Berkshire Botanical Garden Presents 'Family Fridays'

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STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Berkshire Botanical Garden's 2026 summer family programming continues with "Family Fridays." 
 
This series, held from 11 a.m. to noon, includes eight weeks of family-friendly programs on snakes and reptiles, music-making, stories, drumming, and community performances.
 
Family Fridays is free with Garden admission. Garden admission for BBG members and children under 12 is free.
 
2026 Family Fridays Lineup
 
June 26 — The Rooted Voyageurs
The Rooted Voyageurs will perform a family-friendly version of As You Like It, transforming the Amphitheatre into the idyllic Forest of Arden.
 
July 10 — The Hissing Booth
A unique, up-close-and-personal experience with snakes, reptiles and invertebrates.
 
July 17 — Tom Knight
Combining elements of Mr. Rogers' gentle spirit and the unbound creativity of Jim Henson, Knight has created an original show that entertains and enlightens young children and adults alike.
 
July 24 — Roger Tincknell
Singing, moving, dancing, and playing percussion instruments. 
 
July 31 — Aimee Gelinas African Drumming
Drumming performances followed by hands-on drumming workshops for audience members. 
 
August 7 — Grumbling Gryphons perform The Myth of Persephone
The Myth of Persephone is a spellbinding dramatization of the ancient Greek myth, which tells the story of how the seasons came to be, and exposes children to the classical Greek myth in a highly entertaining and engaging way. 
 
August 14 — Mr. Twisty's Super Silly Magic Show
Magic, comedy, and decades of expertise come together to create an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages! 
 
August 21 — Family Fridays: Reptile Shows of New England
Where do reptiles live? What do they eat? How do they defend themselves? How big do they get? Learn fun facts about reptiles, hold bearded dragons and other small reptiles and get your picture taken with a 12-foot python in this interactive and educational show.
 
Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at 5 West Stockbridge Rd., Stockbridge, Mass. 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pryor & Peacock's Whimsical Furniture Environmentally Friendly

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
 

The company uses digital printing to create the upholstery fabric, saving water and saving vintage furniture from ending up in landfills.

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — A unique furniture store has popped up on Elm Street this month.

Mom-and-daughter store Pryor & Peacock is hosting the pop-up storefront from Aug. 13 to Aug. 25 at 6 Elm. The New Marlborough business is co-founded by Rosalina Wright and Luca Shapiro, who is also the creative director. 

Their online shop was created in 2024 but they wanted people to see the pieces in person, so they're renting the space for a limited time before a long-term tenant moves in.

The store sources prints to create unique fabrics and reimagines vintage and antique furniture acquired at auctions, local shops, and online.

"We source prints from all over the world that date from the late 1600s up through mid-20th century, and Luca turns those prints into fabric by manipulating them, scanning them, oftentimes has to add or subtract things, and then we manufacture the fabric using only digital printing, which is very environmentally friendly, unlike traditional textile printing," Wright said.

Upholstering the furniture can take weeks of work. Shapiro looks for the perfect design for each piece and, if need be, uses Adobe Photoshop to extend the art work to fit or enhance the print.

"One of the most difficult parts comes in marrying the fabric to a piece of furniture because we only use antique and vintage frames also to be earth friendly, and they're also more beautiful and durable than new furniture," Wright said. "So the image has to go with the furniture, so that takes a lot of work."

One of Pryor & Peacock's missions is to be environmentally friendly. Digital printing doesn't use the same amount of water as traditional textile productions do nor does it contaminate water with ink according to their website.

Not only are they saving water, but they are saving furniture from going into the landfill while also using more durable furniture that doesn't break as easily as current pieces. They started their business to create something unique and to help the environment together.

"It's creating something nobody else is doing. People can't continue to buy throwaway furniture. Six percent of American landfills is furniture, and digital printing not only opens up the possibility of being able to put unique images on a piece of furniture, but it also is, as I said, environmentally friendly. So, for us, the excitement is to take an old East Lake settee that somebody's going to store in their barn and forget about, and make it something completely new and surprising," Wright said.

They hope their furniture helps bring a pop of fun to someone's home.

"We think our furniture is very whimsical and surprising, and most furniture today is oatmeal colored couches and gray neutral chairs, and it's boring," she said.

The two named their business after their mothers' maiden names to honor them and believe the name reflects their pieces.

Shapiro works in interior design outside of the business and the two liked working together and thought it would be great to start a business together. Shapiro says they can work well together and that her and her mother, Wright, has flipped houses before and have the same eye for design.

"So it's very easy for us to work together. When we see something, generally we agree on whether it works or doesn't work on a piece. We agree on the color schemes and that sort of thing. So it's very fun and fulfilling to work together," Shapiro said. 

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