Added Sparkle in a Traditional Shaker Holiday Setting

Added Sparkle in a Traditional Shaker Holiday Setting
Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, Mass., is lit up for the holiday season. Photo by Hancock Shaker Village

There’s something about the simplicity of Shaker design and  traditions that seems perfectly in keeping with ideas of an old-fashioned holiday season.

Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, Mass., is a museum, a working farm and the oldest Shaker village in New England. Ironically, perhaps, this year they are stepping away from the more muted Shaker traditions of days gone by and adding some sparkle and pizzazz.

But perhaps this is just the incentive we all need to travel to Pittsfield, Mass., to see the 19th-century  enclave, with its famous round barn.

In addition to the gloriously simple furniture and buildings, this holiday season there will “art light projections” throughout the festively festooned grounds.

Visitors can peek at the donkeys, sheep and other animals (most of which will be dozing off by the time the light show begins). There will also be a show of never-before-seen Shaker miniatures.

There will be an outdoor firepit, and adult cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages will be served.

Hancock Holiday Nights runs Dec. 12 and 16 through 19, and Dec. 27 through 29. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children 6-18, and free for 5 and under. Advanced purchase of timed tickets is required.  (Tickets are not required for children ages 2 and younger.)  Entrance to the Village is ticketed in 15-minute increments between 5 and 8 p.m. Find out more at www.hancockshakervillage.org.

Latest News

A scenic 32-mile loop through Litchfield County

Whenever I need to get a quick but scenic bicycle ride but don’t have time to organize a group ride that involves driving to a meeting point, I just turn right out of my driveway. That begins a 32-mile loop through some of the prettiest scenery in northern Litchfield County.

I ride south on Undermountain Road (Route 41 South) into Salisbury and turn right on Main Street (Route 44 West). If I’m meeting friends, we gather at the parking area on the west side of Salisbury Town Hall where parking is never a problem.

Keep ReadingShow less
Biking Ancramdale to Copake

This is a lovely ride that loops from Ancramdale north to Copake and back. At just over 23 miles and about 1,300 feet of elevation gain, it’s a perfect route for intermediate recreational riders and takes about two hours to complete.It’s entirely on quiet roads with little traffic, winding through rolling hills, open countryside, picturesque farms and several lakes.

Along the way, you’ll pass a couple of farmstands that are worth a quick visit. There is only one hill that might be described as steep, but it is quite short — probably less than a quarter-mile.

Keep ReadingShow less
North East town records brought into the digital age

Chris Virtuoso reorganized parcel records in the North East Town Hall basement by parcel number during the process of scanning and digitizing the documents.

Photo by Grace DeMarco

MILLERTON — Within the walls of the two-story Victorian housing the North East Town Hall lies a room-full of town records dating back to the late 19th century. Stored in labeled cardboard boxes and protected by dehumidifiers, the records are in the process of being dated, organized, and scanned into categorized online programs.

As the Town Hall works to relocate to 5603 Route 22 at the former Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, the consolidation and digitalization of records, as well as the disposal of those unneeded, is a time-sensitive project. Marcy Wheatley, the Deputy Town Clerk, emphasized their current heavy focus on organizing and scanning. “Now, when we move, we can get rid of a lot,” Wheatley stated.

Keep ReadingShow less
Fun, food and facts bring crowds to downtown Millerton

Nora Garcia, 6, of Millerton, bottom right, gets a face painting treatment from Maddy Rowe, a Webutuck High School senior. Nora’s sister, Juliana, 8, top right, is decorated by Giana Kall, a Webutuck senior. The program was sponsored by the Webutuck PTA.

Photo by John Coston

Correction: the Millerton News Street Fair was a collaborative effort between the Millerton News, the Millerton Business Alliance and the North East Community Center.

MILLERTON — Locals and visitors packed into downtown Millerton Saturday, June 28, for the first ever Millerton Street Fair hosted by the Millerton News, the Millerton Business Alliance and the North East Community Center. Representatives from local nonprofits, businesses along Main Street, Bee Bee the Clown and face painters from Webutuck High School drew in crowds all afternoon.

Keep ReadingShow less