Church holding Bob Manners benefit dinner

SHELBURNE — The First Congregational Church is holding a benefit dinner for Bob Manners, Selectboard chair and former EMT, to raise money for costs associated with his cancer treatment.

The benefit dinner — serving spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread and Caesar salad — will occur on Saturday, Dec. 9, with seatings at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., at Fellowship Hall, 17 Little Mohawk Road. The admission price is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

Reservations are required by calling 413-625-8480, emailing searchdeb1211@gmail.com and using the form available at shelburnechurch.org/spaghetti-supper-benefit.

Met Opera to be livestreamed at Memorial Hall

SHELBURNE FALLS — On Saturday, Dec. 9, at 12:55 p.m., Memorial Hall Theater will show the live satellite transmission of Daniel Catán’s “Florencia en el Amazonas” from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

“Florencia en el Amazonas” is the first Spanish-language opera to be performed at the Met in nearly a century. This is also the first opera by a Mexican composer to be presented by the company.

Inspired by the magical realism of novelist Gabriel García Márquez, with a libretto by Mexican writer Marcela Fuentes-Berain, Catán’s 1996 opera follows the story of Florencia Grimaldi, a South American opera diva who returns to her homeland to perform at the legendary opera house of Manaus and to search for her lost lover, who has vanished into the jungle.

To buy tickets, visit shelburnefallsmemorialhall.org/metropolitan-operas.

Dec. 16: ‘Stuff the Cruiser’ collections

ASHFIELD — The Ashfield and Goshen Police departments will hold “Stuff the Cruiser” toy and clothing collections on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ashfield Town Hall and from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Goshen Town Hall.

The departments, which are working with It Takes a Village to support hilltown families, ask residents to donate new unwrapped toys and new warm clothing. Santa Claus will be in attendance and snacks will be served.

Buckland-Shelburne Elementary hosting fundraiser

SHELBURNE FALLS — The Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School’s sixth grade class will host a tag sale on Saturday, Dec. 9, and Sunday, Dec. 10, to raise money for a Nature’s Classroom trip.

The sale will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school, 75 Mechanic St.

The fundraiser includes lunch and a bake sale. On Sunday, there will be face painting. Sixth graders will be on hand to help younger children browse and wrap gifts.

Recital Chorus hosting 28th annual holiday concert

SHELBURNE FALLS — The Recital Chorus, directed by Margery Heins, will host its 28th annual holiday concert on Thursday, Dec. 14, at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Church, 17 Severance St.

The chorus is made up of college and community singers who sing traditional carols and seasonal music, rounds and folk songs. Works span from the 15th century to present day. Meg Reilly, pianist and organist at the Ashfield Congregational Church, will accompany at the piano.

Most singers in the Recital Chorus are private voice students of Heins. They study with her at her studio in Shelburne Falls and at Greenfield Community College. Voice students learn solos and focus on the importance of small ensemble singing.

This is the first of two concerts planned for the Recital Chorus in 2023-2024. The program is free, with cash and check donations for the Hilltown Churches and GCC food pantries accepted at the door.

Shelburne Falls Fire District holding special election

SHELBURNE FALLS — The Shelburne Falls Fire District will hold a special election on Monday, Dec. 18, at the Fire Station, 121 State St.

Douglas Martin is seeking election as a member of the Board of Commissioners to finish the unexpired term of a member who resigned.

Polls will be open from noon to 7 p.m. Questions can be directed to 413-625-6392.