Sheffield Historical Society Comic Strip Exhibit

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This summer, starting July 19, the Sheffield Historical Society will showcase original sketches and cartoons from the collection of Paul Banevicius in an exhibit called A History of the Comic Strip: A Serious Look at the Funnies in the Gallery at the Old Stone Store. The exhibit will run through September 28 with a reception on Saturday, July 26 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m..

Through this extensive collection of original art, cartoonist sketches, and comic pages, the exhibit will explore over 100 years of comic history. The comic strip is considered one of two great art forms originating in the United States--the other being Jazz music--and had its beginnings in the New York newspaper wars of the 1890’s. The exhibit will display dozens of examples of artwork, as well as toys and ephemera, featuring such comic strip classics as Happy Hooligan, Little Orphan Annie, Dick Tracy, Pogo, Peanuts, and Dilbert, in addition to other recent favorites.

Paul Banevicius, Art Department Chair at Berkshire School, began collecting cartoonist sketches as a child, and his collection has grown to nearly 600 original drawings by comic strip and comic book artists, editorial cartoonists, caricaturists, and illustrators. These personalized sketches, sometimes simple and sometimes elaborate, will be featured throughout this display that Mr. Banevicius will curate.

Rescued and restored by the Society in the early part of this decade, The Old Stone Store is the Society's latest acquisition to its seven building campus. Dating from 1834 it is the oldest existing retail building in the town, and now functions as the Society's gift shop and exhibition space. The Old Stone Store is open weekends, Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. 3 p.m., or by appointment. It is located on the Green in Sheffield.

For more information about Sheffield Historical Society, please visit us on the web at www.sheffieldhistory.org.
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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Construction is underway to transform the former Harry's Supermarket into a restaurant

Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building. 

"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu. 

A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building. 

White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.  

He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns. 

Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot. 

A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use. 

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