Adult and Family Enrichment
OVERVIEW
If you’re passionate about lifelong learning, Berkshire South’s Enrichment programs are sure to interest you. Explore new hobbies, learn practical skills, sharpen your mind, and build friendships with classmates who share your interests – all while having fun! Pre-registration for all classes is required 48 hours in advance.
For all program-related questions, please contact Molly at mamstead@berkshiresouth.org
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ADULT PROGRAMS
Introduction to Drawing
with Mike Cohen
January 6th, 13th, & 20th
1:30 – 3:30pm
January 27th, February 3rd, & 17th
10:00am – 12:00pm
Cost for Members: $195
Cost for Guests: $230
You will be introduced to drawing using pencil, charcoal, and colored pencils in an interesting and supportive environment. We will start with a simple object and build up to multiple objects while exploring the negative space between objects. Materials will be supplied. Register through the Guild of Berkshire Artists*
Crafting Conversation
with Susie Kandt
Wednesdays, January 8th – April 30th, 2025
3:00 – 5:00pm
Free For Everyone
Bring your current project to Berkshire South and work alongside others in a casual and friendly atmosphere focused on creativity and light conversation. This is a great opportunity for people looking to connect with the creative community!
*This program is funded by the Lee Bank Foundation.
Grief Support Group
with Cheryl Hutto
Ages 18+
Tuesdays, January 14th – February 18th, 2025
1:00 – 2:30pm
Free For Everyone
In this supportive group, we’ll share our stories and struggles while finding reassurance and hope. With patience and care, we’ll gently make room for new meaning while honoring our loss. Along with discussion, we’ll also incorporate somatic movement, breathing exercises, and guided meditations to help release emotions and calm your nervous system.
Italian Cooking with Hank Ferlauto
Ages 21+
Thursday, November 21st FULL
5:00 – 8:00pm
Thursday, January 16th, 2025
5:00 – 8:00pm
Thursday, April 24th, 2025
5:00 – 8:00pm
Instructor: Hank Ferlauto
Members: $65
Guests: $80
October menu:
- Fresh-made tagliatelle with a mushroom truffle-butter sauce
- Chicken bruschetta
- Italian vegetable medley
- Lemon ricotta cake with almonds
EveryBODY Dance
Ages 18+
Thursday, January 16th, 2025
9:00 – 10:00am
Thursday, January 30th, 2025
9:00 – 10:00am
Instructor: Kristine Waterman
Members: $15
Guests: $20
Get moving, motivated, and dancing! This dance workout class is perfect for adults of all ages and abilities – no dance experience required! We’ll have a fun, energetic class groovin’ and jammin’ to a variety of great music while building stamina, flexibility, focus, and awareness of body and breath in motion.
This is a drop-in class. Registration is welcome but not required.
An Evening with Pam Ellis - The Berkshire Medium
Monday, January 20th, 2025
5:30 – 7:30pm
CANCELED
Members: $55
Guests: $65
Come for an evening with The Berkshire Medium, Pam Ellis! Pam has helped many people connect with loved ones and create special moments. She has performed at local organizations, nonprofits, schools and on TV. You don’t want to miss out! A loved one may have a message waiting for you.
Meisner Technique & Scene Study
Thursdays, January 30th – March 20th, 2025
6:30 – 8:30pm
Members: $80
Guests: $120
In this acting course, students will explore Sanford Meisner’s groundbreaking techniques to gain more confidence and learn to respond “in the moment” and “work from the truth” when delivering lines. The Meisner Technique lays a solid foundation for acting in the styles of naturalism and realism. After learning this technique, we’ll apply it to a scene for an end-of-session performance.
Advanced Cold Wax
with Carolyn Abrams
March 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31th
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost: $150 (for 4 classes in series)
$50 for a Drop-In Class
Register through the Guild of Berkshire Artists by January 10th
This course is designed for those who want to continue developing and honing the skills learned in the Intro to Cold Wax class. To register, you must have completed our Intro to Cold Wax course or have prior experience working with oils and cold wax. Register through the Guild of Berkshire Artists*
*You must be a current member of the Guild of Berkshire Artists or Berkshire South AND have taken Introduction to Cold Wax Workshop or class equivalent.
