Ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate bench installation

ERVING — The town will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the French King Bridge on Tuesday, May 28, at 1 p.m. to celebrate the installation of the “Gateway to the Mohawk Trail” bench created by Franklin County Technical School senior Laynie Coates.

The bench, work on which began in October 2023, was installed on the French King Bridge’s eastern side, near the French King Restaurant and Motel, in late April.

June 1: Musical storyteller Eli Elkus to perform

TURNERS FALLS — Musical storyteller Eli Elkus will perform a free, all-ages show on Saturday, June 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Peskeomskut Park. This event is being held in conjunction with the Great Falls Farmers Market.

Elkus’ vast repertoire of songs and stories illustrate the history of family farms, workers’ rights, railroads and industrialization in America. Musical genres include folk, blues and Americana from the early 1900s as well as original works that continue the story of the working class.

This concert is part of the 2024 “Foods, Farms and Factories” series, a partnership between the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Montague Public Libraries, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center and RiverCulture, with support from Mass Humanities and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

More information about Elkus is available at elielkus.com. In the event of rain, the concert will be postponed to Saturday, June 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Four Winds School holding liquidation sale

GILL — As Four Winds School at 54 French King Highway will be closing at the end of the 2023-2024 school year, it will hold a liquidation sale — featuring school supplies, office supplies, appliances, furniture and more — on Friday, June 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 9, from 11 a.m. 2 p.m.

Learn about soils, soil testing at farmers market

TURNERS FALLS — As part of the Great Falls Discovery Center’s Food, Farms and Factories project, residents are invited to learn about soils and soil testing at the Great Falls Farmers Market on Saturday, June 1, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Peskeomskut Park.

Bring your soil to be tested for free by following the directions available at greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/calendar/find-us-at-the-farmers-market-soils-and-soil-testing. The service is being offered by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center and the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association.