image description

Weekend Outlook: Hopping Good Fun

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story

Check out the events happening this weekend including First Friday, Easter events, music series, and more.

Check out our list of Easter egg hunts in the county for the family as well.

Editor's Pick

First Friday
Downtown North Adams
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.

Spring is here so kick it off with music, art, and games that will fill downtown North Adams for its First Friday event, themed "Clean and Green." 

Participating businesses will have extended hours and many galleries will host openings, closings, and other special events.

More information and event line-up here.

Multiple Days 

Adaptive Cultural Kitchen Clubs
65 Depot St., Dalton
Every Saturday in April from 12-1 p.m.

Bring your kids ages 5 to 9 to learn cooking with these hands-on lessons to build kitchen confidence and make snacks. To register contact BCArc Family Support at jmiddleton@bcarc.org or 413-464-7262, Ext. 119, or or Rania at rania@familieslikeoursinc.com or 413-854-3971

More information here.

Easter Rock Hunt at The Glen
Greylock Glen, Adams
April 4-12

Hike at the Greylock Glen and try to find as many painted rocks as you can on the Meadow Loop Trail.

More information here.

Friday

Paint and Snack Teen Programming
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
Time: 1 p.m.

Enjoy snacks and soda and get creative with paint. For more information call the Youth Services Department: 413-499-9480, Ext. 203 or youngadult@pittsfieldlibrary.org. 

More information here.

Sunset Beaver Watch
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox
Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.

NOTE: This event is full but you can sign the waitlist. More information here.

See the sanctuary's beavers in action. Hike about two miles to get a glimpse of what they do when they harvest trees.

Lilly of the Valley Bluegrass Solo
The Tap Room, Lanesborough
Time: 8 p.m.

Enjoy live music and food this Friday night. Bring your dancing shoes and enjoy bluegrass music.

More information here.

Saturday

Pancake Fun Run and Egg Hunt
Allendale Shopping Center, Pittsfield
Time: 8:45 a.m.

Join the Berkshire Running Center for its first pancake fun run and pickup surprises from the Easter Bunny along the way.

More information here.

Easter Bunny Hop Train
Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Adams
Departure Times: 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. 

The Easter Bunny will hop onto the Hoosac Valley Train to greet families and give out colored eggs. 

Tickets in coach range from $4 to $22; first class ranges from $4 to $37. A first-class table, which includes seats for four, is $127.20. 

More information and tickets here.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
Shire Tavern, Dalton
Time: 8 to 11 a.m.

Includes a breakfast buffet and picture opportunities with the Easter Bunny. All of the proceeds go to benefit Strong Little Souls, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting families affected by pediatric cancer.

More information and tickets here.

Hop on Over and Celebrate with Us
North Adams Commons
Time: 2 p.m.

Join the nursing and rehabilitation facility to celebrate Easter with photo ops with the bunny, sweet treats, and gifts. 

More information here.

North Adams Farmers Market
Hotel Downstreet, North Adams
Time: 9 to 1
 
Winter market runs the first Saturday of the month through May 1. Makers on Main will be operating next to the market with local artists and crafters. 
 
More information on the makers here and the farmers market here. 
 
Bennington Museum Reopening
Bennington, Vt.
Time: 10 to 4
 
The Bennington Museum reopens to the public with the annual student art show, hands-on activities, a reception, music, dance and the opening of the new Folk and Craft Gallery on the first floor. The Battle of Bennington exhibit will also be on display. The Antiques Appraisal Fair runs from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Paresky Education Center. 
 
More information here. 

Sunday

Pug and John
PortaVia, Dalton
Time: 1 p.m.

Enjoy this Sunday's music series with Pug and John.

More information here.

10 Years of Beer
Bright Ideas Brewing, North Adams
Time: 3 p.m.
 
The brewery on the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art campus marks its first decade with live music by Tony Lee Thomas, and all-day craft food and beer pairings with Bigg Daddy's Philly Steakhouse.
 
More information here. 

Tags: weekend outlook,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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."

View Full Story

More North Adams Stories