Family Winter Wilderness Adventure
Ages 6-12 (with parent or guardian)
NEW DATE! Monday, February 21st*
10:00am – 2:00pm
*This program is rescheduled due to inclement weather.
Registration is required
Free For Everyone
Bundle up, pack a hearty lunch, and head into the wild winter landscape! Wilderness educator, Tes Reed, will create an outdoor adventure for you and your family that includes wildlife tracking, games, making snow shelters, and building a fire.
*This program is funded by the Lee Bank Foundation
Intermediate Country Line Dancing
with Luana Dias David
Ages 13+
Tuesdays, March 4th – April 8th.
6:30 – 7:30pm
Members: $60
Guests: $75
Designed for students already familiar with line dancing steps and patterns, this class will take your moves to the next level.
Introduction to Cold Wax with Carolyn Abrams
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
1 – 4pm
CLASS IS FULL
Members of Berkshire South or the Guild: $100.00 (includes materials)
Nonmembers: $125.00 (includes materials)
Register through the Guild of Berkshire Artists
Interested in experimenting with oils and cold wax medium? Join us for an afternoon to try it out! Carolyn will provide a demonstration to introduce you to the materials and the supplies and then you’ll have ample time to play! All materials will be supplied so you can decide if this medium is for you before you invest in a series of classes.
Questions: Carolyn Abrams cabrams09@gmail.com or Nancy Harrod nancy@harrodd-r.com
Grief Support Group
with Cheryl Hutto
Tuesdays, March 25th – April 29th, 2025
1:00 – 2:30pm
Free For Everyone
In this supportive group, we’ll share our stories and struggles while finding reassurance and hope. With patience and care, we’ll gently make room for new meaning while honoring our loss. Along with discussion, we’ll also incorporate somatic movement, breathing exercises, and guided meditations to help release emotions and calm your nervous system.
*This program is funded by the Lee Bank Foundation.
Steady Mood & Blood Sugar
Ages 18+
Wednesday, March 19th, 2025
5:30 – 7:00pm
Instructor: Thais Harris
Free For Everyone
Learn how to balance carbs, fats, and protein to keep your mind and body happy. This class is part lecture and part hands-on cooking with Thais Harris who is board-certified in holistic nutrition. Registration required.
Mindful Birding Walk
with Dave Edson
All Ages!
Sundays, March 23rd, March 30th, April 13th, & April 27th
9:00 – 10:30am
Adult Rate: $15/session or $40 for all four
Child Rate: $8/session or $25 for all four
Families or groups (3 or more registrants) receive 20% off!
Join us for an easy Mindful Birding stroll led by educator and naturalist Dave Edson. Dive into spring migration by learning how to identify birds, connect with nature, and improve your overall well-being. Please bring binoculars, if you have them.
*Parent/guardian must accompany anyone under age 18.
*Please reach out to Molly at mamstead@berkshiresouth.org to receive discount.
Estate Planning for Your Peace of Mind
with Kristina Kisiel
from the Law Office of Kristina Z. Kisiel, Esq., PC and Berkshire Money Management
Ages 18+
Monday, March 24th
5:00 – 6:00pm
Free For Everyone
Have you ever thought about your assets or loved ones when the time comes in your or their absence? What you may not know is that estate plans benefit those with both modest and wealthy assets. If you have monetary assets and property, basic estate planning is essential so you are not leaving your loved ones with the burden of settling your estate.
Come Learn:
- The basics and importance of estate planning
- The 5 Essential Documents – Will, Revocable Trust, Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, and HIPAA Authorizations
- How to create a comprehensive plan to protect your assets and ensure your wishes
Family Day in The Wild
Ages: 6-12 with parent/guardian
Monday, April 21st, 2025
10:00am – 2:00pm
Instructor: Tes Reed
Free For Everyone
Pack a hearty lunch and bring your family for a fun day in the woods. Tes Reed will create an outdoor adventure for you and your family that will include an introduction to primitive skills (fire-making, cooking, & shelter building), plant and tree identification, games, and storytelling around the fire. *Parent or guardian required. Please register.
