Norman Rockwell's 'Four Freedoms' Return to Stockbridge

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Norman Rockwell's "Four Freedoms" paintings return to Stockbridge

Returning to New England this fall after a six -city international tour is an exhibition devoted to Norman Rockwell's iconic depictions of Franklin D. Roosevelt's Four Freedoms—Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Fear, and Freedom from Want.
 
"We are tremendously honored that so many people from around the world have enjoyed Rockwell's work over the past 2 plus years, as the exhibition traveled around the U.S. and to France, and now comes home for its finale in the Berkshires," Norman Rockwell Museum Director Laurie Norton Moffatt said. "Perhaps now more than ever, the exhibition offers timely reflection into how far our nation has come, yet how much farther we need to go in pursuit of universal human rights, inviting viewers to consider the concepts of common good, civic engagement, and civil discourse."
 
"Norman Rockwell: Imagining Freedom" explores how the 1943 paintings came to be embraced by millions of Americans, providing crucial aid to the War effort and taking their place among the most indelible images in the history of American art. 
 
More than 40 Rockwell artworks are joined by paintings, drawings, photography, artifacts, and writings from artists across the decades in the expression of freedom, including Dorothea Lange, Gordon Parks, Arthur Rothstein, Mead Schaeffer, Arthur Szyk, Martha Sawyers, Langston Hughes, Thomas Lea, Boris Artzybasheff, and Denys Wortman, among others.
 
The exhibit opens Saturday Oct. 17. There will be a virtual gala at 5:30 pm.
 

Pop Up Bistro and Virtual Ghost Tours at The Mount 

Starting Friday Oct. 16 The Mount will collaborate with local food trucks. Menu items will vary weekly and are inspired by seasonal flavors. A selection of craft beers, wine, cider, and specialty cocktails will also be available. The Bistro will run from 3 pm to 7 pm every Friday and Saturday in October through Oct. 24.
 
Sunday brunches will run 10 am to 1 pm every Sunday through Oct. 25.
 
Also, virtual ghost tours begin Friday Oct. 16 from 8 to 9 pm through Oct. 30.  
 
Veteran tour guide Robert Oakes will lead tours through The Mount, sharing tales of the many eerie encounters that have been reported over the years. 
 
Reserve tables for the bistro or sign up for the ghost tour at EdithWharton.org.
 

The Solomon Wright Public Library Open House 

The Solomon Wright Public Library will hold an open house Saturday Oct. 17 to celebrate the recent interior renovations.
 
The self guided tour of the new library interior will follow COVID -19 safety protocols. Participants will enter the front door, stop at eight socially distant points of interest and exit the rear door of the library. Participants will be required to wear masks. Doors and windows will be open. 
 
The celebration will include a raffle of a folding wooden bookshelf and a gift certificate to the Where'd You Get That store in Williamstown. Commemorative individually wrapped cookies and bookmarks will cap off the celebration.
 
The Library's address is 97 Main St. Pownal, VT.
 

Lenox Library's Distinguished Lecture: "What Will the 2020 Election Say about the United States?"

Dr. Michael Hannahan, director of the University of Massachusetts Civic Initiative, will discuss "What Will the 2020 Election Say about the United States?"
 
Michael Hannahan has managed over 50 different exchange programs over nearly 15 years and has spoken in Pakistan, Iraq, Indonesia, and Argentina. He has also managed programs in Croatia, Russia, and Bulgaria. Dr. Hannahan's research examines the effects of political campaign activity, especially direct mail and phone banks.
 
Dr. Hannahan has worked for political parties; managed campaigns and political consulting firms; and served as senior advisor to former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift. He teaches American Political Thought, American Government, Campaign Finance and Reform, and Modern Political Campaigns.
 
The lecture will take place Sunday Oct. 18 at 4 pm on Zoom .
 

Community Recreation Association to hold food drive

As part of the effort of "Staying Connected to Our Community," the Community Recreation Association (CRA) is holding a Food Drive on Sunday, Oct. 18 from 9 am to 12 pm to benefit neighbors in need. The drive will be held rain or shine.
 
Donations collected during the drive will support the St. Agnes and the United Methodist Church Food Banks in Dalton and The First Congregational Church Food Bank in Hinsdale.
 
For safety, canned goods or non-perishable food items should be left on the curb in front of the Community House at 400 Main Street, Dalton. 
 
 
 
 
 
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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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