LifePath

04/06/2026

LifePath is proud to be a sponsor of the 61st Annual Athol Orange River Rat Race taking place this Saturday, April 11!

Where to Watch the 61st Athol Orange River Rat Race!

You can tune in to AOTV on Spectrum Channel 1301 in Athol & Orange. If you have a Roku or Apple TV or a smart phone, install the Cablecast app and search Athol to find our live broadcast on your device. The stream is also live on aotv13.org

You can listen to race commentary on WVAO 105.9 FM on your radio, or download the RadioRethink app and search WVAO, or go to https://radiorethink.com/listen/wvao/

BIG NEWS!
We are pleased to announce a number of Western Massachusetts public access stations will be picking up the AOTV broadcast to bring the River Rat Race to other communities and hopefully inspire some new racers and race fans.

Bernardston / Northfield - Channel 1072
Erving - Channel 15 - Bernardston Northfield Community Television
Falls Cable - Channel 9 - Falls Cable TV
South Hadley - Channel 15 - South Hadley Community Television - SHCTV
Northampton - Channel 12 - Northampton Open Media
Montague - Channel 9 - Montague Community Television
(Keep an eye out, this list may grow!)

Special thanks to the The Athol Lions Club for putting together this amazing event every year and allowing us to be a part. Thanks to Frontier Community Access Television for volunteering time, equipment, and experience to the broadcast this year. Thank you to LearningTimes for lending us equipment, and Northampton Open Media for lending us access to Restream. Thank you to our amazing volunteers who will bring the race to your home!

Thank you of course to our generous sponsors for making our broadcast possible.

Sapphire Sponsors
Dean's Beans Organic Coffee Company
LifePath

Emerald Sponsors
Athol Savings Bank, A Division of Cornerstone Bank — Athol Spirits — bankHometown — Big Daddy's RV Sales & Service LLC — Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts — Cornerstone Insurance — Landry Plumbing & Heating — Quabbin Valley Plumbing and Heating — Whipps, Inc.

Ruby Sponsors
Billy Goat Boats — Edward Jones- Financial Advisor: David Mason — Greenfield Northampton Cooperative Bank — Hamshaw Lumber - Orange MA — Kimball-Cooke Insurance — North Quabbin Citizen Advocacy

04/04/2026

As you read this, spring has officially sprung! Spring has significance as a time of awakening and a time of renewal and rebirth. It brings with it a way of making things feel possible again. Maybe it’s the lack of snow and the arrival of greenery and flowers, or the warmth of the sun, but it’s a time we shake off the winter and start to think about what’s next. This spring, LifePath and MassHire Franklin Hampshire want to make sure that the feeling of possibility comes with real opportunity.

Maura Geary, Co-Executive Director of MassHire Franklin Hampshire, and I, are excited to share news about a new partnership between MassHire Franklin Hampshire and LifePath. Together, we believe this initiative could be genuinely life-changing for older adults in our region who are looking to enter, or re-enter, the workforce.

Through a Commonwealth Corporation Workforce Competitive Trust Fund award, MassHire Franklin Hampshire is leading a new Rural Healthcare Workforce Training Initiative. LifePath is proud to be a key partner in bringing this program to older adults across Franklin County. The goal of this grant-funded opportunity is to connect adults 55 and older with paid, hands-on training that leads directly into stable, entry-level jobs at local health centers. A unique aspect of this training, and something that we’re very proud of, is that this is a paid opportunity. Participants earn an hourly wage throughout the six-week training. This removes a significant barrier for individuals looking to make a change, and they will not need to choose between making ends meet and investing in their future. Learn more by clicking on the link below.

Print this articleAs you read this, spring has officially sprung! Spring has significance as a time of awakening and a time of renewal and rebirth. It brings with it a way of making things feel possible again. Maybe it’s the lack of snow and the arrival of greenery and flowers, or the...