Self-Love-Powered Weight Loss
Ages 18+
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025
5:30 – 7:00pm
Instructor: Thais Harris
Free For Everyone
Thais Harris, a board-certified holistic nutritionist, will introduce you to an innovative approach toward understanding your body and supporting it in shedding fat. This class is part lecture and part cooking paired with a personal metabolic questionnaire.
Uke 101
Ages 13+ CANCELED
Thursdays, May 1st – May 22nd
6:15pm – 7:00pm
Instructor: Keith Larsen
Members: $25
Guests: $40
This 4-week beginner course is designed to introduce several basic chords and strumming patterns to people interested in exploring and gaining confidence playing the ukulele. We will focus on holding the ukulele comfortably to ensure healthy playing, tuning the instrument, learning several chord fingerings and playing some familiar songs.
There’s No Shame in Dying
Ages 18+
Wednesdays, May 7th – June 4th
2:00pm – 3:30pm
Instructor: Bess Dillman, Certified Death Doula
Members: $15
Guests: $25
Do you find yourself avoiding thoughts or discussions about death? This class provides an opportunity to explore your feelings and ease your fears in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Whether you’re coming to terms with your own mortality or coping with the loss of a loved one, you’ll learn how to approach this experience with greater peace. We also honor the grief and sadness that often accompanies this journey.
Mindful Migration Birding Walk
All ages welcome
Saturdays, May 10th, May 17th, May 24th, May 31st
9:00am – 10:30am
Instructor: Dave Edson
Adult Rate: $15/session, $40/all four
Child Rate: $8/session, $25/all four
Families or groups (3 or more registrants) receive 20% off!*
*Please reach out to Molly at mamstead@berkshiresouth.org to receive discount.
Join Dave Edson on easy, family-friendly strolls to witness the awe of bird spring migration. It’s spring in full swing and (bird) love is in the air! We will get to know the beautiful and inspiring sights and sounds of local and visiting birds’ songs, calls, plumage, and behavior as we take advantage of the relaxing and healing benefits of mindful birding. Please bring binoculars, if you have them.
*Parent/guardian must accompany anyone under age 18.
Country Line Dancing
Ages: 13+
Tuesdays, May 13th – June 24th (no class 6/17)
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Instructor: Luana Dias David
Members: $90
Guests: $110
Join Luana Dias David for six weeks of line dancing! You’ll learn basic country dance steps and sequences while dancing to the most popular hits in country music.
Genealogy
Ages 13+
Wednesday, May 14th
5:00pm – 7:00pm
OR
Wednesday, June 11th
5:00pm – 7:00pm
Instructor: Richard Pope
Members: $5
Guests: $10
Have you ever wondered about your family’s past but didn’t know where to start or who to ask? This is your opportunity! In this 30 minute session, Richard Pope, a certified genealogist, will help you get the answers you have been looking for and get you started in the right direction. Please note, Richard focuses on US genealogy only.
The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s
Ages 18+
Thursday, May 22nd
1:00pm – 2:00pm
OR
Thursday, June 26th
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Instructor: Holland Brown, Alzheimer’s Association volunteer
Members: $15
Guests: $25
The warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease are often dismissed as side effects of normal aging. If you or someone you know is experiencing memory loss or behavioral changes, it’s time to learn the facts. Early detection gives you a chance to begin drug therapy, enroll in clinical studies, and plan for the future. Attend this training to learn the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s disease. We’ll separate myth from reality and address commonly-held fears about Alzheimer’s in America.
Intermediate Improvisation for Theater
Thursdays, May 22nd – July 3rd (NO CLASS 6/19)
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Instructor: Darren Blaney
Members: $90
Guests: $110
Building our skills, this course will focus on improvised short scenes, long-form improv, and continued ensemble collaboration. Inspired by the work of Viola Spolin, Keith Johnstone, and Sanford Meisner, we will continue to free our spontaneity, creativity, empathy, and ensemble listening skills.The class requires an open mind, a willingness to explore our creative impulses, and a desire to have fun!
Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Wednesday, June 11th
1:00 – 2:00pm
OR
Wednesday, July 16th
6:00 – 7:00pm
Instructor: Holland Brown, Alzheimer’s Association volunteer
Members: $15
Guests: $25
This program provides information about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, stages and risk factors, available research and treatment, and resources offered by the Alzheimer’s Association.
