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In special partnership with BRIDGE, Shakespeare & Company host its annual Fourth of July Community Celebration "We Hold These Truths" from 1:30 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, at 70 Kemble St. in Lenox.

Berkshires Beat: Shakespeare & Co. Hosts Fourth of July Celebration

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'We Hold These Truths'

In special partnership with BRIDGE, Shakespeare & Company host its annual Fourth of July Community Celebration "We Hold These Truths" from 1:30 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, at 70 Kemble St. in Lenox. The event includes music, children's crafts and activities, and a public reading of one of the most stirring and influential documents in our country's history, The Declaration of Independence. This event is free, and an all-American barbeque will be available for purchase.
 
In addition, the Amy Ryan Band returns to perform a unique mix of country/rock blues. Shakespeare & Company artists and special guests Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli, Sen. Adam Hinds, and District Attorney Andrea Harrington will read the Declaration of Independence beginning at 3 p.m. In celebration of our country’s diverse heritage and to inspire us to reflect on the multiple identities we hold as Americans, the day will also feature readings from Frederick Douglas, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, The 1848 Women’s Declaration of Sentiments, Harriet Tubman, and others. The event will also feature an independent community based group of dancers performing a Colombian folkloric piece in celebration of preserving their history and culture through performance.
 
"As we focus on multiple truths, independence and liberation are something we as U.S. residents and citizens are all still striving for," said Gwendolyn VanSant of BRIDGE. "I have been honored to be invited to collaborate on integrating diverse voices and stories that make up our US history in the annual program. Through this honoring of our collective history, the BRIDGE and Shakespeare & Company communities have intentionally united to demonstrate the incomparable value of relationship-building within our Berkshire home."

The celebration will be followed by a preview performance of "Twelfth Night" at 6 p.m. in the Tina Packer Playhouse. This classic showcases a rich, affecting, and deeply funny story of longing, love and laughter which paints Shakespeare at his peak. "Twelfth Night" is directed by Shakespeare & Company Artistic Director, Allyn Burrows. Tickets are available online.

 

'Day of Celebration'

The Cancer Center Community Crusaders, known as the 4Cs, hosted their sixth annual "Day of Celebration" in coordination with Southwestern Vermont Health Care's National Cancer Survivors Day on Saturday, June 1, at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center Campus in Bennington, Vt. Eight crews and more than 400 attendees at the event helped the group raise a total of $54,158 for the year. This amount contributes to nearly $300,000 in support the group has raised for local cancer patients in its six-year existence.

The day activities included the annual Cupcake Challenge, basket raffle, inspirational speeches, a magic show and more. The program also included entertainment from DJ John Wooddell, the band All Ten & John, and Krissy Fauler, who sang the national anthem. Steph Ryder Photography took photos.

The Cancer Center Community Crusaders provide financial and emotional support to members of the community and their families as they strive to obtain the best cancer care and treatment possible. All funds raised by the Cancer Center Community Crusaders stay in the communities of Bennington and Windham counties in Vermont and nearby New York and Massachusetts. Patients need not receive treatment at Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center to be eligible for funds. For information about the Cancer Center Community Crusaders and how to participate, call 802-447-5017.

 

Teen Summer Challenge

From July 1 through Aug. 12, teens between the ages of 13 and 18 can participate in this fun and engaging challenge throughout the summer at the North Adams Public Library. Every time a teen comes in to check out a book during library hours, they will receive a scratch ticket and be able to win a variety of small and medium prizes like candy, gift certificates to local establishments, books and more.

Additionally, keep an eye out for more teen programs at the library later on this summer. For more information about the event, visit the website.

 

Lifeguards on duty

The Pittsfield Department of Community Development Recreation Program has announced that lifeguards will be on duty at the public beach within Burbank Park beginning Wednesday, July 3. Lifeguards will provide beach supervision from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays through Aug. 18.

 

'I Am a Part of Art'

Community Access to the Arts presents its annual art show, "I Am a Part of Art," featuring a vibrant collection of work by 125 artists with disabilities. The exhibit takes place in partnership with the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Mass., and the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts in Pittsfield, Mass.

The first exhibit runs from July 5-27 at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts at 28 Renne Ave. in Pittsfield's Upstreet Cultural District, with a free public reception on July 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.


The second exhibit hangs at the Clark Art Institute’s Lunder Center at Stone Hill at 227 South St., Williamstown, from July 6-Aug. 25, with a free "Meet the Artists" event on July 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. (reception from 1 to 2 p.m., public art making from 2 to 4 p.m.). The Clark Art Institute is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.during the course of the exhibit.

