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Spring in the Berkshires – Workshops, Wild West & A Weaving Walk
By Ann Claffie
If Mother Nature could talk—what she would say? Spring 2008 arrived on March 20. I know that it’s here because the robins have returned—a sure sign of spring—only instead of eating new grass, they have been pecking away at the frozen ground. I sense a struggle from Ole Man Winter – who is not ready to yield to warmer temperatures and disappear.
Just to remind us never to underestimate winter in New England, a blizzard of large, fluffy snowflakes fell upon the Berkshires on the last day of March. The flakes stuck to the trees and lampposts and our world looked much like a winter wonderland—quite the opposite of spring. Begrudgingly, I had to admit it was beautiful! Maybe that’s what the Ole Man wanted – to be noticed one last time before he hibernates until November.
So what shall we plan for April? Scanning the school calendar, I see a school vacation week scheduled for April 21-26. I wondered what’s in store for son Robert; here is what I found:
The Berkshire Museum will present Use Your Noodle, featuring skits, games, story writing and art making in their Vacation Camp week for to kids in grades 2 - 4.
At the Norman Rockwell Museum, a workshop designed for teens is all about writing, drawing, and storyboarding while exploring the process of creating a graphic novel. Author Tim Callahan will guide young cartoonists through the process of designing a comic book story. Classes are designed for ages 13 and up.
We’ll definitely plan to participate in back-to-back events at The Clark in Williamstown. On Saturday, April 12, the Grammy-winning Klezmatics will perform at 8 p.m. Their performance features The Wonder Wheel: The Jewish Songs of Woody Guthrie. We’ll hear lively chants and ballads from Guthrie’s own words – but influenced by folk music from Eastern Europe, Italy, Ireland and the Afro-Caribbean. Sounds fun!
“Howdy partners!” On Sunday, April 13 at noontime, The Clark will host a free Remington Family Day. I know for sure that Robert will love the chance to practice throwing lassos from the back of a pony. I bet he might even dress-up like a cowboy. The Clark will have ponies available for riding and games will also be offered in conjunction with The Clark’s exhibition of Remington Looking West. From 1890 to 1909 Frederic Remington painted scenes of the Wild West, frontiersmen and their magnificent horses, as well as sculpting a lone rider on his horse rearing to the charge. Don’t be surprised when you hear a cowboy tune or two; it’s just another way to celebrate the arts. Yippee-ay-oh!
I think I’ll wait until the end of the month before we venture out for a bike ride on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. After trying out his bike last week, Robert returned home quickly. As he opened the door, I saw at a face with bright rosy cheeks and pink ears.
“Mom, Guess what? It’s still too cold to ride my bike. My helmet doesn’t keep my head warm and my fingers are too cold to hold onto the handle bars.”
Maybe before the ground becomes too soft, we’ll pick an April Sunday afternoon and head to Great Barrington to explore the Housatonic River Walk. I keep meaning to include this in our family’s activities. This is the first public greenway trail installed on the Housatonic River in our state. After weaving our way through the town, we’ll plan on enjoying an early dinner there.
There are a number of restaurants I’ve been hoping to try with my family. Shall we sample sushi and Japanese cuisine at Bizen or Shiro’s; authentic Mexican dishes like roasted poblano chillies stuffed with spinach and cheese at Xicohtencatl; or the Mediterranean samplers of eggplant, crab cakes, olives and smoked salmon and at the Castle Street Café?
Depending on how late we finish our river walk, it might be fun to stop in at the Berkshire Co-op Market on Bridge Street. They stay open to 6 p.m. on Sundays. The Co-op has a great selection of organic foods, an unbelievable selection of whole grain breads, fresh produce, meats and poultry. Their food bar features homemade soups and other hot entrees.
Gee, if the weather is nice, maybe we’ll be able to eat outside. One thing’s for sure, we’re not far off from sampling our first ice cream cone of the season.
PS. I almost forgot, my birthday falls on April 24. That’ll be a perfect time to indulge in a chocolate dipped waffle cone with black raspberry frozen yogurt. Yum!
About Ann Claffie
A Berkshires native, Ann grew up in Dalton as the oldest of five children who were encouraged to use their imaginations for fun and play. Today, married and living in Pittsfield, Ann and her husband enjoy family fun and adventure with their nine year old son. She has been on staff at the Berkshire Visitors Bureau for more than ten years.