Registration open for Ranch Life 101 summer program at Berkshire HorseWorks
Richmond— Berkshire HorseWorks has opened registration for their summer program, Ranch Life 101 – rescue horses, friendships, and team building on a private 7-acre ranch.
Ranch Life 101, co-facilitated by early education specialist Chris Ciepiela and Eagala advanced certified equine specialist and Berkshire Horse Works founder/Executive Director Hayley Sumner, is an authentic ranch adventure that provides a platform in nature for life skill development as children engage in developmentally appropriate experiences.

Structured for all ages and abilities, Ranch Life 101 is a unique opportunity to learn and play side by side with the beautiful therapy herd of horses and donkeys. Through the powerful interaction with horses in both ground-based and mounted activities, participants will grow their own ability to apply new skills to experiences outside the ranch. Children will have the opportunity to learn basic riding skills, burn some energy doing yoga or trail walking with their equine partners, practice team building while engaging in ranch “chores”, and use their imaginations and creativity during innovative nature-based arts and crafts. Each day includes different activities and extensive refreshments.
“Scholarships and sliding scales tuition are available to ensure all who would like to attend can access the program,” said Sumner, “Each full tuition paid enables the sponsorship of an at-risk youth.”
Ranch Life 101 runs Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from July 1st through August 8th. Tuition runs from $395/day, $1050/week, or $6100 for the full program. Scholarships, sibling discounts, and sliding scale discounts are available. For more information, call 413-698-3700 or email info@berkshirehorseworks.com.
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NAACP Berkshire County Branch to host special presentation on colorism
Pittsfield— On Wednesday, February 7th at 6 p.m., the NAACP Berkshire County Branch will host a special virtual presentation “Colorism 101 – What it Is and Ways to Fight It,” with special guest, Dr. VaNatta S. Ford, assistant professor of Africana Studies at Williams College.
In her talk, Dr. Ford will discuss the history of colorism, how it functions, and strategies to resist colorist behaviors and practices. Colorism has been defined as the privileging of light skin tone over dark skin tone. The stigma of colorism continues to produce discord, distrust, discrimination, and cultural disconnects between Black and White individuals as well as within Black communities. The effects of colorism can be devastating within and across these various communities with impacts including but not limited to disparate prison sentences, harmful stereotypes, and other persistent inequities.

“We are honored to welcome Dr. Ford to our monthly branch meeting to provide this education on colorism and, in recognition of the topic’s significance, we thought it was important to have this meeting open to the public,” said NAACP Branch President Dennis Powell. “Colorism is a byproduct of slavery and colorism is very much alive in today’s world. Colorism is even more prevalent than racism in that it exists within almost every culture in the world. Just like racism, we must come together to eradicate colorism and to do that, we must first work to understand and acknowledge it.”
The virtual presentation and meeting is on Wednesday, February 7th at 6 p.m. on Zoom. It is open to the public. To obtain a Zoom link, please email naacpberkshirecounty@gmail.com. For more information, please visit naacpberkshires.org.
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Jewish Federation of the Berkshires presents ‘Teachers: The Ones I Can’t Forget,’ a live online program with correspondent Martin Fletcher
Pittsfield— On Thursday, February 8th at 7 p.m., Jewish Federation of the Berkshires is pleased to welcome noted television correspondent Martin Fletcher to talk about his new book, “Teachers: The Ones I Can’t Forget,” as part of “Jewish Literary Voices: A Federation Series in collaboration with The Jewish Book Council.”

Teachers are the people Martin Fletcher met throughout his work as a news correspondent, often on the worst day of their lives. He watched as they picked up the pieces following personal tragedy and discovered the invaluable lesson of carrying on, no matter the circumstances. Through intimate profiles, “Teachers” details the struggles of everyday people in extraordinary circumstances—war, revolution, natural disasters, and yes, life.
Martin Fletcher has been covering world events for forty years, mostly for NBC News. He has won almost every award in TV journalism, including five Emmys, one for his coverage of Kosovo, another for Rwanda, and three for his reporting from Israel.
The virtual talk is on Thursday, February 8th at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Registration and more information can be found online.
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Clark Art Institute presents ‘When Justice Fails: An Expert Discussion’ by Mark Howard
Williamstown— On Saturday, February 10th from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., the Clark Art Institute presents a talk by Marc Howard, Professor of Government and Law at Georgetown University.

