Lenox Library Planning 'Party of the Century'

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LENOX, Mass. — A Black and White Masquerade Ball to benefit the Lenox Library will be held on Saturday, March 10, beginning at 6 p.m. at Blantyre. A cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, and a silent auction are planned.

The Black and White Ball is modeled after Truman Capote's 1966 masquerade ball at The Plaza in New York, following the release of his book, "In Cold Blood." The exclusive guest list at Capote's event included a mix of New York socialites, Hollywood stars, artists, authors and politicians. Among the guests were Norman Mailer, Candice Bergen, Frank Sinatra, Mia Farrow and Walter Cronkite. Like the original Black and White Ball, the library’s event is being billed as the "Party of the Century."

Lisa Nelson, who is on the board of managers of the Lenox Library and is chairing the gala, said, "We wanted to do something different and thought it would be fun to recreate the elegance and mystique of Truman Capote’s ball."

Berkshire Bank is the premier sponsor for the Black and White Ball. Blantyre is hosting the event.

Tickets are $250 per person, with proceeds benefitting the library, a non-profit organization providing public library services to the greater Lenox community. Overnight stay options are also available. For more information, contact Sharon Hawkes, library director, at 413-637-2630, gala@lenoxlib.org.
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Pittsfield Firefighters Knock Down Morningside Blaze

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Fire Department knocked down a two-alarm blaze in the Morningside neighborhood in less than an hour on Friday. 

Just before 3 p.m., the department received a report of a fire at 25 Pine St. Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Garner said he arrived at the scene first and saw heavy fire showing from the rear of the more than 100-year-old home. 

"We just went to work, pretty much," he explained. 

"Because of the heavy volume of fire and the potential for a high number of occupants, I called a double alarm, which called all available Pittsfield firefighters directly to the scene. And I would say the fire was knocked down and under control within an hour." 

Eight occupants were evacuating the home when firefighters arrived, and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. People, including the occupants, stood on the sidewalk and watched the scene unfold. 

When iBerkshires arrived, firefighters were on the ladder, extinguishing the top level of the home from the side and rear.  

There were five fire engines and one ladder truck. Hinsdale also came to assist, and Lenox and Dalton were called for standby. 

Garner believes the building is salvageable and repairable, but recognized that the family won't be able to stay there tonight. An extended family appears to live in the home. 

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined; the Fire Investigation Division was on site. The Red Cross will provide assistance to the residents of the home. 

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