Eastern Star chapter donates $2K to food bank

GREENFIELD — Arcana Chapter No. 50, the local chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, is donating $2,000 to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts from proceeds earned at its last-of-the-season lobster roll sale, held on Friday, Oct. 13.

This is the third year that the local Eastern Star chapter has chosen the food bank to benefit from its October charity effort. Sales will begin again next May.

Snowflake Bazaar set for Nov. 11

GREENFIELD — Arcana Chapter No. 50, the local chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, will hold its annual Snowflake Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, 215 Munson St.

This traditional holiday fair features a corn chowder lunch, a coffee can prize drawing with several Pampered Chef items, a scratch ticket tree, food baskets and a variety of craft vendors.

Contact Terri Holmes at 413-773-0404 for craft space availability and set-up information.

Video presentation highlights financial relief programs

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Assessor’s Office, the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services District, the Greenfield Council on Aging, Greenfield Community Television, the Greenfield Mayor’s Office, Housing Greenfield and Community Action Pioneer Valley collaborated on an informative video about financial relief programs. These segments outline the qualifications and application processes for property tax exemptions, veterans’ assistance programs and the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit.

The presentations can be viewed separately by topic or as a collective piece on GCTV’s YouTube page at bit.ly/46SpFBa. The complete video will also be aired on GCTV airwaves over the coming months.

In the first segment, available at bit.ly/45Qdljc, Chief Assessor Randall Austin explains the nuances of property tax exemptions, including the different exemptions offered, documents needed for the application process and how exemptions relate to the annual tax bill.

Next, Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services District Director Chris Demars discusses veterans’ assistance programs. His presentation at bit.ly/45MZRoz examines the Veterans Tax Work-Off Program, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing and other veterans’ initiatives.

The final presentation, available at bit.ly/497pi79, is by Rebecca Bannasch, coordinator of Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Money Matters program. Bannasch highlights the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit, an income tax credit that awards up to $1,200 to eligible seniors ages 65 and over.

In addition to the videos, promotional materials highlighting financial relief opportunities will be distributed to at-risk populations.

Church hosting Harvest Party

GREENFIELD — Living Waters Assembly of God at 450 Davis St. will host a Harvest Party on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

All children and teenagers ages 2 to 19 will receive a free hotdog, free soda and free candy. Other family-friendly activities include crafts, face painting, taking pictures with Molly the cockatoo and interacting with Silkie hens.

All parents and adults can get a hotdog and/or a soda for $1 each.

Monthly brown bag distribution set for Nov. 2

GREENFIELD — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ monthly brown bag program for qualifying seniors will be held Thursday, Nov. 2, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Greenfield Senior Center.

Seniors who receive fuel assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other benefits will qualify. Applications are also on hand at the Senior Center, and a SNAP coordinator will be present during the Nov. 2 distribution to assist with filling them out.

No appointments are required. Seniors who are unable to get to the food distribution can send a friend or family member in their place.

Rep. Blais holding office hours

GREENFIELD — State Rep. Natalie Blais will hold office hours for constituents of her 1st Franklin District at the Greenfield Senior Center, 35 Pleasant St., on Monday, Nov. 13, from 1 to 3 p.m.

These are drop-in hours; no appointment is necessary. Or, residents can contact Corinne Coryat at corinne.coryat@mahouse.gov or 413-362-9453 to schedule an appointment outside of this session.

Lynne Smith to lead qigong classes

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Senior Center will host qigong classes with Lynne Smith on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. between Nov. 7 and Dec. 19.

No experience is necessary. All exercises are done standing. Participants are advised to carry in clean shoes as the classes will be held in the Fitness Studio.

Registration with a $45 payment is required by Nov. 3. Senior Center membership is required. Stop by the center’s front desk to register.

Group sessions consider joys, concerns of aging

GREENFIELD — Robin Yerkes, a group facilitator and graduate of Boston University’s School of Social Work, will lead free monthly group sessions on the joys and concerns of aging at the Greenfield Senior Center starting on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

This group will run monthly through June, making for a total of eight meetings with the same group of people who can build on each session together.

Advance registration is required. Residents ages 60 and up from all towns are welcome. Call 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stop by the Senior Center’s front desk to register.

Nov. 16: ‘How to Survive the Holidays’

GREENFIELD — Social worker Matt Aversa will lead a free program titled “How to Survive the Holidays” at the Greenfield Senior Center on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

A holiday season full of high expectations for joy and happiness can cause feelings of loneliness and social isolation. In this group, participants will explore ways to redefine those expectations and be proactive about making connections.

