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Village Harmony June-July Concert Tour

Village Harmony, the unique teen world music ensemble based in Vermont, led by Larry Gordon, Suzannah Park and Marytha Paffrath, presents its first series of summer concerts at The West Cummington Congregational Church on Saturday June 28^th at 7:30 PM. The suggested donation is $10, $5 for students and seniors.   Call 413-268-3828 for more information.
The concert will include American shape-note, gospel and Appalachian harmonies, traditional music from Bulgaria, and South Africa, West African drumming, and renaissance motets.  The 23 bold and talented teenage singers and instrumentalists come from eleven states and Canada.  The acappella voices will be joined on many numbers by a band of fiddles, brass, winds and percussion.
Village Harmony is an umbrella organization which every summer sponsors a dozen ensembles like this one, both in New England and in numerous foreign countries.  Each group develops its own unique sound, but all share common traits:  a powerful, natural, unrestrained, vocal sound; a remarkable variety of vocal styles and timbres, as appropriate to the many varieties of ethnic and traditional music;  and the visible vibrant community among the singers and audience as they share in a joyous celebration of music.  This particular group rehearsed intensively for eight days at a retreat center in the Berkshires before taking their program on the road for two weeks of performances.  For further information visit the Village Harmony website: www.villageharmony.org

BRYANT HOMESTEAD OPEN FOR SUMMER SEASON

The William Cullen Bryant Homestead, a National Historic Landmark, will offer seasonal house tours beginning June 28th and family -friendly special events throughout the summer.  This property of The Trustees of Reservations is the Victorian country estate of William Cullen Bryant, the famous 19th century poet, newspaper editor, and conservationist.  The home is furnished with generations of family antiques and mementoes from Bryant’s travels.  This year the featured exhibit is Hale & Hearty:  William Cullen Bryant and 19th Century Health & Fitness.  Homestead hikes, fitness and diet were a lifetime commitment for Bryant.  This free exhibit in the home’s visitor center displays his 19th century exercise equipment, health journals, medications and daily regimen. 
The “I Spy” children’s quest is available on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.  Children can discover the Homestead’s secrets on a self-guided walk using a hands-on “spy pack” as they wander along the special places where William Cullen Bryant liked to ramble. Fees are $4 for Trustees members’ children and $6 for non-members.
Grounds are open free year round. During the summer, guides introduce visitors to the homestead property with its scenic vistas, historic barn, and the forested Rivulet Trail that inspired many of Bryant’s poems.  The house is open for guided tours from 1:00– 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from June 28 – Columbus Day, Monday holidays included.  House tours are free for Trustees members or $5.00 for adults and $2.50 for children.  More information is available at www.thetrustees.org or by calling 413-634-2244 or e-mailing bryanthomestead@ttor.org.

BRYANT DAY CELEBRATION

Travel back in time on Bryant Day, July 12th, for a Victorian-style celebration of poetry and stories, music by Yankee Notions and Emily McGuire, and a family hike.  Events will take place from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the William Cullen Bryant Homestead in Cummington, a National Historic Landmark.  Former U.S. poet laureate Richard Wilbur will read poetry, and historian William Streeter will recount tales of Cummington.  The Yankee Notions duo of Jim Douglas and Tim Van Egmond will perform traditional and contemporary New England folk music. Bring a picnic and enjoy festivities and the view from the lawn. Sample some switchel, the traditional summer punch that cooled thirsty workers out in the hayfields.  The Chesterfield Grange will sell snacks and drinks.  Admission is free for Trustees of Reservations members, or $5 per adult and $3 per child.

