Berkshire Briefs: Food Drive, Grants Available
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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