Norman Rockwell Museum presents "Housatonic River Reflections"

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For more than two hundred years, artists have been inspired by the Housatonic River and by the scenic beauty of the mountains and valleys of Massachusetts through which it flows. A national treasure in the heart of New England, the river has endured the pressures of industrialization and begun a lively recovery thanks to the dedication of many environmentalists and concerned citizens who care deeply about its future. "Housatonic River Reflections," a new exhibition on view at the Norman Rockwell Museum from August 13 through September 19, 2004, celebrates the talent and vision of regional artists who pay homage to the splendor of this beloved natural resource, exploring and portraying the river's many faces. "Housatonic River Reflections" will showcase award-winning art from juried exhibitions sponsored by the Sheffield Art League and Simon's Rock College, as well as work by other artists with a noted affinity for the Berkshire landscape. Artists featured in the exhibition include: Patricia Blair Ryan, Emily Buchanan, Mario Caluori, Erica Child Prud'homme, Laurie Cormier, Frank D'Amato, Stephen Filmus, Ann Getsinger, James Gilbert, Martin Greene, Keith Hatcher, Pat Hogan, William Holland, Helen N. Jacobs, Joan Jardine, Ann Jon, Chet Kalm, Karen Kellogg, Wendy Klemperer, Kate Knapp, Ruth Kolbert, Elisabeth Levy, C. Lee Rogers, John Manikowski, Melody Mason, Gene Montez Flores, Dorothy Napp Schindel, Bonnie Oloff, June Parker, Ivor Parry, Daisy de Puthod, Nina Ritson, Jim Schantz, Andrea Scott, Gabrielle Senza, Mary Sipp-Green, Karin Smith, Lennart Swede Ahrstrom, Sheila Tintera, Robin Tost, Margot Trout, Nancy Virbila, Catherine Wallace Harding, Barbara Winters, Tom Zetterstrom, Paul Zura. An opening reception for the exhibition will be held on August 13, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibition is free with Museum admission. "Housatonic River Festival" Saturday, August 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrate the history, art and ecology of the Housatonic River with a family festival day to be held at the Norman Rockwell Museum on August 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. "Housatonic River Festival" will present hands-on art classes, nature workshops, gallery tours, performances and more. The festival is presented in conjunction with the new exhibition "Housatonic River Reflections." Presenters and performers at "Housatonic River Festival" include a cappella singing group Quintessential, Thunder Bay performance group, the Too Old to Care acoustic trio, ecologists from the Housatonic Valley Authority and the Berkshire Natural Resources Council, and artists from IS183, Sculpture Now, and the Sheffield Art League. Visitors are invited to meet and speak with representatives from Berkshire Canoe Tours, the Berkshire Fishing Club, the Berkshire Natural Fish Hatchery, Expeditions, the Housatonic Environmental Action League, Housatonic River Initiative, Housatonic River Outfitters, Housatonic River Restoration , Norman Anderson Sculpture, River Run, the Sheffield Historical Society, and Trout Unlimited. The event is free with Museum admission. For more information, the public is invited to call 413-298-4100, ext. 220. Visit the Museum's Web site at www.nrm.org.
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Pittsfield Parade Committee Picks Theme, Elects New Leadership

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Parade Committee, during its Annual Meeting in November, chose the theme "Young at Heart" for this year's Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade.
 
While holding its annual elections for the Board of Directors, the committee elected Pittsfield Downtown Inc. Director Rebecca Brien President, officially replacing longtime Director Pete Marchetti.
 
"The parade brings people of all ages together for a celebration of country and patriotism," Brien said. "This year's focus or theme, as with previous years, is on a segment of the whole or on the younger members of our community or those who simply feel young at heart."
 
The theme is typically used as a guide by float designers and musical groups participating in the line of march.
 
Marchetti is just entering his second full year as Mayor of Pittsfield following two decades as Director of the parade organization and coordinator of the Fourth of July Parade. Brien spent the past year as interim co-coordinator of the parade with Kristine Rose.
 
Elections also saw the re-election of the following members to the board: City Council President Pete White as well as Esther Anderson, and Chuck Gianatasio. Other members of the Board: Vice President Dick Murphy, Treasurer Tom Ryan, Secretary Patrick Kelly, Jill Gianatasio, April White, Weslia Wheeler, Ken Wheeler, Claudia White, and Peter Marchetti.
 
The committee invites members of the community to join and participate in the decision-making and on the day of the parade as the individual units are delivered into the parade's line of march on time and in order from the various holding streets just south of Pittsfield's Park Square intersection.
 
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