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Weekend Outlook: Nature Activities, Cleanups, and More

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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Events in the Berkshires this weekend include community clean-up initiatives, plays, nature activities, and more. 
 
Multiple Days
 
Roald Dahl's 'Matilda The Musical JR.'
Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield 
Select Times Friday through Sunday
 
There will be a performance of 'Matilda The Musical JR.,' which follows Matilda, a clever girl who stands up against her cruel parents and tyrannical headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. 
 
With her intelligence and bravery, she inspires her classmates and her kindhearted teacher, Miss Honey, to advocate for what’s right.
 
Tickets are $15 and up. More information here
 
Daffodil and Tulip Festival
Naumkeag, Stockbridge
April 18 thru May 11 
 
Naumkeag is kicking off its 6th annual Daffodil and Tulip Festival this weekend. 
 
The event will showcase more than 130,000 daffodils, tulips, and minor bulbs across their 8 acres of land. 
 
The 48-acre estate will be decorated with "a variety of blooms, containers, displays and decorations against the backdrop of stunning views of Monument Mountain and the Berkshire Hills," according to the Trustees of Reservations.
 
Mixed bouquets, container plants, and a pre-sale of spring bulbs will be sold at a pop-up shop outside the greenhouse. Food and refreshments will be for sale at the outdoor snack shack. 
 
Admittance to the inside of the house will be permitted for self-guided tours of the first floor and to provide access to the museum's gift shop. 
 
For more information on the festival or to purchase tickets visit here
 
Baby Animals 
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield 
Saturday, April 12, through Sunday, May 4.
 
The birds are chirping. The grass is getting greener, and signs of spring are showing — what better way to celebrate that than visiting the baby animals at Hancock Shaker Village.  
 
The village's baby animal festival begins this weekend from 11 until 4. Meet the farm's newest editions including lambs, kids, piglets, calves, and chicks. 
 
Festivalgoers can partake in daily events and activities including daily talks about the farm and the Shakers, craft demonstrations, and more. 
 
More information here
 
Friday 
 
Arbor Day Forest Health Walk 
Mount Greylock Visitor Center, Lanesborough
Time: 11 a.m. 
 
It's Arbor Day, and to celebrate there will be a free family-friendly hike focused on forest health and tree identification led by Park Interpreter Mike Whalen and Department of Conservation and Recreation Forest Health Director Nicole Keleher along the Bradley Farm Trail. 
 
Participants should wear appropriate clothing and sturdy boots, as trails may be icy or muddy. The program is open to children aged eight and up, with those under 18 requiring adult supervision. 
 
The hike lasts 90 minutes and will meet at the Visitor Center. Inclement weather will cancel the event. For more information, call 413-499-4262.
 
More information here
 
G Rockwell Band Performance 
Studio 9, North Adams 
Time: 7 p.m. 
 
Award-winning multi-instrumentalist and composer G Rockwell and his band will be performing. Tickets range from $20 to $50. More information here
 
Comedy Night 
VFW Post 996 North Adams
Time: 8 p.m. 
 
There will be a comedy performance hosted by Charlie Nadler with co-headliners Jen McMullen, Quentin Davis. Tickets are $15. 
 
More information here
 
Bring Your Own Vinyl Night 
Hot Plate Brewing Co., Pittsfield
Time: 7 p.m.
 
DJ Pup Daddy will perform some of his favorite albums and encourages the community to bring their own. 
 
More information here
 
Free Macbeth Performance 
North Adams Public Library
Time: 1 p.m.
 
Shakespeare & Company will stop by the library during its Northeast Regional Tour for a free performance of the Scottish play in the third-floor community room. 
 
More information here
 
Mad Hatter Tea Party 
Unitarian Universalists of Pittsfield 
Time: 4 p.m. 
 
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield and Re-ForMation Academy are hosting a Mad Hatter Tea Party and Craft Faire. 
 
Youth will sell their creative projects, with a suggested $5 donation for setup if others wish to sell. The event includes a tea room with music and mindfulness activities, "Paint & Sip Your Tea," a raffle fundraiser, and dress-up fun.
 
More information here
 
Jazz Crawl 
Various Venues in Pittsfield 
Time: 5 to 11 p.m.
 
As part of Pittsfield’s Jazz Festival, there will be a Jazz Crawl anchoring the opening weekend events and features local artists in restaurants and lounges throughout Pittsfield. 
 
Jazz Crawl schedule here
 
Saturday 
 
Park Service Day 
Various Parks in the County 
 
Help clean up Mount Greylock State Reservation, Tolland State Forest, and West Region Headquarters to celebrate Earth Week. 
 
The state Department of Conservation and Recreation invites volunteers to help clean up parks or participate in restorative projects in preparation for spring and summer. 
 
Clean up times: 
  • Mount Greylock State Reservation: 9 a.m. to noon 
  • Tolland State Forest: 9 a.m. to noon 
  • West Region Headquarters: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
More information here
 
Paranormal Investigation
Ventfort Hall, Lenox
Time: 7 p.m. 
 
Join David Raby for "A Spirited Evening," a paranormal investigation at historic Ventfort Hall. The event includes a brief history of the hall and sharing of evidence from previous investigations.
 
