EGREMONT, Mass. — Gov. Deval Patrick and State Rep. Smitty Pignatelli will be featured guests at the Greenagers summer shindig, "Dinner, Democracy, & Dancing" on Aug. 15 at April Hill.

 

The 5:30 p.m. event features dinner outdoors under a tent overlooking Berkshire-Taconic vistas surrounding April Hill, with food grown onsite by Greenagers youth farm crews. Gov. Patrick will deliver a keynote talk and a panel discussion on "why civic engagement matters" will include Greenagers youth, Gov. Patrick, and Rep. Pignatelli. A dance in the historic blue barn will cap off the night, with music by One Blues Revolution. 

 

Tickets can be purchased at greenagers.org/summergala.

 

The fundraiser will benefit Greenagers' outdoor employment and education programs for children, teens, and young adults in the Berkshires. 

 

"There are so many opportunities to engage with the  wide world, yet fewer chances to talk with our neighbors," said Greenagers Executive DIrector Will Conklin. "In addition to skills and workplace readiness, Greenagers’ offers just that–practice in talking and working with folks outside your own bubble or silo while working in community. I can think of no better practice to help engender a more meaningful and caring political discourse and community - and no better people to help guide this than Governor Patrick and Representative Pignatelli. We are so grateful to them for sharing their thoughts and experience with us."

 

Greenagers, based at April Hill Conservation & Education Center at 62 N. Undermountain Road in Egremont, provides jobs, apprenticeships and education programs for children, teens, and young adults interested in environmental conservation, food security, trails management, and community service. Information: greenagers.org/summergala