Tree Lightings & Holiday Events 2017

Holiday Events

(Visit our Holiday Bazaars and Craft Fairs list for holiday fairs.)

Wednesday, Dec. 20

'BEER & CAROLS,' Pittsfield, 7 p.m.: Zion Lutheran Church presents “Beer & Carols” at the church, 74 First St., the fifth annual installment of its popular Christmas sing-along that s intended to gather people together for a lively night of popular Christmas carols and songs. Leading the evening will be pianists Amy Renak and Timothy Weisman, along with Daniel Broad on string bass. Light food and non-alcoholic beverages will be served to all; beer and wine will be available for purchase. There is no admission fee; aA free-will offering will be taken to support the Cathedral of the Beloved, an outdoor worship and meal ministry in downtown Pittsfield reaching the homeless and the underserved.

Thursday, Dec. 21

HOOSAC VALLEY HOLIDAY CONCERT, Cheshire, 7 p.m.: The Performing Arts Department of Hoosac Valley High School will present a Holiday Performance at the school. Featured ensembles include the High School Concert Band, the High School Chorus and the High School Jazz Band. All groups are under the direction of Jacob Keplinger and Jonathan Rowe. Admission is free.

1753 HOUSE CAROL SING, Williamstown, 7 p.m.: The 44th annual 1753 House Carol Sing will be held at the 1753 House on Field Park. The 1753 House is located between the Williams Inn and the Milne Public Library at the northern intersection of Routes 2 and 7 in Williamstown.

Friday, Dec. 22

'IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE' (1946), Great Barrington, 7 p.m.: The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents a free screening of Frank Capra’s 1946 holiday drama "It’s a Wonderful Life," starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. Designated the most inspirational movie of all time by the American Film Institute, "It’s a Wonderful Life" is a wonderful, feel-good movie to experience with friends and family.

Saturday, Dec. 23

CHARITY GIFT WRAP, Lee, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Mt. Everett Regional School Cheerleaders will provide gift wrapping services in exchange for a donation in the food court of the Lee Premium Outlets. All of the proceeds support the cheerleading program.

Sunday, Dec. 24

LESSONS & CAROLS AT THE SOUTHFIELD CHURCH, New Marlborough, 7 p.m.: The gift of music continues at the Southfield Church as our ecumenical community choir presents its annual Christmas Eve service, A Festival of Lessons & Carols. The service begins with a rousing ringing of the old bell and lasts approximately one hour. A Lessons & Carols service is a simple service consisting of nine scripture verses (or lessons) followed by a carol sung by the choir and occasionally the congregation. The choir’s carol arrangements span from the traditional, such as “Silent Night” sung by candlelight, to the jazz influenced “Still, Still, Still” reminiscent of the sound of the jazz vocal group, The Singers Unlimited. Everyone in the community is invited.    

Monday, Dec. 25

BE OUR GUEST CHRISTMAS DINNER, North Adams, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: The North Adams American Legion is sponsoring a Christmas dinner, featuring ham with soup, potato, vegetable and dessert. Those needing delivery can call 413-664-9004. All are welcome.

We will be adding new information on holiday events as they are submitted. Send information on your holiday events to info@iberkshires.com.

Christmas Tree Lightings

* ADAMS: Sunday, Nov. 26, 2-5 p.m., at the Adams Town Common. The tree-lighting ceremony will include free carriage rides and music, hot cocoa and coffee, and a visit from Santa.

* CLARKSBURG: Sunday, Nov. 26, 6 p.m. VFW Post 9144 and the Clarksburg Fire Department will host the annual Christmas tree lighting. All are asked to bring a non perishable food item to be donated to the Friendship Center Food Pantry in North Adams.  Santa will be there courtesy of the fire department.

* LANESBOROUGH: Thursday, Nov. 30, 7 p.m. The town of Lanesborough will hold its annual tree-lighting ceremony at Memorial Park next to the police station. There will be refreshments and entertainment provided by the LES chorus.

LENOX: Friday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m. The annual Lenox Christmas Tree Lighting will be held in Lilac Park. There will be cookies, hot chocolate and visits with Santa following the tree lighting at the Lenox Community Center.

* LENOX DALE: Sunday, Dec. 3, 6 p.m. The annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Lenox Dale will feature Santa arriving by fire engine at Veterans Memorial Park at the intersection of Walker & Crystal streets to light the tree. Following the lighting, Santa will greet the children at the Fire Station on Elm Street where gifts and refreshments will be distributed. Santa will also pose for photos with the children.

* NORTH ADAMS: Wednesday, Nov. 22, 6 p.m. at Monument Square. Caroling with the Drury Band, hot chocolate and the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Claus will arrive on the Fire Department's antique Mack Fire Engine with treats. Kicks off the annual Hometown Holiday. This year the Downtown Bike Around will join the procession down Main Street with bikes decorated in lights. (Raindate Dec. 1.)

* PITTSFIELD: Friday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m.: Pittsfield’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at Park Square. The ceremony will include a performance by the Taconic High School Chorus, which will perform a variety of carols. Following the tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a special appearance; free hot chocolate will be available, courtesy of Patrick’s Pub. Those planning to attend the ceremony are asked to bring non-perishable food items that will be donated to the food pantry at the Christian Center, 193 Robbins Ave.

* SOUTH WILLIAMSTOWN: Sunday, Dec. 10, 5-7 p.m. The South Williamstown Community Association will host its tree lighting at The Store at Five Corners. There will be carol singing and refreshments; bring a flashlight to see the words on the song sheets. Stop by the Holiday Open House just next door at the Williamstown Historical Museum starting at 3:30 for a tour and music by Singing School as well as light holiday refreshments.

Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:15PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.

 

More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.

 

Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.

 

One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. 

 

"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."

 

Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.

 

Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.