This Week at Nova Arts

Friday, April 28, two incredibly gifted women are coming to Keene. Kaia Kater is a Montreal born singer that is heavily influenced by the sounds of folk music from the north all the way through Appalachia. Skilled in the banjo and storytelling, her music has a way of moving people, whether touching on political issues or her personal narrative, it's no wonder she has been critically acclaimed by NPR, CBC Radio, Rolling Stone, BBC Music, and No Depression. But the brilliance doesn't stop there, as the Toronto based artist Abigail Lapell is joining Kaia for this show. Abigail's sound is 70s-folk rock that is persuasive and poetic. Her music is psychedelic and thought provoking. The combination of these two artists will make for a phenomenal show. Tickets are $20 and are available on our website or at the door. Doors are at 7:00 p.m., music at 8:00. Masks are encouraged!

Nova Arts is supported by and under the fiscal sponsorship of Arts Alive, and is supported by the Putnam Foundation and the Osier Fund. Events take place at 48 Emerald St, within Brewbakers Cafe & Terra Nova Coffee. novaarts.org

State Agencies Announce New Round of Financial Education Grants for Veteran-Serving Organizations

Funding will support veterans in Massachusetts with access to financial education resources

BOSTON (April 25, 2023) - The State Treasurer's Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE), the Division of Banks (DOB), and the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) announced a new round of Operation Money Wise grants today. These grants provide funding to veteran-serving non-profit organizations, public agencies, and higher education institutions to improve or create financial education programs designed for increasing personal finance knowledge within the Military, Veteran, Family, and Survivor Community (MVFSC).

Veteran-serving organizations can apply for up to $5,000 in funding. Applications close on May 25, 2023 at 5 p.m. Follow this link to learn more and apply.

"Operation Money Wise supports organizations that provide high quality financial education programs, addressing the special challenges that so many of our military families experience," said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. "The women and men who have sacrificed so much for our country deserve everything we can do to help them achieve financial stability for themselves and their families."

"The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation is proud to support the long-term success and financial stability of our service members and their families through Operation Money Wise, and to give back to those individuals and families by fostering programs that provide tangible tools to help them plan and ensure financial independence and security. By investing in the financial futures of our military members and their families, we are investing in Massachusetts," said Layla R. D'Emilia, Undersecretary for the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.

"Our teams are excited to offer this funding again in an effort to serve our veterans and their families," Mary Gallagher, Commissioner of Banks. "We hope veteran-serving organizations from across the state apply to improve their financial education offerings for the community that has given so much for this state and our country."

Since 2016, Operation Money Wise has awarded 43 grants to 23 veteran-serving non-profit organizations, public agencies, and higher education institutions, totaling over $208,727 in funding. These grants have served 8,460 members of the military community. The funding allows organizations to use their knowledge and expertise to design or enhance a program that would best serve their community. Many of these workshops will include strategy sessions on basic budgeting, managing debt, preparing for retirement, and making decisions with money.

Funding is possible through a Division of Banks settlement over alleged unlawful lending practices.

About the Office of Economic Empowerment
Treasurer Goldberg created the Office of Economic Empowerment, led by a deputy treasurer, with the deliberate goal of implementing a range of economic empowerment initiatives that include closing the race and gender wage gap, addressing racial equity, increasing access to financial education, and creating pathways to economically stable futures for all residents across the state.

About the Division of Banks
The Division of Banks (DOB), which is a division of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation within the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, is the chartering authority and primary regulator for financial service providers in Massachusetts. DOB's primary mission is to ensure a sound, competitive, and accessible financial services environment throughout the state. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation protects and empowers consumers through advocacy and education and ensures a fair playing field for the Massachusetts businesses its agencies regulate.

Senator Comerford to Host Eleven Office Hours in the District and Virtually in Spring and Early Summer 2023

Office Hours to be held in person across the district and virtually

Senator Jo Comerford, District Director Elena Cohen, and Constituent Services Director Rachel Klein will be hosting office hours throughout the district and via Zoom, beginning in late April through June 2023.

Senator Comerford and her team seek to be as accessible as possible to constituents living in the 25 cities and towns of the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district.

All in-person locations are wheelchair accessible and no advanced sign-up needed. All zoom office hours require advanced sign-up to receive the Zoom link.

