St. Stanislaus School benefit, 9 to 4 in Kolbe Hall, Adams. Bake sale, snack bar, games, Chinese auctions, money raffle, crafts, and pierogi.
Blackinton Union Church, 1373 Massachusetts Ave., North Adams; 10 to 2. Crafts table, bake sale, Chinese auction, the Christmas table, and kid's grab bag. Lunch $4, $2 kids.
First Congregational Church, North Adams, 9-2.
Nov. 28 Becket Federated Church, Route 8, holiday bazaar from 9-3. Lunch, crafts, baked goods, holiday and other items. Information: Mary Peltier, Parish House, 413-623-5217.
Dec. 5
Holiday Fair at First Congregational Church, 25 Park Place, Lee, from 10 to 3; handcrafted items, raffles, children's shop, bake sale, cut Christmas trees and lunch from 11 to 1. Includes angel-themed goods from SERRV. Information, 413-243-1033 or www.ucc-lee.org.
Dec. 12-13
North Adams Country Club, crafts 9-4; food from That's a Wrap from 11-2. Information: Sheryl Morehouse at 413-822-3329.
Planning a bazaar this season? Submit information to info@iberkshires.com to have it listed here.
We're trying out blogs to offer shorter, easy-to-find news. Let us know what you think.
Send press releases and announcements to info@iberkshires.com. Need to contact someone at iBerkshires? Here's how.
Mammography Dispute The government's issued controversial new guidelines stating that women shouldn't get annual mammograms until age 50, rather than age 40.
iBerkshires will be meeting with local medical experts Monday. Have a question you'd like answered on this issue? Send it info@iberkshires.com with "mammogram" in the subject line.
By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff 05:11PM / Saturday, January 24, 2009
Emcee Jonathon Secor checks in with contestants queued for the stage.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Chrissy Haskell had tried to make the cut for Berkshire Idol before without success.
"I guess last year I was forgettable," said the 22-year-old North Adams resident. "I just stood by the microphone."
Not so this year, as Haskell's powerful rendition of Mariah Carey's "Vision of Love" prompted the audience at the Church Street Center on Saturday to burst into applause as she sent those high notes soaring.
Her reward was to be called out as the first finalist in the 16 and older category for the Berkshire Idol finale in March. Even sweeter, little brother Brandon Haskell, 10 years her junior, made it into the younger division. "We love to sing together," said Haskell, as Brandon nodded in agreement.
The siblings will vie with 14 other contestants for a chance at studio time, cash and Savings Bonds on March 14 when this year's Idol winner will be announced.
The contest benefits local charities and community organizations. Semi-finalists have to raise at least $100 in donations and top fundraisers will receive prizes, including one week at Vacation Village (a $1,400 value), an iPod and a karaoke machine. In he past, the Berkshire Idol has raised more than $20,000. This year, proceeds will go to the nonprofit Windsor School of Music in North Adams.
Banner photo: siblings Chrissy and Brandon Haskell show off their Idol tickets. Top: Raven Ocasio, left, Arantha Farrow and Rebecca DeCola; middle, judges Betsy Reali, Beth Keplinger and Jaime Choquette.
The winner in the 16-to-adult category will receive $1,000 and four hours of studio time at Skyboro Sound. The winner of the younger age category will receive a $1,000 savings bond ($500 cash value) and four hours of studio time at Skyboro Sound.
Some contestants at the center, on the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts campus, seemed more worried about getting through the day's performance, never mind making it to the finale.
"I'm going to the miss the last note, I know it ... I'm scared," said Tabitha Dick of Pittsfield, adding she might have to throw up. "You're not going to throw up," ordered her friend Caroline Whitman, who was also taking the stage.
The Reid Middle School students made it through their songs, but not to the final eight.
Fourteen-year-old Ashley Volff of Adams made it to finals for the second time, having placed in 2007. After belting out Martina McBride's "Anyway," she was worried she'd overdone it. "I think I was too loud," she said.
But mom Ann Volff assured her the microphone had toned her down, otherwise "You'd have blown out everyone's eardrums," she joked.
The competition went faster this year with fewer contestants than 2008's 70-odd singers. But while there was less music, the audience's appreciation of the talent on stage didn't seem the least diminished. The applause was loud and frequent, often breaking into the performances for a particularly well sung stanza, held note or entertaining move.
Todd Hamilton, aka "the Lunchbox," broke up his rendition of rock tune "Kryptonite" by twice running through the aisles, microphone in hand. Hannah Rose Woods, 10, of Clarksburg drew laughter singing — and at times acting out — Kristin Chenoweth's "Taylor the Latte Boy."
In addition to raising funds for local causes, Berkshire Idol has become an opportunity for amateur and professional singers to show their range and talent.
"What a great experience this is," said Jessica Perrault, 23, of Adams, as she waited downstairs from the center's mainstage. "You get to meet a lot of people."
