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Weekend Outlook: Rides With Santa, Parties and more

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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Berkshire County is hosting a variety of events this cool weekend including small business celebrations, concerts, and Santa encounters. 
 
A Scenic Christmas Train Ride
Hoosac Valley Train Ride, Adams 
 
Santa will be riding the Tinseliner train this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to spread Christmas cheer. 
 
Boarding will be on Friday at 1, 3:30 and 6 p.m.; Saturday at 1, 3:30 and 6 p.m., and Sunday at 11:30 a.m., and 2 p.m. 
 
Arrive 30 minutes before departure and check-in with the ticket agent 10 to 20 minutes prior to departure.
 
More information here. 
 
Homemade Christmas & Santa
Lanesborough Local Country Store
 
Lanesborough Local Country Store at 20 Williamstown Road is hosting a day of vendor popups, tastings, and pictures with Santa on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
 
Santa arrives at 10 and will stay for pictures taken by Browtine Photography. There will also be houring drawings for giveaways to recognize Small Business Saturday.
 
More information here. 
 
Cranberry Jam 
Bousquet, Pittsfield
 
Bousquet is hosting a free preseason terrain park event this Saturday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. 
 
Bring a helmet and a waiver and show off your best tricks in the park built in the tubing area for opening weekend.
 
The tuning shop will be open to purchase a set of skis or boards for the season with some opportunities to win prizes. The Kitchen will also be open for food and drinks. 
 
All participants must check in at the Guest Service Desk in the lodge to turn in their waiver and get their free ticket. 
 
The Cranberry Jam ticket will only be valid for the tubing hill carpet. If you want to access any other lift, you will need a season pass or paid ticket there will be a 50 percent off discount for four- and eight-hour tickets this weekend.
 
More information here. 
 
Santa's Arrival at Yankee Candle
Yankee Candle Village, Deerfield 
 
Although not in Berkshire County, the Yankee Candle is a magical place, especially during the holidays, and just about an hour away.
 
Santa will be arriving at the village by helicopter, weather permitting, at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Santa's elves will kick off the event at 9. 
 
There will be a chance to win a free same day ticket to the Virtual Santa Experience featuring a live video visit at the village with Santa.
 
There will also be treats from Hillside Pizza, a holiday scavenger hunt, and live carolers
 
More information here.  
 
Full Burn Rox The Knox 
Knox Trail Inn, East Otis
 
Knox Trail Inn is holding a free concert Saturday from 8 until 11 p.m. with a performance by rock band Full Burn band. 
 
More information here. 
 
A Thanksgiving Weekend Dance Party 
Methuselah Bar and Lounge, Pittsfield
 
Methuselah holds a dance party hosted by DJ Pup Daddy on Saturday from 8 until 11 p.m.
 
More information here.
 
Stop In Saturdays
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
 
Berkshire Athenaeum is hosting a day of crafts and other rotating activities for kids 12 and younger on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. 
 
All children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older. 
 
The festivities are part of the library's monthly Stop in the Children's Library drop-in program. More information here.
 
Berkshire Yoga Dance & Fitness Open House 
55 North St., Pittsfield 
 
Berkshire Yoga hosts an open house Saturday to celebrate Small Business Saturday. 
 
From 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., the community is invited to check out the studio and participate in free sample classes and mini reiki sessions. 
 
There will also be opportunities to win prizes in addition to learning about the center's current promotions, holiday gift specials and membership offers. 
 
Full day schedule and promotion details here. 
 
Black Friday Party
Flat Burger Society, Pittsfield 
 
The Flat Burger Society is having a Black Friday Party this Friday at 9 p.m.
 
Tickets are limited and cost $15 at the door. Must be 21 or older with ID.
 
More information here. 
 
Show Reception: Color, Texture and Form
Art on Main Gallery, West Stockbridge
 
Guild of Berkshire Artists holds an opening reception for the current exhibit "Color, Texture & Form" in the Art on Main gallery, located at 38 Main St., this Saturday.
 
Come and chat with the artists Sally Lebwohl, Margie Skaggs, and Sarah Morrison. The gallery opens at 11 a.m. and the reception is from 2 until 4 p.m. 
 
Check out our last article on the exhibit here. More information here. 
 
Misty Blues Performance 
Berkshire Palate, Pittsfield
 
Misty Blues is performing at Berkshire Palate, located at 297 North St., this Saturday from 7 until 10 p.m.
 
Call 413-464-0695 for reservations. More information here. 
 
Santa in the Berkshires
Currency Coffee Co., Pittsfield 
 
Santa will be visiting Currency Coffee at 5 Cheshire Road, Suite 140, this Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. 
 
There will not be a photographer on site but visitors are encouraged to take pictures with their phone. Kids will receive free hot chocolate. 
 
Unwrapped toy donations to Toys For Tots are encouraged. 
 
More information here. 
 

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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