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Berkshires Gets Spooky With Adult Halloween Activities

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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All year long Halloween enthusiasts hide away their pointed hats and pause their D Minor music awaiting their beloved holiday's return. What better way to celebrate its return than by visiting a few of Berkshire County's Halloween activities; here are our must-do Halloween activities in Berkshire County. 
 
13 Nights at Jiminy
Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, Hancock 
Terror begins Friday, Sept. 27, and runs through Oct. 31 
 
The mountain resort known for its snowy hills and winter recreation is transformed into a fright destination. 
 
Many locals fly to Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort for its "13 Nights Haunted House" to be scared out of their wits.
 
The resort's grounds and buildings are decorated to instill terror as hidden actors give the willing participants a fright every Friday through Sunday from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. throughout October.
 
The age recommendation is age 10 and older. Haunted House admission costs $29. 
 
Participants are also welcome to ride through the darkness with the resort's Mountain Coaster for $15 a ride. 
 
The Scream and Scare Package includes one trip through "13 Nights" and two rides on the coaster for $49. 
 
The Christiansen's Tavern will be open to purchase drinks, dinner, or a snack Friday through Sunday from 5 until 10:30 throughout "13 Nights."
 
More information here
 
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show
Naumkeag, Stockbridge
Sept. 27 thru Oct. 27 
 
Take a breath from fright and relax at Naumkeag for its pumpkin show. 
 
The museum decorates the gardens with more than 1,500 jack-o'-lanterns, hundreds of mums, pumpkins, and countless gourds – most of which were grown at Naumkeag. 
 
Hot cider and fall treats will be available for sale on-site.
 
Tickets must be purchased online in advance. Ticket time represents your arrival window.
 
No parking is available onsite with this general admission ticket but designated parking spaces are available on both sides of Town Hall located at 50 Main St., along Main Street, or Elm Street. 
 
The first shuttle will leave downtown Stockbridge at 5 p.m. and run every 5 to 10 minutes through the run of the show, the last shuttle will depart no later than 8 p.m.
 
Ticket prices and booking here
 
Haunted Hancock
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
Select Dates throughout October
 
Throughout October, Hancock Shaker Village opens its doors at night for a "spine-chilling evening of Shaker ghosts and mystery."
 
Participants will walk the dark paths of the village and venture into the dimly-lit halls of the Brick Dwelling to hear stories of ghost sightings, and learn about the Shakers' role in the spiritualist movement. 
 
The recommended age for this spooky experience is age 12 and older. Tickets for this 75-minute adventure are limited and can be purchased here
 
Ghost Tours with Robert Oakes
Ventfort Hall, Lenox
Select Dates 
 
Ventfort Hall hosts ghost tours with "Ghosts of the Berkshires" author Robert Oakes during which he will lead guests through the rooms and halls of the estate sharing tales of its hauntings.
 
"Stand in the places where the encounters occurred, listen to the firsthand accounts of those who experienced them, and maybe even experience something unusual yourself. This is not an active investigation," the Ventfort Hall website said. 
 
Admission is $30 and the minimum age to attend is age 12. Reservations are required. To purchase tickets call 413-637-3206. 
 
Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Payment is required to make a reservation for an event. More information here
 
Ghost Tours
The Mount, Lenox
Select Dates 
 
The Mount holds untold stories of its former dwellers that will be revealed during tours of Edith Wharton's home. 
 
During the two-hour long ghost tour, participants will be guided by veteran tour guides through the darkened halls of the turn-of-the-century home. 
 
The tour contains adult content that is not appropriate for children under 12. Children under age 12 will not be admitted. 
 
More information here

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Community Hero: Noelle Howland

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Noelle Howland is committed to keeping alive the late Pittsfield ACO Eleanor Sonsini's mission of helping animals ... albeit farther north in North Adams.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — No Paws Left Behind Executive Director Noelle Howland has been selected as the November Community Hero of the Month. 
 
The Community Hero of the Month series honors individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact in their community. The series sponsor, Haddad Auto, has extended this initiative for one more month.
 
Howland breathed new life into the mission of the former Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter, which closed in August 2023. 
 
The shelter in Pittsfield operated under the mission established by Eleanor Sonsini, a local animal rights activist and longtime animal control officer in Pittsfield, to be a no-kill shelter committed to finding surrendered and abandoned pets new forever homes. 
 
Howland's love for animals, dedication to their well-being, and expertise in animal behavior and training and shelter management brought this mission to new heights at No Paws Left Behind, a new shelter for dogs located at 69 Hodges Cross Road. 
 
"I want people to understand that I know it's hard to surrender. So, my biggest thing is [making sure] people know that, of course, we're not judging you. We're here to help you," Howland said. 
 
When Sonsini announced its closing, Howland, who was the shelter's manager, worked to save it, launching fundraising initiatives. However, the previous board decided to close the shelter down and agreed to let Howland open her own shelter using their mission. 
 
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