03/28/2026

Following successful legislative advocacy by State Senator Jo Comerford and State Senator John Velis, an earmark in Governor Maura Healey’s FY26 state budget enabled LifePath to award $100,000 to 10 local Village organizations. Each organization received $10,000 to strengthen community-based, neighbor-to-neighbor supports for older adults across the region.

Villages are grassroots, volunteer-driven nonprofit organizations that help older adults remain active, connected, and independent in their homes and communities. With this funding, each Village will be able to build organizational capacity and support programs that expand essential, neighbor-to-neighbor supports such as transportation for medical appointments and other essential needs, social activities, technology assistance, and help at home.

“For years, constituents in local Villages across my district have taught me about the profound value and beauty of neighbors helping neighbors — especially in our disproportionately rural region,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “It’s been an absolute pleasure to learn about the depth and breadth of services and support offered by dedicated volunteers. Glad to lead a successful earmark in the FY26 budget to support their work. Thank you to LifePath for facilitating the timely distribution of needed funds.” Learn more by clicking on the link below.

Print this articleFollowing successful legislative advocacy by State Senator Jo Comerford and State Senator John Velis, an earmark in Governor Maura Healey’s FY26 state budget enabled LifePath to award $100,000 to 10 local Village organizations. Each organization received $10,000 to strengthen com...

03/21/2026

When I meet with a new patient, the first thing I look at is the way the person walks and their shoes. The ways the shoe connects to the shape of someone’s foot has everything to do with the corns, callouses, and the irritations and even pain and discomfort that I will find when I examine their feet. A foot care session becomes a lesson about choice and fit and begins an investigation into how shoe choice impacts the body. This is insider shoe knowledge people benefit from knowing but seldom receive. Learn how to fit a shoe properly by clicking on the link below.

Print this articleWhen I meet with a new patient, the first thing I look at is the way the person walks and their shoes. The ways the shoe connects to the shape of someone’s foot has everything to do with the corns, callouses, and the irritations and even pain and discomfort tha...

03/14/2026

This March we celebrate National Nutrition Month® to raise awareness of dietary and lifestyle choices that support health. The theme “Discover the Power of Nutrition” brings us an opportunity to review and discuss the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030, released on January 7, 2026. Every 5 years, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) update these nutrition guidelines to help direct nutrition policy, health care, and community programs like the Home Delivered Meal Program for older adults and the National School Lunch Program. While many have welcomed the focus on whole foods in the new guidelines, critics have jumped on the promotion of animal proteins and full-fat dairy, and how the administration rejected evidence-based recommendations put forth by an independent group of scientists in favor of their own scientific analysis that lacked full transparency. Learn more about the response to these guidelines by clicking on the link below.

https://lifepathma.org/stories/nutrition-notes-the-newly-released-dietary-guidelines-for-americans-2025-2030/

03/11/2026

It’s National Senior Nutrition Month! We are partnering with the Eldercare Locator and USAging to highlight the importance of good nutrition for healthy aging. Contact us for help arranging home delivered meals or finding a meal in the community. Call 413-773-5555 or visit www.LifePathMA.org to learn more.

03/07/2026

Hooray everyone! We have already reached the half-way point through this cold and snowy winter season. It’s incredible how fast 2026 is flying by. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of all this shoveling. The good news is that there are some bright spots in the mix as we make our way through the season. One is daylight savings time where each day begins to get a little lighter, for a longer period of time. So don’t forget to set your clocks forward this Sunday, March 8 at 2 a.m.

It was a nice treat this winter to be able to watch the Olympics, which always adds some positivity and inspiration to the season. As the Olympics came to a close, I gave some considerable thought to the distinction between team sports and individually competitive sports. Hockey and figure skating are two great examples, neither of which, by the way, I am remotely good at. In hockey, the team works together in scoring goals, while ultimately striving to win the game at the end of play. On the other hand, figure skating is comprised of individual skaters, all competing for Gold through their various routines and programs. But what people don’t see in both cases is that behind the scenes, there are countless coaches, trainers, choreographers, and support staff that work tireless hours, making it all come together for a successful outcome.

