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Weekend Outlook: Cider Tastings, Comedy Nights, and More

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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Berkshire County has a variety of events this cool fall weekend including cider tastings, comedy nights, and more. 
 
Transformer Comedy Festival
The Transformer Comedy Fest will feature three days of comedians from across the nation at Flat Burger Society and Dottie's Coffee Lounge.
 
The event runs from Thursday to Saturday at 8 p.m. with headliners Caitlin Cook, Anthony DeVito, and Josh Gondelman.
  • On Thursday, Oct. 13, Caitlin Cook kicks off the festival at the Comedy Grotto at Flatburger.
  • On Friday, Oct. 14, writer and comedian Anthony DeVito takes the stage of Dottie's Coffee Lounge. 
  • On Saturday, Oct. 15, author, producer, and comedian Josh Gondelman will headline at the Comedy Grotto. 
More information here
 
 
Cider Tasting and Orchard Walk
Arrowhead 
Sunday, Oct. 16, noon to 4
 
Arrowhead is hosting a walk at Herman Melville's home with orchardist Keegan Schelling this Sunday beginning at noon. 
 
During this free event, participants will be told about the heirloom varieties, expected yields, and grafting practices while tasting Berkshire Cider Project's cider. 
 
The owners of the cidery will demonstrate their plans for Berkshire County apples and for Arrowhead's orchards. 
 
Registration is required by calling 413-442-1793 or emailing melville@berkshirehistory.org.
 
 
Pride Night with DJ Pup Daddy at Methuselah!
Methuselah Bar, Pittsfield
 
Start your weekend early with a performance by DJ Pup Daddy at Methuselah this Thursday from 8 to 11 p.m. as part of the bar's monthly Pride Nights.
 
More information here
 
 
An Evening With Yuji Agematsu
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
 
Yuji Agematsu, one of two artists featured in the Clark's exhibit, "Tauba Auerbach and Yuji Agematsu: Meander," will hold a discussion with with "Meander" curator Robert Wiesenberger on the final day of the exhibition this Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. 
 
The discussion will explore Agematsu's long-running ritual of walking, collecting, and archiving as part of his artistic practice. More information here
 
 
Purgatory Road Haunted Hike
Community Recreation Association, Dalton
 
The long-standing spooky event that raises money for suicide prevention, "Purgatory Road" returns this Friday and Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. to raise funds for the Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention. 
 
This year, attendees will be taken through a "cursed haunted mansion" themed trail in the woods behind the Dalton CRA. 
 
Tickets are $15 and are sold at the door. Check out our last article on the spooky hike. 
 
 
Food For Thought Dinner
Hancock Shaker Village, Hancock, 
 
Hancock Shaker Village's popular Food for Thought dinner returns Friday at 6 p.m. with "Come to Your Senses," an exploration of eating for good health and healthy vision.
 
The dinner and relevant discussion will be served in the Believer's Room.
 
Reservations required, limited seating. Tickets $95 per person or $90 for members.
 
 
I'm Not A Comedian ... I'm Lenny Bruce
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Great Barrington
 
Actor Ronnie Marmo will be performing the musical "I'm Not a Comedian ... I'm Lenny Bruce" at Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, located at 14 Castle St. The performance has explicit language, mature content, and brief non-sexual nudity. Tickets range from $25 to $60.
 
Call the box office at 413-528-0100. More information here
 
 
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show
Naumkeag, Stockbridge
 
Take a breath from fright and relax with the artistic jack-o'-lanterns at Naumkeag. 
 
The museum decorates the gardens with more than 1,500 jack-o'-lanterns, hundreds of mums, pumpkins, and countless gourds – most of which were grown at the estate. 
 
Hot cider and fall treats will be available for sale on-site.
 
Tickets must be purchased online in advance. Ticket time represents your arrival window.
 
No parking is available onsite with this general admission ticket but designated parking spaces are available on both sides of Town Hall at 50 Main St., along Main Street, or Elm Street. 
 
The first shuttle will leave downtown Stockbridge at 5 p.m. and run every 5 to 10 minutes through the run of the show, the last shuttle will depart no later than 8 p.m.
 
Ticket prices and booking here
 
 
Park Square Hauntings
Park Square, Pittsfield
 
Join local haunting expert Joe Durwin in exploring ghoulish legends of the historic Park Square District in this easy stroll around several iconic houses, venues, and other iconic buildings of downtown.
 
Held on Saturdays and Mondays, Oct. 15, 17, 29 and 31. Cost is $6 per person. Email berkshirehomehistorian@gmail.com to reserve your place.
 
 
Farmer's Markets 
 
North Adams Farmers Market
St. Anthony Municipal Parking Lot
 
The market is open every Saturday from 9 until 1 p.m. into October in the parking lot across from St. Elizabeth's Church.
 
More information here.
 
Great Barrington Farmers Market
18 Church St.
 
The market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. until the end of October.  
 
Every week there will be locally grown food, flowers, and plants along with other local vendors. 
 
For more information, visit the website.
 
Williamstown Farmers Market
Spring Street, Williamstown
 
The market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. into October in the parking lot at the bottom of Spring Street. 
 
This year the market features a fishmonger, knife sharpener, baker, chef, and much more. 
 
More information here.
 
 
Mountain Girl Farm Stand
1360 Church St., North Adams
 
This market is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Mountain Girl Farm through October. 
 
This market accepts SNAP, HIP & SF. More information here
 
 
Berkshire Area Farmers Market
Berkshire Mall Parking Lot, Lanesborough
 
This market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. until Oct. 29 at the former Berkshire Mall parking lot.
 
This market accepts WIC and Senior FMNP and features produce and products from Western MA farms. More information here

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Berkshire Vietnam Veterans Receive Long-Awaited Welcome Home

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Hundreds gathered at the fence of Pittsfield Municipal Airport to give Berkshire County Vietnam veterans the warm welcome home they did not receive nearly 60 years ago.
As the sun rose high over the Berkshire Mountains, nearly a dozen veterans hopped on a small chartered jet to Washington, D.C., where they were able to visit their fallen comrades at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. 
 
The daylong trip, organized by William "Smitty" Pignatelli, former state representative, marked the first Honor Flight for veterans departing from Pittsfield Municipal Airport. 
 
"It was very emotional because we have friends on the wall that we had a chance to go back and do a little bit more closure," Air Force veteran Lenwood "Woody" Vaspra said. 
 
As the veterans returned home after the "emotional trip" they were greeted with patriotic tunes performed by Lenox High School Band, and a wave of community members, including some family members, clapping and screaming out their names. For some, the sight brought tears to their eyes. 
 
The evening ended with a moment of unity as Laurie Schiff performed "God Bless America" a cappella. Community members joined hands and added their voices to hers, bringing the homecoming ceremony to a close.
 
The day was filled with several phases of surprises, Pignatelli said, from being greeted by Congressman Richard Neal at the memorial wall to being gifted tribute bags at the welcome home ceremony. 
 
"In honor of each of these gentlemen, a U.S. flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol in their honor," Pignatelli said. 
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