greylocknews

Finding frogs during the ice-cream social at Sheep Hill

  
 
Children look for frogs on Thurs., Aug. 5 during the Ice Cream Social and Open House at the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation's Sheep Hill farm.

Candlelight Vigil for Copenhagen 15 Climate Summit December 13

Williamstown, MA - On Sunday December 13 at 5 pm, a candlelight vigil will be held in support of commitments for meaningful action at the Copenhagen 15 Climate Summit.  The vigil will take place on the steps of First Congregational Church in Williamstown and all are welcome to attend. Participants will stand in solemn solidarity with the citizens of those nations that will be first to face the challenge to their very survival posed by climate change.  Organizers hope for a science-based international climate treaty in Copenhagen, and effective U.S. legislation to reduce atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide to 350 parts per million.  Williams College students for climate justice will speak at the end of the vigil about their Climate Justice fast.  All are invited to join in a pot luck supper at First Congregational Church at 5:30 pm.

For more information contact Lauren Stevens at 802-694-1727 or lstevens@berkshire.net

The First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, is located at 906 Main Street (Rt. 2) in Williamstown, MA. The church is fully handicap accessible.  Parking is available immediately behind the church off of Chapin Hall Drive. For more information contact the Church Office at 413-458-4273 or Office@firstchurchwilliamstown.org.

Take Charge Hosts Forum on the Environment December 4

NORTH ADAMS, MA-Take Charge, an organization committed to making local homes more energy independent, hosts a community discussion with residents, public officials, and college professors Friday, December 4, from 10 a.m. to noon at the First Baptist Church on Eagle Street.

The public is encouraged to bring questions or concerns on climate change, grassroots initiatives, legislation, environmental policy or other environmental topics.

Take Charge is a partner of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. Its work revolves around education, outreach, and action based in a community campaign made up of community members, colleges, schools, local government, businesses, and organizations. For information on the December
4 forum email Madeline at msk1@williams.edu or Jaimie at jw2606@mcla.edu.

North Adams Tree Lighting December 3

North Adams, MA - The city of North Adams will hold the annual Christmas Tree Lighting / Visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus on Thursday, December 3 at 5:30 pm at Monument Square. The Drury Band, directed by Christopher Caproni will perform; vocalist Diane Maynard will sing seasonal carols. The feature of the approximately half-hour ceremony will be the lighting of the Christmas trees at Monument Square and next to city hall, followed by the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus. Goodie bags will be given to the first 500 children accompanied by an adult. For more information, phone the North Adams Office of Tourism at 413.664.6180 or email tourism@northadams-ma.gov

Dustin Griffin to Speak on Flora's Glen November 8 at House of Local History

Williamstown, MA - Sunday, November 8, 2 pm, at the Milne Public Library, "The Story of Flora's Glen," presented by local historian, Dustin Griffin. The Williamstown House of Local History is pleased to present another free public lecture program in their monthly series. Dustin Griffin, who spoke last spring about the history of Treadwell Hollow, returns on November 8 to present another of his "micro-histories" of Williamstown. "The Story of Flora's Glen" is an overview of the more than 200-year history of a secluded valley just off Bee Hill Road and a short walk from Field Park. Griffin, a Professor of English Emeritus at New York University, is a Williamstown resident with an active interest in hiking and local history. His talk, illustrated with old maps, drawings, and photographs, both old and new, will highlight the history of Flora's Glen. This little valley was once a wasteland, then a home to a freed former slave, and later, a romantic chasm visited by literary tourists. The site was also a town reservoir and swimming/ice pond, now only visited only by hikers and hardy X-C skiers. Join the Williamstown House of Local History for this free program at the Milne Library. Parking is available at the library. For more information contact the House of Local History at 413-458-2160, or visit their website: www.williamstownhistory.com.

UNO Plans Trip to Ioka Valley Farm October 18

North Adams, MA - United Neighborhood Organization is sponsoring a trip on Sunday, October 18 for children in the UNO neighborhood up to age 10. Leaving the UNO playground on Bracewell Ave. at 1 pm. to Ioka Valley Farm's Pumpkin Patch in Hancock. To register, please call 413.663.5516.

Managing the Home Garden Talk at NAPL October 15

North Adams, MA - On Thursday, October 15, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. the North Adams Garden Club will present a talk by Master Gardener Duncan McQueen on managing the home garden. The program will take place in the Community Room on the third floor of the North Adams Public Library. A question and answer session will follow and soil testing will be offered.

A brief business meeting will precede the program at 6:00 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. Please contact the garden club at (413) 662-2417 with any questions.

Astronomy Talk at Bascom Lodge October 14

Adams, MA - On October 14 at 6 pm Bill Minardi will give a talk entitled "The Highlights of Astronomy" at Bascom Lodge atop Mount Greylock. Topics include, What's up there, How is it organized, How big, How far, How fast, How did it all begin?

And, How will it all end?!

Free and open to the public!
Prix Fixe dinner to follow.
Call for dinner reservations: 413-743-1591

Learn About Grace Greylock Niles October 18

I am native to the wild:  the Life and Work of Grace Greylock Niles
A talk by Maida Goodwin and Allison Bell
Sunday October 18 at 2:30pm
Williamstown Public Library
1095 Main St., Williamstown, MA

Williamstown, MA - The Williamstown Local House of History and The Trustees of Reservations announce an upcoming illustrated talk about the life and work of botanist and author Grace Greylock Niles. It was Nile's legacy that inspired area conservationists to assist The Trustees of Reservations in preserving Mountain Meadow, a 180 acre natural area reaching from Williamstown into Pownal.

The October 18 lecture will be presented by researchers Maida Goodwin and Allison Bell. They have hiked many miles to retrace Nile's footsteps and to find and photograph the locations that she wrote about over a century ago. The researchers have also spent many years tracing the lost threads of Grace Greylock Niles' life story and they will be sharing new information with the public at this talk.

Grace Greylock Niles was a native of Pownal, Vermont. Her 1904 classic book, "Bog-Trotting for Orchids" extols the wonders of the northern Berkshires and invites readers to explore the mysteries of wetlands.  The book was written at a time when concern over rapid industrialization and unchecked commercial exploitation of natural resources fostered a major environmental movement in the U.S. at the turn of the 20th century.  The movement fueled a thriving market for nature books of all kinds as writers sought to strengthen their readers' bonds with the natural world.

Come to the Williamstown Local House of History on Sunday October 18 to view historical images that tell the story of Niles, hear about the world of nature books and this remarkable local author, and to view a wealth of historical images in a projected slide presentation.

Questions about this talk may be directed towards Tammis Coffin at the Trustees of Reservations at tcoffin@ttor.org or 413.298.3239 x3000.

Fall Foliage Children's Parade Rescheduled for October 2

North Adams, MA - The Fall Foliage Children’s Parade is Friday, October 2 at 5:30 pm. No child, accompanied by a parent or guardian, will be turned away. Trophies and prizes will be awarded and ribbons will be given to all participants. Registration is promptly at 5:00 pm at the corner of Eagle and Main Street in North Adams. Every attempt will be made to hold the parade, but in the event of severe weather, the Children’s Parade will be rescheduled for the following day. Call 413-664.6180 for children’s or general parade information.