Annual Snowflake Bazaar planned for Saturday GREENFIELD — Arcana Chapter No. 50, Order of the Eastern Star will hold its Snowflake Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, 215 Munson St.
A full house of vendors will sell a variety of crafts, a chowder lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the popular coffee can auction, scratch ticket tree and food basket drawings will be held.
For details, call Theresa Holmes at 413-773-0404.
Activists holding Armistice Day event, film talk
GREENFIELD — The Traprock Center for Peace and Justice, along with Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution, will join in a national call to reclaim Armistice Day as a day of action for peace with an event on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 1 to 2 p.m. on the Greenfield Common.
The event will feature Nick Mottern of Veterans for Peace, representatives from the New England Peace Pagoda, Pat Hynes and Marty Schotz of Traprock, Kate Scarborough of the Poor People’s Campaign, veterans’ relatives, a spokesperson from the L3Harris campaign, Sherrill Hogen and Liz Kelner. Providing music will be The Raging Grannies, Tom Neilson and Lynn Waldron, and Annie Hassett.
Additionally, through midnight on Monday, Nov. 14, Traprock and the Interfaith Council of Franklin County are offering a free community showing through on-demand streaming of “The Third Harmony.” The 44-minute film features, among others, Erica Chenoweth, an expert on political violence and its alternatives, who will be present at a follow-up webinar to discuss the film. The Zoom event will be held Tuesday, Nov. 15, from 7 to 8:15 p.m.
For links to view the film and access Tuesday’s discussion, email traprockinfo@crocker.com (with “film” in subject line).
‘Poetry and Prose from the Heart’ set for Sunday
GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center and the Center for New Americans will co-host “Poetry and Prose from the Heart: The Tradition of the Latiné Written Word” at The LAVA Center, 324 Main St., on Sunday, Nov. 13, from 3 to 4 p.m.
The presentation and discussion with Alfonso Neal, adjunct professor of Latinx studies at Holyoke Community College, will be a journey through Latin America’s diverse literary culture. According to a LAVA Center press release, participants will read, reflect and discuss the works of influential poets through Latin America and Spain — in their original Spanish language. Folks can also share their own written work. There will be prompts in Spanish to inspire writing.
This presentation and discussion will be primarily in Spanish. English translations can be made available based on the language needs of participants.
‘Take & Make’ kits available at library GREENFIELD — This holiday season, children can make their own gift for someone they love with a “Take & Make” kit from the Greenfield Public Library.
Children can choose between a bead jewelry kit or a puzzle piece magnet kit. According to a Greenfield Public Library press release, these activities are meant for ages 3 and up with adult supervision.
Kits will be available starting Monday, Nov. 14, in the Children’s Room. Limit one kit per child, while supplies last.
For more information, contact Children’s Librarian Ellen Lavoie at ellen.lavoie@greenfield-ma.gov or call 413-772-1544, ext. 5104.
Nov. 15 author talk to explore discussing race GREENFIELD — Author Kwame Christian will talk about his new book “How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race: Practical Tools for Necessary Change in the Workplace and Beyond” during the next installment in the Greenfield Public Library’s author series on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at noon. These programs are held virtually.
Many people avoid conversations about race because of fear of discomfort, fear of damaging important relationships, fear of being misunderstood, “canceled” or ostracized. According to a Greenfield Public Library press release, Christian’s book equips readers with the skills needed to make these crucial conversations easier and more productive.
To register for this talk and to view more upcoming author talks, visit bit.ly/3TjeOIQ. Copies of the book are available at the library.
GCVS names new principal GREENFIELD — Andrew Costa has been appointed as the new principal of the Greater Commonwealth Virtual School (GCVS).
Costa has served as assistant principal of Wachusett Regional High School since 2011. He was previously Wachusett Regional High School’s freshman seminar teacher and a seventh-grade teacher at First Lutheran School.
According to a GCVS press release, Costa’s first experience with GCVS was two years ago when his son enrolled as a sixth grader.
“If someone had told me five years ago that I would be helping to run a virtual school, I would’ve been very doubtful, but the mindset over what a virtual school is and can be has shifted in recent years,” Costa said. “I am thrilled to be able to be at a school that is leading the way in this field.”
Costa has worked to get to know each staff member at the school during brief meetings since starting in July. He plans to work with staff to refine the goals of the school, improve communication and promote teamwork moving forward.
“Principal Costa has been a perfect choice to lead our school and move us forward with enthusiasm and a passion for education,” Superintendent Salah Khelfaoui said. “We feel Principal Costa has set the stage for us to continue to refine our goals and approach to education in the best interest of our students and families.”
‘Healing the Heart’ exhibit on display through December GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. presents “Healing the Heart,” a community art exhibit curated by K. Kemah Wilson, throughout November and December.
In addition to Wilson, the artwork on display is from Carol Brussel, Maricela Garcia, Karen Lowe and Melinda O’Brien.
In a statement, Wilson recounted how her first art display at The LAVA Center as part of the “Words on Words” exhibit inspired her.
“I thought it was exciting to have my submission be one of the pieces shown. Yet, the actual exhibit far exceeded my expectations. To see my work amongst other artists is a feeling I cannot begin to explain,” she reflected. “On that day, I vowed I would help other artists to experience the exhilaration of seeing their work hung in a gallery. I hope this will help them move forward – creating more art, perfecting their craft and turning their dreams into reality.”
Gallery hours are Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
LAVA Center hosting third annual Community Art Show GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. presents its third annual Community Art Show, which is on display throughout November and December.
This year, the curatorial committee decided to not have a theme, but to allow free expression from community members in a family-friendly atmosphere. The artwork on display is from Charmae Bartlett, Anne Buchanan, Sophie Chambers, Edite Cunha, Laura Curran, S.T. Gately, Emerald Glenn, Drew Hutchison, Anton Kaplan, Bella LaMontagne, David Nader, Amy Newland, John Nordell, Hannah Papadakos, Art Schwenger, Adelyn Seney, Charlotte Treiber and Lindy Whiton.
Gallery hours are Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Eastern Star sponsoring bus trip to Bright Nights in Springfield GREENFIELD — Arcana Chapter No. 50, Order of the Eastern Star is sponsoring a bus trip to Bright Nights at Forest Park in Springfield, followed by dinner at the Masonic Lodge in East Longmeadow, on Tuesday, Dec. 13.
The cost of this trip is $45 per person (includes bus, driver’s gratuity, lights admission fee and meal) and is open to non-members. The bus will pick up passengers at the Masonic Lodge, 215 Munson St., at 4:15 p.m. After the light display drive, the bus will take riders to the East Longmeadow Masonic Lodge for an Italian fare dinner hosted by Corona Chapter No. 205, Order of Eastern Star.
To reserve a seat, contact Arcana Chapter’s trip coordinator, Theresa Holmes, at 413-773-0404. All reservations must be received with payment before Nov. 25.