Spencertown Academy to host painting and photography exhibit
Spencertown, N.Y. — Spencertown Academy Arts Center will present exhibitions by painter Scott Thomas Balfe and photographer Jane McWhorter, the winners of last year’s Spencertown Academy juried regional art exhibition, Saturday, Sept. 24 – Sunday, Oct. 9.
Earlton-based Scott Thomas Balfe is a landscape painter in the Hudson River School tradition. Over the past 30 years, he has exhibited his work nationally, including a one-man show at the Union League Club in New York City and auctions by Sotheby’s and Guernsey’s. He is a current member of the Salmagundi Club of New York City and his art is represented by the Gallery at Four India in Nantucket, Massachusetts; the Hearle Gallery in Chatham, Massachusetts; and Silverwood Home & Gallery in Saratoga.
Fine art photographer Jane McWhorter, a Berkshire County, Massachusetts resident, grew up in a family of artists and photographers in Brooklyn. Since 1974, she has exhibited her work in various galleries in Massachusetts, New York, and Santa Fe, and her limited-edition prints are widely collected. She also works as a professional graphic designer and has taught photography and graphic design at schools and colleges for more than 40 years.
For more information, call Spencertown Academy at (518) 392-3693.
–E.E.
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Music & More to present the Sebastians
New Marlborough — The New Marlborough Village Association’s Music & More series will present Baroque ensemble the Sebastians on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 4:30 p.m. at the New Marlborough Meeting House, 154 Hartsville-New Marlborough Rd. A pre-concert talk will begin at 3:30 p.m. and a wine and cheese reception with the artists will follow the program in the Meeting House Gallery.
The Sebastians specialize in music of the Baroque and classical eras. Winners of the Audience Prize at the 2012 Early Music America Baroque Performance Competition, the Sebastians were also finalists in the 2011 York Early Music International Competition and the 2011 Early Music America/Naxos Recording Competition. Along with soprano Awet Andemicael, the group will offer a program titled “Over the Alps,” which will trace the musical evolution of the Italian style as it migrated over the mountains to the Austro-German regions and include vocal and instrumental works by Alessandro Stradella, Handel, Buxtehude, Biber, and other Baroque masters.
Tickets are $20 for Music & More members and $25 for nonmembers. For tickets and more information, contact Music & More at (413) 229-2785 or contact@newmarlborough.org.
–E.E.
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BCC welcomes former ITT Tech students
Pittsfield — In light of the closing of all 137 ITT Technical Institute (ITT Tech) campuses (announced on Sept. 6), Berkshire Community College (BCC) and the other 14 community colleges in Massachusetts are partnering with the U.S. Department of Education, the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, the Massachusetts Community Colleges executive office, and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office to assist and support former ITT Tech students.
ITT Tech’s locations included two in Massachusetts and three in New York and the closure has impacted 35,000 students nationwide. BCC urges all displaced ITT Tech students to contact its admissions office at (413) 236-1630 or admissions@berkshirecc.edu to be advised on their educational transition options.
–E.E.
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Berkshire Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Cheshire — In an effort to raise awareness and funding for continued local support of the more than 120,000 Massachusetts residents living with Alzheimer’s, the Alzheimer’s Association’s Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter will hold its annual Berkshire Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Sept. 24, at Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, Farnams Road Causeway.
Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and a 9:30 a.m. ceremony will precede the 10 a.m. walk. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with local service providers and learn more about the programs and services the Alzheimer’s Association provides. Online registration is available.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. In 2015, the MA/NH Chapter raised over $3.7 million and welcomed over 22,000 participants in both states. For more information, contact Bianca Walker at (413) 787-1113 or bwalker@alz.org.
–E.E.
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‘Walking Our Talk: Women’s Creation Circles
Great Barrington — Sisters for Peace will present a free introduction to “Walking Our Talk: Women’s Creation Circles,” on Sunday, Sept. 25, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Sruti Yoga Center.
Walking Our Talk is a facilitated group meeting that supports individual projects, personal success and growth, and offers a network of sharing and support for women of all ages. Each circle holds between 10 and 15 women and meets for two hours weekly for an eight-week period. At the introductory meetings, co-founders and lead facilitators Maia Conty and Mary Campbell will outline how the circles work, and several women in the program will share their experiences as circle members.
New circles are forming and will meet Wednesdays from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. the week of Monday, Oct. 10 through the week of Monday, Dec. 5. The program fee is $200 and limited partial scholarships are available. For more information, contact (848) 448-6921 or wotberkshires@gmail.com.
–E.E.
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‘Understanding Medicare’ presentation
Salisbury, Conn. — The Scoville Memorial Library will host licensed health insurance professional Margaret Foran Ackley, who will present a brief PowerPoint presentation and discuss the details of enrolling in Medicare, on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 10 a.m. The presentation is appropriate for those applying for Medicare for the first time and also for current members who may be considering changing their coverage.
The program will teach the basics of Medicare and help users make informed health care decisions. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions about coverage options and will receive a reference guide called “Medicare Made Clear – Getting Started.”
Margaret Foran Ackley is the principal at Ackley Insurance Agency servicing Litchfield County and surrounding communities. She is a community speaker on Medicare Made Easy and specializes in taking the mystery out of Medicare options.
The program is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Library at (860) 435-2838 or scovlibn@biblio.org.
–E.E.
