Bits & Bytes: Dog Days of Summer; ‘Particularly in the Heartland; Elihu Burritt Day; Extinction Rebellion talks; Monterey Library grand opening

Berkshire Botanical Garden to open its grounds to dogs Aug. 18

Stockbridge — Berkshire Botanical Garden will host its first ever dog-friendly special event, Dog Days of Summer, Sunday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 pm.

Dog Days of Summer offers activities for both canines and their families, including dog-related workshops, vendors and demonstrations. Dog pools will be located throughout the Garden and a photo booth will allow visitors to document their day at BBG. Food will be provided by Main Street Hospitality Group with additional beverages from Barrington Brewery. The first 100 dogs to be admitted into the garden will receive a Tito’s Vodka bandana and promotional items. Waste bags will be provided by Earth Rated.

Workshops about canine health and safety are scheduled throughout the day, including “Garden Dangers for Your Dog” led by Chris Ferraro from Cornell Cooperative Extension, and “Dog Preventative Health Care” facilitated by Jim Helems of Dog Pals. In addition, a presentation by Canine Link Therapy Dogs will explore what to look for in a potential therapy dog. Demonstrations include parkour agility and obstacles led by Helems, frisbee activities by Sharon Lynch, and a presentation by the Massachusetts State Police K9 unit.

The event is included with Garden admission and is free for Garden members. A $5 entry fee per dog will be donated to the Berkshire Humane Society. Dog owners must sign a waiver and dogs must be up to date on vaccinations prior to admission. All dogs must be on nonretractable leashes. For more information, contact Berkshire Botanical Garden at (413) 298-3926 or info@berkshirebotanical.org.

–E.E.

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The cast of Bazaar Productions production of ‘Particularly in the Heartland.’ Photo courtesy Bazaar Productions

Bazaar Productions to present ‘Particularly in the Heartland’

West Stockbridge — Bazaar Productions presents Brooklyn-based company the TEAM’s “Particularly in the Heartland” through Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Foundry.

Set in 2004, “Particularly in the Heartland” spotlights a trio of siblings living on a Kansas farm. Orphaned after their parents’ disappearance by tornado—or was it an alien invasion? Or possibly the Rapture?—the Springer children are left to raise themselves. They are soon joined by three outsiders: Dorothy, a New Yorker fallen from an airplane; Tracey Jo, a pregnant teen claiming to be an alien; and the ghost of 1968 presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy. Out of the chaos emerges a new kind of American family. Directed by Bazaar Productions co-artistic director Sara Katzoff, the show features an ensemble of emerging performers and designers.

Tickets are $25. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Bazaar Productions at (413) 418-4113 or info@bazaarproductions.org.

–E.E.

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Elihu Burritt Day to celebrate community

Roger the Jester and friend at a recent Elihu Burritt Day celebration in New Marlborough. Photo courtesy New Marlborough Village Association

New Marlborough — The New Marlborough Village Association will present Elihu Burritt Day Saturday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the village green on Route 57.

Named for the 19^th-century blacksmith, diplomat and social activist who once resided in the town, the annual town fair includes entertainment from Moonshine Holler and Roger the Jester, antique appraisals by Charles Flint, a white elephant sale, a used book sale, hayrides, children’s activities, fire trucks and first responders, craft vendor booths, a variety of food, and more.

The day’s festivities will be followed by the New Marlborough Volunteer Fire Department’s pig roast fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. at the firehouse, 205 Norfolk Road, in Southfield. The dinner will include roast pork and turkey, and will followed by dancing to live music by Cornerstone and a raffle with more than 50 prizes. There will also be a face-painter for children. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children, and are available at the Mill River General Store or from any New Marlborough Fire Company member.

For more information about Elihu Burritt Day including a schedule of activities, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact the New Marlborough Village Association at (413) 229-2785 or contact@newmarlborough.org. For more information about the pig roast, contact David Smith at (413) 429-6680.

–E.E.

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Extinction Rebellion to hold area talks

Berkshire County — Extinction Rebellion Massachusetts will hold three talks in the area designed to educate the public about climate change. The talk will occur Saturday, Aug. 17, at 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Berkshire Athenaeum and 4 to 6 p.m. at the South Berkshire Friends Meeting House; and Sunday, Aug. 18, from noon to 2 p.m. at Mettabee Farm in Hillsdale, New York.

Extinction Rebellion is an international grassroots movement that started in London in 2018, the purpose of which is to educate the public about how dire the ecological and climate crisis is and spark immediate action in order to prevent climate and ecological collapse. The organization has expanded into over 200 groups in 20 countries during the past year.

The talks are free and open to the public. There will be a free-will donation asked to cover costs for house upkeep at the Great Barrington and Pittsfield sites. For more information, contact elissayanover@gmail.com.

–E.E.

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The newly renovated Monterey Library. Photo: Nadia Makuc

Monterey Library to re-open after extensive renovation

Monterey — The Monterey Library board of trustees and the Friends of the Monterey Library invite the entire community to the grand opening of the new library Saturday, Aug. 17, from noon to 2 p.m.

The event will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a light lunch buffet and tours of the new and renovated library spaces as well as the popular new reading deck. The event will also include the official opening of the community art show in the new gallery, set within the multipurpose room, which once was the entire original library. Aptly titled, “Welcome Back,” the show features Monterey artists.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Monterey Library at (413) 528-3795.

–E.E.