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Weekend Outlook: Stockbridge Main Street, Tree Lightings, and More

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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There are a variety of holiday-themed events this weekend to get yourself into the festive spirit including tree lightings, live music, a brunch, and more. Find a full list of holiday bazaars and fairs here; upcoming holiday events can be found here.
 
Editor's Pick 
 
Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas
Dec. 1 until 3
 
The main street in Stockbridge will be transformed into a Norman Rockwell painting. The town becomes a magical New England village decorated with holiday wreaths and festive lights for the season. More information here
 
Friday
 
Pittsfield Annual Tree Lighting 
Park Square, Pittsfield
Time: 6 p.m. 
 
Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive to ring in the holiday season. The event also features hot chocolate and candy canes. Bring a nonperishable food item for the Christian Center's food pantry. The annual tree lighting is part of Downtown Pittsfield’s Festive Frolic weekend event. 
 
Lenox Annual Tree Lighting 
Lilac Park, Lenox 
Time: 5:45 p.m. 
 
Santa will be visiting Lilac Park for the annual tree lighting. The event will feature performances by Lenox Community Center’s Chorus starting at 5:45 p.m. and Santa will arrive at 6 p.m. to light the tree. Pictures with Santa to follow. 
 
Free Gallery Tours 
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown 
Time: 10:15 a.m. 
 
New parents and caregivers are invited to print their infants into the galleries for a guided tour of the institute's permanent collection. 
 
This special program provides new parents the opportunity to socialize with other community members in a casual environment. 
 
Information here.
 
First Friday
Downtown North Adams
Time: 6 p.m. 
 
Join or listen to New York composer Phil Kline’s walking symphony ‘Unsilent Night as part of 
Community members of all ages are invited to bring their sound amplification devices whether it's their phones, Bluetooth speakers, boomboxes, or other devices. Download the music tracks in advance online or through the Unsilent Night app.
 
A limited number of Kline’s vintage boomboxes and cassette tapes will be available for use on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
Gather at Martin Puryear’s Big Bling Installation at 4 Marshall St. starting at 5:30. At 6 p.m. the walking symphony made up of community members will weave through downtown and end at Hotel Downstreet.
 
More information here
 
First Fridays Artswalk
Downtown Pittsfield
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
 
It's the first Friday of the month, art enthusiasts know what that means — the city's First Friday Artwalk. 
 
The event features a dozen art shows and exhibits on view at venues around downtown Pittsfield. Most of the art is on display throughout Dec.
 
During the event, participants will have the opportunity to meet the artists. Download the Downtown Pittsfield Inc. app from the Google Play or App Store to get a virtual walking tour. 
 
Participating venues include Beacon Cinema, Berkshire Art Center, Berkshire Museum, Clock Tower Artists, Hotel on North, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Soda Chef, and more.
 
For a complete list of participating venues and artists visit the Art Walk website.
 
Saturday 
 
Winter Wonderland Family Fun Day
Stockbridge Library
Time: 10 to 3 p.m. 
 
The library will have a youth craft table so children can decorate a snowflake, indoor winter games, and an outdoor StoryWalk through the decorated library garden walkway. At 10:45 a.m. there will be a winter-themed storytime. More information here
 
North Adams Farmers Market
85 Main St. 
Time: 9 to 1
 
Final indoor winter market of the year; winter markets run every first Saturday through May. Jams and jellies, handcrafted wool items, bagels and baked goods, jewelry, maple syrup, self-care and wellness, winter produce and meats, and much more. Continues $30 match program for SNAP users. 
 
 
Sunday 
 
Bebop with Poppy
65 Silver St, Sheffield
Time: noon
 
Drag Queen Poppy DaBubbly is collaborating with WitchSlapped and Big Elm to provide a music and music class the first sunday of every month. 
 
During the event families will explore essential development skills through dance, creative movement, and a story time.
 
More information here
 
Brunch with Santa
Wahconah Country Club, Dalton
Time: 10 to 1 p.m. 
 
Enjoy pancakes, eggs and more while you get professional pictures taken with Santa. There will be a cash bar. Brunch is $16 for adults and $8 for kids. Reservations for the brunch are needed. Make a reservation by emailing Jaceyanastasiophotography@gmail.com or Manager@wahconahcc.com
 
Professional Pictures With Santa is  available to both those attending the brunch and the outside community on a first come first serve basis.
 
More information here
 
Holiday Tea and Holiday-Inspired Readings
Herman Melville's historic Arrowhead, Pittsfield
Time: 3 p.m. 
 
