Sandy McKnight Songwriter Series to Feature Women Artists in May

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LEE, Mass. — The Sandy McKnight Songwriter Series at Appetito will continue its bi-monthly program in May with a focus on five women of song, stage, and screen.

The series, held on the first and third Fridays of each month, will feature two events in May: Friday, May 2, with special guest host Benita Zahn, along with JoAnne Redding and series producer Liv Cummins, and Friday, May 16, showcasing Aimee Van Dyne and Barbara Stein. Both events will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Appetito Restaurant, located at 54 Main Street in Lee.

The Songwriter Series honors the memory of local singer-songwriter Sandy McKnight, who passed away in May 2024.

Benita Zahn, a former NY Emmy Award-winning anchor/reporter now working as a certified Health and Wellness Coach and performer, will co-host the May 2nd event. Liv Cummins, a singer/songwriter, comedy performer, musical theater dramatist, and educator, is the series producer and a longtime collaborator of Sandy McKnight. JoAnne Redding is a singer/songwriter known for her soulful blend of blues, country, jazz, and roots rock.

The May 16 event will feature Aimee Van Dyne, a Folk-Americana singer-songwriter and a two-time John Lennon Songwriting Contest Finalist, and Barbara Stein, a music lover and player whose sound blends alt-rock and Americana blues.

The Sandy McKnight Songwriters Fund, which organizes the series, was created to honor McKnight’s legacy of supporting songwriters and building community. The series includes both featured artists and an open mic session for songwriters.

Appetito Restaurant, owned by Rebecca and Gilbert Clerget, provides the venue for the series.

 

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Local Bowlers Compete in Junior Gold Championships

iBerkshires.com SportsUpdated 10:19AM
Updated Wednesday morning to reflect the fact that qualifying ends on Thursday. 
 
MINNEAPOLIS -- A dozen high school bowlers from throughout Berkshire County are competing with Massachusetts contingent at the Junior Gold Championships.
 
Four girls and eight boys from five different area high school varsity teams are participating in the event, which draws thousands of bowlers competing in divisions ranging from 12-and-under to 18-and-under.
 
Lee's Devyn Fillio ended Day 1 of qualifying on Monday 68th out of 325 competitors in the U16 girls group. The top 46 advance out of the first round of the competition after qualifying ends on Thursday. 
 
Fillio rolled a high game of 177 and averaged a 169.25 to finish 20 pins out of qualifying position.
 
Also competing in the U16 girls is Taconic's Danielle Mathes, who posted a 150 on her way to a 117.25 average for four games.
 
Among the U14 girls, Lee High's Lauren Scheurer averaged 121.25 on Day 1 with a high game of 131 to place 158th in the field with just 26 advancing to the next round.
 
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