‘Lost Highway’ vintage car presentation and art exhibit
Great Barrington – The Great Barrington Historical Society (GBHS) will present “Lost Highway,” two vintage car-related events with artist and photographer Jim Bremer. On Wednesday, May 18, at 7 p.m. at the Claire Teague Senior Center, Bremer will take his audience on a free roadside rendezvous into the past with a fun-filled “Lost Highway” PowerPoint presentation about the connection people have with cars and trucks. On Saturday, May 21, from 4 – 6 p.m. at GBHS’ Wheeler Farmstead, 817 South Main St., an opening reception will be held for “Lost Highway,” an exhibit by Bremer that uses Photoshop to bring vintage scenes and classic cars together in a thought-provoking experience.
Jim Bremer is an award-winning artist and photographer with a passion for vintage vehicles. Throughout his 40-year career, he helped create innovative products and packaging for game and entertainment companies including Hasbro, Disney, Nickelodeon, and Pixar. His love of 20th century history, automobiles, and antiques has led to the development and publication of two books. He serves on the board of directors at the Vermont Center for Photography in Brattleboro and is a former member of the board of trustees of the University of Hartford’s Hartford Art School. Bremer and his wife, Ruth Buffington, live in western Massachusetts.
For more information, contact GBHS at (413) 591-8702 or info@gbhistory.org.
–E.E.
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Mud Day at Muddy Brook
Great Barrington — The Muddy Brook Regional Elementary School PTA’s seventh annual Mud Day will take place at Muddy Brook Regional Elementary School on Saturday, May 21, from noon – 4 p.m. rain or shine. Mud Day celebrates the Berkshire environment and builds strong connections between families and the natural world.
The event will feature a treasure hunt using a compass, a hike up Monument Mountain, camping-related games and challenges, down-and-dirty first aid for the woods, making field journals from recycled materials, a campfire with songs and stories, and other activities led by community partners including Flying Cloud Institute, Greenagers, Monument Mountain Regional High School’s (MMRHS) PATHways program, MMRHS’ People in Their Environment class, and the Trustees of Reservations. There will also, of course, be lots and lots of mud: kids can play muddy tug-o-war, build mud castles, and get all-around messy in a giant mud field.
Music will be offered throughout the day. Those attending are invited to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy ice cream from the Scoop for dessert.
All activities are available to children for a one-time fee of $5 (there is a $15 maximum price for families) and the event is free to adults, who are advised to bring a change of clothes and a towel for their children.
–E.E.
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Wildflower Full Moon Music & Arts Fest
Lanesborough — Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center will present its Wildflower Full Moon Music & Arts Fest on Saturday, May 21, from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Mt. Greylock State Reservation Visitor’s Center. The family-friendly, all-ages event will feature Gaia Roots World Music Ensemble; the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers; a full moon hike with Tamarack Hollow Director Aimee Gelinas, M.Ed and hike guide Sam Kissel; a campfire jam/open mic with Chris Hairston and Garret Caesar; Tamarack Hollow trading with wildflower/nature crafts and photos; interactive wildflower art activities with Elizabeth Kick; Pittsfield City Hoopla and Serenity Circles hoola hooping; a silent auction; a youth wildflower watercolor art exhibit from the Youth Center, Inc. and Dalton CRA; plus food and drink and edible wildflowers.
There is a suggested donation of $10 – $20 for adults and teens, and free admission for children 12 and under. Proceeds from the event will support Tamarack Hollow. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Aimee Gelinas at aimee@gaiaroots.com.
–E.E.
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Swing dancing with the Lucky 5 at Shire City Sanctuary
Pittsfield — Shire City Sanctuary will host a night of swing dancing with the Lucky 5 on Friday, May 20, beginning with a free swing dance lesson at 7 p.m. followed by dancing from 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
The Lucky 5 blends swing and gypsy jazz to create a unique, foot-stomping blend of music that appeals to a wide range of music lovers. The band performs original compositions and also puts a new spin on old jazz standards.
Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Shire City Sanctuary members will receive 25 percent off the ticket price. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call Shire City Sanctuary at (413) 236-9600.
–E.E.
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State Rep. Paul Mark to share impressions of Israel
Pittsfield — On Thursday, May 19, at 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will welcome Paul W. Mark, State Representative for the 2nd Berkshire District of Massachusetts, who will share his impressions of Israel in a talk entitled “It’s Complicated: An Eye-Opening Visit.” The program will take place at Congregation Knesset Israel and is free and open to the public.
Said Rep. Mark: “I had the honor of joining a delegation of State Representatives and City Councilors from all over Massachusetts on an official visit to Israel in 2014. This 10-day intensive trip brought me to places I never thought I would get the chance to visit, and opened my eyes to a beautiful, yet fractured region of the world. I will share my experiences with members of the community, explain how this trip changed how I think about that part of the world, and relate what I saw in Israel to what I know of our region and Massachusetts.”
Rep. Mark is currently in his third term in office. He previously was employed as a telephone company lineman, and holds a law degree from Suffolk University Law School and a doctoral degree in Law and Public Policy from Northeastern University.
For more information, call the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires at (413) 442-4360 x10.
–E.E.
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Students to decal storm drains
Pittsfield — Students from Stearns Elementary School, Allendale Elementary School, and Pittsfield High School will be gluing “Don’t Dump: Drains to River” decals to numerous storm drains in the region of the schools and North Street Tuesday, May 17, through Saturday, May 21. Decals had originally been placed on the drains six years ago, but many have faded or become unglued. In addition to placing the decals, students will examine where the storm drains empty into the river.
The Housatonic Valley Association has been providing storm drain awareness programs for all of the fourth grade students and high school students in Pittsfield and as part of the City’s efforts to educate its residents about being River Smart and not dumping anything down the storm drains, which lead to the Housatonic River and its tributaries.
–E.E.
