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Weekend Outlook: Farmers' Markets, Polish Dinners

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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Berkshire County will be offering a variety of indoor and outdoor events this warm cloudy weekends including a dance party, comedy night, festivals, play reading, and museum activities. 
 
Williamstown Farmers Market
Spring Street, Williamstown
 
A sure sign of warmer days ahead is the opening of local farmers' markets. Williamstown's opens Saturday from 9 to 1 in the parking lot on the lower end of Spring Street. 
 
This year the market will feature new and returning vendors, including a fish monger, knife sharpener, baker, chef, and much more. 
 
Along with vendors, many new and returning musicians will perform and there will be plenty of tables and fresh food options — a perfect environment for socializing. 
 
Drawing Closer: Bestiary 
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
 
The Clark will be having a drawing day on Friday when artists from all experience levels can participate in copying earlier artworks, practice fundamentals, or explore ideas. 
 
This month's theme, "Bestiary," features prints, drawings, and photographs that portray the animal kingdom. 
 
Admission to this activity is free with registration required. The activity runs from 11 to noon. All material will be provided. It should also be noted that artists who choose to bring their own supplies that only graphite pencils are allowed in the Study Center and museum galleries. 
 
Reading of Play – 'Mr. Fullerton, Between the Sheets'
Ventfort Hall, Lenox
 
Ventfort Hall is hosting a reading of Anne Undeland's newest play, "Mr. Fullerton, Between the Sheets" this Sunday at 7 p.m. 
 
The Berkshire cast and director Judy Braha will do a reading of the play about class differences and the complexity of human relationship through the retelling of Edith Wharton's actual mid-life romance. 
 
The play was produced in 2021 by Great Barrington Public Theater and was nominated for four Berkshire Theater Critics Association Awards. Since then it has been picked up by Gloucester Stage for a run this summer.
 
Ventfort Hall describes the play as "A literary and historical banquet of language, sex, mores and manners ... Mr. Fullerton sparkles with wit while it examines class differences and the complexity of human relationship. More than anything, the play makes us fall in love — with Edith Wharton, the people in her life, and best of all, her glorious writing."
 
Reservation is required and tickets are $25. Proof of vaccination and ID is required. More information and tickets here.
 
Springfest
Williamstown Youth Center, Williamstown
 
After a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, the Williamstown Springfest is returning this Sunday at the Williamstown Youth Center, where families can enjoy food from the grill and outdoor activities for children.
 
This indoor and outdoor event will have games, bounce house, arts and crafts, and more from noon to 4.
 
Admission to the festival is free with donations accepted. All donations will help the center provide affordable programming for children throughout the year.
 
 
BSKE @ Holiday Inn
101 Restaurant & Bar, Pittsfield
 
BSKE Dance Community hosts a Latin Dance workshop by Luana and mixes by DJ Chico at the restaurant located at 1 West St.  
 
The event will start at 8 p.m. but participants are encouraged to come early and purchase dinner from the restaurant that is located on the second floor of the Holiday Inn. The entry fee for the dance party is $10 at the door and will accept cash or Venmo payments. 
 
For more information, visit the Facebook event page
 
Comedy @ Bright Ideas Brewing
Bright Ideas Brewing, North Adams
 
Bright Ideas Brewing on the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art campus holds its monthly comedy night at this Saturday start at 8.
 
The 90-minute event is produced by Iconix Productions in collaboration with Bright Ideas Brewing. Tickets are $10 to $15 and can be purchased here.
 
Polish Dinner/Dance
St. Charles Borromeo Church, Pittsfield 
 
St. Charles' Church at 89 Briggs Ave. celebrates Polish heritage with a Polish dinner and dance following the 4 p.m. Mass on Saturday. Dinner includes homemade white borscht and a traditional Polish plate with pierogi, kielbasa, bigos and golabki.  
 
Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for teens; children age 11 and younger free.
 
Cruisin' for a Cure
Ioka Valley Farm, Hancock
 
Car show on Saturday 10 to 4 to raise funds for Hancock Volunteer Fire Department and the Relay For Life. Includes cars, truck, tractors, motorcycles and anything with a motor. There will be food, music, 50/50, raffles, door prices, trophy's and vendors!
The first 50 entries receive a dash plaque and goody bag. Vehicle and vendor registration $10; visitors $2 person. More information here

 


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Pittsfield Affordable Housing Initiatives Shine Light, Hope

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Housing Secretary Edward Augustus cuts the ribbon at The First on Thursday with housing officials and Mayor Peter Marchetti, state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The holidays are here and several community members are celebrating it with the opening of two affordable housing initiatives. 
 
"This is a day to celebrate," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said during the ribbon-cutting on Thursday. 
 
The celebration was for nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at "The First" located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. A ceremony was held in the new Housing Resource Center on First Street, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. 
 
The apartments will be leased out by Hearthway, with ServiceNet as a partner. 
 
Prior to the ribbon-cutting, public officials and community resource personnel were able to tour the two new permanent supported housing projects — West Housatonic Apartments and The First Street Apartments and Housing Resource Center
 
The First Street location has nine studio apartments that are about 300 square feet and has a large community center. The West Housatonic Street location will have 28 studio units that range between 300 to 350 square feet. All units can be adapted to be ADA accessible. 
 
The West Housatonic location is still under construction with the hope to have it completed by the middle of January, said Chris Wilett, Hearthway development associate.
 
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