Next seven-week yoga series starts Oct. 2

GREENFIELD — Libby Volckening will lead “Yoga for Wellness” sessions at the Greenfield Senior Center between Oct. 2 and Nov. 13 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. each Wednesday.

These classes are open to people ages 55 and up with any level of flexibility or experience, including beginners. This is a mat yoga class held in the fitness studio, so clean footwear (not worn outdoors) is required. Participants must be able to get onto and up from the floor unassisted.

Register for the seven-week series with a $45 payment at the Senior Center by Oct. 1 to reserve a spot. Space is limited.

Brown bag program set for Oct. 3

GREENFIELD — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ monthly brown bag program for income-qualifying seniors will be held at The Weldon apartments at 54 High St. on Thursday, Oct. 3, from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Call 413-247-9738 or visit foodbankwma.org for more information and applications.

‘Life with Bill’ speaks to value of one’s older years

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Senior Center will host “Life with Bill,” a one-hour performance of stories and songs by storyteller and musician Nick Kachulis recounting taking care of his father, on Friday, Oct. 4, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

“Life with Bill” speaks to the value and vibrancy of a person’s older years, regardless of the circumstance. It presents a story of renaissance and reconnection, the value of community, and the unexpected moments that can take place when we don’t assume a person’s life is over. “Life with Bill” invites the audience to recognize that a person’s older years are not just full of struggle and discomfort, but of rebirth, rejuvenation and joy.

Kachulis is a longtime Massachusetts resident and has been published in several publications, including “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Grieving Loss and Healing.” His music has been featured on broadcast television in Asia, Africa, Europe, North America and South America, including on ABC, PBS, HBO and ESPN.

The event is free and open to everyone, but advance registration is required by calling 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stopping by the Senior Center’s front desk. It is sponsored in part by the Greenfield Cultural Council and by Linda Manor Assisted Living, an affiliate of Integritus Healthcare.

White presents ‘World on Fire’ exhibit at LAVA Center

GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. is presenting “World on Fire,” an installation and exhibit by Greenfield artist and activist JJ White.

In September 2019, Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg spoke her now-famous words addressing world leaders at the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York City, attacking their perceived inaction on climate change: “How dare you!” Inspired by Thunberg’s words, White created a series of two- and three-dimensional installations that will be on the walls of The LAVA Center’s Humanities Gallery from October through December.

Multimedia tools will enable visitors to add their voices to the exhibit. An opening reception will be held on Friday, Oct. 4, from 6 to 8 p.m.

White focuses on concept-driven art through the mediums of photography, poetry, video, collage and repurposed items. Presently, White’s favored medium is landscape art/sculpture. Prior to entering the world of art, White spent 30 years providing fundraising services for progressive nonprofits and political candidates in the United States and Canada.

This programming is made possible by a grant from Mass Humanities, with funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Oct. 11: Final lobster roll sale of 2024

GREENFIELD — Arcana Chapter No. 50, the local chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, has one more lobster roll sale of the season planned for Friday, Oct. 11. All proceeds after expenses will be donated to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

Call 413-773-3761 or 413-422-2267 to place an order by Monday, Oct. 7. The bagged lunches are $15 for lobster and $8 for chicken salad. Each order includes a roll, a 4-ounce container of lobster (no fillers) or chicken salad, a bag of chips and a brownie.

Pickup begins at 11 a.m. and closes at 1 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, located at 215 Munson St.

Two programs on tap for Interfaith Council

GREENFIELD — The Interfaith Council of Franklin County is sponsoring a fall series of events called “Facing Fear and Embracing Hope.”

There will be two free programs called “Listening and Learning in Community” on Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 21, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church of Greenfield. Residents are welcome to come to either or both of these sessions.

Attendees will consider the question, “How does our faith guide us, ground us and give us hope?” The programs will involve naming fears and seeking insights.

