iBerkshires.com - The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.

SANCTUARY ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Lenox, 1-3 p.m.

Berkshire Wildlife Sanctuaries and the Lenox Garden Club will join together to commemorate the founding of the sanctuary 90 years ago. The outdoor event at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary also kicks off the Lenox Garden Club Education Endowment, which will support Mass Audubon’s Berkshire Environmental Literacy Program, a comprehensive science education program for students of preschool age through graduate school designed to educate and inspire the next generation to love and protect nature. The event, called Birds, Blossoms and Brunch, will begin at noon on the lawn with hors d’oeuvres and drinks and an opportunity to meet a few wildlife ambassadors (live animals) from Nature Matters. Then the festivities move into the sanctuary's 18th century barn for a brunch catered by Kate Baldwin. After the brunch, guests may join an Audubon sanctuary educator for bird walks or stroll on beautiful sanctuary trails. Limited tickets are available for Sunday’s event, but donations can still be made to support the endowment. To purchase tickets or make a contribution, call the Pleasant Valley office at 413-637-0320.

LENOX APPLE SQUEEZE
Lenox, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Lenox Chamber of Commerce will host the 40th annual Apple Squeeze, a two-day festival for all ages featuring more than 100 vendors, games and shows for children, wagon rides around town, a 5k race, Children’s Olympics, t-shirts sold for tye-dying and much more. Attendees will enjoy live performances for all ages from Terry a La Berry to Rev Tor at two locations on both days. Browse through local handcrafted jewelry, woven baskets, soaps, quilts, photography, paintings, woodworks, and much more. Enjoy everything apple: pies, cakes, sauce, cider, donuts, muffins, and ice cream. There will also be non-apple products served as well such as kettle corn, cake slices over a foot tall, famous corn chowder, food trucks, taco in a bag, and ice cream. For general information, visit the event website.

SYMPHONY KICKOFF BRUNCH
Vermont, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sage City Symphony will host a brunch at a private residence in North Bennington, Vt., to kick off the start of the symphony’s 2019-2020 season. The menu will feature bagels with cream cheese and smoked salmon, assorted quiches, fruit salads, breakfast sweets, mimosas, orange juice, coffee, tea, and much more. Tickets for this annual fund-raiser are $25 per person; proceeds will be used to help meet expenses of Sage City Symphony, which is a registered federal nonprofit organization in the State of Vermont that relies entirely on generous donations, gifts in kind, grants, and volunteer services from individuals, local foundations, businesses, and sponsors. Concerts are always free and open to all. Reservations for the brunch may be made by calling 802-375-9263 by Sept. 20.

CALF CUDDLING
Pittsfield, 11 a.m.
Hancock Shaker Villages introduces a new program, Calf Cuddling, on Sundays. Sixty-minute sessions for up to two people are $100. Registration is required online or by calling 413-443-0188. Learn about the farm at Hancock Shaker Village and the sensitive and intuitive nature of cows while petting, brushing and walking the village’s newest additions. This wellness trend is the village’s most recent addition to animal-centric holistic health programs, such as goat yoga. Sessions are recommended for those ages 5 and older. The weekly program continues through Nov. 10.

PAINT AND SIP "RAINBOW TO THE RESCUE"

Lee, 1:00 p.m.
Be inspired and show your support! Join us SUN 9/22/19 1-3pm for a Paint and Sip fundraiser to benefit Mike Leahey and Family. You’ll learn how to paint this inspirational image of “Rainbow to the Rescue” on a large 16x20 canvas. At the Greenock Country Club, 220 W. Park St., Lee, MA. All painting materials, instruction and donation included for $35. Food and beverages available for purchase. Reserve your seats at https://berkshirepaintandsip.squarespace.com/deliveries/sun-922-1pm-open-to-the-public-rainbow-to-the-rescue-lee-ma or by calling (413) 205-8346.

