Cultural Pittsfield This Week: June 19-25

12:06PM / Thursday, June 18, 2020Print Story | Email Story

Welcome to Cultural Pittsfield's weekly guide featuring in-person and virtual classes and events, information, and more. If you are a Pittsfield business and would like your event listed, please email us at cultural@pittsfieldch.com. Thank you and be well!

Become a Pittsfield Ambassador!

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. is now hiring friendly seasonal workers who love their community and want to make it better. You can help create a positive Downtown experience for all by answering questions, providing information and recommendations, interacting with local businesses, handing out masks, and more. Open to those age 18 and older. To apply, send resume and cover letter to info@downtownpittsfield.com.

Attention Writers

Have you dreamed of writing at the same desk at which Herman Melville wrote Moby-Dick? Apply to be Arrowhead's newest writer-in-residence! Writers working in all genres, both published and emerging, are encouraged to apply for one of two 8-week residencies.

FUN & LEARNING

It's time to Ride for Roots Rising! From June 20-28, cyclists and mountain bikers can complete a beginner, intermediate, or advanced route to raise money for community food access. Prizes will be offered to the top three fundraising teams. All registrants will be entered to win additional prizes from Berkshire Bike & Board, Arcadian Shop, The Spoke, Guido's, Berkshire Outfitters, and the Roots Rising market. Plus, Mill Town Capital and Berkshire Bike & Board are offering a bike giveaway for Pittsfield youth!

Berkshire OLLI will present the 2020 Mona Sherman Memorial Lecture on Thursday, June 25 at 7 p.m. The 11th annual event will feature bestselling author, commentator and former presidential speechwriter David Frum in conversation with Berkshire Eagle publisher Frederic Rutberg. Pre-registration is required.

Plus...

Berkshire Artist Profiles | Learn from Home w/Berkshire Theatre Group | Classes w/IS183 Art School | Painting Tutorials w/Berkshire Paint & Sip | Virtual Barrington Stage | Classes w/Radiance Yoga | Classes w/Berkshire Yoga Dance & Fitness | Classes w/Antil Fitness | Email aimee@gaiaroots.com for Online Drumming Classes | ONGOING Online Classes w/Berkshire OLLI | FRI Virtual Town Hall: Paid Family Leave Updates | FRI Online Bread & Roses Coffee House w/Linda Worster | SAT Queer Virtual Story Slam | WED DLE Virtual Workshop: Own Your Conversations THU The Berkshire Museum Now & What Comes Next | THU Pride Online Trivia

FAMILY FRIENDLY

This year's Berkshire All Stars will be a virtual event held on Monday, June 22 at 6 p.m. It will honor more than 50 athletes and coaches in 19 sports from Drury, Hoosac Valley, Lee, Lenox, McCann, Monument Mountain, Mount Everett, Mount Greylock, Pittsfield, Taconic and Wahconah high schools. Hosted by MLB legend Jim Kaat, the event will feature cameo appearances from Olympic and professional sports figures.

Plus...

SHOP LOCAL

Did you know you can shop Shaker Mercantile, the Hancock Shaker Village store, both on-site and from home? Stop by to view baby animals, dine at Seeds cafe, and shop a selection of handcrafted jewelry, bath items, local honey and jam, clothing, toys, and Shaker-inspired boxes, rolling pins, and straw hats. Or just click and have it shipped!

Plus...

EAT LOCAL

Hotel on North kicks off its new outdoor culinary and cocktail experience, "The Backlot," tonight! From Thursday, June 18-Saturday, June 20 (4-9:15 p.m.) and Sunday, June 21 (11 a.m.-3 p.m.), enjoy food from Biggin's Diggins plus lawn games and a full bar! Reservations are required.

Below are some of the Pittsfield restaurants currently offering takeout, delivery, and/or curbside pickup. Please check their websites for updates. Visit the 1Berkshire website for a list of all current Berkshire County takeout options, including restaurants that now offer outdoor dining options.

RESOURCES

1Berkshire has compiled a list of online sites where you can find information on a number of topics, including an explanation of our state's reopening plan. You can also visit the City of Pittsfield's COVID-19 webpage for updates and helpful resources.

Plus...

Pittsfield Artists & Residents:

Call for Art

ARTISTS can display visual art (painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, fashion, sidewalk art, video, etc.) on their porches, trees, lawns, and driveways, in their open garages, or projected onto their homes.

RESIDENTS who know an artist who lives outside Pittsfield can invite them to display their work. Residents can also display the art they collect.

To participate and get your location on the map, email your Pittsfield address to drivewalkbikeart@gmail.com.

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

Pittsfield Celebrates Robert 'Bob' Presutti on Arbor Day

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:33PM / Friday, April 26, 2024

Bob Presutti, right, is presented the Hebert Award in 2017 for his volunteer efforts at Springside Park. He died in 2023 at age 88.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A tree has been planted next to the Berkshire Athenaeum in honor of local "giant" Robert Presutti.

Officials celebrated Arbor Day on Friday by installing a commemorative plaque next to the American elm sapling. This is a tree that James McGrath, the city's park program manager, said Presutti would have been particularly proud of.

"Today is a day where we yes, celebrate trees, but today is also a day where here in the city we intentionally try to acknowledge the good work of folks in our community who spend their time and their efforts and their talents to make Pittsfield a more beautiful place," he said to a crowd of about 20 people.

"Today we are honoring a longtime community volunteer named Bob Presutti. I'm sure a lot of you here know Bob and know his contributions to the city, not only when it comes to trees and parks but also to the Retired Senior Volunteer Program."

The longtime volunteer passed away last year at the age of 88. He contributed more than 10,600 hours to RSVP and had great impacts on the Parks Department over the years from sharing his knowledge and talents to ensuring that workers were safe when working on trees.

"This morning I went through my emails to see how many emails Bob Presutti sent me since the year 2001 when I started with the city. Bob Presutti sent me 14,000 emails and nearly every single one of those was about trees," McGrath said, prompting laughter and smiles from attendees.

One thread struck him as particularly important because it showed Presutti's empathy when it comes to the safety of city workers while caring for trees.

"There were multiple emails from Bob about the need to get the Parks Department maintenance guys into a program learning about chainsaw safety and learning about ladder safety. He was really into making certain that our city workers were well cared for and had all of the instruction that they needed and in fact, he even offered his own time and services after he became certified to teach our city workers," McGrath said.

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