Area briefs; Climate change workshop in Hadley; vaccine clinic in S. Hadley, more

HADLEY — A climate change workshop that will draw on lessons from what is happening in Antarctica is being held at the Hadley Public Library on the evening of Oct. 4.

“Earth’s Climate: Past, Present, Future” is the title of the event, which will include a talk by Amherst College geologist Nicholas Holschuh.

Holschuh’s focus will be on how Earth’s climate system works, climate change and society and combating climate change and its impact.

The free event begins at 6 p.m. at the library, 50 Middle St. in town center.

Refreshments will be served.

Biographer to speak on Lydia Maria Child

AMHERST — Lydia Moland of Colby College will talk Friday, Oct. 6, about her biography of Lydia Maria Child. The online talk is presented by the Amherst Historical Society.

Best known today for the poem “Over the River and through the Wood,” Child first became famous for peppy household self-help books and charming children’s stories.

But in 1833, at age 31, she shocked her readers by publishing the first book-length history of slavery in the United States — a book so radical in its absolute commitment to abolition that friends abandoned her and patrons ostracized her.

But Child’s energetic and unwavering commitment to justice soon drew numbers of converts to the abolitionist cause, transforming her into one of the foremost authors and activists of her generation.

Moland’s presentation will be held at noon over Zoom; the address is us02web.zoom.us/j/82493131003

NORTHAMPTON — Quaker activist, author, trainer and storyteller George Lakey is visiting Northampton to discuss his new memoir, “Dancing With History: A Life for Peace and Justice.”

He will give a reading on Thursday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m. at Edwards Church, 297 Main St., sponsored by Broadside Books. Andrea Avayzian and Amihan Matias will co-lead a discussion after the reading.

“Dancing with History” chronicles Lakey’s involvement in struggles for peace, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, labor justice, and the environment. From his first arrest in the civil rights era to his most recent arrest at a climate justice march at the age of 83, Lakey recounts his experience living out the tension between commitment to family and mission.

Lakey will lead a free workshop for activists on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Friends Center, 43 Center St. Saturday evening, he will lead “Soup and Salad and Song: A Community Meal and Sing-Along,” from 6 to 8 p.m. at Haydenville Congregational Church, 143 Main St. All are welcome to join.

Finally, Lakey will speak at the Haydenville Congregational Church on Sunday, Oct. 8, at 10 a.m. on “Bringing our Best to an Anxious World: Keeping our Spirits Nurtured and Whole as we Work for Peace and Justice.”

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Pat James, minnesotapats@gmail.com.

CHESTERFIELD — Friends of the Chesterfield Library and the Chesterfield Council on Aging will screen “Cycle of Memory,” Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. at the Community Center.

This award-winning documentary tells the story of Mel Schwartz, who escaped the Great Depression on a bicycle adventure he’d remember for the rest of his life. But when Alzheimer’s takes Mel’s memories away, it’s left to his grandkids to recreate the life-changing bike trip and find those memories again.

The film is 72 minutes long and will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker. Refreshments will be served.

“Cycle of Memory” explores the importance of intergenerational connection, healing painful pasts, and leaving a meaningful time capsule for the future.

SOUTH HADLEY — A vaccine clinic will be offered Oct. 10 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Beers & Story parking, 646 Newton St.

Immunizations include the flu, Pfizer COVID-19, RSV, Prevnar 20 and herpes zoster (shingles).

AMHERST — The Amherst Survival Center is hosting its fourth annual Hike for Hunger throughout the month of October.

Hike for Hunger is an opportunity to enjoy the fall foliage while ensuring our neighbors have access to nutritious food. Registration will remain open throughout the month at www.amherstsurvival.org/hikeforhunger. Non-hikers also may contribute using this link.

People can register as an individual or as part of a team and set their own hiking and fundraising goals.

Registration costs $25 and includes a 2023 Hike for Hunger sling bag. Participants will have a chance to earn Hike for Hunger swag and prizes in categories such as top fundraiser, top fundraising team, most miles walked/hiked, and most donors.

Prizes include four tickets for Adventure East’s epic Full Moon Hike experience, a $450 Day Out on the Town and two tickets to any show at The Drake from Amherst Downtown, and a hand-painted boot sign from local artist and business owner Jess Marsh of Hired Hand Signs.

Proceeds from the event support the Amherst Survival Center’s food and nutrition programs. In the last year, the center provided 1.3 million meals to nearly 8,600 people, far outpacing previous years.

Hike for Hunger is supported by 15 local sponsors including Adventure East, Amherst Innovative Living, Greenfield Cooperative Bank, and Provisions.

There will be a final group hike and celebration on Mount Sugarloaf on Oct. 28.