MARGARET ATWOOD IN HD

Great Barrington, 2 p.m.
This September, the wait will be over…The Testaments, Margaret Atwood’s highly anticipated sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, is revealed. The momentous literary event will be celebrated with an exclusive cinema broadcast, as Fane Productions present an evening with the Canadian novelist, poet, literary critic and inventor. The publication of Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale in 1985 and the current, Emmy Award-winning television series have created a cultural phenomenon, as handmaids have become a symbol of women’s rights and a protest against misogyny and oppression. From the London stage, Atwood will be interviewed by broadcaster and author Samira Ahmed in a conversation spanning the length of Atwood’s remarkable career, her diverse range of works, and why she has returned to her seminal handmaid story, 34 years later. Click here for tickets and more information. Mahaiwe

JUILLIARD QUARTET

Connecticut, 3 p.m.
Mozart: String Quartet in B Flat Major, K. 458 “The Hunt” Britten: String Quartet No. 3 in G Major, Op. 94 Brahms: String Quartet in A minor, Op. 51 No. 2 Part of Music Mountain Chamber Music Concert Series, presenting world-renowned string quartets in an intimate setting on Sunday afternoons at 3 pm through September 22.

OPEN MIC
Pittsfield, 3-5 p.m.

A free open mic, poetry and music will be held at Bob's, 21 First St., every Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m., with optional discussion after the show. Friendly and air-conditioned environment. For more info, send an email or look on Facebook.

DISTINGUISHED LECTURE SERIES
Lenox, 4 p.m.

The Lenox Library begins its latest Distinguished Lecture Series, now in its 13th year, presents Eugene J. Johnson, Amos Lawrence professor of art, emeritus, will present "Inventing the Opera House: Theater Architecture in Renaissance and Baroque Italy." Johnson traces the invention of the opera house, a building type of world-wide importance. The lecture is free.

PUMPKINS AND MUM TO BENEFIT

New York, 5:30 p.m.
An evening of fun & fundraising! Join us SUN 9/22/19 5:30-7:30pm for a Paint and Sip fundraiser to benefit Lebanon Valley Seniors and Charlie's Food Pantry. You’ll learn how to paint this classic autumn image of "Pumpkins and Mums” on a large 16x20 canvas. At the Immaculate Conception Church, 732 State Route 20, New Lebanon, NY. All painting materials, instruction and donation included for $35. Snacks and non-alcohol sips available for purchase. Alcohol not permitted. Reserve your seats at https://berkshirepaintandsip.squarespace.com/deliveries/sun-922-530pm-open-to-the-public-pumpkins-and-mums-new-lebanon-ny or by calling (413) 205-8346.

MONDAY - SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

'WORKSHOPPING THE ANNUAL APPEAL LETTER'
Pittsfield, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires presents “Workshopping the Annual Appeal Letter” at Hilton Garden Inn in Pittsfield. The cost is $40 for NPC members and $50 for nonmembers. Instructor Jenni Haley is a writer and consultant with over 15 years of nonprofit communications and fundraising experience. This workshop will help fundraising staff strengthen their copywriting skills and compose clear, bold appeal letters that emotionally connect with donors. Group discussion and writing exercises are designed to help participants tap into their organization’s core values, and write fearlessly and simply. For more information or to register, visit the website.

MEET ME AT THE CLARK
Williamstown, 2 p.m.

Meet Me at the Clark, a free gallery talk program specially designed for persons with dementia and their caregivers, will be held at the Clark Art Institute. To register in pairs (persons with dementia and their caregivers), call 413-458-0563. Groups are welcome. Participants should plan to arrive at the admissions desk of the Manton Research Center between 2 and 2:30 p.m. From September through June, the Clark is closed on Mondays, providing a safe and private atmosphere in which specially trained docents facilitate open-ended conversations about art.

TUESDAY - SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

'SOCIAL MEDIA HACKS'
North Adams, 10 a.m.12:30 p.m.

The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires presents a workshop on “Social Media Hacks” at MCLA’s Design Lab on 49 Main St. The cost is $25 for NPC members and $35 for nonmembers. Instructor Dawn Stanyon of Professionality Consulting will explain how to “develop a social media system for your organization that works for you, that doesn’t take up all of your time, that conveys your brand, and gets people in your door.” To register, visit the website.

SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL YOUTH OPEN HOUSE
North Adams, 4-6 p.m.

18 Degrees, formerly Berkshire Children and Families, is launching West Main Connection, an expansion of the 18 Degrees Safe and Successful Youth Initiative (SSYI). Community members are invited to meet the staff and learn more about the program at an open house at the new West Main Connection offices located at 6 West Main St. West Main Connection will provide services that engage young people ages 17-24 years old who are at highest risk of being involved in criminal and/or gang activity. The program employs street outreach, case management, and mental health services (provided in partnership with the Brien Center) to support young people and connect them to community resources. The goal of the program is to promote positive youth development and divert young people from activities that may lead them deeper into the criminal justice system.