Enjoy a cup of traditional Holiday Tea, provided by caterer Kate Baldwin, while you listen to holiday-inspired readings by local author Kevin O'Hara. 
 
Tickets cost $25 for members and $30 for non-members. Purchase tickets using the “Book” button on the Berkshire Historical Societies website. https://berkshirehistory.org/ Information here
 
Williamstown Theatre Festival Performance
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
Time: 3 to 5 p.m. 
 
There will be a free performance of ‘Sammie And Dan: Singing and Holiday Cheer’ in the Clark’s auditorium, located in the Manton Research Center. More information here.
 
Multiple Days
 
Pittsfield Festive Frolic
Friday and Saturday 
 
This Friday and Saturday Downtown Pittsfield will be transformed into a festive wonderland full of holiday themed activities including the annual Park Square Tree Lighting on Friday at 6 p.m. 
 
During the two day frolic, local businesses will be hosting activities for all ages including free arts & craft opportunities, Pictures with Santa, a Hot Chocolate Bar and Photo Booth, and more.
 
On Friday, those 21 and over can participate in the Elf Invasion Pub Crawl. Dress up in Elf attire as you visit some of the local pubs and bars. Line-up here. 
 
Purchase an Elf ID in advance online or in person at 101 Restaurant & Bar on December 2 starting at 6:45 pm to secure an elf accessory and a Berkshire Mountain Distillers’ sample at each location. 
 
More information on the Pittsfield Frolic here
 
Williamstown Holiday Walk
Saturday and Sunday
 
The Williamstown Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 40th annual Holiday Walk weekend. This communitywide celebration features events at various venues including live musical performances, a market, drives, and more. 
Line-up here
 
Nightwood
The Mount, Lenox
Nov. 17 through Jan. 6
 
An innovative and immersive sound and light experience set against the backdrop of Edith Wharton's historic home. Wander the illuminated 3/4-mile route through the woods and gardens for an otherworldly experience that evokes wonder and awakens the imagination.
 
Children under 12 are free, children ages 13 to 18 are $12, and adults are $25. More information here.
 
Festival of Trees: NOSTALGIA
Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield
Nov. 18 to Jan. 7
 
Visit the museum and get into the holiday spirit with the decades-old celebration Festival of Trees which features trees decorated by community members, businesses, and institutions with ties to the community.
 
More information here.
 
Winterlights
Naumkeag, Stockbridge
 
Three of the Trustees of Reservations' properties will be decorated with holiday light displays, including Naumkeag. The immersive holiday light displays also feature festive music and seasonal treats. 
 
The event happens  Wednesdays through Sundays until January 6. More information here

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Companion Corner: Fox at Berkshire Humane Society

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There's a sweet and energetic dog at the Berkshire Humane Society waiting for his new family.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.

Fox is a 3-year-old Pomeranian who has been at the shelter for about a month.

Canine caregiver and adoption counselor Simone Olivieri told us about Fox. 

"He's a bundle of joy. He would love a family who's home with him a lot, because he's just, he's very social and wants to be with his people a lot. And he would be fun to bring out and about, bring a lot of places, because he's very happy to go anywhere," she said.

When Fox enters the room he is immediately a puffball of energy that goes around and around the room.

He came to the shelter after his former owner could not take care of him anymore. 

"The owner was just not able to care for him anymore. Had he came in with another dog, Wolf, and she already did find her forever home just last week," said Olivieri. "The two of them were left with a friend of the original owner, and the owner did not come back to pick them up, and the friend had too many animals in the house, and too much going on, and she just couldn't continue to look after them, so they did end up coming to us."

Fox can go home with cats and children but is not recommended to go home with other dogs as he gets too excited.

"He would love a home where people are home quite a bit to give him all the attention that he so desires. He loves kids. He absolutely adores children. So he would like a home with kids to play with. He could live with cats. We are saying that he should not live with other dogs. The only reason is that he gets very humpy, and he does not leave the other dogs alone," she said.

With his energy it is recommended he goes to a home that can keep him active whether walks or hikes and even fetch in the yard.

Fox does need to learn more about walking on a leash and has a tendency to mark in the house but he was recently neutered. Olivieri said belly bands will be sent home with whoever adopts him to help prevent marking and managing it.

"He would like an active home. He really does like to go for walks daily. He likes to run around in the yard. He does need a little work on leash walking. He sometimes gets a little tangled still under your feet, and he's learning how to walk on a leash," she said. "So, someone who's got some patience and some time to work on some training with him."

"He also is not fully potty trained, so he does know to go potty outside. However, he will still mark, urinate in the house sometimes, and he might poop here and there in the house."

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