Feb. 25: Music, storytelling show at Hawlemont

CHARLEMONT — Tyler Memorial Library and the Charlemont-Hawley Arts Council are offering a program with musician and storyteller John Porcino at Hawlemont Regional School on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 3 p.m.

The event is free and intended for all ages. The snow date is Sunday, Feb. 26.

Focus group to discuss Virtual Forest Center

The public is invited to the first in a series of virtual focus groups about a proposed Virtual Forest Center on Monday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m.

The Forest Climate Resilience Program is working in partnership with multiple organizations, including the Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts, to develop a Virtual Forest Center. The center, an online hub of information regarding local forests, will support communities in better understanding threats to their forests, including climate change, and how forest stewardship can help to address those threats.

The project team is actively seeking input on what residents would like to see in a Virtual Forest Center. To find out more, contact Andrew Randazzo, forest ecologist with Mass Audubon at arandazzo@massaudubon.org or 413-252-9534; or Lisa Hayden, administrative agent for the Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts, at lhayden@newenglandforestry.org or 978-952-6856, ext. 121. Register for the focus group at bit.ly/VFCFocus.

This event will be the first in a series of four focus groups. Participants can join for a single event or engage across multiple sessions. Translation of focus group events is available by request.

Feb. 28: Artist to lead creative talk

SHELBURNE FALLS — New Salmon Falls Gallery staffer Wendy Saemisch will lead a creative discussion group to help people get out of creative ruts on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the gallery, located at 1 Ashfield St. Saemisch’s art is on display at Mocha Maya’s.

People interested in the workshop can email wendysaemisch@gmail.com. The cost to participate is $25, which includes materials.

New artists display work at Salmon Falls Gallery

SHELBURNE FALLS — Two new artists are on display at the Salmon Falls Gallery, located at 1 Ashfield St.

Agawam-based artist Ceil Rossi makes gourd sculptures that she carves, wood burns and paints. The other new artist, JD Logan of Monterey, makes abstract landscape acrylic paintings.

The gallery is open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dog shelter director leading talk at Shelburne Grange

SHELBURNE — The Shelburne Grange will host a talk by Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Regional Dog Shelter Director Leslee Colucci, on Wednesday, March 1, at 7 p.m. at Fellowship Hall, 17 Little Mohawk Road.

Colucci will share her experiences as shelter director, discuss how the facility interacts with member towns and law enforcement, and talk about the many dogs that have benefited from the shelter’s services. This program is open to the public.

A business meeting with refreshments will follow the talk. People interested in attending via Zoom can email rolandgig@gmail.com.

Sen. Paul Mark holding office hours

BUCKLAND — State Sen. Paul Mark’s staff will conduct office hours in Buckland on two days in March.

Residents of any of the 57 municipalities in Mark’s Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire District can ask for assistance with issues involving any state agency or share ideas on current or potential state legislation. Appointments are not necessary.

The office hours will be held on Tuesdays, March 14 and 28, from 10 a.m. to noon at Buckland Town Hall.

Shelburne Falls student awarded high honors

SHELBURNE FALLS — Harper Walker-West of Shelburne Falls was awarded high honors at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for the fall semester.

High honor citations go to those with grade point averages between 3.75 and 3.89

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