Sign up for Bereavement Support Group by Oct. 11

GREENFIELD — Starting Oct. 18, Pioneer Valley Hospice & Palliative Care will offer a six-week Spouse/Partner Bereavement Support Group at the Greenfield Senior Center on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

The group, which continues through Nov. 22, is specifically for seniors ages 55 and older who have experienced the death of a spouse or partner. The group, facilitated by Marcia Schuhle, offers support through education and the sharing of feelings associated with the grieving process. It is recommended that the death be at least three months before the start of a group. A brief interview is required.

The group is free and limited to 10 participants. To register, call Pioneer Valley Hospice Bereavement Coordinator Maude Williamson at 413-774-2400 by Oct. 11.

Oct. 11: Memory Cafe

GREENFIELD — Residents of all towns are welcome to the Memory Cafe, sponsored by The Arbors at Greenfield, on Friday, Oct. 11, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Senior Center.

The Memory Cafe provides a supportive gathering place for people living with memory loss, together with their caregivers. Lunch is provided, followed by an activity.

Advance registration is required. To sign up, call the Senior Center’s front desk at 413-772-1517, ext. 0.

Craft vendors sought for Nov. 9 Snowflake Bazaar

GREENFIELD — Arcana Chapter No. 50, the local chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, is getting ready for its Saturday, Nov. 9 Snowflake Bazaar and is seeking craft vendors by the Oct. 15 registration deadline.

Contact Terri Holmes at 413-773-0404 to inquire about reserving a table to sell craft items. Vendors can also visit the chapter’s website at arcana-oes.org/events/bazaar to print a registration form.

The bazaar opens at 9 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. for the silent auction to begin.

Make holiday ornaments with Margot Peck

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Senior Center invites members to make colorful holiday ornaments using a needle and thread with Margot Peck on Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. All materials will be provided.

Advance registration and Senior Center membership (free) are required. To sign up, call 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stop by the center’s front desk. Space is limited.

Senior Center hosting Death Cafe

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Senior Center will host a Death Cafe on Friday, Oct. 18, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

At a Death Cafe, attendees gather to drink coffee or tea and discuss death. The objective is to increase awareness of death while also helping people make the most of their lives. A Death Cafe is a group-directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes, and it is offered with no intention of leading people to any conclusion, product or course of action. Death Cafes are not grief support or counseling sessions.

Advance registration is required as space is limited to 60, but the Death Cafe is open to everyone. Senior Center membership is not required. Call 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stop by the center’s front desk to sign up.

Learn home fire safety at Senior Center

GREENFIELD — Presenter Bob Crowley will lead a talk on home fire safety at the Greenfield Senior Center on Friday, Oct. 18, from 10 to 10:45 a.m.

The program is designed to help people understand, prepare for and respond appropriately to disasters, with a focus on home fire safety. Offered by the American Red Cross, “Be Red Cross Ready” is a national, standardized, free preparedness education curriculum for adults taught by certified presenters.

Crowley has been a Red Cross instructor for 15 years. His volunteer background is in wilderness first aid, and search and rescue.

The program is free and open to the public. Call 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stop by the Senior Center’s front desk to sign up.

September edition of city’s quarterly newsletter available

GREENFIELD — The Mayor’s Office has published a new edition of the quarterly newsletter, “What’s Going on Greenfield?!” The newsletter summarizes major city updates from July to the middle of September.

To view the newsletter, visit tinyurl.com/GreenfieldSeptember.

The new edition spotlights recent news developments, including the hiring of Erin Anhalt as chief of staff, the city’s plans for $925,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding and Todd Dodge being named permanent police chief. It also provides a snapshot of community events, like the Harvest Supper.

Physical copies are available at the Greenfield Public Library, the John Zon Community Center and City Hall. Residents can also sign up to get each newsletter via email by contacting Communications Director Matt Conway at matthew.conway@greenfield-ma.gov to be added to the distribution list.

An additional newsletter for this year will be published in December.