Berkshire Museum's Festival of Trees Kicks Off Nov. 22

Festive Preview Party: Friday, Nov. 22, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It’s a family friendly evening of fun, food and entertainment. Tickets are $50 for adults, $25 for children. For museum members, $30 per adult and $15 per child. RSVP by Nov. 18: 413-443-7171, ext. 37, or wblaauw@berkshiremuseum.org

Holiday Flash Mob Concerts: Saturdays and Sundays in December. While visiting the Festival of Trees, be prepared to encounter small groups of performers spontaneously breaking into song. At any time in any gallery you may enjoy a brief, delightful holiday concert featuring string quartets, carolers, or a mixture of both.

Pittsfield Tree Lighting Ceremony: Friday, Dec. 6, 5 to 8 p.m. Enjoy refreshments and music in the museum before the tree lighting in Pittsfield’s Park Square. The Taconic High School Honors Choir will perform traditional carols and holiday songs. There will be half-price admission from 5 to 8 p.m.

Festival of Trees Family Day: Saturday, Dec. 14. Bring the family to enjoy the sounds, sights, and tastes of the holiday season with a visit to Festival of Trees 2013: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow and a full day of family fun, from an exciting live animal show to cookie decorating to holiday tunes!

• Animals Up Close: 11 a.m. Encounter the amazing animal ambassadors from the Granite State Zoo! From exotic lizards to beguiling marsupials, a number of special animal guests will make appearances in this up-close live animal show. $15 per adult, $8 per child. Museum members: $5 per adult, $3 per child, children 3 and younger free. Includes museum admission.
• Cookie Decorating: Noon. This delicious twist on a Berkshire Museum tradition features artful and tasty cookie decoration. Cookies and supplies are complimentary. Supplies are limited; first-come, first-served.
• Free with Museum Admission.
• Blafield Children’s Chorus: 1:30 p.m. Enjoy the voices of the Blafield Children’s Chorus and Berkshire Singers performing holiday favorites. Free with Museum admission.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.