Lenox Library to Host Stay at Home and Read a Book Ball

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LENOX, Mass. — The Lenox Library Association will host its second annual Stay at Home and Read a Book Ball to benefit the Lenox Library on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

Guests are invited to stay at home on a winter evening, join a Zoom conversation with the event hosts, read a favorite book, enjoy a local meal, and donate to the library what they would have spent on a gala or night out.

All attendees are invited join the evening's hosts for a one-hour lively virtual conversation about books and libraries. This year's Book Ball will be hosted by six local personalities who will share their love of books, their current reads, and personal library stories. 

At the end of the live session, there will be time for Q&A's and conversation with all participants.

The Stay at Home and Read a Book Ball hosts are local celebrity Terry Hall, aka Terry a la Berry; Lenox Library Director Katie O'Neil; voracious reader and Lenox student Rosalie Cass; educator and former Lenox School Committee member Bob Vaughan; local children's book author Dan Stern; and a Lenox family of bookworms Gillian and George Hurst.

To learn more about the Stay at Home and Read a Book Ball hosts, visit the Lenox Library website page here.

Partnering with the Lenox Library Association this year are five Lenox establishments, each creating something special to benefit the Book Ball. Anyone can take advantage of these offerings whether attending the Book Ball or not. On Feb.10, Olde Heritage Tavern will donate 10 percent of the day's proceeds to the Lenox Library Association. Dare Bottleshop & Provisions will offer a special online sale at www.darebottleshop.com with the code BOOKBALL. Nejaime's Wine Cellars in Lenox will offer select wines on sale to benefit this library event. 110 Grill in Lenox donated five $20 gift cards for drawings which make anyone who donates to the Book Ball eligible to win a card. Also, Frankie's Ristorante will host a "Dine and Donate" night on Thursday, February 15th giving 10 percent of all proceeds for dine in and take out to the library's Book Ball.

The Stay at Home and Read a Book Ball is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to have a ball while reading at home and showing support for the Lenox Library by donating what might have been spent on a night out in the Berkshires.  Donate online, mail a check to the LLA Book Ball, 18 Main St., Lenox, MA 01240 or call 413.637.2630 to give your gift over the phone. Donations are tax-deductible and will support the many literacy and educational programs of the Lenox Library.

Visit https://lenoxlib.org/event/book-ball-stay-at-home-and-read/ for more information.

The 2024 Stay at Home and Read a Book Ball is supported by Greylock Federal Credit Union and the Lenox Library Association.


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Morris Elementary's Odyssey of the Mind Team Earns Spot at World Finals

LENOX, Mass. — Superintendent Dr. William Collins and Principal Brenda Kelley shared that Morris Elementary School's Odyssey of the Mind team recently competed in regional competition, securing first place in their division and a spot in the World Finals.

Grade 5 students at Morris Elementary School are using their minds to solve complex, open-ended problems through Odyssey of the Mind.

Odyssey of the Mind is an educational program that challenges students to solve open-ended problems imaginatively and theatrically while working as a team. 

Students who participate in Odyssey of the Mind begin preparing for the workforce early, developing their skills in engineering, innovation and creative problem-solving. 

The team is comprised of Grade 5 students Les Freeman, Johnson Green, Anna Kennedy, Raquel Levin, Zachary Streeter, Levi Stern and Ethan Winger and is coached by Josh Levin, Kim Winger and Seth Lipkin.

They traveled to Edward Little High School in Auburn, Maine, on Saturday, April 5, for the regional competition, where they competed against 99 teams.

The Morris team solved the problem "AstronOMical Odyssey," in which teams were tasked to create a humorous performance set in a team-created "historical" civilization that explains constellations and presents original stories. The performance also included a humorous astronomer character with a "stellar" costume, a lighting effect and a shooting star.

The team's performance can be viewed here.

"These students have put in countless hours designing their own solution, building their own props, and bringing their ideas to life," said Coach Josh Levin. "What’s amazing is that the work these kids are doing will set them up to be successful at problem-solving using both engineering and creative skills. This is what it’s all about! They did absolutely everything themselves. That’s the really amazing thing. No parent help, just encouragement."

Their win at the regional competition earned them an invite to attend the World Finals at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, from May 20-24, where they will compete against more than 800 teams from around the world. 

The PTO is seeking donations to help send the small but mighty team of students to the World Finals. To contribute to the PTO's fundraising efforts, contact Ashley Turczak at ashley.turczak@gmail.com.

"Our Odyssey of the Mind team is a perfect example of the creativity and persistence that our student body possesses," said Principal Kelley. "These students worked incredibly hard to come out on top at the regional competition, and we hope to see them move on to display their innovative talents at the World Finals. Congratulations, and good luck!"

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