More information can be found here: https://senatorjocomerford.org/spring-2023-office-hours/

April

Friday, April 28 - In-person with Senator Comerford and Elena - walk-ins welcome
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Senator Comerford's district office, Isenberg School of Business, Rooms 116B & 116C, 121 Presidents Drive, Amherst
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Greenfield Community College, East Building Community Room, 1 College Drive, Greenfield

May

Friday, May 5 - In-person with Senator Comerford and Elena - walk-ins welcome
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Northampton City Hall, 2nd Floor Hearing Room, 210 Main St, Northampton

Friday, May 19 - In-person with Senator Comerford and Elena - walk-ins welcome
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Hatfield Memorial Town Hall, 59 Main Street, Hatfield
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Athol Public Library, Conference Room, 568 Main Street, Athol

June

Friday, June 2 - In-person with Senator Comerford and Elena - walk-ins welcome
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Beals Memorial Library, Trustees Room, 50 Pleasant Street, Winchendon
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Petersham Memorial Library, 23 Common Street, Petersham

Tuesday, June 13 - Remote via Zoom with Rachel and Elena
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Memorial Day Observance at Narragansett High School

On Friday, May 26, beginning at 1:15 p.m., Narragansett High School and Middle Schools will hold a Memorial Day Observance in the Elinor J. Putnam Gymnasium. This observance has been coordinated by retired Music Director Mr. Stephen Babineau in cooperation with the Narragansett Administration and the Baldwinville American Legion Post since 2011.

The program is essentially the same as the program held at the Winchendon Veterans’ Cemetery. This year’s guest speaker will be Rev. Francis Roberge, pastor of St. Vincent DePaul Church in Baldwinville. Fr. Roberge has participated in scores of military funeral services at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Cemetery in Winchendon.

The public is invited to this event. The facility is handicapped accessible. Veterans are encouraged to wear insignia showing their branch of service. For more information, contact Principal Colby Young of Narragansett High School at 978-939-5388 and/or at cyoung@nrsd.org. Narragansett High School is located at 464 Baldwinville Road, Baldwinville, MA.

Care Central VNA & Hospice, Inc. Announces "Navigating the Journey of Aging Well", an event for Seniors and their Caregivers

Gardner, MA - Care Central VNA & Hospice, Inc. is proud to announce, "Navigating the Journey of Aging Well", a healthcare orienteering adventure for seniors and their caregivers. The round-robin style event will take place on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Gardner offices of Care Central VNA & Hospice, at 34 Pearly Lane.

This unique event is designed to provide seniors and caregivers with the tools they need to navigate the aging process successfully. The event will feature local experts from the financial and legal fields, a Medicare advocate, aging life care management, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, adult day health programs, home care, palliative and hospice services. Attendees will have the chance to meet and speak with these professionals in a relaxed, round-robin setting. Our team of local experts will work with each person to create a customized plan that addresses their unique needs and goals. Private consultation space will be available.

Attendees can meet with representatives from Care Central VNA & Hospice as well as tour their Adult Day Health facility. On-hand will also be Attorney Nina Dow, and representatives from Edward Jones, Heywood Wakefield Commons, Alliance Health at Baldwinville, Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Quabbin Valley Healthcare, Integrity Medicare Advisors, LifeFone, and LiveWell Elder Care Management.

"We, at Care Central VNA & Hospice, Inc., fully appreciate the obstacles that aging can bring, both for seniors and their devoted caregivers," shared Holly Chaffee, the President and CEO of Care Central VNA & Hospice, Inc. "Thus, our upcoming 'Navigating the Journey of Aging Well' event is crafted especially for them, with the aim of equipping them with vital resources and tools to ensure they can provide the highest quality of care for their loved ones and themselves. Moreover, our event also emphasizes the importance of maintaining independence safely, and we will provide attendees with practical advice and solutions to support their journey of aging with grace and dignity."

This event is free to attend but you are encouraged to register by contacting Care Central VNA & Hospice, Inc. at 978-632-1230 extension 311 or visit the event website at https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/navigating-the-journey-of-aging-well-tickets-618604581957.

About Care Central VNA & Hospice, Inc.
Care Central VNA & Hospice is a not-for-profit home healthcare agency dedicated to providing quality care to over 95 communities in central Massachusetts. With a focus on patient-centered care, Care Central VNA & Hospice, Inc. offers a wide range of services, including home healthcare, adult day health programs, hospice care, and palliative care.

Ashburnham Community Church and The Rindge Congregational and Society Receive Grant

Ashburnham, Massachusetts - Ashburnham Community Church and The Rindge Congregational Church and Society have received a Faith in Our Future Together Recoverable Grant from SNEUCC.

"We received $7000 to upgrade our technology in both churches, which we are using for improved zoom and youtube worship. We have $6000 to do ministry in the community, and $5400 to engage in Racial Justice discussions in both towns." said The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Magill, Pastor.

"As part of this grant we are providing Active Bystander Training on May 3 from 6-8 pm at Ashburnham Community Church." said The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Magill.

Ashburnham Community Church has also used the money for ministry to provide a monthly Rainbow Dinner for Seniors. The next one is May 12th at 6 pm. Rindge has used the grant to provide Lunch on the Lawn on warm fifth Sundays, and Munch in the meeting house on winter fifth Sundays. Ashburnham Community Church is located at 84 Main Street in Ashburnham.

For more information or to RSVP to an event please visit: https://www.facebook.com/AshburnhamCommunityChurch or https://www.facebook.com/RindgeChurch/