Thursday, November 7, 2024

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Bits & Bytes: Chief Burger appointment; WAM Theatre’s final 2015 reading; pottery show, tour; High Holy Days at Anshe Amunim

Chief Burger looks forward to advancing the fire service in Massachusetts and being an advocate for call and volunteer fire departments.

Chief Burger named to Fire Training Council

Great Barrington — Fire Chief Charles Burger has been appointed by Gov. Charlie Baker to serve on the Massachusetts Fire Training Council and was sworn in on Monday, August 24. The Council is the 15-member governing body of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy and the certifying agency of all levels of firefighters.

Chief Burger looks forward to advancing the fire service in Massachusetts and being an advocate for call and volunteer fire departments. Volunteer and career firefighters respond to the same types of incidents on a daily basis and must receive the same training, but dedicating the needed time to training is an increasing challenge for firefighters. Through promulgation of policies and curriculum development, Burger hopes to improve the quality and accessibility of training to firefighters across the State.

Burger received his appointment after being endorsed by the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts.

–E.E.

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WAM Theatre’s final 2015 Fresh Takes reading

Lucy-Prebble
Playwright Lucy Prebble.

West Stockbridge — WAM Theatre’s final offering in its 2015 Fresh Takes Play Reading Series, is “The Effect” by Lucy Prebble, directed by Kristen van Ginhoven, co-founder and artistic director of WAM Theatre. WAM Theatre will present the reading on Sunday, September 13 at 3 p.m. at No. Six Depot Roastery and Café.

In this clinical romance, two young volunteers agree to take part in an experimental drug trial. Succumbing to the gravitational pull of attraction and love they manage to throw the trial off-course, much to the frustration of the clinicians involved. The cast of “The Effect” includes Tim Dugan, Yvonne Perry, Enrico Spada, and Kristyn Youngblood.

There are only 25 tickets available for the reading. More information and tickets are available from the Berkshire Edge calendar and by calling 1-800-838-3006.

–E.E.

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BPTgrouppic
Pottery by (clockwise from top left) Ben Krupka, Paula Shalan, Ben Evans, Linda Skipper, Lorimer Burns, Daniel Bellow, and Ellen Grenadier.

Gallery show opens 2nd annual Berkshire Pottery Tour

Great Barrington — Seven Berkshire potters are featured in a group show at Lauren Clark Fine Art. The gallery will host an opening on Saturday, September 5 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for friends and well-wishers.

The gallery show, which will be up through September, is a warm-up for the upcoming second annual Berkshire Pottery Tour the weekend of September 26 and 27 during which each of the potters (Ben Evans, Lorimer Burns, Ellen Grenadier, Ben Krupka, Daniel Bellow, Paula Shalan, and Linda Skipper) will open his or her studio to the public for a self-guided tour. Admission to all events is free and families are welcome.

For more information on the show, contact the gallery at (413) 528-0432.

–E.E.

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Singer, artist to perform at Camphill Ghent

Michael_Witri
Singer Michael Witri.

 Chatham, N.Y. — Camphill Ghent will host performances by singer Michael Witri on September 6 at 3 p.m. and artist Lois Dickson on September 8 at 11 a.m. Both performances are free and part of the regularly scheduled activities open to the public at the retirement and assisted living community.

lois-dickson
Artist Lois Dickson.

Witri has been a professional singer of opera, oratorical, and sacred music for more than 30 years. He has also sung musical comedy and other songs from the American Songbook including pieces by Richard Rogers, George Gershwin and others. Lois Dickson, an abstract painter whose work reflects an ongoing interest in the natural world, became an artist after a successful career as an interior designer and art consultant. She has exhibited her work in New York City and Columbia County.

For more information contact Camphill Ghent Activities Director Gry Brudvik at (518) 392-2760 x104.

–E.E.

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Temple Anshe Amunim to celebrate High Holy Days

Pittsfield — Temple Anshe Amunim will celebrate the Jewish High Holy Days with a full schedule of services in its newly renovated temple. Also new this year, cantorial soloist Dara Rosenblatt will join Rabbi Josh Breindel and the temple choir to help lead the musical portions of the service.

The High Holy Days season begins with Selichot, a contemplative service featuring stories, music, and guided meditations on Saturday, September 5 at 7:30 p.m. followed by a dessert reception. On Sunday, September 13 Rosh Hashanah (Jewish new year) evening services will be held at 7:30 p.m. and followed by an oneg (festive reception). On Monday, September 14, Rosh Hashanah family services will be held at 9 a.m. with the congregational services beginning at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to celebrate the Second Day of Rosh Hashanah in nature, at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. On Sunday, September 20, Rabbi Josh will lead a memorial Service of Faith at 10:30 a.m. at Pittsfield Cemetery. Yom Kippur (the Jewish Day of Atonement) will begin with a Kol Nidre service on Tuesday, September 22 at 7:30 p.m. Services on Wednesday, September 23 include family services at 9 a.m., congregational services at 10:30 a.m., a study session at 1:30 p.m., and an afternoon service at 3 p.m. Yizkor (memorial) and Ne’ilah (closing) services will take place at 5 p.m. and will be followed by a Break-the-Fast reception.

For more information or to RSVP for the Break-the-Fast, call the temple office at (413) 442-5910.

–E.E.

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