Berkshire Briefs: Food Drive, Grants Available

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Community Recreation Association to Hold Food Drive
 
As part of the effort of "Staying Connected to Our Community," the Dalton Community Recreation Association will be holding a food drive on Sunday, July 11, from 9 to noon 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 and the First Congregational Church food bank in Hinsdale.
 
For more information, contact the CRA at 684-0260 or visit daltoncra.org
 
 
Firefly Hike Set for Saturday
 
The annual Firefly Hike and Storytelling Campfire at the Sheep Hill Center at Williamstown Rural Lands will be held Saturday, July 10, from 7:30 to 10, with a rain date of Monday, July 12. Storyteller/musician John Porcino will spin tales and visitors can gather round a campfire for toasting marshmallows and making s'mores. At dusk, the fireflies come out. Bring a blanket to sit on and a mason jar to gently catch a firefly (and release before you go). Parking is limited; pooling and dropoffs encouraged. 
 
There is a suggested donation of $5 per individual and $10 per family. All proceeds go to support WLF community events. For information visit rurallands.org, call 413-458-2494, or email admin@rurallands.org. Williamstown Rural Lands is a member supported land conservation trust with headquarters at Sheep Hill, 671 Cold Spring Road, Williamstown.
 
 
Grants Available Through Mass Humanities
 
Funding provided through the National Endowment for the Humanities, from the American Rescue Plan, will be distributed as "Sustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan," or SHARP, grants of up to $20,000 in support for eligible non-profit organizations and tribal entities. Applications open July 6, with a final deadline of Aug. 4. Mass Humanities expects to make awards by mid-September.
 
A workshop on the COVID-19 recovery grants will be held on Wednesday, July 14, at 11 a.m. To RSVP, click here.
 
"The reopening of our museums, libraries and cultural centers provide pivotal opportunities for the people of Massachusetts in our recovery from the depths of the pandemic," said Brian Boyles, executive director of Mass Humanities. "We're proud to offer funds that create opportunities for humanities organizations to build back better with their communities."
 
Organizations interested in applying for the grants are encouraged to use the hashtag #SHARP on social media and to follow Mass Humanities for new updates @masshumanities. For further information, contact Mass Humanities SHARP Grants Officer Meri Jenkins at mjenkins@masshumanities.org
 
Lanesborough Library Offering Story Time
 
The Lanesborough Public Library is hosting "Storytime Outside" with Librarian Chris Erb and folk singer/music instructor Alice Spatz. This program will include a story, and music/movement that will encourage kids and their caregivers to clap, dance and sing together.
 
The story times will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays July 13 and 27 and Aug. 10 on the Water Department's lawn at 20 Bridge St., just down the hill from the library.
 
Please bring a blanket or chairs to sit on. These events are free and no registration is required. These event will be cancelled or rescheduled in the case of rain. Go to www.lanesboroughlibrary.weebly.com or call 413-442-0222 for more information.
 
Berkshire Roots Holding Summer Celebration
 
Berkshire Roots at 501 Dalton Ave., Pittsfield, is hosting a day of music, food trucks, shopping, games and giveaways for adults only from 10 to 6 on Saturday, July 10. Attendees must 21 or older and have a valid identification.
 
Vendors and booths include Soma Aroma's hand-poured candles, Lidia Empanadas, Alternative Wellness Centers, Treeworks, Berkshire Botanicals Booth, Fernway, Coast Cannabis Co. and more.
 
North Adams Tree Volunteers Needed
 
The North Adams Tree Initiative is looking for some volunteers to help with removing stakes, weeding, and grooming trees that have been planted over the past year. No experience required. There are two dates and times: Tuesday, July 13, from 1 to 4 p.m., and Tuesday, July 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Anyone interested in helping out can contact Sue White at 413-663-7588 or swhite@nbccoalition.org.
 

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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