Arrowhead poetry workshop collection published
Pittsfield — Since November, 2014 the eight members of a poetry workshop at Herman Melville’s Arrowhead in Pittsfield have been working on developing new pieces with monthly meetings and challenges to spur them on. Now, after eight months, the book is ready to be released and will be available at a Public Reading and Book Launch party on Friday, June 19 at 7 p.m. The party will take place in Melville’s historic barn on the farm that is now a museum, located at 780 Holmes Rd. The reading is free and open to the public. The price of the book, available that night for the first time, is $8.25.
The Berkshire Historical Society, which owns and operates Arrowhead, has published the chapbook, its third publication in the past 18 months, the others being the play “Maids in the Mills” by J. Peter Bergman which played at Arrowhead last summer and fall and the Melville Biography, “Power of Place” by Marianna Poutasse. Both are available in the gift shop at Herman Melville’s Arrowhead as are books by the current writer-in-residence, Jana Laiz.
The new poetry chapbook is entitled “RED BARN Volume One” and is anticipated to be an annual publication with new work by different authors each year. The 2015 edition includes poetry by Elizabeth Haight, Karel Fisher, Amy White, Linda Wlodyka, Paige Cerulli, Victoria Passier, Karen Schoemer and J. Peter Bergman. There is also a rarely seen poem by Herman Melville in the book.
Call 413-442-1793 for more information.
— D.S.
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Town accepting applications for CPA projects
Great Barrington — Potential applicants for Community Preservation Act (CPA) Fiscal Year 2017 funds are invited by the town’s Community Preservation Committee to submit Step 1 applications, which will be accepted on a rolling basis between now and September 1, 2015.
The CPA helps fuel public projects in three categories: open space and recreation, community housing and historic preservation. CPA revenue comes from a three percent surcharge added to local property taxes over the first $100,000 of assessed value. Low-income residents and low to moderate-income seniors can apply for abatements to remove the surcharge from their tax bill. The state kicks money into the town’s CPA fund every year through the Community Preservation Trust Fund. The state’s last contribution amounted to a 48 percent match of local funds.
“There has to be a public benefit whenever you use CPA funds,” said Town Planner Christopher Rembold. A minimum of 10 percent of annual CPA funds must be spent or reserved for each of the three categories.
Projects consistent with the town’s Master Plan, and those involving town-owned properties, will be given priority, according to the Committee. Many residents and town officials supported the CPA for just this reason — to take the burden off the town budget.
The Step 2 review will determine whether the Committee approves a project, and for how much money, says Committee Chair Karen W. Smith. But final approval lies with the voters at the May 2016 Town Meeting.
Application forms are available on the Town website at www.townofgb.org/Pages/GBarringtonMA_CPC/index, or the Town Planner’s office, 334 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
— H.B.
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Rotary Club awards 29 college scholarships
Great Barrington — At a lively luncheon at Crissey Farm, the Rotary Club of Great Barrington gave $40,000 in scholarship money to 47 local high school graduates and current college students.
A total of $24,500 was given to 29 students who recently graduated from Monument Mountain High School and Mt. Everett Regional High Schools, and $15,500 to 18 students currently enrolled in universities who had previously graduated from either school.
The needs-based scholarships also take a student’s academics and community service work into account, said Janet Dohoney, co-chair of the Rotary’s scholarship committee. A new scholarship was created this year to honor Trinity Raifstanger, who died last fall.
Several speakers gave the students advice for moving forward, out into the big world, including Berkshire School of Etiquette’s Diane Massey, who surprised everyone in the room when she explained that elbows can indeed be placed on a dining table.
“But only when there’s no food in front of you.”
Massey went on to explain how to work the room at a networking party. “Don’t grab chicken wings,” she said to the riveted group, who wondered just how to eat and drink, and still be able to reach in one’s pocket for a business card. “You put your cup on your plate,” she said. Students looked at each other, or their parents, having finally been given the key to the great mystery of how to deal with cocktail party food.
“You could have the best G.P.A. imaginable,” Massey said. But a smile, eye contact, a firm handshake and good posture, she added, can make all the difference.
“Soft skills,” she said, “can get you a raise or the next job.”
It was Rotary’s “Drive for Scholarships” Golf Tournament at Wyantenuck Country Club that fueled the bulk of these scholarships. Fundraising for education is Rotary’s “primary focus,” according to member Richard Stanley, who is committee chairman for the Bike-N-Fly fundraiser at the Great Barrington (Walter Kolazda) Airport. Other fundraisers include Truck Day, Food and Beverage Tasting with Kiwanis, Lotto and Restaurant Raffle.
Rotary’s motto is “Service Above Self,” and the Great Barrington Rotary has, over the years, awarded $700,000 in scholarships.
— H.B.