Tickets are $45 each, with a discounted rate of $25 for ages 12-23 with a student ID. Register here or call 413-637-3206.
 
More information here
 
Historic Deerfield Lecture 
Sweetwood, Williamstown
Time: 11 a.m. 
 
John Davis, president of Historic Deerfield, will present a free lecture discussing the local legacy and national significance of Historic Deerfield.
 
More information here
 
Women's Self-Defense Class
Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center, Inc., Pittsfield 
Time: 4 to 6 p.m. 
 
There will be a free self-defense class sponsored by the Berkshire County Commission on the Status of Women in light of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 
 
More information here
 
Kilashandra Album Release 
Becket Arts Center 
Time: 7 p.m. 
 
Celtic Jam Band from the northeastern U.S. will be celebrating the release of its new album. Its second album was recorded right on the center’s stage. 
 
Tickets are $20 or $10 for members. Information here
 
SheJumps – Hiking Meetup
Cheshire Harbor Trailhead Adams
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
 
There will be a 7-mile round-trip hike for women and girls, including transgender and cisgender, and non-binary individuals. 
 
The hike features a 2100 ft elevation gain and has a moderate to strenuous difficulty. The hike is expected to take approximately 5 hours, depending on conditions and pace. 
 
More information here
 
Spring Salamander and Frog Search
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. 
 
Venture into the woods with your family and children to search for spotted salamanders and wood frogs on this cool, moist evening.
 
Tickets range from $7 to $20. More information here
 
Ben Kohn Jazz Performance 
Wander Berkshires, Pittsfield 
Time: 7:30 p.m. 
 
Keyboard artist Ben Kohn will appear with his trio and special guests in a cabaret setting for this free performance. 
 
More information here
 
CANCELED FOR RAIN
Pittsfield Dog Park Clean Up
Burbank Park, Pittsfield 
Time: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 
 
Join the city's Parks Department in cleaning up the dog park. More information here
 
Berkshire Music School Community Celebration
36 Linden St., Pittsfield
Time: 6 p.m.
 
Celebrate Berkshire Music School's 85th year with a night of music provided by students, faculty, and alumni at Barrington Stage Company's St. Germain Stage.
 
Tickets range from $25 to $40. More information here
 
Sunday
 
Easter Egg Hunt 
Colegrove Park, North Adams
Time: 11:30 to 12:30 
 
First Baptist Church hosts an egg hunt at Colegrove Park on North Church Street featuring crafts, games, and prizes.
 
The field will be divided into two sections to accommodate age groups, walking to age 5 and ages 6 to 12. 
 
More information here
 
'Twelve Angry Jurors'
Bennington Theater, Bennington, Vt.
Time: 2 p.m. 
 
The theater at 331 Main St. will stage a preview of its performance of the classic play "Twelve Angry Jurors," which follows a tense jury room, where 12 jurors must decide if a young man is guilty of murder. 
 
More information here

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Letter: Vote No on Article 13 at Dalton Town Meeting

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

On May 5, the voters of the Town of Dalton will be asked to vote on 31 Articles at the annual Town Meeting. I encourage all voters attending to vote "No" on Article 13.

Article 13 reads:

"To see if Town will rescind the vote taken under Article 1 of the May 1,2017 Annual Town Meeting authorizing the demolition of the old Dalton High School and the sale of the property for the redevelopment for houses in accordance with the Zoning By-Laws of the Town at this site; or take any other action in relation thereto."
(TWO-THIRDS VOTE REQUIRED)

The town did demolish the old Dalton High School. However the site was never re-developed for building lots as voted for by the voters of Dalton.

To the voters who originally voted on May 1, 2017, annual town meeting your vote meant nothing, if it can be changed so easily. So, if voters vote for something at the upcoming town meeting, someone could petition for a special town meeting and rescind that voting result. Doesn't hardly seem right.

The intent of changing the original vote is to the use the site to erect a new ridiculous 13,000 square foot, ten million plus dollar police station. Which the Town doesn’t mention in the text of Article 13. There are more viable alternate plans for a new police station that would cost far less and make a lot more sense.

Why would the town build a police station in the middle of a residential area anyways? If I were a resident in the area I would be outraged.

Why would the town give up six building lots? How much money will the Town lose by not selling these lots, not to mention the tax revenue that could be collected. Doesn’t make much sense, does it? I don’t know why the Town has not developed the building lots like it was supposed to. It’s been eight years since the vote in 2017.

Keep in mind, regardless of what the site will be used for, the site will require millions of dollars to address the repair and upgrade of the Walker Brook culvert system that runs under the site. So, you can add that to the cost of a new police station.

Unfortunately, if you are eligible voter in the Town of Dalton and are not able or do not attend annual town meeting you will not be able to vote on this important article or any other article in the warrant. The town gets to pick your pocket and decide things that affect you without the your vote. This voter discrimination really needs to stop. After all this is the 21st century not the 18th. Of the 4,500 plus registered voters, the town meetings historically are attended by less the 200 voters. Two hundred voters is not 2/3 of 4,500 voters. Why should 200 voters be able to decide the fate of the other 4,300 voters?

I hope the voters attending the May 5 Dalton annual town meeting will vote a resounding "NO" on Article 13.

Bruce Lester
Dalton, Mass. 

 

 

 

 

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