Ghost Tour Fundraiser Set for Berkshire Historical Society

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Friday, April 17, Robert Oakes, ghost tour guide and author of "Ghosts of the Berkshires," will team up with paranormal investigator Drew Babineau, owner of The Haunted Raven, to offer a combined ghost tour and paranormal investigation of the Country Club of Pittsfield, hosted by the Berkshire County Historical Society. 
 
The program begins at 7 p.m. Tickets for this three-hour combined ghost tour and investigation are $50 per person and may be purchased by using the "BOOK NOW" button at berkshirehistory.org. A portion of the proceeds will benefit BCHS. 
 
Be advised that there will be several levels of stairs to climb in dim lighting. Also, this event is not intended for children under 12 years old. For more information, visit berkshirehistory.org, robertoakes.net, hauntedraven.com, or call (413) 442-1793.
 
At the start of the evening, Oakes will lead a walk by flashlight through this historic property, sharing accounts of alleged spirit sightings and other strange encounters reported by those who work there.  Babineau will then guide guests through an active paranormal investigation, using devices and methods meant to make contact with the spirits and document their presence, stated a press release. At the close of the evening, guests will gather in the Club's barroom to share stories of their experiences and discuss any findings. Drinks will be available for purchase. 
 
According to a press release:
 
Once known as Broadhall, the Country Club of Pittsfield's clubhouse is one of the oldest properties in Pittsfield with a long and storied past. During the nineteenth century, it was the home of writer Sarah Morewood, friend to Herman Melville. When the Moby-Dick author lived just next door at Arrowhead, he often stopped by to visit Mrs. Morewood, and some say he may still be calling. Indeed, both Melville's ghost and that of Mrs. Morewood, as well as others yet unidentified, are said to haunt the house. Many have visited the property throughout its long history, including Alexander Hamilton, President John Tyler, famous literati, and formerly enslaved people. And many have died there, including Mrs. Morewood, as well as seventeen victims of a 1910 ice house explosion, described as the worst disaster in Pittsfield history.
 
Robert Oakes writes books about ghosts and leads tours in reported haunted places. Drew Babineau, owner of The Haunted Raven, is a photographer and paranormal investigator.
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Pittsfield Council Says 'Yes' to Soccer at Crane Park

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The pitch will have the logos of the city and the US. and Massachusetts soccer associations. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city is gladly accepting a "mini-pitch" from the U.S. Soccer Foundation to bring games back to Crane Park. 

Fueling excitement around the World Cup, U.S. Soccer has been working with the Massachusetts Youth Soccer League to make these facilities available to 20 communities — one of which will be at the park at the intersection of Benedict Road and Springside Avenue. 

The City Council accepted the gift on Tuesday during its regular meeting. 

A mini pitch is a compact, modular field typically used for soccer, and it can also accommodate inline skates. It has a galvanized steel border with built-in goals and a rubber plastic surface that is clicked together; installed on the existing inline hockey court. 

Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham said he has gone door to door speaking with nearby residents, and they are "really excited" about the upgrade. He also sees it as a great addition. 

"They say that nobody really uses the court a ton now, and they are excited to see kids back on there playing," he said. 

Decades ago, the Crane Park facility was a wading pool. It closed in 1980, and before the turn of the century, it was filled in and marked for hockey. 

Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath explained that the wooden border around the rink is showing its age, has been vandalized and tagged, and the facility is seeing a "real decline" in use. 

"This would seem to be an appropriate spot for us to remove the board system that's in place and install the mini pitch system through this grant," he said. 

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