Citing a desire to bring more tourism into Lenox, Town Manager Fregory Gederspiel has announced the beginning of a large-scale arts project for next winter: The Lenox Silktacular.
"We all want our city to be infested with tourists," said Gederspiel, "and we think a good first step is to infest our streets with thousands of artist-designed silkworms. We anticipate well over 5,000 fiberglass silkworms to line Main Street alone."
Gederspiel announced his plans under a giant tent made entirely of silk, displaying a box full of fiberglass silkworms to the gathered press. The silkworm, he explained, has a rich history in this region.
"In 1868, scientist Etienne Leopold Trouvelot brought the gypsy moth to Massachusetts to breed with other moths for a new strain of silk-producing caterpillars — silkworms. Due to bad planning, some of the gypsy moths escaped, and with no natural enemies and plenty of food, they spread throughout the country and became one of the most hated insects ever. But, silkworms still make good silk, and that's what we're celebrating!"
In addition to the thousands of artist-designed silkworms, a box of 100 fiberglass silkworms will be sent to each school in the area for children to decorate before the end of February. "Students won't just stay warm this winter — they'll stay worm!" said Gederspiel.
Once the student-designed worms are complete, they will be distributed across town. Liss Krowm, a local fourth grader, is already excited about the project.
"Nobody hates us, everybody likes us. We're going to line the street with worms!" she said.
While the students decorate their silkworms, a call has gone out to local artists wishing to decorate a gross of fiberglass worms. The official display will showcase the silkworms, along with traveling actors playing gypsy moths.
Gederspiel encouraged all of the Berkshires to contribute to the Silktacular, by way of either design or donation.
"By sponsoring a silkworm, you can help support the local revitalization of Lenox,†he said. “Although, we are thinking of expanding our offerings to the Web — we may do spidersilk, too."
When asked to respond to rumors that Pittsfield might be copying the idea and pre-empting the town’s plans, Gederspiel replied, "I don't know about ewe, but if they're trying to pull the wool over our eyes, I for one don't plan to be fleeced."
Seth Brown is a freelance humor writer based in North Adams who has foolishly agreed to do a regular column for The Advocate. He is a frequent contributor to the Washington Post's Style Invitational, and like everyone else, is working on a book.
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Dalton Water Chief Says Lead in Lines Unlikely
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — Some residents received an "alarming" notice from the Water Department about the possibility of lead pipes or solder in some homes, but officials assured them not to worry.
The notice is a result of a new rule from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at the federal level to ensure that there is no lead in anybody's drinking water, Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson said during a Select Board meeting last week.
"Going forward, there's additional regulations regarding that, and the water district has sent out letters … that says you may have lead pipes. They will be conducting surveys to find out what the extent of the issue is," he said.
Later that week, during a Board of Health meeting, Water Department Superintendent Bob Benlien emphasized that the notice was not an indication of a lead issue in the water system.
The notice was required by the state to help the town gather more data to determine the materials used in the service lines, he said.
"It's not saying that we have lead in the water. It's not saying that we have lead in the pipe. It just says that we don't have all of our water lines documented," Benlien said.
Part of the water treatment process is doing corrosion control and pH adjustments to the water to minimize the risk of lead and copper leaching into the water.
Monument Mountain's Everett Pacheco took control of the race in the final mile and went on to a convincing Division 3 State Championship on Saturday at Fort Devens. click for more
Mila Marcisz ripped a shot from the top of the 18 that slipped just under the swing of teammate Adele Low and past the Mustangs keeper in the fourth minute of the second overtime to give Mount Greylock a 1-0 win. click for more
Mount Greylock dominated for much of the game, compiling a 17-4 advantage in shots on goal, not to mention numerous Mountie chances that went just wide or high of frame. click for more
Nora Schoeny, Gianna Love and Elyssa Scrimo Sunday led the Lenox girls cross country team to a narrow victory in the Division 2 race at the Western Massachusetts Championships at Stanley Park. click for more
Wahconah High senior Tim Kaley Sunday earned his second Berkshire Classic Championship by shooting a 77 at the Country Club of Pittsfield. click for more
