The town of Stockbridge, made famous by Norman Rockwell's painting of the village during the holidays, becomes a magical New England setting decorated with holiday wreaths and festive lights, as the town celebrates the 18th annual Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas, November 30, December 1st through the 2nd.
Sponsored by the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce, the holiday celebration offers a full range of activities, with highlights including a holiday reading at the Berkshire Theatre Festival, historic house tours, caroling, and a holiday concert.
Capping off the weekend is a recreation on Sunday of the scene depicted in Main Street at Christmas, complete with vintage automobiles parked in the spots occupied in the painting. The day's activities include horse drawn rides, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, photos with Rockwell, Roger the Jester, and much more.
The festivities celebrate Rockwell's popular depiction of what for many is the quintessential small New England Town, with all the longing for a simpler time that it represents. Rockwell began painting the popular image in 1956, but did not complete it until December 1967.
The image and character of Stockbridge has changed little over the years, thanks to the great care and affection of its residents, and it is that special ambience which draws so many visitors to this gala celebration.
For further information, please contact Barbara J. Zanetti, Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 224, 6 Elm Street, Stockbridge, MA 01262
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2007
Holiday Reading at the Unicorn Theatre, 7:30pm
Actors from the Berkshire Theatre Festival present a holiday reading, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. A ghost story for Christmas adapted by Eric Hill and directed by Eric Hill and E. Gray Simons III. ".for adults.a tonic and for children it is a transfixing journey.a story that is ever of its time and ever timeless." The New York Times
Tickets $20.00 per person.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2007
Holiday House Tour, 11:00am-4:00pm
Visit some of the area's finest Historic Homes, B&B's, and Inns. This self-guided tour is one of the area's most popular events.
Tickets are $15.00 per person.
Children's Holiday Story Time at the Stockbridge Library, 11:00-11:30am
Come listen to tales of the season.
Free Admission.
Caroling & Luminaria Walk, 6:00-7:00pm
Meet in front of The Red Lion Inn, Main Street with your candle or flashlight and join the festive caroling followed by a Luminaria walk to the First Congregational Church.
Holiday Concert at the First Congregational Church, 7:30pm
Celebrate the magic of the season with a joyful holiday musical program. Featuring the Berkshire Lyric Theatre Chorus, the Blafield Children's Chorus and Gisella Montanez.
Tickets are $20.00
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2007
Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas Recreation, 12Noon-2:00pm
See Main Street as Norman Rockwell did when he painted the famous Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas. Main Street becomes a magical New England village with over 50 antique cars parked along the street and a full range of festive activities to delight the child in everyone. Enjoy Holiday Music by Monument Mountain Regional High School & the Londontown Carolers, Roger the Jester and lunch at the Christmas Food Booth. Children may create ornaments at Santa's workshop sponsored by IS183. Complete the day with a visit from Santa. Commemorative Buttons which offer admittance to Sunday's Main St. activities are $5.00 per person. Children under 12 free.
TO ORDER TICKETS
Tickets may be purchased in advance through the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce or in person the week of the events at The Red Lion Inn. Mail: P.O. Box 224 Stockbridge, MA, 01262, Website: www.stockbridgechamber.org
GROUP TOURS
Are welcome to all activities. Please note that this is a fund-raiser, therefore the stated rates apply. There are no complimentary tickets/buttons for coach and reservations are only accepted with full payment. Advance orders may be purchased by check or cash. Cash is the only acceptable payment for purchases made during the week of the event. Buses wishing to partake in the house tour should contact the chamber office for instruction. Parking on Sunday should be at the Town Hall on West Main Street. The Main Street is closed to traffic 11:30am-2pm. If you wish to drop-off or pick-up passengers on Main Street, you should do so before 11:30am and after 2pm. After 11:30am and before 2pm passengers will need to walk to and from the Town Hall parking lot.
PARKING
Please note that on Sunday there is no parking on Main Street to 2pm. Parking is available on West & East Main Street, Elm Street and the Austin Riggs Center parking lot. Antique car owners will be directed upon arrival.
Directions to Stockbridge:
From Boston-Mass.Turnpike (Rte. 90) West to Exit 2, Rte. 102 West to Stockbridge.
From New York City-Taconic State Parkway North to Rte. 23 East to Great Barrington, Rte. 7 North to Stockbridge.
From Albany-New York State Thruway East (Rte. 90) to Exit B3, Rte. 22 South to Rte. 102 East to Stockbridge.
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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