Bernardston author coming to Senior Center
GREENFIELD — Bernardston author Karma Kitaj will discuss her two historical novels, “Becoming a Woman of Substance” (2021) and its prequel “Beguiled” (2018), during a talk at the Greenfield Senior Center, located at 35 Pleasant St., on Friday, June 10, from 11 a.m. to noon.
According to a notice from Senior Center Activities Director Kathy Dunn, a book sale and signing will follow the program. Copies of the two novels will be sold for $15 each or $25 for both.
Registration is required by calling 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or by stopping by the Senior Center’s front desk. The program is free to attend and open to the public.
Author Rage Hezekiah coming to LAVA Center
GREENFIELD — Black Writers Read, a web series that has hosted more than 30 writers from around the globe in virtual events, will host Rage Hezekiah at The LAVA Center, located at 324 Main St., on Saturday, June 18, at noon for its first in-person event.
Hezekiah is the author of “Unslakable” (2019) and “Stray Harbor” (2019). According to a LAVA Center press release, her forthcoming collection, “Yearn,” is a 2021 Diode Editions Book Contest winner. More information about her work is available at ragehezekiah.com.
This Juneteenth event is one of two that will close out the second season of Black Writers Read, which is produced and hosted by Nicole M. Young-Martin to showcase, celebrate and honor the words, work and traditions of Black writers across genres. The second Juneteenth event will be livestreamed on Sunday, June 19, at 3 p.m. Information on this event can be found at localaccess.org.
Masks and proof of COVID-19 vaccination are required to attend The LAVA Center’s event. Seating will be limited and can be reserved with a donation ($5 suggested, $1 minimum) at bit.ly/3H8QpAZ.
Songwriter Tom Neilson to perform June 30
GREENFIELD — Award-winning songwriter Tom Neilson will perform a musical program of satire and social commentary at the Greenfield Senior Center, located at 35 Pleasant St., on Thursday, June 30, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Registration is required by calling 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or by stopping by the Senior Center’s front desk. Supported by a grant from the Music Performance Trust Fund administered by the American Federation of Musicians, the program is free to attend and open to the public.
Community Health Needs Assessment forum set for June 23
GREENFIELD — Baystate Health and Health New England will hold a series of virtual forums offering the public preliminary findings on their 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment.
Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s forum is set for Thursday, June 23, from 9 to 10 a.m. Registration is required at bit.ly/3Q4ncvn.
Participants will receive key Baystate Health, Health New England and hospital-specific updates; learn about Baystate Health and Health New England’s community benefits investments and activities over the past year; develop an understanding of the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment process and preliminary findings; and identify opportunities to stay informed/engaged with Baystate Health and Health New England. The forums will also be recorded and shared on baystatehealth.org for future viewing.
Students in eSports program rank 18 out of 113 schools
GREENFIELD — Students in the Greater Commonwealth Virtual School’s eSports program recently finished with a ranking of 18 out of 113 schools in the Eastern Rocket League standings through PlayVS Massachusetts, the home of high school eSports in the state.
As part of their season, students practiced four days a week after school, according to a GCVS press release. During practice, they worked together on communication, and teaching and learning new techniques and skills.
Rocket League is a fast-paced, soccer-like video game where players use cars to play soccer in a competitive match format. The GCVS Rocket League team is coached by science teacher Meaghan Boucher.
The team played seven matches total that were in a best-of-five format during the regular season, and finished with a 5-2 record. They played their first playoff match, which was best of seven, and took the match four games to two. However, according to GCVS, the team fell short in its second playoff match.
“The members of the team worked so hard to earn this very impressive ranking among some highly competitive schools, and they should be applauded for their efforts,” Boucher said in the release. “And while they showed great teamwork and dedication all season long, what’s just as important is that the season led to very strong friendships that extended well beyond the practices and competitions. We’re seeing how eSports is becoming increasingly popular across the entire state and country, and we’re so happy to be able to offer this opportunity for our students.”
All of the team’s matches can be viewed on the GCVS eSports YouTube channel at bit.ly/3NwQuRw.
