Dalton Historical Hosts Art Month

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass.—The Historical Commission voted to hold an art month this September at the Fitch Hoose House. 
 
The Commission will remove some of its permanent displays from its current collection to make room for displaying some of George Hoose's paintings.  
 
Each week the museum will showcase different pieces by the artist known for the "Indian Head" painting on Gulf Road. 
 
The paintings are currently stored on the second floor of the Hoose House which is not accessible to the public due to safety concerns. 
 
The commission was going to have an exhibition in September but decided to change it to an art month in an effort to save time upon receiving word that they would be moving back into the town hall in September. 
 
They were concerned about the amount of time it would take to plan and implement a large event due to the time restraints and wanted to ensure the safety of the pieces. 
 
Having a large event outside would require them to strategically place the pieces in a way where they would not get dirty from the traffic. 
 
During Dalton Day many residents expressed their surprise at the fact that tours of the Fitch Hoose House tours are free and expected that the tours would be brief considering that price, commissioner Bonnie Eastwood said.
 
Eastwood said although the house is small, there is a lot of history to cover and the tour guides include town history. She said the tours are not as brief as often expected.
 
More information on the museum here. Check out our video here.
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Dalton Basketball Court Named for McMahon

Community submission
DALTON, Mass. – The Community Recreation Association last week dedicated the newly renovated gym floor in honor of Dan McMahon.
 
The CRA’s program director for more than three decades was recognized in a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by about 60 people on Friday night, just before the start of the youth basketball season.
 
“[McMahon] has created programs that have had a lasting impact, including the Mark Galusha Baseball League, the Just for Kicks Soccer Tournament …, adaptive programs, Just Play Summer Basketball and countless others that continue to define the CRA today,” CRA Director of Operations Dustin Belcher said at the ceremony.
 
“Dan has always led with his heart, putting the families and kids we serve first. He has spent thousands of hours in this building running the Leaders Club, drop-in after school programs, tutoring and family events. The gymnasium has been at the center of his work, whether teaching gym class at St. Agnes Academy, hosting Halloween fun Houses, penny carnivals, summer camp, snow days or school vacation camps. Every child and family who uses this space going forward will feel the impact of his dedication to the community.”
 
McMahon did the honors in cutting the ribbon to formally open the court. He was joined by his family at the ceremony.
 
“Families need to know they can rely on the people guiding these programs, and Dan provided trusted, steady leadership for decades” Belcher said. “It is because of his dedication that the CRA has been able to grow, thrive and serve so many families.”
 
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