An Evening with The Berkshire Medium
Monday, June 16th
5:30 – 7:30pm
Facilitator: Pam Ellis, The Berkshire Medium
Members: $65
Guests: $65
Pam has helped many people connect with loved ones and create special moments. She has performed at local organizations, nonprofits, schools and on TV. You don’t want to miss out! A loved one may have a message waiting for you.
*Programs noted with a (*) are part of our Community Vitality programming, which is funded by the Lennox Foundation and the Lee Bank Foundation.
CONTINUOUS PROGRAMS
Free For Everyone
Community Supper
Served Twice Monthly on Mondays
From 5:00-6:00 pm
Spring 2025 Dates:
Monday, March 31st
Monday, April 14th & 28th
Funding for these meals is generously provided by Greylock Federal Credit Union, Fallon Health, the Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Berkshires, and the Lennox Foundation.
Call the front desk or check our Facebook page and Instagram for the weekly menu. No reservations are needed.
March 31st, 2025
Meatloaf
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Dessert
Chefs:
Taste of Haiti Chefs
- We strongly encourage calling the Front Desk 413 528 2810 before coming out in case of any program changes.
- First come, first served. Only 125 meals will be prepared
- FREE FOR EVERYONE. ALL ARE WELCOME!
Need A Ride To Community Supper?
The South County Connector provides FREE RIDES to Community Supper dinners for all seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities.
Call 413-591-3826 to arrange a pick-up!
Berkshire Ukulele Band (BUB)
Ages 13+
Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:00pm
Instructor: Jean Atwater-Willams & Keith Larsen
Starting on Tuesday, January 2nd, meeting time will be: Tuesdays, 6:00 – 7:30pm
Program Fee
- $5.00 Drop-In Fee*
- $50.00 10-Pack – Can be used sporadically and does not expire
- $50.00 Flat Rate Season Pass – You can attend any of the sessions for the catalog season (Jan- April, May – August)
*Drop-In Passes Must Be Purchased At The Front Desk
Free For Everyone
Our music educators will teach ukulele technique, chord progressions, and songs from many musical genres. Students and music lovers of all levels are welcome, including beginners. The ability to read music is not required. Music and chord charts will be provided. There will be opportunities to perform at community events throughout the year. This is a drop in program but calling ahead is encouraged as the group occasionally performs off site during regular class times.
This program is funded in part by a grant from the Alford-Egremont, Great Barrington, Lee, Monterey, Mount Washington, New Marlborough, Sandisfield, and Sheffield Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Berkshire Sings!
Ages 13+
Wednesdays, 6:45pm – 8:30pm
Instructor: Robert Kelly
Starting January 1, 2025
- $8.00 Drop-In Fee*
- $80.00 10-Pack – can be used sporadically and does not expire
- $80.00 Flat Rate Season Pass – You can attend any of the sessions for the catalog season (Jan- April, May – August)
*Drop-In Passes Must Be Purchased At The Front Desk
Free For Everyone
Sing ’till your heart’s content under the guidance and accompaniment of musician and teacher Robert Kelly. Songs include pop, folk, jazz standards, and show tunes. Exercises in breathing, relaxation, and listening will be incorporated, and opportunities to perform at community events will be offered. Everyone is welcome-no prior experience necessary. All you need is the desire to sing! Music will be provided. This is a drop-in program, but calling ahead is encouraged as the group occasionally performs off-site during regular class times.
This program is funded in part by a grant from the Alford-Egremont, Great Barrington, Lee, Monterey, Mount Washington, New Marlborough, Sandisfield, and Sheffield Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Community Garden
Winter Plot: October 1st – March 31st $25 per plot
Summer Plot: April 1st – September 31st $45 per plot
Year Round Plot: April 1st – March 31st $65 per plot
Want to grow your own vegetables and flowers, but lack the space to do so? Our fenced garden has eight 4′ x 14′ raised beds with access to water. Rent one (or more!) for the next growing season. Fall is the perfect time to plant garlic, carrots, tulip bulbs, spinach greens and more.
Contact rentals@berkshiresouth.org to learn more or reserve your plot.
