West County Notebook: Jan. 26, 2024

The First Congregational Church of Ashfield, 429 Main St., will host a Coffee House Concert on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m., featuring singer-songwriter Jenny Burtis. STAFF FILE PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ
Published: 01-25-2024 2:50 PM |
CHARLEMONT — Tyler Memorial Library at 157 Main St. will host a Climate Cafe on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 1 p.m.
The Climate Cafe is a space for people who are concerned about climate change and its impact on the global, local and individual levels. It is designed to be a safe space for people to share their emotions. Discussion focuses on feelings rather than actions.
The discussion is facilitated by social worker Sadie Forsythe, a climate-aware therapist, and artist Hannah Harvester, who started a weekly eco-grief support group in Conway last year.
HEATH — The Fire Department will host a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Heath Municipal Building, 18 Jacobs Road.
Sit-down dining will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Takeout meals are available from 4 to 5 p.m.
Tickets cost $15 per person, with each meal including spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, dessert and a beverage. Attendees can bring their own alcoholic drinks. There will also be a 50/50 raffle.
In the event of snow, the dinner will be moved to Sunday, Feb. 4.
HEATH — The Historical Society will hold its annual meeting on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 5:30 to 6 p.m. at the Heath Union Church, 5 East Main St.
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The meeting will be followed by a potluck supper and public program. Bambi Miller and Mary Boehmer will give a presentation titled “The Leavitt Legacy Revealed and Exonerated.” All are welcome.
ASHFIELD — The First Congregational Church of Ashfield, 429 Main St., will host a Coffee House Concert on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m., featuring singer-songwriter Jenny Burtis.
Burtis, a Conway resident, writes and performs songs about community, love, loss and redemption. She plays acoustic guitar and will be accompanied by Klon Koehler on electric bass and Geoff Rice on electric guitar. The trio will play songs from Burtis’ new album “Woodbird” as well as some cover songs.
Coffee, tea and goodies will be available. There is a suggested donation of $20. For more details, call 413-628-3875.
ASHFIELD — The Ashfield Post Office’s phone number has been changed to 413-628-0271. The old number is no longer in service.
CHARLEMONT — The Selectboard voted unanimously to appoint Chicopee resident Karl Zimmerman as a part-time Charlemont police officer, effective Jan. 22.
Zimmerman recounted his background as a counselor with the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, a job he plans to retain. When asked by the Selectboard about his experience in de-escalation, Zimmerman said that was his “day-to-day business” when working with inmates.
“It’s my job to kind of settle down everybody and use my interpersonal skills to de-escalate the situation,” Zimmerman told the Selectboard. “It’s an everyday thing for me.”
Zimmerman is also a certified Municipal Police Training Committee firearms instructor and has completed training through the Bridge Academy.