Library Challenge celebrates 20th year
Stockbridge — Golfers and tennis players of all levels are invited to play in the 20th Annual Golf and Tennis Challenge to benefit the Stockbridge Library and the Lenox Library. The Challenge is being held at the Stockbridge Golf Club on Tuesday, September 15, 2015, with a rain date of Tuesday, September 29, 2015. This year’s tournament is dedicated to Ginger and Arthur Schwartz for their many years of dedicated service to both libraries. Ginger and Arthur created the Golf Challenge over 20 years ago and have been involved ever since.
Golf participants will begin the day’s events with a 12:15 p.m. shotgun start for teams of four, vying for prizes in the categories of low gross score, low net score, closest to the pin, and straightest drive. The $145 fee for golfers includes a round of golf with cart, lunch, snacks, and cocktail buffet with cash bar.
For the third year, the tournament will also include a doubles round-robin style tennis event for both men and women. At 1:45 p.m. tennis players will participate in play with prizes awarded to the top scorers. The $85 fee Tennis includes a cocktail buffet with cash bar.
All players will gather for a cocktail dinner buffet and awards ceremony featuring a cash bar and the awarding of prizes for the top players, as well as the many raffle prizes that have been donated. A dinner-only option is available for $25 to celebrate the dedication of Ginger and Arthur Schwartz. Pre-registration is required.
Members of the community are encouraged to support both libraries by purchasing raffle tickets, 1 ticket for $5 or 6 tickets for $25. Raffle prizes include golf outings, theater tickets, and gift certificates to local restaurants and museums. The raffle tickets can be purchased at either library or from library board members. Raffle ticket holders do not need to be present at the drawing to win the raffle items.
For an an invitation to participate in the event, to donate raffle prizes, buy raffle tickets, or help underwrite the event contact Jennifer Knopf at (413) 637-2630 x121 or email golf@lenoxlib.org
–E.E.
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Sheffield Fair & Sheffield in Celebration
Sheffield — The 15th annual Sheffield Fair & Sheffield in Celebration will take place September 11 and 12.
The festivities will begin on Friday, September 11 with the Sheffield Farmers’ Market from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. in the Old Parish Church parking lot. Wes Petersen will talk about the history of the Sheffield Fire Department, his time there, and how things have changed since he started as a firefighter. The program will be held at Dewey Hall at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. There will be a 9/11 memorial service immediately preceding the presentation.
The Sheffield Fair is Saturday, September 12 from noon – 5 p.m. at the Town Park off Miller Ave. (look for signs on Rte. 7 just north of the center of Sheffield). Events at the fair will include food, vendors, children’s activities, an apple pie contest, dunking booth, and quilt raffle.
The Fair is excited to be hosting the 7th annual Showmanship and Fitting Competition for cattle, horses and poultry. Judging for novices (never shown before), juniors (age 7-14) and seniors (ages 15-19) will take place starting at 12:30 p.m. for small animals and wrapping up with cattle judging at 2:30 p.m. New this year is a juried exhibit of vegetables, cut flowers, and preserves. Musical entertainment throughout the event will be provided by Caroline Mack, Todd Mack, Ryan Foss, and Eric Reinhardt.
The celebration will close out with a farm-to-table dinner at Dewey Hall featuring a wide array of local delicacies and live music with the Easy Ridin’ Papas. The dinner and concert are $10 each.
See the Berkshire Edge calendar for more information and additional activities.
–E.E.
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“On Violence & Restoration” panel at Williams College
Williamstown — On Thursday, September 10 at 6 p.m. the Chaplains’ office, the Davis Center, and the Dean of the College’s office at Williams College invites the community to a discussion titled “On Violence and Restoration.”
The discussion will explore issues emanating from some of the recent and historical outbreaks of violence targeting various religious denominations in the United States. The evening’s panel will feature professors Leslie Brown, Jacqueline Hidalgo, and Saadia Yacoob, and will be moderated by Hazzan Bob Scherr (Jewish chaplain).
The evening’s conversation invites the consideration the ways in which anti-Semitic, racist, and xenophobic roots of these acts of violence have afflicted faith communities, as well as the roles and responsibilities necessary in finding different approaches to communal restoration and restitution in the aftermath of such incidents.
The discussion will take place in Griffin 3. Immediately following the discussion will be a post-panel repast in the Interfaith Common Room of Thompson Chapel. For more information call (413) 597-4277.
–E.E.
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High Holy Days services at Congregation Ahavath Shalom
Great Barrington — On Sunday, September 13, Congregation Ahavath Shalom, along with guests and extended families, will gather to mark the Jewish High Holy Days and the New Year 5776. Spiritual Leader Barbara Cohen will lead High Holy Day services with help from community members at Berkshire South Regional Community Center. Service times are as follows: Erev Rosh Hashanah at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 13; Rosh Hashanah followed by Tashlich at 10 a.m. on Monday, September 14 with a second Rosh Hashanah service at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 15; Kol Nidre at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22; Yom Kippur including Yizkor at 10 a.m. and Neilah followed by Break-Fast at 5:30 p.m.on Wednesday, September 23.
To obtain seats for the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services, call the synagogue at (413) 528-4197. All other services and events are free and open to the greater community.
–E.E.
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Janet Eason appointed Vice President of Marketing at Main Street Hospitality Group
Stockbridge — Main Street Hospitality Group, has announced the appointment of Janet Eason as vice president of marketing. In this position, Eason is responsible for providing leadership, strategic direction, and vision to all marketing efforts for the properties in the company’s portfolio which includes Hotel on North, The Porches Inn at MASS MoCA, The Williams Inn, and The Red Lion Inn.
Eason brings more than 15 years of hospitality experience to Main Street Hospitality Group, including her most recent leadership role as director of marketing communications at the Colonial Williamsburg Hospitality Company where she oversaw all aspects of marketing for six unique hotel properties, 12 restaurants, three golf courses, a full service spa, and 20 retail outlets. Prior to the Colonial Williamsburg Hospitality Company, Eason served as president at Eason Partners, a Boston-based marketing firm specializing in the travel and hospitality industries. Previous work experience also includes the role of Vice President of Strategic Planning at Boston-based ISM where she provided marketing solutions for travel companies such as the Sagamore Resort and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
Eason currently resides in Lenox. In her spare time, she enjoys travel, food and wine, and all of the outdoor activities offered in the Berkshires.
–E.E.
