The Sweet Scent of May in the Berkshires
By Ann Claffie
Finally! It really looks like and feels like spring in the Berkshires! Green grass is everywhere. Violets and crocuses lead the entourage of colors from apple blossoms, forsythias, tulips and daffodils to my favorite—lilacs. Truly, one can smell the sweetness of spring in the Berkshires.
Son Robert started Minor League baseball. It’s a great opportunity for experiencing teamwork and good sportsmanship while having fun.
Mom, I like how we always do a team cheer at the end of each game, whether we win or lose. (My sentiments exactly - that’s what it’s all about.)
I don’t know about the readers of this column, but for me, May is pulling me in a number of directions—yard work being at the top of the list. It’s really great to see the results—a clean lawn, bushes trimmed and fertilizer spread—after a winter that began six months ago. Until it’s done though, I think I’ll call our yard an artistic “Motif a la twigs and pine cones.”
Okay…..next on my family’s activity list is the Comic Arts Festival at the Norman Rockwell Museum, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 3. Artists Howard Cruse, Marc Hempel, Jack Purcell, Lauren Weinstein and Mark Wheatley will talk about their work, lead drawing demonstrations, and inspire the creation of comics with visitors like you and me. I can hear Robert now.
Well, well, well. If it isn’t my old friend Charlie Brown and his wonder dog Snoopy. Mom, I really like drawing Charlie Brown because he is easy to draw – a plain, round face with short lines for his eyes and mouth and one curly line for his hair. I guess that makes me an artist, huh?
May is also time to pull our dusty bicycles out of the garage, clean them off and go for a few practice rides—re-accustoming one’s derriere to a small, hard leather seat. Once we (I mean “I”) have acclimated again, since the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail is only 30 minutes from home, we can plan a lengthy bike ride. What a challenge—I mean—fun! We’ll fill a back pack with a picnic lunch and snacks. The Trail is 11 miles long with picnic tables and benches dispersed throughout. If we time it right, we might see a blue heron or eagles soaring over Cheshire Lake, a favorite haven for wildlife. Oh yes—bring the binoculars.
Our biking venture should probably occur before mid-May because Robert’s Cub Scout Pack will host its annual two-day camping trip in the Pittsfield State Forest. With the assistance of Park Rangers, hiking and fishing, safety and survival activities take place before an evening cookout. Most state parks and forests in the Berkshires have Rangers on hand to lead hikes or talk about the native wild life, flora and fauna.
As for our Scout program, I always look forward to the evening program. As dusk approaches, the boys and their families gather around the traditional campfire watching and listening to Scout leaders respectfully retire weathered American flags. It’s also time for a sweet treat and Robert’s favorite—smores—warm, roasted marshmallows, melting a Hershey chocolate square between two graham crackers! Mmm – mmm!
At the end of May, we’ll plan to attend the Paul Taylor Dance Company’s presentation in the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington. They will feature two performances on Saturday May 31, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. The afternoon performance is a one-hour family friendly matinee. That’s for us.
If you enjoy reading my column, I’d love to hear from you at aclaffie@berkshires.org. Some folks have even e-mailed me asking for suggestions for their family’s vacation. Summer’s just around the corner, so I’ll see you in June!
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.