Ramsdell Library Sunday programming
Housatonic — Special programming for Ramsdell Library Sunday hours will begin Sunday, Sept. 24, from 1 to 4 p.m. The circulation desk will be open for checking books, movies and magazines in and out and the Friends of the Great Barrington Libraries will provide free coffee and snacks. Sunday open hours will continue on a year-round basis with the exception of holiday weekends.
This Sunday’s events will begin with stories and music from Great Barrington writer and illustrator Adam Gudeon, who will be accompanied by guitarist Sam Rosen. At 2:30 there will be a screening of the animated fable “The Point” featuring songs by Harry Nilsson. The kid-friendly day will be capped off with an ice cream social.
The activities are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Ramsdell Library at (413) 274-3738.
–E.E.
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Monterey Community Center to host folk music series
Monterey — Beginning Thursday, Sept. 21, and continuing weekly through Thursday, Oct. 12, the Monterey Community Center will host folk musician Karl Finger in a series on American folk music from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Through music and words, Finger will trace the origins of folk music from its value as a window into the various periods in history, its effect on social and political movements, and its role as an expression of people’s experiences and the climate of the times. He will encourage participants to sing along and, if time permits, to have a discussion.
Finger is an internationally known recording artist, guitarist and folk singer. In 1972 on the steps of the Massachusetts State House, he played a protest song he had written titled “The Ballad of Route 23.” He has performed on over 40 recordings and has appeared with such artists as Pete Seeger, Odetta, Josh White, Oscar Brand, Miles Davis, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry. He has lectured on folk music and its role in history and social movements at schools, colleges and universities. For the past 30 years, he has led American tourists on trips to over 50 countries around the world, teaching workshops and learning dances and music from local people.
The series is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Karl Finger at (413) 528-2963 or finger@bcn.net.
–E.E.
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Fairview Hospital gives tour of emergency department to children
Great Barrington — On Saturday, Sept. 16, a group of children and parents from Southern Berkshire C.A.R.E. visited the Fairview Hospital emergency department and the Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance Squad. The invitation was extended in an effort to assist parents in educating, desensitizing and familiarizing their children with emergency professionals and surroundings via a safe, fun and supportive experience.
Adrian Elliot, M.D., chief of Fairview’s emergency department, gave the children a tour during which they had an opportunity to touch equipment and ask questions. The group then visited the SBVAS garage, where EMT Crystal VanDeusen led a tour of the garage and the ambulances and helped the children make first aid kits.
The group will be visiting the Great Barrington police and fire stations Saturday, Sept. 23.
–E.E.
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Easy Ridin’ Papas to perform at Dewey Hall
Sheffield — On Friday, Sept. 22, at 7:30 p.m., Oldtone Productions will present the Easy Ridin’ Papas at Dewey Hall.
The Easy Ridin’ Papas are Berkshires native Will Conklin on trumpet, cornet, ukulele, vocals and whistling and Sandisfield-based and Texas-born and Adam Brown on parlor and resonator guitars and vocals. The duo’s musical influences stem primarily from the intersection at which northern jazz meets southern and country traditions. Their repertoire is a mix of early 20th-century American roots music including country blues, jazz and country standards, western swing, southern gospel, and jug band music mixed with a few originals.
The cost is a requested donation of $15. For more information, contact (413) 429-1176 or beth@oldtonemusicfextival.com.
–E.E.
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Fundraising dinner to benefit Community ReStart
Pittsfield — On Saturday, Sept. 23, beginning at 4:30 p.m., Community ReStart will hold a chicken parmesan dinner at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church to benefit its new Recovery ReStart program. Frank and Lynn LaRagione will prepare the dinner, which will include pasta, salad and dessert for $12 per person. Both walk-ins and take-out will be served. To make reservations, call (413) 442-8592.
–E.E.
