Indoor pickleball coming to Jacobs Road Municipal Center

HEATH — Pickleball enthusiasts will not have to wait until it’s warm again to enjoy a game at the Heath Center courts. The Parks and Recreation Committee is creating an indoor court at the Jacobs Road Municipal Center gymnasium this winter.

The court will be open to players on Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m. through May 31. The court will hopefully be open beginning in early December after equipment is ordered and the floors are refinished.

Town Coordinator Hilma Sumner said the floors have not been waxed or refinished since the Jacobs Road building was an elementary school, and while the floors have seen less use since the building has housed municipal offices, it’s time for them to be refinished.

The floor will be refinished early next week and the gym will be closed the rest of the week to allow the sealant to cure. After that, the Parks and Recreation Committee will mark out a court using removable tape and bring in a portable net.

Company hired to replace bridge over Dragon Brook

SHELBURNE — The Selectboard has awarded a $45,000 contract to Greenfield’s Clayton D. Davenport construction company to install a temporary bridge over Dragon Brook on Bardwell’s Ferry Road to allow for first responders and other vehicles to cross the stream.

Board members said the current bridge is impassable, with weathered planks and worn steel that makes replacing the planks difficult. The temporary bridge will provide passage over Dragon Brook.

The Clayton D. Davenport construction company submitted the lowest of three bids, and was chosen by the Selectboard on Nov. 4 to complete the work. Funding comes from money the town received as a result of the Fair Share Amendment, which funds transportation and public education projects.

“None of us guessed it would be that much, but if you drive by and look at that rascal, you can start to appreciate that it’s not a small task,” Selectboard Chair Rick LaPierre said of the failing bridge.

14th annual Shelburne Falls Autumn Farmers Market set for Nov. 24

SHELBURNE FALLS — Patrons can purchase goods from local farms, eateries, artisans and churches, as well as enjoy live music, at the Shelburne Falls Autumn Farmers Market. The event will be held at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School at 75 Mechanic St. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24.

Fresh produce, jams, jellies, honey, maple products, meats, teas, jewelry, baked goods and more will be available to buy.

Performances will feature singer-songwriter Bruce Colegrove and folk duo Kingfisher, made up of Swansea Benham Bleicher on fiddle and vocals, and Jonathan Leonard on guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, button accordion, harmonium and vocals.

For more information, visit shelburnefallsfarmersmarket.org.

Make Thanksgiving centerpieces on Nov. 23

CHARLEMONT — Join the Tyler Memorial Library at 157 Main St. for an afternoon of making Thanksgiving centerpieces for their tables on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 12:30 p.m.

The event is free to attend and supplies will be provided. To register, call the library at 413-339-4335, ext. 1.

Choose and cut a Christmas tree beginning Nov. 30

SHELBURNE — Apex Orchards will begin its annual choose-and-cut Christmas tree wagon rides on Nov. 30.

Beginning after Thanksgiving, the orchard will be open on weekends for guests to ride a wagon through the fields and cut down their own Christmas tree. There will also be apple cider doughnuts, and on Nov. 22, Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a special visit at 9 a.m.

The wagon rides will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekends leading up to Christmas. A tree purchase is required for entry.

For more information, visit apexorchards.com.