ch’Chunk to perform in Warwick

WARWICK — The Wooden Fender concert series presents a concert and dance by ch’Chunk, performing early 20th-century jazz, at Warwick Town Hall, 12 Athol Road, on Saturday, April 20, from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

The band’s distinctive vocals and “ch’chunk” style of guitar strumming conjure up early swing music as heard on the radio in the 1910s and 1920s, but with a modern take. The band also performs some originals.

A minimum donation of $5 is requested.

Thomas Aquinas College honored for curriculum

NORTHFIELD — According to the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), seven colleges and universities in the United States deserve an A+ for the strength of their curricula — and two of them are campuses of Thomas Aquinas College.

On its What Will They Learn? website, ACTA reports on the major public and private institutions of higher learning in all 50 states, evaluating them on the basis of their core curricula. On Friday, the group announced the newest addition to its ratings system: an A+ grade. The honor is reserved for “the best liberal arts colleges and universities in the nation” — those that require students to take courses in the seven key disciplines of composition, literature, foreign language, U.S. government or history, economics, mathematics and natural science.

Out of the 1,100 colleges and universities evaluated, only seven qualify for ACTA’s top ranking. Among these are both Thomas Aquinas College’s California and New England campuses, which, although constituting one college, receive separate listings in the ACTA guide.

“Thomas Aquinas College’s two campuses in California and Massachusetts require all students to complete a shared core curriculum rooted in the Catholic liberal arts tradition,” ACTA reports. “Undergraduates must also study religion, philosophy, fine arts, world history and the works of Western civilization.”

In the 14 years that ACTA has issued its report, Thomas Aquinas College has consistently received its highest possible rating.

“We are grateful to ACTA for doing the hard work of examining the curricula of American colleges and universities, thereby providing an invaluable resource for parents and students,” Chris Weinkopf, Thomas Aquinas College’s executive director of college relations, said in a statement. “And we appreciate its continued recognition of our program of Catholic liberal education, which consists entirely of the Great Books and discussion-based classes.”

Reiki sessions offered at Senior Center

BERNARDSTON — Jennifer Beckwith, a student of reiki master Terri Dodge, is offering free 20-minute reiki sessions at the Bernardston Senior Center on Mondays at 3:15 p.m.

Reiki is an energy healing technique that uses gentle hand movements with the intention to guide the flow of healthy energy to reduce stress and promote healing. Call 413-648-5413 for an appointment.

Memory Café Lending Library available

NORTHFIELD — As part of the Northfield Senior Center’s monthly Memory Café, caregivers can now check out books, puzzles and other activities through the Memory Café Lending Library. There is a sign-out system in place.

The Memory Café provides support and socialization for adults and their caregivers from any town who are dealing with memory-related issues.

Lunch with Chef Clare set for April 24

BERNARDSTON — The Bernardston Senior Center will host a Spring Lunch with Chef Clare on Wednesday, April 24, at 11:45 a.m.

The lunch will include broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken, potatoes with sour cream and chives, spring blend vegetables, snowflake rolls and carrot cake.

Call 413-648-5319 to reserve a seat.

Kerns’ Lyme disease talk rescheduled

NORTHFIELD — Sarah Kerns will present a Lyme disease program, which was previously postponed due to inclement weather, on Thursday, April 25, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Dickinson Memorial Library.

New emergency plan to be unveiled

LEYDEN — The Emergency Management Committee invites residents to a presentation on the town’s new emergency plan coupled with a potluck meal on Sunday, May 5, at 5 p.m. at Town Hall.

Attendees will hear from various emergency management representatives about a new vision for response in Leyden, including a volunteer snowmobile response, among other things. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to check out resources on emergency kits (ready.gov/kit) and comprehensive financial preparedness (bit.ly/4aCbvW6).