"I Am A Part of Art" showcases more than 200 original works of art, representing artists with disabilities from across Berkshire and Columbia counties, and ranging from students to adults to elders. Works are professionally matted and framed, and all pieces are available for sale, with proceeds providing commissions to the individual artists. The curated exhibits feature a wide range of styles, including abstract and representational paintings, drawings, sculpture, collage, and printmaking in a variety of media, including acrylic, tempera, watercolor, pastel, charcoal, clay and mixed media. In addition, the exhibit at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts will feature a collaborative sculptural installation created by 30 CATA artists using recycled materials.

 

Online auction

The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires is holding an online auction from July 1-26 to raise money for its educational programs and services for nonprofits. The "Nonprofit Necessities" online auction will feature more than 100 items needed by nonprofits. From office supplies, to wine for events or an hour of strategic planning consultation, local businesses and consultants who donate will be supporting both the NPC and the nonprofit that wins the bid.

Nonprofits and their board members are encouraged to bid on items they really need, have always wanted, or otherwise couldn't afford. Donors can see the NPC auction item "wish list" on the NPC web site. Items will be accepted right up until the last day of the auction on July 26. Call 413 645-3151 or visit the website to learn more and connect to the auction.   

 

New OLLI classes

OLLI, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College, has added new midsummer classes in response to its rapid membership growth. There are four new courses being offered in a five-week pilot semester that runs from July 8 through Aug. 8. They each begin at 10 a.m. and are held at Berkshire Community College except for the hiking course.

They courses are: Mondays, "Hiking Through History" with John Dickson; Tuesdays, "Today's Headlines," a moderated discussion course focusing on current events; Wednesdays, "Great Composers and Great Orchestras," taught by Kenneth Stark; and Thursdays, "Science Conversations," a moderated discussion course focusing on scientific research and discoveries outlined in the New York Times’ science section and other journals.

To sign up for OLLI courses, students must first become an OLLI member. A summer membership is just $30, and allows students to register for one or more of the midsummer classes, as well as receive discounts on a variety of special events and talks. The midsummer courses are $50 for one, or $95 for two or three. Visit the website for details.

 

Increased visiting hours

The Stephentown Historical Society has announced that the Stephentown Heritage Center will welcome visitors on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., beginning on July 6, in addition to the regular weekly Friday hours of 1 to 4 p.m.  

These weekend open hours will allow more Stephentown residents and visitors the opportunity to explore what the society offers in genealogy research and local history. The other Saturdays are Aug. 3, Sept. 7, Oct. 5 and Nov. 2. The center is closed during the month of December.  The Heritage Center is the former Stephentown Methodist Church at 4 Staples Road at the corner of Garfield Road in Stephentown, N.Y.

 

'Battle of the Bands'

Barrington Stage Company is inviting local amateur bands to take part in a Fall Springs "Battle of the Bands" on July 28 at Tavern at the A. The rock band members from Fall Springs' Impending Doom will narrow down to five finalists. The five finalists will perform a two-song set on July 28. The winners will be determined by the audience applause and Impending Doom.

To submit an application, go to the website. Within the application there will be a prompt to submit a video or audio file of live music. Alternatively, bands can email a file. battleofthebands@barringtonstageco.org. Please also send a photo of the band (selfies are fine!)

The winning band will receive $250, plus a pair of tickets for each member to see Fall Springs; second place band will receive $100, plus a pair of tickets for each member. Submissions must be received by July 12.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Lenox Girls Basketball Earns State Sportsmanship Award

Community submission
LOWELL, Mass. — For the first time in the team's history, the Lenox Memorial High School Girls Basketball team has won the MIAA Team Sportsmanship Award.
 
In 2024, the title was awarded to only two of 300 teams in Massachusetts.
 
The school team received the award during the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Basketball State Championships held at the Tsongas Center in Lowell on March 17.
 
"This is a big win for the entire Lenox community," Lenox Principal Jeremiah Ames said. "The Sportsmanship Award recognizes not only sportsmanship on the court, but service to the community and leadership at the school, and the members of our girls basketball team have done precisely that."
 
The team competes in Division 5 of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association and earned the No. 3 seed in the recently completed state tournament.
 
"The girls have worked really hard both on and off the court for this award, and I am tremendously pleased that MIAA have recognized those efforts," Lenox Athletic Director Maggie Rivers said. "Let their achievement be a message to girls in Lenox, if you have a passion for the game, step up: because anything is possible."
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