LifePath in a sense is no different. Here at LifePath, we all strive to achieve the very best outcomes for those in our care, as we support caregivers and their loved ones, as well as those throughout our community. Comprised of individually talented people, staff work together as a team, in conjunction with supportive volunteers to deliver essential programs and services in helping to support others. Families and individuals who reach out to LifePath might only interact with a few of our team members along their journey, but are all supported by a larger group of people behind the scenes. By working together, we are able to achieve great things in the process. Read more by clicking on the link below.

Print this articleHooray everyone! We have already reached the half-way point through this cold and snowy winter season. It’s incredible how fast 2026 is flying by. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of all this shoveling. The good news is that there are some bright spots in t...

03/04/2026

This past Sunday, the Northfield Mount Hermon school's music program hosted their 22nd Annual Benefit Concert in support of LifePath's efforts in supporting older adults and caregivers throughout Franklin County and the North Quabbin region. Special thanks to the Penguin Pals, a student club on campus that hosted a special fundraiser the weekend before, collecting additional donations in support of our valuable work. We are so grateful to the Northfield Mount Hermon community for this wonderful, longstanding tradition. Thank you!

03/03/2026

Patti Roy, Information & Caregiver Resource Center Program Director at LifePath, is one of the panelists for "The Power of Partnership: Strengthening Care for Residents with Substance Use Disorder in Long-Term Care" at the Athol Public Library from 1-4 PM on Wednesday, March 18.

To register, visit https://redcap.healthcentricadvisors.org/surveys/?s=9HRNKF979DXJ9TJ7

02/28/2026

LifePath’s office was once again filled with colorful works of Valentine’s Day art after children from Bement School, Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School, Colrain Central School After School Program, The Learning Knoll, Mohawk Trail Regional School, Northfield Elementary School, Petersham Center School, Petersham Montessori School, and Shutesbury Elementary School, along with residents of the assisted living community Arbors at Greenfield, created more than 800 handmade Valentine’s cards for delivery to LifePath’s Meals on Wheels recipients—200 more than last year! The cards had a brief stay in the office to be organized and counted before being brought to the Meals on Wheels kitchen in Erving for delivery.

Read more and see more cards by clicking on the link below!

Print this articleLifePath’s office was once again filled with colorful works of Valentine’s Day art after children from Bement School, Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School, Colrain Central School After School Program, The Learning Knoll, Mohawk Trail Regional School, Northfield Elementary Schoo...

02/27/2026

Northfield Mount Hermon NMH will be hosting their 22nd Annual Benefit Concert at the NMH Rhodes Arts Center this Sunday, March 1, at 3 PM, to support LifePath! Join us to hear the wonderful NMH Instrumental Ensembles!

02/23/2026

Warming locations are open in Greenfield (see below) and in Athol at the
Athol Overnight Warming center at North Quabbin Recovery center (416 Main St. Athol, MA., open 10 PM - 6 AM).

Greenfield's Overnight Warming Center at the Salvation Army (72 Chapman Street) will be open 7 PM - 7 AM on:
- Monday, 2/23
- Tuesday, 2/24

The Warming Center is for use by people who do not have other options for getting out of the cold. It is not a homeless shelter and beds will not be provided. It is staffed by volunteers from the Western MA Medical Reserve Corps and other organizations.

Daytime warming is available at the following locations this winter:
- Greenfield Public Library (412 Main Street): All open hours.
- Arch Place Temporary Shelter: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily.
- Greenfield Housing Authority Community Room (1 Elm Terrace): Monday Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM
- Oak Courts Common Room (Oak Courts, off of Elm Street): Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 2 PM
- John Zon Senior Center (35 Pleasant Street): Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 4 PM