Portland Loo being installed between Chapman and Davis streets

GREENFIELD — The installation of the Portland Loo is underway at the southeast corner of the parking lot between Chapman and Davis streets, near the skate park.

In November 2021, Mayor Roxann Wedegartner set aside $200,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to buy the Portland Loo, a standalone restroom “specifically designed to prevent problems that are commonly experienced in public toilets,” the company’s website states. Public Works Director Marlo Warner II said earlier this month that the restroom, which was manufactured by Madden Fabrication, ultimately cost $152,315.

All installation work will be done in-house, he said, allowing the city to keep the cost below the $200,000 allocation.

Warner said installation could take a few days.

Craft fair raises $700 for resident council fund

GREENFIELD — RegalCare at 95 Laurel St. raised more than $700 with its holiday craft fair on Saturday, Nov. 11, thanks to the 14 vendors who dedicated both their time and handmade items.

Vendors included Debra Cootware Fine Art, Quiltasia by Jane Harris, Cootware Apiaries and Shannon Reinle Art, to name a few. Items for sale included jewelry, soaps and body oils, blankets, pillowcases, cards, toys, paintings, towels, ceramics, Native American crafts and more.

According to Kara O’Leary, regional activities director with RegalCare, all proceeds support RegalCare’s resident council fund.

“We wanted to create an extra special holiday season for our long-term care residents, especially since they had many events canceled throughout the pandemic and had to go through frequent lockdowns where they could not receive visitors due to COVID-19 outbreaks,” O’Leary wrote in an email.

Author talk with Gerritsen, Doiron

GREENFIELD — In collaboration with the Tewksbury Public Library, the Greenfield Public Library invites patrons to attend an author talk with Tess Gerritsen and Paul Doiron on Monday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. on Zoom.

A RITA Award and Nero Award winner, Gerritsen has sold more than 40 million books in 40 countries. In her newest book, “The Spy Coast,” a retired CIA operative in small-town Maine tackles the ghosts of her past.

Doiron is the author of the Mike Bowditch series of crime novels set in the Maine woods, and his work has received critical acclaim and numerous awards. His latest novel is “Dead Man’s Wake.”

To register for the Zoom link, visit bit.ly/3uhLPOL. The program will also be recorded and all registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

Open Studio with Astrid Sheckels

GREENFIELD — Greenfield author and illustrator Astrid Sheckels will host her annual Open Studio on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2 Mead St.

The Open Studio will feature original art, signed books and more.

Saturday Salon
offering locally made gifts

GREENFIELD — For the fourth year, The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. will host its Saturday Holiday Salon, a popup art salon and marketplace featuring vendors, artisans and craftspeople selling locally made wares.

The holiday salon series will kick off on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25, and will continue on Dec. 2, Dec. 9 and Dec. 16, from noon to 3 p.m. each week. There will be rotating vendors, storytime with Mrs. Claus and live music. Details can be found at thelavacenter.org/saturday-holiday-salon.

Community Art Show

The LAVA Center also has the fourth annual Community Art Show on display, which will be up through December. Details are available at thelavacenter.org/exhibits/community-art-show.

This year’s art show theme is “reclamation,” guiding artists to create art from old materials or reclaim an old focus. The local artists featured are Laurel Carangelo, Patricia Crosby, Edite Cunha, Allen Fowler, Daniel Hales, Julia Hamel, Drew Hutchinson, Maddy Keating, Robert Machado, Sarah Marquesen, Everett McKee, David Nader, Kaylee Pernice, Vanessa Query, Alice Thomas, Barbara J. Watts, Lindy Whiton, Diane Worth and Cameron Wrisley.

GCC hosting Campus Visit Day

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Community College will be hosting Campus Visit Day on Tuesday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees will be able to tour the campus, participate in a classroom experience, attend workshops and enjoy a complimentary lunch.

It is free to attend Campus Visit Day and RSVPs are encouraged at go.gcc.mass.edu/cvd. Guests are welcome.

“In recent student surveys, 97% of our students reported that they would recommend GCC to others,” GCC President Michelle Schutt said in a statement. “We couldn’t be more pleased by this data point and we would love to share this transformational opportunity with you through attendance at Campus Visit Day.”

By attending Campus Visit Day, residents can meet with GCC staff and learn about GCC’s services, which include student emergency funds, internships, tutoring, disability services, food pantry, partnership with Planet Fitness for free gym memberships during the semester, and a technology lending library that helps students stay connected with laptops, WiFi hotspots and more.

“Between our outstanding faculty and committed staff members, it is easy to see why we have the highest retention rate and course success rate of any community college in the commonwealth,” interim Dean for Enrollment Management Patrick Tanner said in a statement. “Campus Visit Day is when we roll out the red carpet so you can come see this dedication to individual student success for yourself.”

Classroom experiences at Campus Visit Day this year include health occupations, criminology, career training and early childhood education. In addition, attendees can join GCC staff for one of three workshops on financial aid, career readiness and internships, and transferring to a four-year school.