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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Pittsfield Holds Second Master Plan Workshop

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Participants added notes to the sectors  such as transportation, open space and neighborhoods  being reviewed by the Master Plan Steering Committee. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The city is about halfway through developing its new master plan, and held a second community workshop this past Thursday. 

"Basically, we're talking to people from Pittsfield and trying to figure out, among a broad sector of issues that affect us, what is our goal and vision for the next 10 years, where we want Pittsfield to be in 10 years, and what changes do we want to see?" Director of Community Development Justine Dodds explained to about 20 community members and city staff at Conte Community School. 

"That will be broken down into some goals and objectives and then some measurable action items that we can all take as a community to move that forward."  

The Pittsfield Master Plan is the policy guide for future physical development, covering land use, infrastructure, sustainability, and more. The plan was last updated in 2009, and Pittsfield has engaged the VHB engineering firm and CommunityScale consultants to bring it through 2036. 

There have been two public listening sessions, a Master Plan Advisory Committee guiding the work, and small focus groups for each section. On poster boards, residents were able to see and mark the draft goals and actions under six themes: economic development, housing opportunities, transportation and infrastructure, environment and open space, neighborhoods and community, and governance and collaboration. 

In November 2025, community members participated in a similar exercise at City Hall. 

Transportation and infrastructure had several notes on them. Suggestions included using infrastructure to address the urban heat island effect, a light rail system, and continuing to implement Complete Streets standards for roadway construction projects. 

"I want to ride my bike to my friend's house safely," one respondent wrote. 

Under economic development, people suggested digital business infrastructure for the downtown, food hall opportunities, and nightlife opportunities. 

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