Patrick Barrett Wins Seat on Select Board

The Berkshire Eagle reported that at an unusually well-attended election, Patrick Barrett defeated Martin Cormier 187-108. VIctor Hryckvich received ten write-in votes. 307 of Sandisfield's 563 voters, or 54.5 percent, participated in the election. Non contested races returned incumbents Barbara Cormier to Moderator, Matthew Sermini to Assessor and Clare English to Library Trustee. Those running unopposed included Hannah Barrett for School Committee, Kathleen Faricelli-Segrini for Board of Health, John Burrows for Auditor, and Gary Bottoms Sr. for Planning Board. Congratulations everyone.

Where the h___ is Sandisfield?

Thanks to Val Coleman, travelers along Route 57 past Gedney Farm will finally know which way to go to get to Sandisfield. Val toiled to get several directional signs up for the Sandisfield Arts Center but the fact is, these signs are great for ALL Sandisfield businesses. Bravo Val! Photo: Jerry Herman

JUNE EVENTS AT SANDISFIELD ARTS CENTER

The Sandisfield Arts Center presents a variety of programs during the month of June. Once a Baptist meeting house, then an orthodox synagogue, the historic building is now used year-round as a community arts center with a focus on affordable and educational programming.

Lew Scheffey of Monterey will exhibit in the Sandisfield Arts Center gallery from June 6-28. His works are principally landscapes, en plein air, painted around the world during his long, productive life. Many of his paintings were inspired by the Berkshires and the Shawangunk Mountains in New York State. The opening reception is Saturday, June 6th from 4pm-6pm. Admission is free.

On Saturday, June 13, Betsy Polatin teaches the Alexander Technique, a unique and gentle hands-on approach to body movement. Trained in Yoga, meditation and the healing arts, Betsy has taught in India, Japan, Korea, and the U.S. The cost of the workshop is $15. Call (413) 258-2820 to sign up.

The Castle Hill Theatre Company returns to Sandisfield on Saturday, June 20, presenting a highly imaginative production of Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories. Full of color, humor, and fanciful explanations of why the world is the way it is, this is the perfect family outing. The evening starts at 6 P.M. with an ice-cream social, followed by the performance at 7 P.M. Admission is $10 per person, with children under 14 admitted free. Ice cream cones are $3.

Programming at the Sandisfield Arts Center is sponsored in part by grants from the Sandisfield and Otis Cultural Councils, local agencies funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The Sandisfield Arts Center is located on Hammertown Road and Route 57 in Sandisfield. For more information and directions, visit www.sandisfieldartscenter.org or call (413) 258-4100.

May 30 Concert to benefit Fire Dept & Arts Center

On Saturday, May 30th at Sandisfield Fire Station No. 2 on Route 57 in Sandisfield, the Mountain Laurel Band will present an evening of music, square and contra dancing. Bring a picnic or purchase hotdogs and hamburgers offered by the Fire Department starting at 6pm. The concert begins at 7pm. Adult admission is $10, $5 for children with all proceeds going to the Sandisfield Fire Department and Sandisfield Arts Center.

The Mountain Laurel Band features Joe Baker on guitar, Bonner McAllester on hammered dulcimer, and Don MacLean on fiddle. They have been performing New England Contra and square dance music since 1978. All are welcome.

More about the musicians...

Don MacLean (fiddle) lives in Ancram, NY, where he is an organic grower of fruits and vegetables (see Don's website at thompsonfinch.com), father of two talented daughters, long-term member of the Town Planning Board, Board member of the Columbia Land Conservancy, writer and activist. He likes to spend a lot of time outdoors and makes his own biodiesel fuel.

Bonner McAllester (hammered dulcimer) (also harmonica, whistle, spoons, rattles, mouthparts) lives in Monterey, MA, where she is a naturalist, writer, mother of two talented daughters, teacher and dedicated gardener. Bonner has a major commitment to activism for peace and social justice, and participates in Quaker organizations at local and regional levels. A lifelong singer, she supplements her folksinging with participation in the Berkshire Bach Society chorus. She also likes to spend a lot of time outdoors.

Joe Baker (guitar), who was for almost 20 years the caller for the band in addition to playing guitar, also lives in Monterey, MA. He was a gamba- and violin-maker for many years but now works as a software and website developer (see bakerworks.com). Joe is the father of two talented daughters, a community organizer, landscape painter (see some work: bakerworks.com/art), birder and farmer. He also likes to spend a lot of time outdoors and cuts and splits mountains of firewood every year.

The question is: how many daughters are there?