Bard College hosts Harvard Professor and Zambian writer Namwali Serpell to deliver the Quinney-Morrison Lecture
Annandale-On-Hudson, N.Y.— On Thursday, April 11th at 3 p.m., Bard College hosts Harvard Professor and Zambian writer Namwali Serpell to deliver the Quinney-Morrison Lecture.
Sponsored by Rethinking Place: Bard-on-Mahicantuck, a Mellon Foundation Humanities for All Times project, the Quinney-Morrison Lecture Series celebrates the work of both Electa “Wuhwehweeheemeew” Quinney, a citizen of the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican nation and the first woman to teach in a public school in the territory which would become Wisconsin; and the American novelist, essayist, and editor, Toni Morrison, who was a Distinguished Visiting Lecturer at Bard College from 1979-1981.

Namwali Serpell is the author of “Seven Modes of Uncertainty” (Harvard, 2014), “The Old Drift: A Novel” (Hogarth, 2019), “Stranger Faces” (Transit, 2020), and “The Furrows: An Elegy” (Hogarth, 2022). She will present her lecture “Unnoticed and as Beautiful: The Native American Figure in Toni Morrison’s Literature.”
Of her lecture, Serpell said “Scholars have been concerned either to criticize or to praise Morrison’s sparing inclusion of Native Americans in her novels. Are they beneath her notice? Or have they gone unnoticed by us? Following Morrison’s own methods in arguing that the ‘real or fabricated’ ‘Africanist presence’ in white American literature is crucial to writers’ ‘sense of Americanness,’ we might pursue how the ‘Native American presence’ works in her literature not only in historical and political terms, but also in aesthetic and cultural terms. This talk considers how, across her oeuvre and career, the Native American figure—meaning literary character; racial type; literary trope; and silhouette or profile—shapes her ‘sense of blackness.’”
The lecture is on Thursday, April 11th at 3 p.m. in the Olin Auditorium at Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson. It will be followed by a reception catered by Samosa Shack Kingston. More information can be found online.
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Operation Unite benefit classical concert at Spencertown Academy
Spencertown, N.Y.— On Saturday, April 6th at 3 p.m., Spencertown Academy Arts Center will host a benefit concert for Operation Unite, featuring Antony Bracewell on violin and viola, pianist Gili Melamed-Lev, and cellist Julian Muller playing music by Piazzolla, Saint Saëns, Bach, Arvo Pärt, and Mendelssohn.
Anthony Bracewell is a member of the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra. His recent performances include serving as concertmaster of the Geneva Light Opera Company, principal violist of the Salomé Chamber Orchestra, principal second violin of the South Florida Symphony Orchestra, and frequent guest appearances with the Shattered Glass ensemble. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in viola performance at the Juilliard School as a student of Paul Neubauer.
Pianist Gili Melamed-Lev is recognized for her artistic vision, unique artistry, and innovative programing. She is an engaging, multi-faceted pianist who enjoys a career as a soloist, chamber musician, and collaborative artist. She is the co-founder and artistic director of Jazz and Classics for Change, a concert series in Columbia Berkshire counties, that is dedicated to connecting and healing through music in our changing world.
American-German cellist Julian Müller performs as soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player in the United States and Europe. He has performed as a soloist with the Louisville Orchestra and appears frequently with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the Montclair Orchestra, Metropolis Ensemble, and as principal cello of the Berkshire Symphony. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts at Rutgers University studying with Jonathan Spitz.

Based in Hudson, N.Y., the mission of Operation Unite is to produce well-rounded youth who will enter adulthood with a sense of direction, self-esteem, and social consciousness- and subsequently reinvest themselves into the community from which they came. “Making a difference in the lives of our youth as they launch into the next phase of their lives is so important for our community,” says event organizer Craig Bender.
The concert is on Saturday, April 6th at 3 p.m. at the Spencertown Academy Arts Center’s Blanche Grubin Auditorium. Tickets are $30 and $10 for students. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Lebanon Valley Community Corporation is raising funds for a playground for all
New Lebanon, N.Y.— The Lebanon Valley Community Corporation (LVCC) is raising money to help upgrade the playground at Shatford Memorial Park in the Town of New Lebanon and make it an inclusive play area for the whole family, from the youngest to oldest, no matter their ability or disability.
Inclusive play areas benefit users of all abilities, including physically disabled parents and grandparents who can utilize these facilities and be able to properly supervise their small children. Children with sensory processing disorders, language and auditory challenges, and mobility devices can enjoy the playground’s diverse design as well as some features of more standard playground designs.
Inclusive playgrounds can also aid in increasing people’s acceptance of disabled children by mitigating biases and stereotypes about those with disabilities and generating ongoing goodwill. People of all abilities can become more confident, build essential skills, meet new people, and learn tolerance and acceptance of others at a young age when at inclusive playgrounds.

To support this innovative and important initiative you can make a tax-deductible donation through LVCC using a PayPal account or credit card online. Select “Friends of Shatford Memorial Park Fund” in the “Funding Options Dropdown Box.” Or, send a check made out to the Lebanon Valley Community Corporation to P.O. Box 74, New Lebanon, N.Y. 12125. Please make sure to write “Friends of Shatford Memorial Park Fund” in the memo section of your check.
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Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Berkshires solicits proposals to address the needs of Berkshire residents
Berkshire— The Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Berkshires (JWF) is soliciting grant proposals from nonprofit organizations for specific projects or programs that further its mission of tikkun olam (repairing the world). JWF is dedicated to addressing critical needs in the Berkshire community and supporting social action to create a more just and equitable society. We fulfill our mission by providing local organizations with funds to help them:
- Address clients’ basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter;
- Promote client self-sufficiency through the provision of such services as literacy training and legal aid; and
- Empower youth and young adults.

Jewish as well as non-Jewish organizations are invited to apply for grants up to $5000. Only organizations with registered 501(C)3 status may apply. The application will be available online beginning May 1st. The deadline for submission is May 31st. Final decisions will be announced in September. In 2023, the Foundation awarded $79,000 to twenty-four local organizations. Further information about JWF can be found online.
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Learn babysitting basics with 4-H at Ramsdell Library
Housatonic— On Monday, April 15th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., youth ages 11 to 18 are invited to participate in a babysitting course taught by Angélica Diaz-Heyman, Extension Educator with Massachusetts 4-H Youth Development Program.
Participants will develop confidence in their babysitting skills by learning about caring, responsibility, safety, and how to handle various situations that may arise during their work. This free, 6-hour class includes a break for pizza lunch. Students completing the course will receive a Babysitter’s ID card and certificate.

The course is on Monday, April 15th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ramsdell Library on Main Street in Housatonic. Registration is required. To obtain a form, call 413-274-3738 or email djardine@townofgb.org.
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CHP Berkshires offering second senior Covid vaccine
Great Barrington— CHP Mobile Health is now offering the second updated Covid-19 vaccine to adults 65 and older, and to people of all ages who are immunocompromised.
Vaccines are available with the CHP Mobile Health teams whenever they are on the road. The schedule can be found at chpberkshires.org/mobile.

“CHP Mobile Health is a quick and convenient way for people to get their second updated vaccine, whether or not you are a patient of CHP Berkshires,” said Michelle Derr, senior vice president of CHP Family Services and Mobile Health. “We encourage our Berkshire residents to take advantage of this service to update their vaccines.”
The second dose of the updated vaccine is given at least four months after the first dose was received. Patients with questions may contact CHP Mobile Health at 413-528-0457.