Schedule

11:00   Family hike with Nancy Childs
12:30   Yankee Notions, Jim Douglas and Tim Van Egmond
1:15     Flute Interlude, Emily McGuire
1:30     Bryant poem read by Aurora Bartley of Berkshire Trail Elementary School
1:35     Stories from Cummington told by William Streeter
2:00     Flute interlude
2:15     Poetry Readings by Richard Wilbur
3:00     Yankee Notions
Bryant Day was inspired by the celebration of Bryant’s 100th birthday, held at the Homestead in the summer of 1894.  Thousands came to picnic and hear speeches, which were published in a small book. Several copies are held at the Homestead. Bryant Day is made possible in part by grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Windsor and Cummington Cultural Councils.  The event is organized by the volunteers of the Bryant Homestead Property Committee. 
This property of The Trustees of Reservations is the Victorian country estate of William Cullen Bryant, the famous 19th century poet, newspaper editor, and conservationist.  The home and barn will be open for tours from 11am to 4 pm on Bryant Day; regular fees apply. Visitors can view family antiques and mementoes from Bryant’s travels, and a special exhibit, Hale & Hearty:  William Cullen Bryant and 19th Century Health & Fitness.  
Grounds are open free year round. During the summer, guides introduce visitors to the homestead property with its scenic vistas, historic barn, and the forested Rivulet Trail that inspired many of Bryant’s poems.  The house is open for guided tours from 1:00– 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from June 28 – Columbus Day, Monday holidays included.  House tours are free for Trustees members or $5.00 for adults and $2.50 for children.  More information is available at www.thetrustees.org or by calling 413-634-2244 or e-mailing bryanthomestead@ttor.org.              

Town Hall Information
P. O. Box 128
33 Main Street
Cummington, MA 01026
Ph: 413-634-5354 / 413-634-5458
Fax: 413-634-5568
Hours: Monday - 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Website: www.cummington-ma.gov

Meetings:

Town of Cummington Conservation Commission
Monthly Meeting Dates
June 2, 2008 @ 7 pm
July 7, 2008 @ 7 pm
August 4, 2008 @ 7 pm
September 8, 2008 @ 7 pm
October 6, 2008 @ 7 pm
November 3, 2008 @ 7 pm (if needed)
Spring 2009 (to be determined) *Public Hearings to be scheduled as needed. All meetings are held in the Cummington Community House. Contact: Allan Douglas, Chair 413-634-5372 allan@ddgwebmedia.com

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Mass Call / Volunteer Firefighters Assoc.
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TwinStar Herbals
Visit our Website: www.twinstarherbals.com
A maker of 100% natural herbal first aid solutions,  healing salves, body oils, bath salts and herbal honey products for your good health and well being.  Handmade with pure and organic botanical ingredients.  Formulated by an herbalist to work gently and effectively.
TwinStar Herbals
Lisa Edson, Herbalist and Reiki Master
28 Plainfield Rd
Cummington, MA   01026
Ph: 413-634-5613
Email: postmaster@twinstarherbals.com
Website: www.twinstarherbals.com
Herb Walks can be scheduled by groups or individuals on your property or mine.  Learn the benefits of the local plants, what are the medicinal and nutritional values of each plant and how to use them.  

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Berkshire Taconic Announces New Grants for Community Initiatives  in Central Berkshires 

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation today announced that its Central Berkshire Fund is offering two-year grants of up to $38,000 for nonprofit initiatives that support health, education, culture, environment, childcare or human services in Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Becket, Cummington, Windsor and Washington, MA.
"This community impact grant, which is being funded by an anonymous donor, gives the fund the opportunity to significantly help residents of the central Berkshire region, said John Kittredge, chair of the advisory committee of the Central Berkshire Fund.
The community impact grant may be one grant of $38,000 or two of lesser amounts. Organizations that apply for the community impact grant remain eligible to apply to the annual grant program of the Central Berkshire Fund. 
Funded projects must begin on or after January 1, 2009; project funding concludes on December 31, 2010 at the latest.
To apply, nonprofit groups must submit a letter of interest to Berkshire Taconic by May 31.  The advisory committee of the Central Berkshire Fund will review the letters and select two to four projects to be developed into full proposals.  The committee must receive full proposals by September 1 and will announce grant recipients in January 2009.
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents in the region it serves: Berkshire County, MA; Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY; and northwest Litchfield County, CT.  Founded in 1987, Berkshire Taconic currently has over 500 funds and manages more than $84 million in assets.  Each year, it distributes more than $7 million through grants and scholarships, helping thousands of donors achieve their philanthropic goal and hundreds of nonprofits carry on their good work.