Monument Mountain hike to celebrate Melville and Hawthorne
Great Barrington — On Sunday, August 7, at 9:30 a.m., climbers and fans of Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne are invited to meet in the parking lot of Monument Mountain on Route 7 to celebrate the historic day in 1850 when the two literary giants first met and became friends and allies in the world of fiction. Produced every year, the climb includes a reading of William Cullen Bryant’s famous poem about the mountain and a champagne-style toast.
In 1850 when the first climb took place (including Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Evert Duykinck, Dudley Field and others), Melville had not yet moved to the Berkshires from New York City, although Hawthorne was already resident on the north edge of the Stockbridge Bowl. At the time they met on this now historic walk, Melville was revising his book “The Whale” into what became “Moby-Dick.” Hawthorne was writing, “The House of the Seven Gables.”
A joint effort of the Berkshire County Historical Society and the Trustees of Reservations, the experience takes approximately two hours and will be led by historian Gordon Hyatt and Herman Melville’s Arrowhead Executive Director Will Garrison. The climb is steep but doable and participants are urged to wear good walking/climbing shoes and socks and long pants. Participants are invited to Arrowhead after the walk for discounted guided tours and to picnic on the grounds. For more information, call the Historical Society at (413) 442-1793.
–E.E.
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WaterWorks to present free art events
Norfolk, Connecticut — WaterWorks, the watercolor art school and gallery founded by landscape and botanical artist Leslie Watkins, will present free painting demonstrations, art classes for children and adults, a lecture and a weekend-long exhibition of watercolor paintings by regional artists as part of the Weekend in Norfolk celebration Friday, August 5 – Sunday, August 7. All offerings will take place on the second floor of the National Iron Bank.
An opening reception will begin the activities at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 5, with an exhibition of 16th – 21st century watercolor art. The reception will be followed by an illustrated talk on the history of watercolor by Leslie Watkins. A “paint a chick” art contest for children will take place on Saturday, August 6, from 10 a.m. – noon. Painting demonstrations will be held at noon (bird painting), 1 p.m. (botanical painting), and 4 p.m. (landscape painting). On Sunday, August 7, from 10 a.m. – noon, there will be a nature journaling workshop for children and adults. Two free “paint-ins” will be held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 2 – 4 p.m.: adults are invited to paint a botanical watercolor painting and hang their work in the art exhibition. Awards will be given out on Sunday at 5 p.m., followed by a closing party.
For more information, call (860) 542-3920.
–E.E.
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Makerspace party for teens/tweens
Lee – On Saturday, August 6, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., the Lee Library will end its teen/tween summer reading program with a makerspace 3D printing program party with Arthur and Peter Evans. Participants will design and print 3D toys or objects with the makerspace 3D printer. The program is suitable for children ages 8 and up. For more information, call the Library at (413) 243-0385.
–E.E.
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Photo contest winners announced, art to be exhibited
Stockbridge — Laurel Hill Association and Stockbridge Land Trust have selected five winning submissions to their first photo contest featuring images of Stockbridge. The winning photos were taken by Dana Goedewaagen of Glendale, Stacy McMahon of Great Barrington, John R. Morse of Stockbridge, and Sharon Siter of South Egremont. The photos show the Mary Flynn Trail, the Housatonic River, Konkapot Brook with Ice Glen and Beartown Mountain in the background, the Children’s Chime Tower by the Congregational Church, and the cat and dog fountain at the intersection of Route 7 and Main Street. Volunteer judges Michael Flower, Doug Munson, and Gege Kingston selected the winning photos and nine honorable mention photographs. The Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives will host an exhibit of framed prints of the winning photos for a month beginning on Friday, August 5, with a reception to be held from 5 – 7:00 p.m. with the photographers whose work is featured on the notecards. All are welcome and admission is free.
Notecards featuring the winning photos will be sold in several local shops. All proceeds from the sale of the cards will go to Stockbridge Land Trust and Laurel Hill Association.
–E.E.
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Bidwell House Museum to offer shelter-building workshop
Monterey — On Saturday, August 6, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., the Bidwell House Museum will offer an outdoor workshop on wigwams and shelter-building, led by Camille Roos. After learning the history of wigwams and longhouses, formerly inhabited by indigenous people in the Northeast, participants will explore how to build lean-tos and tarp shelters while discussing various forms of protection in the wild. The program is family-friendly event and participants are advised to bring a bag lunch. The cost of the program is $10 for Museum members and $15 for nonmembers. Admission to the museum is included. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to pre-register, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact contact bidwelleducation@gmail.com.
–E.E.
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Olana to host ice harvesting challenge
Hudson, New York – On Saturday, August 6, from 3 – 5 p.m., Olana State Historic Site will offer the all-ages program “The Big Melt: Ice Harvesting Challenge” for those who would like learn more about 19th century ice harvesting. The program will be led by environmental educator Fran Martino. Ice cream will be included. The cost of the program is $10 for Olana members and $15 for nonmembers. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call Olana’s education department at (518) 828-1872 x105.
–E.E.