BERKSHIRE COUNTY SCHOOL FAIR

Pittsfield, 5:30 p.m.

With increasing educational opportunities in Berkshire County, ranging from public schools and charter schools to independent schools, the opportunity for choice has never been more available! This fair, to be held at Miss Hall's School on Holmes Road, explores the preK-12 school options available in the Berkshires and surrounding area. Meet with school representatives, learn about programs, and collect some giveways. Nineteen schools will have tables at the fair. Ample parking is available.

WEDNESDAY - SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

MASS SERVICE ALLIANCE
Pittsfield, 3-5 p.m.

The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires will host the Massachusetts Service Alliance at Zion Lutheran Church on First Street. Nonprofits are invited to learn about the resources and technical support available to organizations interested in applying for AmeriCorps, Commonwealth Corps, or other funding opportunities such as grants for Martin Luther King Day of Service, National Volunteer Week, or Youth Development Volunteer Initiatives. To register for this free event, visit the website.

SOLARIZE MASS PRESENTATION
Williamstown, 6:30 p.m.

The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation will host a presentation about Solarize Mass Plus Williamstown/North Adams, the state-sponsored volunteer campaign to facilitate adoption of sustainable technologies through discounted pricing. The campaign is promoting PV solar panels and house electrical storage (batteries) for residents and small businesses in Williamstown and North Adams.

THURSDAY - SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

FARM FRIENDS
Pittsfield, 10:30 a.m.
Farm Friends, a Hancock Shaker Village program designed for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers, will be held Thursdays. Each week, children meet a farm animal, enjoy a story, and make a simple craft. This program is included with admission (free to members).

THE LAST PICTURE SHOW (1971)

Great Barrington, 7 p.m.
It’s 1951 in small-town Texas and the local teenagers are coming of age in a stagnant setting. Starring Timothy Bottoms and Jeff Bridges, a supporting cast includes an Academy Award-winning performance by Cloris Leachman and the film debut of Cybill Shepherd. click here for tickets and more information Mahaiwe

FRIDAY - SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

MOVIES UNDER THE STARS
North Adams, 7 p.m. or dusk
Join us for the final Movie Under the Stars of the 2019 season! This month we'll be showing The Wizard of Oz, starting around 7:00PM, at Colegrove Park, located on north Church Street, North Adams. This FREE, family friendly series is sponsored by Adams Community Bank. Dress warmly. More information: 413-664-6180, tourism@northadams-ma.gov

PLANETARIUM SHOWS
Williamstown, 8 p.m.

Williams College invites the community to experience the wonders of our universe at the Milham Planetarium, located inside the Old Hopkins Observatory at Williams College. Astronomy students at the college will host free shows for the public on Friday evenings at 8 p.m. from Sept. 13 through Dec. 6. Audiences will be treated to shows from the high-precision Zeiss Skymaster ZKP3/B opto-mechanical planetarium projector. Shows will be hosted by Williams College students Peter Knowlton ’21, Christian Lockwood ’20, Duncan McCarthy ’21, and Patrick Postec ‘21. Field Memorial Professor of Astronomy Jay Pasachoff is director of the Hopkins Observatory. For reservations (required), contact Michele Rech at 413-597-2188 or by email. Others will be admitted as space permits. Large groups should call for special appointments.

HILLCREST�S 18TH ANNUAL FALL CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT
Dalton

With lead support from MountainOne Bank, Hillcrest Educational Centers’ 18th Annual Fall Classic Golf benefit will be held on Friday, September 27th, 2019 at Wahconah Country Club in Dalton, MA.

The proceeds from this tournament help the children at Hillcrest overcome the tremendous obstacles they face. Our children have histories of severe abuse, neglect, autism disorders, and a variety of other life altering challenges and oftentimes their needs outweigh the financial resources available to help them heal, learn and thrive.

The tournament will have a morning and afternoon shotgun start and scramble format. Individual and partial teams are welcome. A silent auction and raffle will be held in addition to many contests including longest drive for men and women, closest to pin on par threes and a free skins pool. Participation fee is $175 per player and includes golf cart, green fees, breakfast, lunch, premium player gift and festive dinner.

