Alchemy Initiative to Present Crispina and Friends Handmade Holiday Festival

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – After the huge success of last year’s Handmade Holiday Festival, Berkshire-maker Crispina ffrench will once again bring the regions most interesting artisans together for a one-stop holiday shopping experience in the Berkshires.  

Presented this year in partnership with Alchemy Initiative, Crispina and Friends Handmade Holiday Festival will double in size, filling two floors of the former Notre Dame church at 40 Melville Street with artisans from both near and far. “Joined by some wonderful friends from all across our region wait until you see the unusual, handmade treasures we will be showcasing!  From handmade knives to tins of the Berkshire’s tastiest artisan made holiday cookies and of course my recycled sweater concoctions will be available for purchase in a setting designed to bring honest to goodness cheer to the season,” says ffrench.

Festivities will kick off with a fundraiser preview party on Friday, December 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. The preview party will benefit Alchemy Initiative (www.AlchemyInitiative.org) and allow shoppers pre- shopping before the weekend sale begins. Tickets are $25 and lavish goody bags await the first fifty paying guests. The preview will have the ambience of a Holiday Festival, with tasty local delights, mulled wine, hot chocolate, and live music.

Saturday, December 5, from 10 to 6 p.m. and Sunday, December 6, from 12 to 4 p.m., Crispina and Friends Handmade Holiday Festival will officially open its doors with a $2 admission price. In addition to the special artisan wares, shoppers will also be able to purchase Christmas trees, decorative wreaths, roping, gourmet food items and more. Custom wrapping of gifts purchased will also be available. ffrench: “The Handmade Holiday Festival encourages people to support their neighbors by buying locally and enjoying our community. And there might even be horse drawn, jingle belled wagon rides all weekend!”  

For more information, email Diane Firtell at D.Firtell@Gmail.com or call 413-236-9600. Visit www.AlchemyInitiative.org.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Park Getting Basketball Court Renovations

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The basketball courts at Dorothy Amos Park will see some renovations for players of all ages who use them.  

On Thursday, the Conservation Commission OK'd court paving and repainting on the property at 320 West St. One of the courts will be milled, and all three will be repainted. 

The park, which also has a playground and seating areas, is along the West Branch of the Housatonic River, and the work requires ConCom approval. Dorothy Amos Park is a popular recreation spot in the West Side neighborhood, and is home to the Beat the Streets youth summer basketball league. 

Conservation Agent Shannon Poulin reported concern about a tree with roots growing through one of the courts, and that the tree will more than likely need to be cut down. 

"Other than that, I mean, the courts already exist, and it's just an upgrade," she said. 

Commissioner Jonathan Lothrop commented that he has seen roots become a problem long after the tree is removed. As a taxpayer, he would like to see the tree's root system removed to avoid spending more money on it in the future. 

Work was approved with two special conditions: all materials are stored outside of the resource areas, and erosion controls are to be placed along the fence line before work begins.

In other news, commissioners issued 20 orders of conditions for the filling of an isolated wetland on property located at 100 Dan Fox Drive, or Bousquet Sport.  

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories