North Adams unveils a new menorah at the annual lighting on Sunday.
The holiday season is just around the corner, or upon us for some, celebrate it with one or more of the many events happening this weekend in Berkshire County, including discount shopping, menorah lightings, play readings, and more.
Mingle and Jingle in Downtown Pittsfield
Downtown Pittsfield
Downtown Pittsfield Inc. will be hosting another discount shopping opportunity this Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.
Prepare for the holidays by shopping at the local businesses and get 10 percent off at participating retailers and restaurants when you pick up a jingle bell bracelet at the Downtown Pittsfield Inc. booth.
The booth will be located on the lower level of the Beacon Cinema. The bracelet is valid until the participating business closes.
Mayor Jennifer Macksey is inviting community members to mark the first night of Hanukkah on Sunday at 5 p.m.. The event will take place in the City Hall lobby.
Rabbi Rachel Barenblat of Congregation Beth Israel will be speaking at the ceremony. The lights of the menorah represent the miracle of restoring light to the Temple in Jerusalem as it was rededicated during the second century BCE.
Berkshire Theatre Group holds a family concert this Sunday at 2 p.m.
The event will be hosted by BTG Youth Chorus and will feature performances by Berkshire County artists including Gina Coleman, Kathy Jo Grover, Dave Brown, and more.
The Berkshire Athenaeum will also be hosting an afternoon of winter themed crafting this Saturday at 1 p.m.
Attendees can make holiday gifts, cards for a local nursing home, and more. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. For more information call the Children's Library at 413-499-9480, Ext. 5.
Shakespeare & Company is holding a costumed staged reading of "Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley" this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Jane Austen-inspired play was written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, and directed by Ariel Bock.
The play depicts what Christmas at Pemberley would be like after Elizabeth Bennet marries Mr. Darcy and follows her younger sister, Mary Bennet, who has grown tired of her role as a middle child, in contrast to her siblings' romantic escapades.
The company says "an unexpected guest sparks her hopes for an intellectual match, independence, and possibly even love.
General admission is $28 or $18 for students. More information here.
Weekly Friday Night Jazz
Methuselah Bar and Lounge, Pittsfield
The Methuselah hosts Berkshires Jazz on Friday from 7 to 10 p.m.
The event is part of its weekly series that runs until the end of 2022. More information here.
Berkshire Grown North Adams Farmers Market
North Adams and Great Barrington
The North Adams market will be open this Sunday, Dec. 18, at Greylock Works, located at 508 State Road, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The Great Barrington market will be Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Housy Dome in Housatonic from 10 to 2.
Both market accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program benefits. They also provide a 100 percent match to the SNAP balance for up to $25.
More information on the North Adams market here and the Great Barrington market here.
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 Sundays at 11:30 and 2.
Arrive 30 minutes before departure and check-in with the ticket agent 10 to 20 minutes prior to departure.
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North Adams Library Friends Receive $25K Bequest From Late Paul Gaudreau
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Friends of the North Adams Public Library was gifted $25,000 by the late Paul Gaudreau.
The Drury High graduate had great respect for the library and its service to the city, said his good friend Richard Taskin, and had entrusted him with the check before his death on Sunday at the age of 64.
"He understands the importance of the library as a crown jewel of our city. And he loved this city and he loved this country," said Taskin, a library trustee. "He was in the National Guard. He was concerned about his city. He was concerned about his country. ...
"He read a newspaper every single day of his life and cared about public affairs."
Taskin presented the check to Friends President Bonnie Rennell on Thursday evening at the end of the trustees' meeting.
Gaudreau was a youth sports coach, and had retired from Williams College. He had already donated CDs to the library and had enjoyed seeing Jeff Tweedy of Wilco perform at the library. Taskin said Gaudreau was one of the hardest working people he'd ever known and, his voice breaking, his fantasy baseball partner.
He'd first passed the check to Chair Sarah Farnsworth, who gasped "oh my" when she read the amount.
The Drury High graduate had great respect for the library and its service to the city, said his good friend Richard Taskin, and had entrusted him with the check before his death on Sunday at the age of 64.
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