Tamarack Hollow Berkshire Drum and Dance Fest

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WINDSOR, Mass. — The 12th annual Tamarack Hollow Berkshire Drum and Dance Fest is Saturday, Oct. 2 at the Windsor Town Park.
 
The event featured drum classes with Namory Keita from Guinea, West Africa and dance class with West African dancer Seny Daffe w/ lead drummers Namory Keita & Aimee Gelinas and members of Gaia Roots and the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers.
 
The drum fest is an annual community experience to gather and celebrate in the spirit of the drum. Classes will be led by master drummer & "Djembe Fola" Namory Keita from Sangbarala, West Africa with a West African dance class at 3pm featuring: Seny Daffe from Guinea, the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers led by Aimee Gelinas and members of Gaia Roots.
 
The rain location is Windsor Town Hall.
 
  • 10:30-12  & 1-2:30 Intergenerational drum classes with Namory Keita (registration required, $30 per class, per person; drum rental $5)
  • 3pm Intergenerational West African Dance Class w/ Seny Daffe featuring drumming with Namory Keita, the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers led by Aimee Gelinas and members of Gaia Roots. $30 per class, per person
 
 The fest will also include a world marketplace and refreshments. 
 
 Email Director Aimee Gelinas at aimee@gaiaroots.com to register for drum and dance classes. Masks required for all classes. No walk ins please, registration required.
 
Fest proceeds will support the artists and the Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center's year round environmental education for all ages, the "Raise the Roof" fund to build a sustainable nature and cultural education center and to continue to conserve 32 acres of highland boreal forest in Windsor for future generations. 
 
Tamarack Hollow is a 501c3 tax-exempt non-profit organization whose mission is to "Inspire environmental and cultural awareness, appreciation and stewardship." Visit the website or Facebook event page for more info.
 
 To make a donation to Tamarack Hollow visit our website: www.tamarackhollownatureandculturalcenter.org
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Drury Class Of '57 Donates to NBEMS in Honor of Classmate

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Drury High School class of 1957 donated $2,176.90 to Northern Berkshire EMS (NBEMS) in memory of their classmate, Barbara (Nissen) Wagner, who helped establish the service in 1977.
 
"We appreciate this and when Barb passed away we had money that was donated. We put that money into an investment account," said General Manager John Meaney said. We're going to add this money into that account. Because someday, we hope to raise enough money to expand the service and hopefully, get a bigger building at some point, because we've been outgrowing over the years."
 
Wagner, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 67, was an initiator of the capital campaign to establish the North Adams Ambulance Service, now known as Northern Berkshire EMS, in 1977. She served as president of the organization for 29 years. 
 
"She built this," Meaney said, referring to the Harris Street headquarters the group met in on Friday afternoon. "She was president of the board and they built the headquarters here…It has come a long way. She had a vision back in 1977 to where we are today. It is pretty amazing we have eight units and we cover 351 square miles and 13 towns."
 
Class of 1957 member Hulda Jowett said the class decided they were no longer going to hold reunions so they decided to clean out the account. 
 
Class member Jane DeMarco said it was a clear decision to donate the funds in Wagner's name.   
 
"She was a member of our class and this just seemed fitting," said DeMarco. "This might encourage other people who might have money they want to donate."
 
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