FEB. 26

Blue Hills Winter fest to feature Chili Cook-off

The Friends of the Blue Hills will host its annual Winter Fest from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 26 at at Blue Hills Ski Area, 4001 Washington St., Canton. The evening will feature the “Battle of the Blue Hills Chili Cook-Off,” with five local restaurants representing five towns in the Blue Hills competing for the top prize. Blue Hills Grille in Canton will compete in the cook-off. Town officials will serve as judges, and a People’s Choice Award will be presented. Blue Hills Ski will offer a discounted rate of $20 each for an all-day lift ticket, ski rental or lesson that day. To receive the discount, print out and take the Friends of the Blue Hills homepage at http://FriendsoftheBlueHills.org/winterfest2019 or Facebook page to the event. The free event offers live music from the Irish band Songs for Ceilidh, a night hike and arts and crafts. For more information, visit http://FriendsoftheBlueHills.org.

FEB. 27

Southeastern to stage true play on wilderness therapy

The Southeastern Players of Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School will present, “Wilderness,” a play written by Anne Hamburger and Seth Bockley that is based on the true accounts of a group of teens who are sent to wilderness therapy, at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 and March 1. The play tackles issues including self-harm, body shaming, drug addiction, anxiety and depression. Junior Coleen Malley, of Stoughton, and freshman Olivia Silva, of Norton, will perform with Southeastern Players for the first time. Also, senior Monica Espinoza, of Stoughton, along with Rosa Bernard, of Brockton,are the lighting designers. Other cast members include Lily Wiseman, of Easton; Ashley Anthony, of East Bridgewater; and Patrick O’Brien, of Brockton; juniors Hannah Clifford, of West Bridgewater; Remy Zaroubi, of Mansfield; Colleen Wood, of Norton; and Emma Doherty, of Mansfield. Senior Brandon Stalters, of Norton, designed the set for the show. Each of the two productions will feature a talkback with the cast and one of Southeastern’s adjustment counselors to discuss the difficult issues presented in the show. Additionally, the playwright, Hamburger, will be participating in the Friday talkback. Tickets cost $15 general admission; $10 for Southeastern students, staff and alumni; and $10 for seniors and children younger than 10. They are available at http://our.show/wildernessantigone.

Stoughton’s Ahavath Torah Congregation to host blood drive

The American Red Cross will hold the following blood drive: From 2-7 p.m. Feb. 27 at Ahavath Torah Congregation, 1179 Central St., Stoughton. Completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire can be found at http://redcrossblood.org/rapidpass. Donors will receive a $5 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card. Attendees should take a Red Cross Donor ID or a picture ID. Donors are advised to drink extra water, have a meal and tell their friends before donating. Walk-ins are allowed. To make an appointment, call 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org.

MARCH 2

Randolph preschool slates open house

The Knowledge Tree Preschool, 22 Seton Way, Randolph, will hold an open house from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, March 2. For information, call 781-767-5800.

MARCH 8

Mental Health first aid trainingHealth and Social Services Consortium, Inc. (HESSCO), in collaboration with The Community Health Coalition of Metro West (CHNA 7), will offer mental health first aid training from 9-5 p.m. Friday, March 8, at Whitney Place at Sharon, 675 South Main St., Sharon. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m. Mental health first aid teaches how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The training helps an individual to learn to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. Lunch will be provided. The course will focus on mental health first aid for adults and elders. The training, valued at $179, is being offered for free. The CHNA-7 is funding the program, coordinated by HESSCO. To RSVP, by Friday, March 1, contact Ann Rudy at 781-784-4944 or ARudy@HESSCO.org.A female `Odd Couple' hits the stage Mass Music and Arts Society will present the Neil Simon comedy, "The Odd Couple" (female version) for three weekends beginning March 8, 377 North Main St., Mansfield. For tickets and a performance schedule, contact 508-339-2822 or visit www.mmas.org. MARCH 13 Military group that helps vets plans dinner The South Shore Chapter of the Military Officers’ Association of America, an organization that helps veterans, will meet at 6 p.m. March 13 at the Hearth and Kettle Restaurant, Route 18, Weymouth. CWO US Coast Guard Ret. and Hull Director of Veterans Services Paul Sordillo will speak at the dinner. Bring toiletries, socks, sweats and grocery store gift certificates for the Adopt a Vet program. The Chapter also fosters ROTC in high school and college, and provides financial awards. Membership is open to all military officers and warrant officers or equivalent, spouses, surviving spouses, and guests. Cost is $22 for schrod, roast turkey or steak tips. Contact Capt. Peter Smialek at 617-784 9765 or petesmialek@gmail.com by March 3.ONGOING

