public Library Director Ellen Boyer will be held Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the John Zon Community Center.

Boyer came to Greenfield from a Manchester, Vermont library in February 2012 with the directive of updating the existing library or bringing a new library building to Greenfield. Backed in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, construction of the new library is now complete and the building is set to open on Thursday, July 13.

Everyone is welcome to attend the retirement party. Refreshments will be available.

Senior Center to host hair appointments on Monday

GREENFIELD — Basic men’s and women’s haircuts, beard trims, blow drying and curling appointments will be offered at the Greenfield Senior Center on Monday, July 3, from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Appointments are available for Greenfield residents ages 65 and up. Sign up at the Senior Center’s front desk or by calling 413-772-1517, ext. 0.

Guests are advised to arrive with clean, dry hair. Donations of any amount to help cover the stylists’ time and expenses will be accepted.

Monthly brown bag distribution set for July 6

GREENFIELD — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ monthly brown bag program for qualifying seniors will be held Thursday, July 6, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Greenfield Senior Center.

According to a notice from Senior Center Activities Director Kathy Dunn, seniors who receive fuel assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other benefits will qualify. To apply, call the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts at 413-247-9738.

Applications are also on hand at the Senior Center, and a SNAP representative will be present during the July 6 distribution to assist with filling them out. No appointments are required.

Qigong classes start July 11

GREENFIELD — Lynne Smith will lead a seven-week series of qigong classes at the Greenfield Senior Center from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays starting July 11. The program continues through Aug. 29, but there will be no Aug. 22 class.

No experience in qigong — an ancient practice involving simple movements that benefit the body, mind and spirit — is necessary. All exercises are done while standing. Participants will need to carry in clean shoes as classes will be held in the Fitness Studio.

Registration with a $45 payment and Senior Center membership (free) is required by July 6. Stop by the center’s front desk to register.

Conservation nonprofit topic of Senior Center program

GREENFIELD — The Senior Center will host a talk about Conservacion Panama, a Greenfield-registered nonprofit that was founded by Ezekiel “Zeke” Jakub and his wife Melva Olmos in 2013, on Friday, July 7, from 2 to 3 p.m.

Conservacion Panama focuses on scientific research that is used for conservation actions by communities throughout the Republic of Panama. The couple also recently launched an effort to bring effective science education to Panama’s at risk and remote communities.

Participants will learn about their “Adventures in the Micro-cosmos” program teaching science and conservation to fifth and sixth grade students. There will be time for questions.

The talk is free and open to the public. Registration is required by calling 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or by stopping by the Senior Center’s front desk.

Rep. Blais holding office hours

GREENFIELD — State Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Deerfield, will hold office hours for constituents of her 1st Franklin District at the Greenfield Senior Center on Monday, July 10, from 1 to 3 p.m.

No appointment is necessary during these drop-in hours, although residents can contact Legislative Aide Corinne Coryat at corinne.coryat@mahouse.gov or 413-362-9453 to schedule an appointment.

Church awards scholarships to Greenfield, Montague students

GREENFIELD — The Second Congregational Church of Greenfield has awarded scholarships to  Montague resident Ruthie Davis and Greenfield resident Manuel Ferrer for the upcoming academic year.

Davis is entering her third year at Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, and is halfway through the process of becoming a registered nurse. Ferrer received his associate’s degree in adventure education from Greenfield Community College and is transferring to the University of Massachusetts Amherst to pursue a degree in building and construction technology.

Funds are available to members and affiliates of the Second Congregational Church through the Frances W. and Charles W. Saunders scholarships, Florence V. Leach Scholarship and the Memorial Scholarship. This money has helped 72 different recipients with a total of 217 scholarships since 1979.

July 8: ‘Every Moment of Every Day’ play reading

GREENFIELD — Lindy Whiton will offer a reading of her play, “Every Moment of Every Day,” at The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. on Saturday, July 8, at 7 p.m.

The play, which is about women who gave their babies up for adoption, explores the story of adoption from the rarely seen side of the original mother. This year’s adaptation includes Whiton’s story.

The Massachusetts Cultural Council provided Whiton with funding to create a video of the reading that can be taken to conferences and other events to help increase the public’s understanding of original mothers’ stories.

“Every Moment of Every Day” will be performed Penney Hulten, Patricia Williams, Rebecca Hicks, Jovonna Van Pelt, Christy Grecsek, Trouble Mandeson, Rebecca Mandel and Candace Curran; directed by Lindy Whiton; with videography by Elias Neijens; and illustration by EJ Worth.

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