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Weekend Outlook: Thunderfest Returns

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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There are several events this weekend to help you recharge from your week including fundraisers, live music, and more. 
 
Editor's Pick
 
ThunderFest 
Adams Visitor Center
Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.
 
The annual outdoor festival celebrating the historic Thunderbolt Trail and Race returns bringing live music, food from local vendors, local craft, retail, and recreational vendors, a campfire and marshmallows, local craft beer and wine, and more. 
 
Admission is free. More information here
 
Multiple Days
 
The Bulb Show 
Berkshire Botanical Garden, Stockbridge
Ends Sunday
 
The garden's celebration of beauty, renewal, and the magic of nature's rhythm concludes this weekend. The Fitzpatrick Conservatory will be open daily between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
 
The show features hundreds of flowering bulbs, including classic favorites like tulips, daffodils, and grape hyacinths, as well as lesser-known varieties. 
 
More information here
 
Friday 
 
Kilashandra Performance 
Methuselah Bar and Lounge, Pittsfield 
Time: 7 p.m. 
 
Although St. Patrick's Day is over, there is still a chance to celebrate Irish culture by listening to music by the Celtic band Kilashandra. More information here
 
Bring Your Own Vinyl Night 
Hot Plate Brewing Co., Pittsfield
Time: 7 p.m.
 
DJ Pup Daddy will perform some of his favorite albums and encourages the community to bring their own to listen to. He also lets folks dig through his crates to find tracks they'd like to hear in case they don't have any vinyl albums of their own.
 
More information here
 
Karaoke Night
VFW Post 996, North Adams
Time: 9 p.m. 
 
Sing the night away with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 996. More information here
 
Latin Night 
Dotties Coffee Lounge, Pittsfield 
Time: 6:30 p.m. 
 
Heat up the dance floor with some Latin moves. There will be a salsa class at 7 and the night concludes with a social dance party starting at 8 featuring merengue, salsa, bachata, and more. 
 
The classes are $15 per person. More information here
 
Crystal Ship Performance 
The Stationery Factory, Dalton 
Time: 7:30 p.m. 
 
The Doors tribute band Crystal Ship will be performing tunes by the '60s rock band. Tickets are $27.38. More information here
 
Musical Bingo 
Bounti-Fare, Adams 
Time: 6 p.m. 
 
Play musical bingo to support the Top Tier Elites Summit-eligible teams.The event prizes include a spa and massage package, Bogg Bag filled with goodies, SL Photography Gift Card and much more. 
 
Tickets are $25 for 2 cards and 3 games. Additional cards are $5 each. More information here
 
Night of Dreams Fundraising Gala
Berkshire Hills Country Club, Pittsfield 
Time: 6 p.m. 
 
Get dressed up and fundraise with the Berkshire Dream Center for its second annual Night of Dreams gala featuring a guest speaker, hors d'oeuvres, a photo booth with a professional photographer, a silent auction, and live music. 
 
More information here
 
Tim Gallagher Performance 
Antimony Brewing, Pittsfield 
Time: 7 p.m. 
 
Musician Tim Gallagher will be performing. More information here
 
A Taste of Germany Dinner
Zion Lutheran Church, Pittsfield
Time: 5 p.m. 
 
The church will be serving Oma's Gulasch with egg noodles, red cabbage, and carrots, plus a chocolate cherry cake for dessert in the common room. There is also an option for take-out. 
 
Tickets range from $12 to $20. More information here.  
 
Saturday
 
St. Stanislaus Kostka Church Tour
25 Hoosac St., Adams
Time: 3 p.m.
 
Local historian Eugene Michalenko will give a guided tour of the historic Catholic church filled with exceptional art and stained-glass windows that reflect the history of the Polish people who came to Adams to work in the mills. Held in conjunction with Thunderfest.
 
More information here
 
Dead Man's Waltz Performance 
The Stationery Factory, Dalton
Time: 7:30 p.m. 
 
The all-star collective from the Northeast festival scene, Dead Man's Waltz, will be performing tunes that interweave the classic songs and jams of The Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers Band, and The Band. 
 
Tickets range from $27.38 to $32.64. More information here
 
Book Signing
Barnes & Noble, Pittsfield
Time: 11 a.m.
 
Author and artist Steven Monterosso, "Monty Draws," will be talking about and signing his newest book of poetry, "Updated Panic." The collection explores mental health, personal struggle, and societal expectations.
 
More information here
 
Williamstown Farmers Market
Williamstown Elementary School
Time: 9 to 1
 
The winter market hosts favorite vendors such as East Mountain Farm, Blair Farm, Musante Honey Bee Farm, Uzume’s Pots, Yarnwork, R&G Cheese, Chris’s Kitchen, Berkshire Candle, Hexagon Bagels, Cricket Creek Farm, The Peach Tree, Veggie Dash Microgreens, Rae Textiles, Alison Kolesar, Handcock Woodturning, and Mama Luchi's. Additionally, Moon Scones, Vero's Apothecary, and JK Custom Furniture and Design will be on hand. Live music. 
 
More information here
 
Hilltop Orchards Fundraiser
508 Canaan Road, Richmond
Time: 1 to 5 p.m. 
 
The orchard will be raising funds for the Song of the Robin Animal Sanctuary in West Lebanon, NY. The event features wine, hard ciders, vegan food tastings, and giveaways. More information here
 
Comedy on Tap
Bright Ideas Brewing, North Adams
Time: 7:30 to 9 p.m. 
 
Warm up at Bright Ideas Brewing for a night full of laughter. Stand-up comedians Cody Montanye and Bill Lake will be hitting the stage at this event hosted by Charlie Nadler. Tickets are $15. More information here.
 
