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Weekend Outlook: Exhibit Openings, Comedy Nights, and More

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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Berkshire County has a variety of events this weekend including exhibit openings, comedy nights, and more. 
 
Eloise & More: The Life and Art of Hilary Knight Opening 
The Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge
 
The Norman Rockwell Museum launches "Eloise and More: The Life and Art of Hilary Knight" exhibition this Saturday that will be on view through March 12, 2023. 
 
The exhibition explores the lives of both Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight and the success of their character Eloise after publication. It features rarely seen work including a once-stolen Eloise portrait from the Plaza Hotel, previously unpublished drawings from Eloise in Paris, and 1954 drafts of Eloise by Hilary Knight. 
 
It will also include manuscripts, photographs, music, videos, sketches, and original illustrations from many other picture books by the artist. 
 
Opening weekend also includes a variety of events including curator talks, family activities, storytimes, and more. 
 
Some activities require registration. More information here
 
Winter Festival Opening Celebration
Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield
 
The Berkshire Museum is celebrating the opening of its Winter Festival exhibit this Saturday, Nov. 12 from 5:30 to 9. 
 
The event features a performance by award-winning musician Paul Winter. The concert begins at 5:30 in the Little Cinema. Tickets are first-come, first-served.
 
Following the concert, there will be a reception in the second-floor galleries amongst the Winter Festival exhibits
 
Doors open at 5 p.m. More information here
 
Adams Theater Community Open House & Benefit Concert
35 Park St., Adams
 
The Adams Theater will be having an open house and benefit concert with the Two Piano Journey Benefit Concert this Friday from 5 to 9. 
 
This outdoor event features drinks from Bright Ideas Brewing, food with Full Belly Food Truck, free music by DJ Jordan Degs, and a look into the new auditorium. 
 
More information here
 
Animal Support Project Thanksgiving/Veterans Day Photos
Benson's Pet Center, Pittsfield
 
Benson's Pet Center on Dalton Avenue is hosting a photography session on Sunday, Nov. 12, so pet parents can purchase a 4-by-6-inch framed keepsake photo to raise funds for pets in need. 
 
Have your pet photographed from noon until 3 p.m. More information here
 
Ghost Tours at Ventfort Hall 
Ventfort Hall, Lenox
 
Although the spooky season has come to an end, Ventfort Hall is still offering ghost tours around the historic estate this Friday.
 
Author of "Ghosts of the Berkshires" Robert Oakes will lead guests through the rooms and halls of the estate sharing tales of its hauntings.
 
"Stand in the places where the encounters occurred, listen to the first-hand accounts of those who experienced them, and maybe even experience something unusual yourself. This is not an active investigation," according to the press release.
 
Admission is $27 and the minimum age to attend is age 12. Reservations are required. To purchase tickets call at 413-637-3206. 
 
Please note that all tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Payment is required to make a reservation for an event. Masks are required.
 
More information here
 
Comedy @ Bright Ideas Brewing
Bright Ideas Brewing, North Adams
 
Laugh over a drink at Bright Ideas located on the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Arts campus. The comedy evening is hosted every second Saturday of the month starting at 8 p.m. 
 
This event is produced by Iconix Productions in collaboration with Bright Ideas Brewing. Tickets are $10 to $15 and can be purchased here.
 
Albany Berkshire Ballet Nutcracker Tea
Zion Lutheran Church, Pittsfield
 
The Albany Berkshire Ballet will be at the Zion Lutheran Church this Sunday, Nov. 13, at 3 p.m. 
 
The event will feature the opportunity to interact with "Nutcracker" characters while enjoying tea, hot chocolate and sweets. There will also be a silent auction, Nutcracker excerpts, children's crafts and more.
 
More information here
 
2022 LETR Lee Holiday Sweater Run
 
The Lee Police Department hosts a holiday sweater run this Sunday, Nov. 13, from 9 a.m. until noon.
 
Runner/walker registration is $25 online and $30 the day of the event. Participants meet at Moe's Tavern, located at 10 Railroad St.
 
More information here

Farmer's Markets 

Great Barrington Farmers Market 
18 Church St., Great Barrington
 
This market will conclude its season this Saturday, Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. 
 
It offers a dollar for dollar match on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program through the Market Match program and Healthy Incentives Program benefits can be redeemed at five Market vendors.
 
More information here
 
Indoor Pittsfield Farmers Market
Zion Lutheran Church, Pittsfield
 
Roots Rising, the first teen-run market in the region, will be having an indoor farmers market this Saturday, Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
 
The market features live music, chef demos, workshops, and children's activities in the church and will be open every second Saturday of the month through April.
 
More information here.
 
North Adams Farmers Market
85 Main St., North Adams
 
The North Adams Farmers Market will be open this Saturday, Nov. 12, from 9 to 1. Indoor winter markets run the first Saturday through May. 

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Flooding Leads Pittsfield ConCom to Bel Air Dam Deconstruction Site

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Bel Air Dam project team toured the site on Monday with the Conservation Commission to review conditions following a flooding incident

Work has been on hold for two weeks after melting snow and a release of water from Pontoosuc Lake led to water overtopping of the almost 200-year-old, abandoned dam. The project team says deconstruction is still on track to end in December. 

"They have plenty of time to finish the work, so they don't expect that they're going to need extra time, but we're all waiting," reported Robert Lowell, the Department of Conservation and Recreation's deputy chief engineer. 

"… it's unfortunate, but the high-water conditions in the spring, we did have in the contract that the site might flood, so there was supposed to be a contingency for it, and we're now dealing with the complications of that." 

DCR's Office of Dam Safety is leading the $20 million removal of the classified "high hazard" dam, funded by American Rescue Plan Act dollars. It has been an area of concern for more than a decade. 

The dam on Pontoosuc Brook dates to 1832 and was used for nearly a hundred years to power a long-gone woolen mill. It's being targeted for removal, using American Rescue Plan Act funds, because the stacked stone structure poses a significant danger to homes and businesses downstream. Excavation of sediment began last fall by contractor SumCo Eco-Contracting of Wakefield. 

Earlier this month, community members noticed flooding at the site bordering Wahconah Street; water levels were down by the next week. Conservation commissioners called for the site visit with concerns about the effects of the water release and how it is being remedied.  

The group got a look at the large project area near the dam and asked questions. Chair James Conant explained that community members wanted to know the cause of the flooding. 

Jane Winn, former executive director of the Berkshire Environmental Action Team, said this was specifically brought up at the Conservation Commission hearing to ensure this sort of thing didn't happen. 

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