Destination Better Health Series at Fairview Hospital

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems has announced that Destination Better Health is returning to Fairview Hospital during July and August, with several informative events being held.  

Berkshire Health Systems’ Destination Better Health series brings neighbors together for free, expert-led conversations about health topics that matter most to our community. The programs, held free of charge, can help in managing health conditions, caring for loved ones, or finding smart choices for a healthier future.  

The 2026 Destination Better Health programs include:  

Wednesday July 9 at 4:30 p.m. 

The Aging Shoulder 

Presenter: Pier Boutin, MD, Fairview Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center 

That nagging ache in your shoulder may be more common than you think — and more treatable than you fear. Join our orthopedic experts as they walk through why the shoulder becomes more vulnerable with age, what symptoms to watch for, and the full range of options available, from simple exercises to surgical solutions.

Wednesday, July 15 at 4:30 p.m. 

Optimizing Your Heart Health 

Presenter: Ellen Hamm, RN, BSN, Fairview Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation 

Your heart works for you every second of every day — this session is your chance to return the favor. Learn what the latest science says about blood pressure, cholesterol, lifestyle habits, and emerging risk factors, and walk away with a practical, personalized plan to protect the engine that keeps you going. 

Wednesday, July 22 at 4:30 p.m. 

Longevity is a Daily Routine  

Presenter: Maureen Logan, M.Ed, BHS Director of Community Wellness 

Living longer isn't just about luck — it's about the small decisions you make before breakfast. This session explores the daily habits, sleep patterns, movement practices, and mindset shifts that research consistently links to a longer, healthier life. 

Wednesday, July 29 at 4:30 p.m. 

When Illness Isn't Going Away: How to Change Your Framework 

Presenter: Chris Clark, MD, Chief Hospitalist, Fairview Hospital & BHS Palliative Care Project Lead 

A chronic diagnosis can feel like a door closing, but it doesn't have to. This honest, compassionate session helps patients and caregivers to reframe living with chronic illness — shifting from surviving to thriving within a new normal. 

Wednesday, August 5 at 4:30 p.m. 

Introducing Robotic Surgery at Fairview: What It Means to Our Patients  

Presenter: Mark Taylor, MD, Fairview Surgical Services 

Fairview is proud to bring the precision of robotic-assisted surgery to our community — and we want you to understand exactly what that means to you. Our surgeons will demystify the technology, explain which procedures it's used for, and share how it translates to smaller incisions, faster recovery, and better outcomes. 

Wednesday, August 12 at 4:30 p.m. 

In a World of Diets, Choosing What's Best for You 

Presenters: Robert Hoechster, RD, LDN; Sheila Rivera RD, LDN, Fairview Hospital Nutrition Services 

Keto, Mediterranean, plant-based, intermittent fasting — the options are endless, and the noise is loud. This session cuts through the confusion with evidence-based guidance to help you understand your own body's needs and find an approach to eating that's sustainable, satisfying, and genuinely good for you.

All programs are free and take place at 4:30 p.m. in the Ground Floor Conference Room at Fairview Hospital, 29 Lewis Avenue, Great Barrington.  Due to space limitations, please pre-register here or call (413) 854-9609.

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

Berkshire Art Center Announces Fall 2026 Classes & Workshops

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Berkshire Art Center (BAC) invites artists of all ages and experience levels to participate in  lineup of Fall 2026 classes and workshops.

With programs offered at Citizens' Hall in Stockbridge as well as partner locations including Berkshire Music School, WANDER Berkshires, and the Mass Audubon's Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, BAC's fall season celebrates creativity through ceramics, painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, photography, and more.

Ceramics students will find opportunities to develop their skills this fall. Faculty Artist Paula Shalan returns with Tableware: Creating with Soft Slabs, where students create functional pottery such as mugs, tumblers, and bowls, as well as Cut, Add, and Stretch: Creating with Soft Slabs, which explores more contemporary approaches to handbuilding. Jess Cropper-Alt teaches Timeless & Tactile: Handbuilding Traditions, while Donna Bernstein leads Wheel Throwing for All, an all-levels course featuring demonstrations, individualized instruction, and ample studio time.

For those looking to try clay for the first time, Lorimer Burns offers Try Your Hand at the Pottery Wheel, a welcoming two-hour introduction to wheel throwing. BAC also offers fun, social workshops including Wall Pocket Party, perfect for beginners, friends, couples, and families with children ages 10 and up, and Pottery Night: Beer Stein Social, an evening of creativity and community where participants craft their own handmade ceramic beer stein.

Mixed media and printmaking enthusiasts will find an inspiring variety of offerings throughout the season. Jody King Camarra teaches Color Theory Through Collage, Print Lab: Collagraph, Drypoint & Relief, Working in a Series: Creating Cohesive Collages, Monoprint Magic, and concludes the season with the festive workshop Handmade Holidays: Winter Layers in Gel Plate Printmaking.

Additional printmaking opportunities include Eco-Printing: Basics and Beyond with Mallorey Caron, where students create beautiful botanical prints using real flowers and leaves, Gelatin Plate Printmaking with Johanna Merfeld, an introduction to playful experimentation with layering, texture, stencils, and image transfers, and Image Transfers & Mixed Media, where Diane Firtell shares versatile techniques that can stand alone or enhance existing artwork.

Photographers can celebrate autumn alongside Thad Kubis, whose seasonal workshops include Photography of Daniel Chester French's Studio at Chesterwood in Stockbridge and Photographing Fall Colors in the Berkshires at Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Pittsfield.

Painters and drawing enthusiasts will discover classes ranging from foundational techniques to expressive exploration. Jill McLean returns with Watercolor Foundations and Watercolor Landscapes at Berkshire Music School, along with shorter, 1-day workshops including Berkshire Polaroids in Watercolor and Handmade Holidays: Watercolor Bookmarks.

Wednesday Nelena Sorokin offers Creative Writing & Abstraction, where students use stream-of-consciousness writing to inspire expressive abstract paintings, along with Painting Basics, Two-Dimensional Composition Workshop, and the popular Abstract Painting: Color, Design and Spirit. Artists looking for a relaxed, supportive studio environment can also enjoy the return of Friday Painting Studio, featuring a new and more accessible tuition rate and experienced facilitators who provide encouragement, feedback, and creative community while participants work on independent projects.

BAC's monthly workshop series at WANDER Berkshires in Pittsfield also continues this fall. Held on the second Saturday of each month, these welcoming two-hour sessions invite participants to sketch, paint, journal, and experiment in a relaxed community setting—no long-term commitment required. The series begins September 12 with Commonplace Visual Journaling led by Kaily Ritz, followed by Mini Nature Assemblage Boxes with Johanna Merfeld on October 10, Indoor Urban Sketching with Jill McLean on November 14, and concludes December 12 with Watercolor Reset for the New Year, led by BAC Executive Director Laura Thompson.

For a complete schedule of classes and workshops or to register, visit www.berkshireartcenter.org/classes.

 

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