Advance registration is required as space is limited to 11. Call 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stop by the Senior Center’s front desk to sign up. Residents of all towns are welcome.

Art class to focus on crayons

GREENFIELD — Artist and educator Sara Gately will lead a class on “The Lost Art of the Crayon” at the Greenfield Senior Center on Friday, Nov. 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Crayons often have a reputation for being an art medium for children or beginners. However, Gately will show participants that crayons can be used in a sophisticated manner just like any other artistic medium. If used with certain techniques, crayons can be mistaken for color pencils or paint.

Attendees will work with a variety of crayons such as twistables, construction paper crayons, and metallic and glitter crayons. No experience is needed.

Advance registration with a $5 payment is due by Nov. 13 by calling 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or by stopping by the Senior Center’s front desk. Materials are included.

Workshop focusing on herbs for winter

GREENFIELD — Patti Williams, an herbalist who has been practicing in Greenfield for 10 years and the creator of Earthcraft Botanicals, will lead a workshop on herbs for winter at the Greenfield Senior Center on Friday, Nov. 17, from 1 to 3 p.m.

This workshop will focus on the various herbal remedies that can be used to ease some of the physical and psychological problems associated with the winter months. Williams, a graduate of the Boston School of Herbal Studies, will discuss teas, tinctures and balms for everyday use.

Advance registration is required for this free program. Call 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stop by the Senior Center’s front desk to reserve a spot.

Nov. 29: Iris paper folding workshop

GREENFIELD — Margot Peck will teach participants iris paper folding during a workshop at the Greenfield Senior Center on Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Iris folding is done by arranging and layering strips of paper or fabric in a spiraled pattern that resembles the iris of a camera lens. Workshop participants will make a holiday greeting card to take home. No art or crafting experience is needed.

Participants are advised to bring a roll of Scotch tape, but all other materials will be provided for free. Advance registration is required by stopping by the center’s front desk or by calling 413-772-1517, ext. 0. Greenfield residents have priority as space is limited.

Nov. 8: Monthly Writers Read

GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. hosts a monthly series, Writers Read, on the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. Reading on Nov. 8 will be Janet E. Aalfs, Christian McEwen and Susie Patlove.

Aalfs, founder and director of Lotus Peace Arts and former poet laureate of Northampton, is the author of three full-length poetry collections, most recently “What the Dead Want Me to Know,” as well as several chapbooks. She performs a combination of spoken word and martial arts-based dance.

McEwen is the author of multiple books, including “Jo’s Girls: Tomboy Tales of High Adventure, True Grit and Real Life,” “World Enough & Time: On Creativity and Slowing Down” and “Sparks from the Anvil: The Smith College Poetry Interviews.” Her latest book, “In Praise of Listening: A Gathering of Stories,” was published this month.

Patlove was a founding member of Slate Roof Press, which published her chapbook, “Quickening.” She has run a poetry seminar in her home for 16 years and her work has appeared on NPR’s A Writer’s Almanac.

There is a $5 suggested donation. For more information, visit bit.ly/46ILHGc.

‘Maisy’ play readings this weekend

GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. will host a play reading of “Maisy” by Lundy Bancroft on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 29, at 2 p.m.

Middle-aged and newly separated, Kenneth arrives at his elderly aunt Maisy’s house in search of family and possibly solace, only to discover her dementia and memories are not what he expected. A sometimes funny and sometimes frustrating afternoon of tea and revelations ensues.

Maisy is the first play Bancroft has written. He is also the author of a suspense novel, “In Custody.”

The reading, directed by Jean Koester, will feature Louise Krieger as Maisy and Lundy Bancroft as Kenneth. There will be talk-backs after each performance. A donation at the door is appreciated.

Oct. 29: ‘Night of the Living Dead’ film screening

GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center’s annual Halloween moving screening and discussion, this year featuring “Night of the Living Dead” (1968), will be held on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m.

Following the screening will be a discussion about the film and its cultural impact, facilitated by Greenfield Community College English professor Lillian Ruiz and fellow horror film aficionado Vanessa Query. Ruiz will also share a draft chapter on “Night of the Living Dead” from her book-in-progress, “Ticket to Terror: A Cultural Lens on Horror Film.”

A $5 donation is suggested and costumes are encouraged.