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Weekend Outlook: Fresh Start

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
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Check out the events happening this weekend, including hiking, volunteering, fundraisers, and more.

Editor's Pick

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

The new year is here so kick it off with music, art, and games that will fill downtown North Adams for its First Friday event, themed "Fresh Start." 

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

More information and event line-up here.

Friday

Discover Greylock Hike
Mount Greylock Visitor Center, Lanesborough
Time: 1 p.m. 

Celebrate the great outdoors with a walk in the woods to explore seasonal changes the signs of wildlife along an easy-moderate trail.

This family-friendly 2-mile hike follows the Bradley Farm Trail with a gradual 440-ft elevation gain. 

Hikes may include tree identification, local history and orienteering. Be aware that trail conditions may be snow-covered, icy or muddy.

More information here.

Future Labs Gallery All Members Reception
43 Eagle St., North Adams
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.

View artwork by more than 40 Future Labs Gallery member artists. More information here.

Collaged Coasters for Tweens and Teens 
Milne Public Library Williamstown
Time: 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

"Decompress and Decoupage." Decoupage is the art of applying a collage of paper onto a surface. Make collage wooden coasters whether it's a gift or a piece of art to hang on your wall. More information here.

Karaoke 
Dalton American Legion
Time: 6 p.m. 

Sing your heart out while supporting the local American Legion Post. More information here.

Joni Mitchell Tribute Band Performance
17 Main St., South Egremont
Time: 8 p.m. 

Big Yellow Taxi, a Joni Mitchell tribute band, will perform many of Mitchell's popular songs. 

Tickets are $20. More information here.

Saturday

Music Bingo
Wahconah Country Club
Time: 6 p.m.

Help raise money for the girls and boys basketball program by playing a game of musical bingo. More information here.

Lecture by Former Peace Corps Volunteers
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
Time: 2 p.m.

Two former Peace Corps volunteers Eduardo and Edmundo tell their story of collecting used equipment from the Berkshires and shipping it to Honduras. More information here.

 

Tracking Winter Wildlife for Beginners
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox
Time: 11 a.m. 

Take a beginner-friendly walk through fields and forests to search for tracks, scat, and signs of the delicate but exciting interactions between predators and their prey.
 
With any luck, you will find signs of coyotes, foxes, deer, rabbits, and more. Tickets are $15 for Mass Auburn members and $20 for non-members. 
 
More information here.  

'The Princess and the Frog' Screening 
Milne Public Library, Williamstown
Time: 1 p.m. 

Bring your family to the library for a free screening of the Disney classic, "The Princess and the Frog." Enjoy popcorn and to be more sustainable bring your own bowl. 

More information here.

Volunteer to Build Lee's Rink
Lee Athletic Field
Time: 10 a.m.

Volunteers are needed to help build Lee's skating rink. Email the Youth Commission to let them know you can make it.

More information here.

Full Moon Winter Hike 
Hilltop Orchards, Richmond
Time: 6:45 p.m. 
 
There will be a guided hike by Holly Brouker, under the full moon. The event also features a bonfire ceremony and wine and cider tasting. 
 
More information here
 
Sunday 
 
First Sunday Free 
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
Time: 1 to 4 
 
The museum is opening its doors for free to provide people the chance to see its permanent and temporary collections. 
 
For the 2025 to 2026 First Sunday Free season, its focus will be on the outdoor sculpture exhibition "Ground/work." This month's theme is "Force of Nature." 
 
Visitors can view art by Yo Akiyama, who combined clay, fire, and water to create Oscillation: Vertical Garden, a sculpture that seems to erupt from the earth of the Clark’s campus.
 
The day will feature interactive activities including a clay art workshops with North Adams Clay, a collaborative sculpture exhibition, an exploration of elemental themes in the Print Room, self-guided nature walks, and borrow complimentary snowshoe rentals for outdoor activities.
 
More information here
 

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Pittsfield Schools Finalizing Bus Routes for Fall

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The district currently has enough bus drivers for the upcoming school year, and families will know their child's transportation schedule in mid-August. 

With about five weeks left of summer vacation, Superintendent Latifah Phillips updated the School Committee on transportation for the 2026-2027 year with middle school restructuring and the closure of Morningside Community School. 

Busing is a question that has continuously been raised as the Pittsfield Public Schools approach an academic year with a couple of big changes. 

"The reason that the bus stops and times aren't shared until very close to the school year is that routes change based on every student that moves into the district and requires a bus, and so it's important for us to wait as late as possible to ensure that families are getting the most accurate timetable," Phillips explained during a meeting held at Reid Middle School on Thursday. 

"We are also continuing to explore after-school transportation for the four schools receiving Morningside, and a survey was given to students who attend the Summer Morningside 21st Century Program to assess transportation needs."

That survey found that transportation does not appear to be a big impediment to students participating in the after-school program, but funding is set aside to ensure students are able to access the same services as they were the previous year. 

The district is still planning to offer after-school programming for Morningside transfer students, and is working with the four receiving elementary schools (Allendale, Egremont, Williams, Capeless) to plan a practice bus ride. 

Phillips explained that, for someone who has never ridden a bus before, and especially a school bus, they want to ensure that students are poised for success and understand the rules and expectations before the first ride. Students will be able to get on the bus, ride the route, arrive at school, have a quick break, maybe play on the playground and have a popsicle, then return home on the bus. 

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