American Sign Language group to begin in Stoughton

Randall DeWitt of Stoughton holds a South Shore ASL (American Sign Language) Social at 2 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month at the Last Shot Sports Bar & Grill, 559 Washington St. (Route 138), Stoughton. Deaf/deaf-blind/hearing/ASL students are welcome. All will be able to learn American Sign Language in an inclusive community. For information, contact DeWitt or Karen Duke at aslfingers@gmail.com.

Deliver Meals on Wheels

HESSCO Elder Services is looking for Canton residents to deliver Meals on Wheels for approximately one hour per week to homebound elders. Contact Debbie Fradkin 781-784-4944 or DFradkin@HESSCO.org.

Randolph’s Stetson Hall now open for renting

Stetson Hall, the historic building on the corner of Union Street and South Main Street, can be rented for private functions. The hall is located on the second floor and has a seating capacity of 213 people sitting at tables. The capacity is 300 people when tables are not needed. The elevator is available for renter’s convenience. Stetson Hall has been rented for weddings, showers, baby showers and other special events. Free tours upon request. For more information, contact Henry Cooke at 781-710-7976.

Bingo back at Temple Beth Emunah

Bingo returns to Temple Beth Emunah at its location in the Easton Industrial Park at 15a Plymouth Dr. South Easton at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Food will be available at the snack bar. For information, call 508-583-5810.

Spiritually curious, justice-oriented Faith Services



Are you a free thinker who appreciates the value of other perspectives? Do you enjoy religious tradition without the rigidity of dogma? Then you may be a Unitarian-Universalist without realizing it. First Parish Unitarian Universalist-Canton, at 1508 Washington St., Canton, meets at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. Rev. Roger Peltier is the minister. For information: 781-828-0296 or office@fpuucanton.org.

Holbrook seniors can attend weekly blood pressure clinic

Holbrook seniors can attend a free blood pressure clinic from 1-2 p.m. every Wednesday at Holbrook Town Hall, 50 South Franklin St. Participant will receive a written record of their blood pressure every time they attend. This record may be used to take to doctor appointments for a history on a weekly basis.

Get help for addiction in Holbrook, Avon

The Hope Drop-In Center, serving individuals and families affected by addiction, meets at the Brookville Bible Church, 871 South Franklin St., Holbrook from 6-8 p.m. on the second Monday of the month; and from 6-8 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month at the Avon Council on Aging, 65 East Main St., Avon. The center offers free and confidential services, licensed clinician referrals, overdose prevention training, access to nalaxone (Narcan), family coping help, recovery treatment and recovery programs.

Laughter Yoga

A free Laughter Yoga session is held the second Saturday of every month at 11 a.m. at the Unitarian Church of Sharon, 4 North Main St. Certified Laughter Yoga teachers Linda and Bill Hamaker lead the group. Bring a canned good for the Sharon/Stoughton Pantry. For information, contact 508-660-2223, billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com or at www.letslaughtoday.com.

Mental illness support group

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - South Norfolk affiliate – meets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month in Cafeteria B of the Lorusso Building at Norwood Hospital. The South Norfolk Alliance is composed of families dealing with mental illness and their loved ones. For information, call Ray at 508-668-2941.