Berkshire County will be offering a variety of indoor and outdoor events this hot cloudy weekend including museum activities, concerts, fundraising walks, and farmers markets.
Third Thursday
Pittsfield Common, East Street
Third Thursday runs from 5 to 8 p.m. on the Common after a two-year hiatus.
This month's theme is youth and the evening will include entertainment on the mainstage and activities, food and vendors.
The presenting sponsor is General Dynamics Mission Systems, which will offer catapult building using household objects; the Flying Cloud Institute and Berkshire Art and Technology Charter School with also be offering interactive STEAM experiments.
Some highlights will be screen printing of a custom Pittsfield poster with the Blog Bus; crafts and more with Berkshire Macaroni Kid; pottery wheel demos with Jim Horsford; the Berkshire Athenaeum Book Bike; Thistle & Thorn Floral and the Plant Connector.
The Pittsfield High School Orchestra performs at the Foundry, located at 2 Harris St., this Friday at 6 p.m.
The concert is directed by Alla Zernitskaya with solo performances by PHS seniors Leila Paredes and Joseph Weinberg.
The students will be performing a variety of works including major chamber works and pieces from professional and individual artists.
The orchestra has been awarded for most original music selection and has performed in venues including Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood and the David Geffen Hall Stage at Lincoln Center.
Admission for the event is free and seating and bar open at 5 p.m. All guests will be required to wear a mask when they are not eating or drinking and proof of vaccination will be required at the door.
Arlo Guthrie's 'Historic Garbage Trail Walk to Massacree'
The Guthrie Center, Great Barrington
The annual fundraising walk for Huntington's disease that has raised more than $185,000 to support related causes returns in person this Sunday with registration beginning at 8:45 a.m.
The goal is to raise funds for lesser recognized Huntington-related charities, especially newer ones.
Registration is free with a $25 donation option to receive a 2022 HD Walk T-shirt. Registration will be taking place at the Guthrie Center until 9:45 a.m.
After registering, participants will get a ride to Theresa's Stockbridge Cafe, where they will be presented with a free continental breakfast. The walk will begin at 10.
There will be stops along the way with water, refreshments, music and small parties, as well as fingerprinting on a souvenir card at the police station. A light lunch and music will follow at the Old Trinity Church.
For those who are unable to complete the 6-mile course, there will be Volkswagen drivers circulating along the route to drive participants back to the center to await the arrival of the fellow walkers.
Museum of Vintage Trail Bikes, located at 192 Henry Wood Road, will be having an open house this Saturday starting at 11 a.m.
Participants will have the opportunity to see vintage motorcycles, boots, and trophies from races past collected by owner, restorer, and curator Jim Hoellerich.
Hoellerich collection is vast and consists of antique and hard to find motorcycles from a variety of manufacturers.
"Inside are more than 80 antique OSSAs and more than a half-dozen Bultacos, as well as hard to find marquees such as Penton, Dalesman, Yankee and Rokon, brands that are likely unfamiliar to street riders. Just how many bikes Hoellerich has is hard to peg because he's always adding more," Motorcycle Classics wrote in "Destinations: Museum of Vintage Trail Bikes, Cheshire, Massachusetts."
Ghost Tours with Robert Oakes
Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum, Lenox
Author of "Ghosts of the Berkshires" Robert Oakes is leading a tour through the historic estate while sharing stories of the hauntings.
"Stand in the places where the eerie encounters occurred, listen to the first-hand accounts of those who experienced them, and maybe even experience something unusual yourself. This is not an active investigation," Ventfort Hall's website says.
Reservations are required and tickets are non-refundable or exchangeable. Proof of vaccination is also required. Participants must be 12 years or older and cost $27. Tickets can be purchased by calling .413-637-3206. For more information, visit Ventfort Hall's website.
Farmers Markets
Pittsfield Farmers Market
The Common, Pittsfield
Powered by Roots Rising, the market will be open this and every Saturday rain or shine from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. until Oct. 8.
Each week the market will have fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables, along with meat, eggs, cheese, baked goods by local vendors. Participants can shop for flowers, and artisan goods while listening to music and participate in family activities.
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Pittsfield Extends Interim School Superintendent Contract
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips' employment has been extended to 2027.
Last week, the School Committee approved an employment contract that runs through June 30, 2027. Phillips was originally appointed to a one-year position that began on July 1 and runs through the end of the fiscal year in June 2026.
"You didn't ask me simply to endure challenges or struggle to prove myself. Instead, you believe in me, you've given me the space to grow, the encouragement to stretch, and the expectation that I can truly soar," she said earlier in last Wednesday's meeting when addressing outgoing School Committee members.
"You question, you poke, you prod, but not to tear anything down, but to make our work stronger, grounded in honesty, integrity, and hope. You've entrusted me with meaningful responsibility and welcomed me into the heart of this community. Serving you and leading our public schools has been, thus far, a joyful, renewing chapter in my life, and I want to thank you for this opportunity."
Chair William Cameron reported that the extended contract includes a 3 percent cost-of-living increase in the second year and more specific guidelines for dismissal or disciplinary action.
Phillips was selected out of two other applicants for the position in May. Former Superintendent Joseph Curtis retired at the end of the school year after more than 30 years with the district.
The committee also approved an employment contract with Assistant Superintendent for CTE and Student Support Tammy Gage that runs through June 30, 2031. Cameron reported that there is an adjustment to the contract's first-year salary to account for new "substantive" responsibilities, and the last three years of the contract's pay are open to negotiation.
The middle school restructuring, which was given the green light later that night, and the proposal to rebuild and consolidate Crosby Elementary School and Conte Community School on West Street, have been immediate action items in Phillips' tenure.
A 700-square-foot outdoor water attraction is planned for the 2.1-acre park at 30 John Street. City officials hope to have it operational by summertime.
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Jewish Federation of the Berkshires President Arlene Schiff opened the festivities with a recognition of the victims of Sunday's mass shooting in Australia and praise for a hero who helped stop the killing.
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