One of the nation’s leading advocates for criminal justice and prison reform, Howard discusses historical and contemporary perspectives on what constitutes fairness in the justice system through an examination of the Clark’s newly acquired drawing “The Painful Fairwell,” or “Lesurques’s Farewell to His Family” (c. 1796–1802) by Hilaire Ledru. The drawing depicts the imprisoned Joseph Lesurques (1763–96), whose name in France is synonymous with judicial error. In a case of mistaken identity, Lesurques was convicted of a murder-robbery he did not commit and was guillotined. His wrongful execution helped inspire Victor Hugo’s campaign against capital punishment decades later.
The free talk is on Saturday, February 10th at 2 p.m. in the Manton Research Center auditorium at The Clark Art Institute on South Street in Williamstown. More information can be found online.
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David M. Hunt Library presents ‘A Midwinter’s Night in the Village,’ a Friends of the David M. Hunt Library benefit
Fall Village, Conn.— On Saturday, February 10th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., David M. Hunt Library presents ‘A Midwinter’s Night in the Village,’ a Friends of the David M. Hunt Library benefit.

The main feature of the annual winter fundraiser is the library’s famous 16-ft long bread board piled high with a variety of homemade baked goods ranging from sweet dessert loaves and hearty savory breads to delicious hors d’oeuvres and chocolate treats.
A roster of local personalities will perform poems and songs focused on love and laughter. There will be readings by Robert Cronin, Dana Domenick, and Robert Murphy and songs from Adam & Rebecca, Katelin Lopes, Vance Cannon, and opera baritone Joshua Jeremiah.
The event is on Saturday, February 10th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the David M. Hunt Library on Main Street in Falls Village, Conn. Tickets are $20 and $10 for children ages 3 to 17. Tickets include wine, beer, and non-alcoholic refreshments. Tickets and more information can be found online, in person, or by calling 860-824-7424.
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Auditions for ‘The Bridges of Madison County’ at Ghent Playhouse
Ghent, N.Y.— On Sunday, February 11th and Thursday, February 16th at 7 p.m., The Ghent Playhouse is hosting auditions for “The Bridges of Madison County,” directed by Michael C. Mensching and Michael McDermot, with musical direction by Rizzo is Musical Director.

The Tony-nominated musical, based on the best-selling novel by Robert James Waller, “The Bridges of Madison County,” recalls the unexpected affair of Francesca Johnson, a devoted Italian-born housewife, and Robert Kincaid, a roving “National Geographic” photographer. Set amid the cornfields of Iowa in 1965, this sweeping romantic musical about the roads we travel and the bridges we dare to cross, brings to life four sensual heart-stirring days that will alter the lives of Francesca and Robert forever.
The auditions are on Sunday, February 11th and Thursday, February 16th at 7 p.m., The Ghent Playhouse on Town Hall Place in Ghent, N.Y. Actors of all ages, genders, ethnicities, body type, and physical abilities are encouraged to audition. More information and specific details can be found online, or by emailing the directors at senor65@aol.com or irishmike518@yahoo.com.
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Stockbridge Festival Chorus begins rehearsals of Alice Parker’s ‘A Concert of Praise’
Stockbridge— On Sunday, February 11th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Stockbridge Festival Chorus begins rehearsals at the First Congregational Church of Stockbridge for its Spring Concert in celebration of the life of Alice Parker who recently passed on December 24th at age 98.
Directed by Festival Chorus Director Tracy Wilson, The major work will be Parker’s “Melodious Accord: A Concert of Praise” for a chorus of mixed voices and a vocal quartet, accompanied by brass quartet and harp. Other works on the concert include Parker’s “Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal” and “Be Thou My Vision,” as well as Virgil Thompson’s “My Shepherd will Supply My Need.”
Prior to the first rehearsal on Sunday, February 11th, new and returning singers are encouraged to arrive by 12:30 p.m. to listen to the “Concert of Praise” together and watch an interview with Alice Parker about the work.
The chorus is open to any interested singer, preferably with some music reading experience. Rehearsals take place every Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The concert is on Saturday, April 27th at 3 p.m. Dues are $40 and music will be distributed at the first rehearsal attended. Scholarships are available. For more information, call Tracy Wilson at 413-822-8688.
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Lee Youth Commission to hosts family skate night at Town Square Park
Lee— On Saturday, February 10th from 5:30 p.m. to 7p.m., the Lee Youth Commission will host a Family Skate Night at Lee’s Town Square Park on Main Street in front of the Lee Town Hall and the First Congregational Church. The free event is open to all Berkshire residents and promises an evening of winter fun, community spirit, and family bonding.

The Town of Lee moved its outdoor rink from the Lee Athletic Field to its new central location this year to make the rink accessible to more skaters and to enhance the downtown charm of Lee’s Main Street character in winter.
Lee’s Family Skate Night is part of the Lee Youth Commission’s “Second Saturday” programming series. All events are free and open to all Berkshire families. The Family Skate Night will include music, free hot cocoa, and reasonably priced dinner options from Charlie’s Bistro Bus food truck. Families are invited to join in the merriment, skate under the stars, and warm up with a delicious treat under the glow of heat lamps.
A limited number of ice skates are available to borrow for free with advance reservations at http://www.lee.ma.us/youth-commission. To confirm that the event is not canceled or rescheduled for weather, visit https://www.lee.ma.us/youth-commission.