To register electronically, visit www.hillcrestec.org/golf or contact Peter Lopenzina at plopenzina@hillcrestec.org or call 413-499-7924 x 133.

SATURDAY - SEPTEMBER 28, 2019

13TH ANNUAL BUDDY WALK
, 10 a.m.
Join 1,100 people as they march through Dalton to celebrate the rights of people with Down Syndrome, presented by the Berkshire County Arc and the Down Syndrome Family Group.

FALL FOLIAGE CHILDREN'S RACES AND FAMILY FAIR
North Adams, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, September 28, 2019. The annual Fall Foliage Children's Races and Family Fair and Noel Field, 310 State Street. Categories range in ages from Under 3 up to age 10. Our theme again this year is health and well-being. Registration for races from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM. Races begin at 11:00 AM. Award ceremony at noon. Free admission to any and all events. Magic, fun, give-a-ways, fall crafts, games and entertainment for children of all ages. Most appropriate for ages 10 and under. Booths hosted by local community organizations. Contact: Patti Messina (pmessina@nbunitedway.org) 413.663.9062

23RD ANNUAL AUTUMN IN AUSTERLITZ FESTIVAL

New York, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
One of the oldest Fall Festivals in Columbia County NY This ever-popular event features early 19th century craft demonstrations and wares, antiques, live music and entertainment, activities for children, animals, old time machines,Windsor chair making, blacksmiths, border collie demonstrations plus many unique and highly talented craft vendors and artisans, a tasting area,Farmers’ market, BBQ and a wide selection of tasty food items and baked goods. Adults $7, Children under 12 FREE. [No pets, please!] For more details and a list of vendors & entertainers, visit our website: Click here! F

LONDON�S NATIONAL THEATRE IN HD: FLEABAG

Great Barrington, 2 p.m.
See the hilarious, award-winning, one-woman show that inspired the BBC’s hit TV series Fleabag, broadcast to cinemas from London’s West End. Written and performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge(Fleabag, Killing Eve) and directed by Vicky Jones, Fleabag is a rip-roaring look at some sort of woman living her sort of life. Fleabag may seem oversexed, emotionally unfiltered and self-obsessed, but that`s just the tip of the iceberg. With family and friendships under strain and a guinea pig café struggling to keep afloat, Fleabag suddenly finds herself with nothing to lose. Tickets and more information Mahaiwe

BERKSHIRE CHILDREN'S CHORUS

New Marlborough, 4:30 to 6:30
Three captivating local choirs with the sons and daughters of the community. Junior Choir (Grades 1-5), directed by Karen Sovak; Senior Choir (Grades 5-9), directed by Julie Bickford; and Coda (girls, Grades 10-12), directed by Julie Bickford. Classics, folk, spirituals and contemporary choral. New Marlborough Meeting House, 154 Hartsville-New Marlborough Road. Admission is free but reservations requested here.

HV HIGH SCHOOL BAND FUNDRAISING

Cheshire, 6 p.m.
Play loud and paint proud! Join us SAT 9/28/19 6-8pm for a Paint and Sip fundraiser to benefit the Hoosac Valley High School Band. You'll learn to paint this energizing image of "Hurricane Sparky” on a large 16x20 canvas. At Bass Water Grill, 287 S. State Road, Cheshire, MA. All painting materials, instruction and donation included for $35. Food and beverages for sale. 50/50 Raffle, too! Reserve your seats at https://berkshirepaintandsip.squarespace.com/deliveries/sat-928-6pm-open-to-the-public-hurricane-sparky-pittsfield-ma or by calling (413) 205-8346.

SHEFFIELD HARVEST MOON CONTRA DANCE

Williamstown, 7:30 - 11 p.m.
Come to Dewey Memorial Hall in Sheffield for an evening of contra dancing to live music by WildCat Creek, Ted Randolph calling. All dances are taught and beginners are welcome. No partner needed. A beginner lesson is offered at 7:30 and dancing is from 8 - 11pm with refreshments at the break. Suggested donation is Students: $8, Adults: $10-15, Family Maximum: $25. Dewey Hall is located at 91 Main Street (Rte. 7) in Sheffield, MA. Website: sheffieldcontradance.wordpress.com, Contact Neal: 860-671-0494

SHEFFIELD HARVEST MOON CONTRA DANCE