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Berkshires Beat: Berkshire Bank Offers Free Admission to Hancock Shaker Village for Children
01:02PM / Monday, August 15, 2016
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Children enjoy a free experience at Hancock Shaker Village.

Free for kids: For the fourth consecutive year, Berkshire Bank is sponsoring Hancock Shaker Village's "Be Our Guest" program, a cultural access program that provides children ages 12 and under with free admission with a paid adult throughout its 2016 season. The museum is open daily through October and for an abbreviated schedule in November and December.

Through support from the bank’s charitable Foundation, the "Be Our Guest" program offers youth the opportunity to immerse themselves in an expansive, authentic, historic site and actively engage in the practices, culture, and values of the Shaker community. Kids learn about issues that are relevant in today's world, including gender equality and sustainable energy; these are among a whole host of Shakers practices that put them way ahead of their time. The program is designed to offset any potential economic obstacles to make this enriching experience available to all children and families in Berkshire County and beyond.

More than 13,500 children visit Hancock Shaker Village each year.

Hancock Shaker Village, a three-star Michelin destination located at the intersection of Route 20 and 41 in Pittsfield, offers visitors an intact historic Shaker site with 20 buildings, 22,000 artifacts, 750 acres of scenic beauty, interpreted nature trails, unencumbered mountain views, a working farm with heritage breed live animals and lush gardens that produce Farm Shares for the area residents who subscribe and participate. Adult admission is $20, with discounts for AAA members, military, and seniors. Your admission for ages 13 to 17 is $8.
 


Celebrating UCP: United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Berkshire County will host its 55th annual meeting at the Country Club of Pittsfield on September 16, where the past fiscal year achievements will be celebrated along with the celebration of consumer, volunteer and employee awards. The event will begin at noon and include a buffet lunch with awards presentation to follow. Reservations are required at $25 per person and can be made by calling 413-442-1562.

Recipients of the awards are as follows:

Life Achievement Award:
Britney Dorwin. This award is presented to a volunteer, individual or organization demonstrating outstanding service to UCP.

Consumer Excellence Award: Celeste Thomann and Timothy Jones. This award is presented to individuals supported by UCP who demonstrate outstanding achievement toward obtaining personal goals and in assisting in the advancement of independence for people with disabilities.

Life without Limits Award: Department of Developmental Services. This award is given to a community member or organization who places emphasis on uniqueness, innovativeness and environmental consideration as related to the needs of citizens with disabilities.

The Diane M. Laurin Campaign Award: Dan Proskin, Berkshire Olde Tyme Review and Berkshire Bank. This award is presented to individuals or organizations who have demonstrated significant leadership, dedication and innovative techniques in fundraising involving community participation.

Youth Leadership Award: Byonte Jones. This award is given to a student who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer service to UCP.

The Mitzi Scelsi Outstanding Staff Recognition Award: Emily Shoestock and Marcia Moon. This award is presented to a UCP staff person who exemplifies the qualities of dedication, persistence, loyalty and commitment to individuals with disabilities.
 



Help for kids: Berkshire United Way has awarded Berkshire County Kids' Place $40,000 annually for support of mental health services for abused children in their Trauma Recovery Program.

Berkshire County Kids' Place is a fully accredited Children's Advocacy Center (CAC). CAC's provide a safe, child focused environment where child abuse victims and their non-offending caregivers can receive the services necessary to heal from the trauma of abuse. Kids' Place gives children who have experienced violence in their lives, either as victims of abuse or witnesses to violence, a safe place to tell their stories and get help. In addition, the agency works in partnership with The Berkshire District Attorney’s Sexual Assault Intervention Network (SAIN) Team which utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to child abuse by bringing together professionals from the Department of Children and Families, law enforcement, the medical and mental health communities, The Berkshire County Kid's Place and the District Attorney's Office to intervene, investigate and prosecute child abuse cases.

Berkshire United Way funds support a portion of clinical services and program expenses of the Trauma Recovery Program, including Kids' Place's mental health consultation, support and services to the SAIN Team. All mental health services at Kids' Place are trauma-informed and evidenced-based to provide the best quality service to victims of abuse.




Do your duty: Absentee ballots for the Thursday, Sept. 8, State Primary are available in the town clerk's offices across the Berkshires

Residents may vote absentee if they will be absent from town on Election Day, have a physical disability that prevents them from voting at the polls or cannot vote at the polls due to religious beliefs.

All applications for an absentee ballot must be made in writing no later than noon on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Family members of a person qualified to vote by absentee may request an absentee ballot on their behalf.

The deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation for the State Primary is Friday, Aug. 19.
 



Book five: Local author Lucinda Race's newest release, "Ready to Soar," continues to follow the love story of Kate McKenna Price and Donovan Price and introduces readers to Don’s family members in Crystal Lake.

The series storyline weaves romance, humor, and enduring love into each novel and Race touches on social issues we face today with compassion. In each book, the McKenna and Davis families face challenges with grace, love, and strong family unity. This most recent release follows Kate McKenna Price through infertility and life changing events, which are all too real for a young married woman. Lucinda tugs at your heartstrings with each new chapter and book.

The book is available in paperback or digital format at major online retailers or signed copies can be purchased at select local craft fairs, The Bookloft in Great Barrington, MA and from the author’s website.

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