Greylock Donates $4,000 to Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Greylock Federal Credit Union has donated $4,000 to the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington to support its ArtSmartTix program and Holiday Family Film screenings.

“Greylock is happy to support the Mahaiwe in its role as a mainstay of the performing arts in South County," Greylock President Marilyn L. Sperling said. "The programs the Mahaiwe offers contribute to quality of life in the Berkshires and we are proud to partner with an organization that shares our values.”

 ArtSmartTix is an effort to attract young audiences by offering affordable tickets. Greylock’s donation enables the Mahaiwe to offer a limited number of $15 tickets to most Mahaiwe live performances for anyone age 30 and under. Greylock’s exclusive sponsorship of the Holiday Family Film Screenings gives Greylock members $2 off the price of admission to classic holiday films shown around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

 The mission of The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center is to be the leading year-round presenter of performing arts, film, and educational programs for the Southern Berkshires and neighboring communities. More information is available online at www.mahaiwe.org.

 

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Toy Library Installed at Onota Lake

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Feel free to use or leave a toy at Onota Lake's newest infrastructure meant to foster community and benefit kids.

Burbank Park now has a toy library thanks to Wahconah Regional High School senior Alexandra Bills. Located along the wall at the beach area, the green and blue structure features two shelves with sand toys that can be used to enhance children's visits.

The Parks Commission supported Bills' proposal in February as part of her National Honors Society individual service project and it was installed this month. Measuring about 4 feet wide and 5.8 feet tall, it was built by the student and her father with donated materials from a local lumber company.

Friends and family members provided toys to fill the library such as pails, shovels, Frisbees, and trucks.

"I wanted to create a toy library like the other examples in Berkshire County from the sled library to the book libraries," she told the commission in February.

"But I wanted to make it toys for Onota Lake because a lot of kids forget their toys or some kids can't afford toys."

Bills lives nearby and will check on the library weekly — if not daily — to ensure the operation is running smoothly.  A sign reading "Borrow-Play-Return" asks community members to clean up after themselves after using the toys.

It was built to accommodate children's heights and will be stored during the winter season.

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