"It's a great place to show your talent," said Brian Isaac, a Pioneer Valley emigre who settled in Adams last year. The artist and photographer was singing "You Light Up My Life," a tune he'd last performed at age 7.
A few years had gone by since then, he admitted. "I really just want to share my music."
Editor's Note: We know everyone is eager to see the videos. Unfortunately, iBerkshires is not in anyway involved with the posting of the videos. We have asked to be informed as soon as they are posted so we can get the word out. Keep an eye on our home page for updates.
i am so happy 4 brandon haskell he goes 2 my school and evrybody knew dat he wuz goin 2 win bc he is an amazing singer!!! peace out!!! :b
from: Kim
on: 04-07-2009
only one more day!!!!! SOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!
to all the finalist; good luck to u all and u all rock ^^ see ya Saturday!
from: Ashley Volff (a 2009 finalist)
on: 03-12-2009
I was blown away by the Haskell siblings! Didn't realize the connection til after I heard Chrissy sing.
She looked confident and with a little clothing makeover she'll have great stage presence. Her voice is fantastic.
Brandon's choice of songs was a winner and he did great with it.
You can tell they really love to sing and I think they should take the prize in their catagories this year without a doubt!
from: maireh1
on: 02-28-2009
Ashley--
I saw you in SNOOPY! and you ROCKED!!! I hope you win Idol!!!!!
from: JR
on: 02-26-2009
Ashley Volff,
I've known you for a while. I am so proud of you. I'll be cheering for you on the side line. And don't worry I'll try again next year. Good Luck to everyone. And Ashley. You'll do amazing.
from: Rebecca Daniels
on: 02-22-2009
Ashley, You make us proud. God gave you an awesome gift. Use it to make your dreams come true. Remember to smile always.
Love Mom, Dad, and brother Shane
from:
on: 02-21-2009
MYA YOU WERE ASOME AT YOUR SINGING I LOVE YOU YOU ARE THE BEST SIGER EVER YOU RULE I LOVE THE FACT THAT YOU SANG LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH BECAUSE IT IS RESPECTING BARACK OBAMA AND BLESSING EVERYBODY IN THIS WORLD ! REMEMBER YOU ARE THE BEST LOVE YOUR SISTER NYANNA
from: NYANNA
on: 02-15-2009
when is the video coming out i want to see it because i want to see myself in bershire idolbecause i made it to the finals of berkshire idol! I WANT TO SEE IT PLEASE PUT IT ON YOUR WEBSITE i have been waiting for this for about 2 months so put it out!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
from: mya
on: 02-15-2009
It's me again. Posting another comment. I need these videos to come up so that people can vote! It is so important!!! Please Berkshire Idol people, hurry!
from: Markell Shea
on: 02-15-2009
I am one of the Berkshire Idol finalists and I have been waiting for the longest time for the new 2009 videos to come up on the Berkshire Idol website! This is taking WAY TOO LONG!
from: Markell Shea
on: 02-15-2009
It is ridiculous that the new videos are not up yet.
from: a listener
on: 02-11-2009
Thats a great question,I think eveyone is waiting the new videos !
from: MG
on: 02-08-2009
I think everyone is waiting for the new videos !
from:
on: 02-08-2009
Where are the videos? I thought they would be posted by now.
from: A Listener
on: 02-08-2009
THIS IS TO MY LITTLE ROCK STAR, HANNAH LEVESQUE, I'M SO PROUD OF YOU. YOU DID SUCH A GREAT JOB AND ROCKED THE HOUSE. I'M GLAD THAT YOU ARE ALWAYS YOURSELF NO MATTER WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING AND I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU CHOSE TO DO A DIFFERENT KIND OF SONG THAN EVERYONE ELSE. YOU ARE MY LITTLE HEADBANGER AND I LOVE YOU. STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF AND KEEP ROCKIN BABY. CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE 24TH TO WATCH YOU AGAIN. LOVE MOMMY.
from: JENNIFER
on: 02-05-2009
Ashley V. you are the best. You will win it this year for sure
from: #1 fan
on: 01-29-2009
To my Lucy, Ashley V,
CONGRATS!!! I will be there on March 14th cheering you on!! Make me proud babe!!
Love, Your Peppermint Patty,
Kristina
from: 2008 BERK IDOL!!
on: 01-28-2009
I would like to give a shout out to Jessica Perrault for her performance. She showed us that she has the singing ability and the stage presence to be the next berkshire idol.
from: JC
on: 01-26-2009
OMG! This year was soo fun! This is my 4th year doing Berkshire Idol, and this is the 1st time I made it to the finals, and I was called first! But I am mostly happy for my brother Brandon who did an AMAZING job out there, I really hope he wins this thing!! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
from: Chrissy Haskell
on: 01-26-2009
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