Talk focusing on canal history

TURNERS FALLS — The Great Falls Discovery Center will host “Going Against the Flow: The History of Montague’s Navigational Canal” on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 2 to 3 p.m.

Participants will learn about the original canal connecting Montague City to what is now Turners Falls, and why it was important for transporting molasses.

Council on Aging offering technology guidance, classes

TURNERS FALLS — Starting in January, the Gill-Montague Council on Aging is offering a six-week digital literacy class for seniors and tech drop-in hours at the Gill-Montague Senior Center, 62 Fifth St.

Tech Drop-in: Tuesdays from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Senior Center starting Jan. 9. No appointments are needed. Seniors are encouraged to come with questions about their laptops, tablets or cellphones.

Six-Week Digital Literacy Class: Thursdays (Jan. 18 to Feb. 22) from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. Learn computer basics such as setting up and protecting a Google Gmail account; keeping in touch with friends and family; discovering social media sites; protecting passwords; playing digital games; and more. The class is geared toward seniors who do not have a working computer and who are able to attend all six classes. Equipment will be provided.

Applications, which are available at the Senior Center, are due by Jan. 10. With questions or comments, contact Gill-Montague Council on Aging Director Roberta Potter at coa@montague-ma.gov or 413-863-9357.

Dog shelter holds appreciation celebration

TURNERS FALLS — In celebrating 11 years of success at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Regional Dog Shelter, the organization welcomed volunteers, donors, civil servants and community members on Dec. 15 to thank them for their support.

“I could not be prouder of the work the shelter has done,” Franklin County Sheriff Christopher Donelan, who started the shelter 11 years ago, said to a group of more than 200 people. “As long as I am the sheriff, the shelter will have my support.”

At The Barn at The Farm Table in Bernardston, the shelter celebrated the more than 2,000 abandoned and abused dogs that have been helped since its founding. A 50/50 drawing raised $20,000, with $10,000 going to the winner and then the other half going to the shelter.

Shelter Director Leslee Colucci thanked those who have been a part of the shelter’s mission.

“How can you put a value on the hundreds of volunteers who have given thousands of hours?” Colucci said. “You can’t. It’s priceless.”