Are We There Yet?: Curiosity, By George!

I miss Curious George.

Let me explain. "Curious George" was the one cartoon on PBS my daughter watched regularly from the time she was a toddler pretty much up through first grade. Her first, second and third birthday parties were all George-themed. I loved the show and the monkey as much as she did ... maybe even more.

Last year, in second grade, she might stumble upon the show and watch it for a few minutes. We also made sure to catch the oh-so-cute George movie, "A Very Monkey Christmas," around the holidays. But this year, George is no longer a constant companion in our house.

And I miss him terribly. Every day, 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., George would fill our house with his innocent naughtiness, his zeal for discovery, his love of friendship and fun. So if my daughter doesn't want to go to "Curiosity Day" at the Berkshire Athenaeum on Saturday, Sept. 20, I just might go without her!

From 10:30 a.m. to noon, kids of all ages are invited (even 39!) are invited to come meet Curious George himself. There will also be snacks, crafts and all sorts of activities to encourage every child’s curiosity, including five different activity stations that will promote Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math as part of the Full STEAM Ahead programs coming soon to the Berkshire Athenaeum. This family event is free, and no registration is required but children under 10 must be accompanied at all times by an adult over 18 years of age. 

I wonder if adults over the age of 18 need to be accompanied by a child?

The other family events this weekend also seem to be centered on Saturday, including the "Miles for Moments" family fun day to raise money for and awareness of Moments House, which supports friends, neighbors and families living with a diagnosis of cancer. The event, to be held at Burbank Park on Onota Lake in Pittsfield, includes a 5K walk and run as well as a kids fun run at 11 a.m., followed by a full day of music, crafts and more through 5 p.m.

Also on Saturday is the highlight of the weekend-long celebration in Lee, Founders Day. The event does kick off Friday night with the "Taste of Lee" street fair, but the hometown parade on Saturday at 11 a.m. is an annual highlight - this year made all the more special by a visit by Ronald McDonald, who will be marching along with bands, firemen, clowns, veterans and Parade Grand Marshal Smitty Pignatelli. In addition to the parade, there are plenty of other activities for the kids and the whole family: see the complete schedule here.

Enjoy this last official weekend of summer!

Rebecca Dravis is the community editor at iBerkshires. She can be reached at rdravis@iberkshires.com.