Saturday, June 21, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

BITS & BYTES: Dragons at Springfield Museums; Berkshire Choral International at Tanglewood; Berkshire Music School at Wander; OLLI presents David Tatel; Lenox Library Read for a Cause; Dalton United Methodist Church tag sale

Springfield Museums presents “Here Be Dragons,” a one-of-a-kind immersive exhibition that brings visitors face-to-face with live reptiles, touchable models, and paleontological discoveries that blur the lines between fantasy and reality.

Springfield Museums presents ‘Here Be Dragons,’ an immersive live reptile exhibition

Springfield— From May 24th through September 14th, Springfield Museums presents “Here Be Dragons,” a one-of-a-kind immersive exhibition that brings visitors face-to-face with live reptiles, touchable models, and paleontological discoveries that blur the lines between fantasy and reality.

Bearded Dragon (pogona vitticeps.) Courtesy Springfield Museums.

From prehistoric flying reptiles to their modern relatives, “Here Be Dragons” combines education, interaction, and a touch of magic. This exhibition is perfect for families, museum enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of myth, biology, and natural history.

“For centuries dragons have captured human imaginations! This exhibit brings together the fun and fantasy of dragons with animals that really do exist here on Earth,” says Jenny Powers, Director of the Springfield Science Museum.

The exhibit runs from May 24th through September 14th at the Springfield Museums, located at 21 Edwards Street in Springfield. More information can be found online. 

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Berkshire Choral International presents ‘Songs of Love,’ their Memorial Day weekend concert at Tanglewood’s Ozawa Hall

Lenox— On Sunday, May 25th at 2 p.m., Berkshire Choral International presents “Songs of Love,” their Memorial Day weekend concert at Tanglewood’s Ozawa Hall. 

Dr. Anthony Trecek-King. Courtesy Berkshire Choral International.

Dr. Anthony Trecek-King, in his first season as BCI’s new Artistic Director, will conduct the 150-voice chorus in a diverse program of songs about love. A highlight of the program will be a performance of Johannes Brahms’ “New Love Song Waltzes,” a folk-based suite of songs exploring love and relationships. Other works include Copland’s “The Promise of Living,” a gorgeous arrangement of “Shenandoah,” and pieces by Handel, Hagenberg, and Shank. 

The concert is on Sunday, May 25th at 2 p.m. at Tanglewood’s Ozawa Hall, located at 297 West Street in Lenox. Tickets and more information can be found online.

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Berkshire Music School presents a community sing-along at Wander

Pittsfield— On Sunday, May 25th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Berkshire Music School presents a community sing-along at Wander. 

Courtesy Berkshire Music School.

You’re invited to a joyful, all-ages community sing-along where voices rise together in harmony and celebration. This special Broadway edition will feature iconic show tunes projected on a large screen—no stage fright, no pressure, just pure fun. Whether you’re a lifelong musical fan or simply love to lift your voice with others, come connect, express yourself, and be part of something uplifting.

The event is on Sunday, May 25th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Wander, located at 34 Depot Street in Pittsfield. More information can be found online. 

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OLLI presents David Tatel, retired Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, to discuss book ‘Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice’

Pittsfield— On Wednesday, May 28th at 7 p.m., OLLI presents a virtual conversation with David Tatel, retired Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, to discuss his book “Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice.”

David Tatel. Courtesy OLLI.

David Tatel was appointed to the D.C. Circuit by President Clinton, filling the seat occupied by Ruth Bader Ginsberg when she was appointed to the Supreme Court. He served for almost thirty years on the D.C. Circuit, considered the nation’s second highest court after the Supreme Court. He will talk about how he came to write his memoir, his experience as a judge deciding landmark environmental, voting rights and civil rights cases, how he first tried to hide his deteriorating vision but finally acknowledged his blindness, and the dog who changed his life. The conversation will also cover the challenges faced by the federal judiciary, the current Supreme Court, and the art of judging.

The virtual discussion is on Wednesday, May 28th at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Registration and more information can be found online.

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Lenox Library presents ‘Read for a Cause,’ a program for teens combining reading with making a difference in the community

Lenox— On Wednesday, May 28th from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Lenox Library presents “Read for a Cause,” a program for teens combining reading with making a difference in the community. 

Lenox Library invites high school students, or those who are 13 to 17 years old, to an exciting new program combining reading with making a difference in the community. Participants will meet to discuss what types of community issues (e.g., food insecurity, climate change, mental health, child welfare, etc.) they would like to learn about, then read a book related to that topic. Books will be provided for free from the Library and available to keep. Participants then will have an opportunity to discuss the book as a group at a second meeting and learn from a local organization about their chosen topic. The group then will decide what the community service project will be and schedule a time to complete it.

The first meeting is on Wednesday, May 28th from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lenox Library, located at 18 Main Street in Lenox. Registration and more information can be found online. 

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Dalton United Methodist Church community tag sale

Dalton— On Saturday, May 31st from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Dalton United Methodist Church is hosting a community tag sale. 

The church will offer food, beverages, and bake sale items for purchase, with all event proceeds supporting the church’s general fund. The church will accept tag sale donations from the community on Tuesday, May 27th from 9 a.m. to noon; Wednesday, May 28th from noon to 3 p.m.; Thursday, May 29th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and Friday, May 30th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. No computers, electronics, or clothing will be accepted. 

The tag sale is on Saturday, May 31st from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dalton United Methodist Church, located at 755 Main Street in Dalton. For more information, call 413-684-0521.

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The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.

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The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.