Norman Rockwell's 'Four Freedoms' Return to Stockbridge

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Norman Rockwell's "Four Freedoms" paintings return to Stockbridge

Returning to New England this fall after a six -city international tour is an exhibition devoted to Norman Rockwell's iconic depictions of Franklin D. Roosevelt's Four Freedoms—Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Fear, and Freedom from Want.
 
"We are tremendously honored that so many people from around the world have enjoyed Rockwell's work over the past 2 plus years, as the exhibition traveled around the U.S. and to France, and now comes home for its finale in the Berkshires," Norman Rockwell Museum Director Laurie Norton Moffatt said. "Perhaps now more than ever, the exhibition offers timely reflection into how far our nation has come, yet how much farther we need to go in pursuit of universal human rights, inviting viewers to consider the concepts of common good, civic engagement, and civil discourse."
 
"Norman Rockwell: Imagining Freedom" explores how the 1943 paintings came to be embraced by millions of Americans, providing crucial aid to the War effort and taking their place among the most indelible images in the history of American art. 
 
More than 40 Rockwell artworks are joined by paintings, drawings, photography, artifacts, and writings from artists across the decades in the expression of freedom, including Dorothea Lange, Gordon Parks, Arthur Rothstein, Mead Schaeffer, Arthur Szyk, Martha Sawyers, Langston Hughes, Thomas Lea, Boris Artzybasheff, and Denys Wortman, among others.
 
The exhibit opens Saturday Oct. 17. There will be a virtual gala at 5:30 pm.
 

Pop Up Bistro and Virtual Ghost Tours at The Mount 

Starting Friday Oct. 16 The Mount will collaborate with local food trucks. Menu items will vary weekly and are inspired by seasonal flavors. A selection of craft beers, wine, cider, and specialty cocktails will also be available. The Bistro will run from 3 pm to 7 pm every Friday and Saturday in October through Oct. 24.
 
Sunday brunches will run 10 am to 1 pm every Sunday through Oct. 25.
 
Also, virtual ghost tours begin Friday Oct. 16 from 8 to 9 pm through Oct. 30.  
 
Veteran tour guide Robert Oakes will lead tours through The Mount, sharing tales of the many eerie encounters that have been reported over the years. 
 
Reserve tables for the bistro or sign up for the ghost tour at EdithWharton.org.
 

The Solomon Wright Public Library Open House 

The Solomon Wright Public Library will hold an open house Saturday Oct. 17 to celebrate the recent interior renovations.
 
The self guided tour of the new library interior will follow COVID -19 safety protocols. Participants will enter the front door, stop at eight socially distant points of interest and exit the rear door of the library. Participants will be required to wear masks. Doors and windows will be open. 
 
The celebration will include a raffle of a folding wooden bookshelf and a gift certificate to the Where'd You Get That store in Williamstown. Commemorative individually wrapped cookies and bookmarks will cap off the celebration.
 
The Library's address is 97 Main St. Pownal, VT.
 

Lenox Library's Distinguished Lecture: "What Will the 2020 Election Say about the United States?"

Dr. Michael Hannahan, director of the University of Massachusetts Civic Initiative, will discuss "What Will the 2020 Election Say about the United States?"
 
Michael Hannahan has managed over 50 different exchange programs over nearly 15 years and has spoken in Pakistan, Iraq, Indonesia, and Argentina. He has also managed programs in Croatia, Russia, and Bulgaria. Dr. Hannahan's research examines the effects of political campaign activity, especially direct mail and phone banks.
 
Dr. Hannahan has worked for political parties; managed campaigns and political consulting firms; and served as senior advisor to former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift. He teaches American Political Thought, American Government, Campaign Finance and Reform, and Modern Political Campaigns.
 
The lecture will take place Sunday Oct. 18 at 4 pm on Zoom .
 

Community Recreation Association to hold food drive

As part of the effort of "Staying Connected to Our Community," the Community Recreation Association (CRA) is holding a Food Drive on Sunday, Oct. 18 from 9 am to 12 pm to benefit neighbors in need. The drive will be held rain or shine.
 
Donations collected during the drive will support the St. Agnes and the United Methodist Church Food Banks in Dalton and The First Congregational Church Food Bank in Hinsdale.
 
For safety, canned goods or non-perishable food items should be left on the curb in front of the Community House at 400 Main Street, Dalton. 
 
 
 
 
 
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State Launches Workforce Innovation Tour at Interprint

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Secretary of Labor Lauren Jones starts her statewide jobs tour at Interprint in Pittsfield on Monday. The colors in the signage were inspired by the Eras Tour. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development kicked off its "revolutionary" workforce tour at Interprint and learned some about decor printing.

On Monday, the Healey-Driscoll administration launched the "MassHire 250 Workforce Innovation Tour" to celebrate local and regional workforce innovations across the state. From now until July, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones will visit each of the state's 16 MassHire regional workforce boards to hear about partnerships that fuel and sustain sectors.

"Berkshire companies are innovative in creating new possibilities," said David Moresi, chair of the Berkshire Workforce Board. "Technology and innovation are part of the Berkshires' industrious past, thriving present, and limitless potential."

In celebration of Interprint's 40th year in the city, state and local officials toured the surface design and printing facility and even participated in an ink matching exercise. With around 200 employees, the company sells its decorative papers and films worldwide and has seen several expansions.

"As I often say, workforce development takes collaboration and the network of organizations, community leaders, and workforce partners represented here demonstrates the partnerships that drive outcomes from career coaching and job training to employment," Jones said.

"That was demonstrated certainly by hearing some of the highlights shared during our tour of the partnership with MassHire and the employment and professional development outcomes that we see at a company like Interprint."

In a week, Massachusetts will join five other states in celebrating Patriots Day, commemorating the inaugural battles of the American Revolutionary War: Lexington, Concord, and Menotomy (Arlington). The workforce tour builds on the launch of Massachusetts 250, a statewide initiative to celebrate 250 years of America's independence and Massachusetts' revolutionary legacy.

Jones noted the Taylor Swift's Eras Tour inspired the signage.

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