Spring Equinox Meditation Walk
Berkshire Botanical Garden, Stockbridge
Time: 4 to 5 p.m. 
 
Meditation facilitator Sandrine Harris will lead an outdoor meditation experience on the spring equinox. 
 
No prior meditation experience is needed. Harris is a trauma-sensitive mindfulness facilitator with a focus on connecting with nature, offering community programs and private sessions in the Berkshires.
 
More information here
 
Best of the '70s with Dizzyfish and the Uptown Horns
The Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield 
Time: 7:30 p.m.
 
There will be performances by Dizzyfish and the Uptown Horns, showcasing tunes from the 70s, including hits by Neil Young, The Beatles, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, and more.
 
Tickets cost $30 and up. More information here
 
Jim Witherell Performance
Antimony Brewing, Lenox 
Time: 7 to 10 p.m. 
 
Jim Witherell will perform acoustic music. The event will also feature a guest performer. More information here
 
Mountain Mindfulness: Winter Wonderland Walk
Mount Greylock Visitor Center, Lanesborough
Time: 1 p.m. 
 
Suzy Conroy will lead a mindful walk at Mount Greylock that blends forest bathing, meditation, and mindful breathing with the aim of connecting visitors to nature. 
 
More information here.
 
Author Talk And Reading
North Adams Public Library
Time: 11 a.m. 
 
North Adams mystery novelist Deborah J. Benoit will be discuss and read from her new book "The Gardener's Plot."
 
The book follows Maggie Walker, who returns to her hometown to pursue her passion for gardening. She teams up with a friend, Violet, to volunteer for a community garden. On opening day, Violet is missing, and a body is discovered in a plot. With rumors flying, Maggie decides to uncover the truth and find the killer.
 
More information here
 
Gallery Artist Fundraiser 
Future Lab[s], North Adams
Time: 6 to 8 p.m. 
 
Bid on artwork and items from local businesses that are available through a silent auction. Every dollar raised will be donated directly to the Sameer Project, an organization dedicated to providing urgent aid and support to the people of Gaza. 
 
More information here
 
Ghost Tours with Robert Oakes 
Ventfort Hall, Lenox
Time: 4 p.m. 
 
The Gilded Age mansion hosts a tour with "Ghosts of the Berkshires" author Robert Oakes.
 
Oakes 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 first-hand accounts of those who experienced them, and maybe even experience something unusual yourself. This is not an active investigation," according to the press release.
 
Admission is $30 and the minimum age to attend is age 12. Reservations are required. Purchase tickets here
 
Note that all tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable
 
Sunday
 
Pasta Dinner Fundraiser 
St. Stephen's Parish, Pittsfield
Time: 5 to 7 p.m. 
 
Support the Foster Care Backpack Project organized by the Young People's Fellowship with a pasta dinner. 
 
Dinner is $15 dinner or $8 for children 10 and under. Take out is also available. 
 
All proceeds will be used to provide backpacks full of essentials for infants and toddlers entering foster care. More information here
 
Studio 9: These Are The Days
231 River St., North Adams
Time: 4 p.m.
 
Ron Ramsay and Samantha Talora return to Studio 9 at Porches Inn with "These are the days ...," a "feel good" mix of tunes from artists like Linda Ronstadt, Van Morrison and Bonnie Raitt.
 
Tickets are $20, $15 students in advance (recommended) and $25 same day. They purchased online or at the door.  Doors open at 3:30 p.m. More information here.
 
Lindsay Anne Performance 
Antimony Brewing, Lenox
Time: Noon to 3 p.m. 
 
Berkshire County songwriter will be performing her original music. Enjoy the acoustic tunes and the brewery's kegs and eggs brunch. More information here
 
Boreal Forest and Waterfall Snowshoe
Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center, Savoy
Time: 1 p.m. 
 
The center's director and naturalist, Aimee Gelinas, will be leading a trek on the center's conserved land, which will feature a new round-trip trail, bridge, and cascading waterfall. 
 
In addition, there will be boreal/northern forest tree identification, wildlife tracking, and forest ecology. 
 
More information here

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Blue Vista Motor Lodge Brings Hospitality & View to Guests

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Among the upgrades at the renovated lodge is a sauna to refresh after a day of skiing and hiking. 
FLORIDA, Mass. — The Blue Vista Motor Lodge is still bringing hospitality to the town of Florida — even 100 years, many owners, names, and renovations later.
 
"When we were working on renovation plans, we found a postcard online from 1923 from the Whitcomb Summit Motor Lodge so that's kind of exciting that for over 100 years, people have been coming here and I think you can see why," owner Stella Downie said.
 
It all started with a small shack on Whitcomb Summit offering souvenirs and drinks that opened up with the highway in 1914. With growing popularity along the scenic byway, small cottages were built for motorists to stay on the Mohawk Trail's highest point.  
Unfortunately, in 1938, the store and a restaurant burned and the cottages started to get run down. In the 1960s, the cottages were replaced with the current building, named Whitcomb Summit Lodge. 
 
There were attempts to rejuvenate the summit for tourism over the preceding decades that fell by the wayside — from campgrounds and timeshares to fine dining and condominiums.
 
Downie purchased the building in December 2021, renovated the lodge in 2022 with a soft opening that fall, and officially opened in early 2023.
 
"We really wanted to clean it up and make it a beautiful place again for people to come and visit and really highlight the views," she said.
 
When Downie took over the property, she said it needed fixes and moving around. She took down all of the bordering dilapidated buildings that had long been abandoned, including the shuttered restaurant, to enhance the grounds. 
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