Animals speak in ‘The Beasts’: A folk opera for young and old
Sheffield – Local composer David Anderegg’s charming folk opera, “The Beasts,” will be performed Saturday, December 13, at the Old Parish Church, 125 S. Main St., at 4 p.m.
Using the tradition from Europe that animals can speak on Christmas Eve, Anderegg’s story includes a parrot named Pollyethelyne, Ambrose the wise goldfish, Wolf — an old dog — and Weezer, a puppy, along with Joseph, their owner, an angel, and the owner’s girlfriend.
Things have not been going well for Joseph, who is angry and definitely not in a holiday mood, but as the story unfolds, the animals’ faithfulness and wisdom work on their master, and in the end a spirit of reconciliation reigns.
This choral work will be performed by Quintessential, five voices, accompanied by instruments. The group sings a wide variety of music, including gospel, reggae, classical, rock, and American standards. They have sung at baseball games, including the national anthem for a Red Sox game, and other local venues. Anderegg also sings with the group.
This performance is underwritten by the Myrin Institute, a local foundation, so that all proceeds will benefit the Berkshire Humane Society, the Sheffield Food Program, and Breaking Bread Kitchen in Great Barrington. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children, and can purchased at the door.
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Chatham rally Dec. 14 against racism, police brutality
Chatham, N.Y. — Barbara Iuviene of Chatham writes: “There will be a ‘Black People Matter’ rally on Sunday, Dec. 14, 1 p.m. at the gazebo on the green (Main St. and Park Row) in Chatham, N.Y. People can bring a sign, say a few words, or simply stand in solidarity against racism. Spread the word! City by city, town by town!”
The word is spreading. This message from Rabba Kaya Stern-Kaufman of Housatonic: “We have become aware of an opportunity to join together in protest over the failure to indict police officers implicated in the recent deaths of young black men. There will be a gathering on Sun.12/14 in Chatham at the Gazebo at 1 p.m.”
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Greylock Federal will match donations to food pantries
Pittsfield — Greylock Federal Credit Union and Greylock Insurance Agency will match community and member donations dollar for dollar up to $2,500, which could possibly add up to $5,000 in support of local food pantries. “The Lend a Helping Hand – Together We Can – Holiday Mitten Campaign” will run until December 19 with all proceeds providing cash supplements to sparsely stocked food pantries and to help countless families keep food on the table.
“Economic constraints have touched everyone’s lives, especially our most vulnerable populations,” said Greylock President Marilyn L. Sperling. “I am pleased Greylock can help people in need with ‘The Lend a Helping Hand Campaign.’ We know our members and the community will step up to support this worthy campaign and our food pantries.”
Colorful Mittens will be available for purchase for $1 at all Greylock locations. Each mitten will reflect the name of the person who donated and will be on display in the Greylock locations.
Local food pantry recipients will include: Friendship Center Food Pantry, North Adams; Berkshire Community Action Council, Pittsfield; and The People’s Pantry, Great Barrington.
Greylock invites credit union members and the community to join in supporting this campaign. For additional information or to donate please visit a Greylock location or call 413-236-4105.
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D.J. Thielke at The Mount
Lenox — Stone Court Writer-In-Residence D.J. Thielke will read from her short stories on Sunday, December 14 at 3 p.m. at The Mount, the home of novelist Edith Wharton. The event is free to the public and supported by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Berkshire Waldorf High School, Stockbridge Library Museum and Archives, and The Mount. To attend, please register by calling The Mount at (413) 551-5111.
Originally from Houston, Texas, Thielke was selected for the Stone Court Writer-In-Residence program from a large pool of applicants and awarded the inaugural residency in Stockbridge. As part of the residency, Thielke is teaching a creative writing elective to students at the Berkshire Waldorf High School. The Stone Court Writer-In Residence program offers two annual residencies, one that begins in September and the other in February. The program provides up-and-coming writers a sanctuary with the freedom, time, and materials they need to fully immerse themselves in their work.
Thielke’s work has appeared in such journals as Arts and Letters, Indiana Review, Cincinnati Review, Southern Humanities Review, and the New Delta Review: Best of the Web. In addition, her plays have been produced at the Houston Fringe Festival and the Frenticore Fringe Festival. She currently serves as Assistant Editor of Narrative Magazine.
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Fairview Hospital recognized as top rural hospital
Great Barrington — For the third year in a row, The Leapfrog Group has named Fairview Hospital, Berkshire Health Systems’ 25-bed federally designated Critical Access Hospital, to its annual list of Top Rural Hospitals. The award is given to less than seven percent of all eligible hospitals, and are given annually. The awards were on December 2, in Washington, D.C.
“Fairview Hospital is part of a strong network of healthcare that provides a level of high quality medical care unusual to find in a rural community,” said Fairview’s President Eugene Dellea. “Over the past decade, tremendous investment has been made in technology and people and we believe an award like the Leapfrog Top Rural Hospital Award is a direct reflection of the efforts of the staff at Fairview Hospital and Berkshire Health Systems who are committed to providing care that meets the needs of our neighbors and is second to none, in comparable hospitals nationwide.”
“Leapfrog’s Top Rural Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most prestigious distinctions any hospital can achieve in the United States,” said Leapfrog Group’s President and CEO Leah Binder. “By achieving Top Rural Hospital status, Fairview Hospital has proven it’s a premier institution and deserves to be recognized for its dedication to the families and patients in the southern Berkshire, northwest Connecticut and Columbia County communities.”
Fairview Hospital was one of 94 Top Hospitals recognized nationally.
The selection is based on the results of The Leapfrog Group’s annual hospital survey, which measures hospitals’ performance on patient safety and quality, focusing on three critical areas of hospital care: how patients fare, resource use and management structures established to prevent errors. Performance across many areas of hospital care is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including rates for high-risk procedures and a hospital’s ability to prevent medication errors.
To see the full list of institutions honored as a 2014 Top Hospital, please visit www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals.
