North Quabbin Notebook: April 12, 2022

WENDELL — The town plans to hold a virtual public hearing to discuss updating its 2016 hazard mitigation plan, which identifies and prioritizes actions Wendell can take to alleviate the impacts of natural hazards and climate change.

The Zoom meeting is scheduled for 4 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13, and is accessible by visiting bit.ly/3udliPS. The meeting ID is 849 4768 1592 and the password is 179111.

Participants will have the opportunity to contribute their ideas for making the town more resilient to natural hazards such as flooding, snowstorms, high winds and extreme temperatures. This plan is being developed by a Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee comprised of town officials and local stakeholders. Jamie Caplan Consulting, a Northampton firm, is leading the effort on behalf of the town and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).

Town adoption and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approval of the updated plan will allow Wendell to apply for pre- and post-disaster hazard mitigation grant money.

With questions regarding this project, contact Phil Delorey, the Wendell Road Commission’s chair, at 978-544-2236 or phil.delorey@gmail.com.

NEW SALEM — The New Salem Public Library will present “Earth Rhythms: Songs for the Environment” by local musician and storyteller Roger Tincknell starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 23.

This event is a participatory program of songs and stories celebrating and teaching environmental awareness and responsibility, according to a New Salem Public Library press release. A variety of instruments will be involved, including the Aztec rainstick, Inca flute, African drum, banjo, guitar and more. The audience will participate in singing, moving, and playing rainsticks and percussion instruments.

The program will be held outside (weather permitting) or indoors, if needed. It is sponsored in part by a grant from the New Salem Cultural Council.

To register, contact the New Salem Public Library at 978-544-6334 or n_salem@cwmars.org.

ORANGE — Seeds of Solidarity Farm and Education Center’s 2022 season of workshops and events is launching with new programs that emphasize uniting people from many walks of life to connect and learn.

The organization’s Women Healing Women Healing Earth initiative consists of eight unique workshops. A range of presenters diverse in cultural backgrounds offer topics such as “Joyful Healing Through Rhythm and Sound,” “Paint, Sip (a mocktail) and Unwind,” and “Puerto Rican Cooking.” These are free or by donation to people of all income levels. Space is limited, with half of the spots in each reserved for North Quabbin women. Registration is required.

Another new workshop, geared toward those 20 to 30 years old, is titled “Building Immersion, Life Tools.” This weekend program planned for July 9 and 10 grows out of previous programs for young people.

“The experience of uncertainty and isolation wrought by the pandemic interrupted forward momentum for many young people,” Seeds of Solidarity Executive Director Deb Habib said in a press release. “Our approach and this workshop unite DIY skills with ample time for conversation about life direction, in a relaxed outdoor setting.”

Other programs include a free Solidarity Inspiration series, which begins with an April 30 presentation called “Seed the Future: Planting Tips.” No registration is required for this one-hour workshop starting at 10:30 a.m. Participants are welcome to conduct a self-guided tour of Seeds of Solidarity’s no-till, climate-resilient gardens, fields, greenhouses and energy-efficient buildings after the presentation, as well as visit the farm stand.

All programs take place at the Seeds of Solidarity site on Chestnut Hill Road in Orange. Visit seedsofsolidarity.org for more events, details and registration information.