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Berkshires Beat: Local Girl Crowned Miss Massachusetts Princess
01:08PM / Monday, August 01, 2016
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Ruby Morin, 5, of Hancock was named 'Miss Massachusetts Princess 2016' at the National American Miss state pageant.

Little princess: Ruby Morin, 5, daughter of Peter and Rachaele Morin from Hancock, was named "Miss Massachusetts Princess 2016" at the National American Miss state pageant held July 21-23 in Springfield. In addition to the title, Ruby was also awarded first runner up for Spirit and second runner up in the Photogenic category.

She will attend the National Pageant in Anaheim, Calif., at Disneyland during Thanksgiving week, where she will have an opportunity to win her share of over $500,000 in cash and prizes.

The National American Miss Pageants are for "Today’s Girl" and "Tomorrow’s Leaders." The program is based upon inner beauty, as well as poise and presentation.  Emphasis is placed on the importance of gaining self-confidence, learning new skills, learning good attitudes about competition and setting and achieving personal goals. They are dedicated to celebrating America’s greatness and encouraging its future leaders.

Each year, the National American Miss Pageants awards $1.5 million in cash, scholarships and prizes to recognize and assist the development of young women nationwide.


Fireworks donations needed: The Southern Berkshire Chamber is asking the community to support the fireworks on December 10 at the annual Holiday Shop, Sip & Stroll in downtown Great Barrington.

Every dollar counts. Any donation (personal or business) is appreciated by Labor Day, Sept. 4, and can be made online.


Program a success: In its first year, the Museums for All program has been a big success at the Berkshire Museum, with more than 800 visitors participating. Initiated in September 2015, Museums for All, a signature access program of the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, enables low-income families (two adults and two children) to visit the Berkshire Museum free with the presentation of an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. The program is designed to encourage families of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits.

"Adopting the Museums for All and other programs to remove financial access as a barrier to participation is part of a concerted effort to open our doors to ever larger numbers of people," said Van Shields, Berkshire Museum’s executive director. "In addition to providing opportunities for more people to benefit from our programs, we are also providing opportunities for more people to connect with each other who might not otherwise do so. We believe that strengthens our social fabric which is why our mission statement includes a commitment to 'bring people together.'"

Since September 2015, a total of 812 visitors — 503 adults and 309 children —have used the museums for All program to visit the Berkshire Museum. That’s an average of 3 people per day, nearly 100 per month. Since the inception of the program, each month has seen an increase in participation over the previous month; in May, 153 visitors used the program to gain access to the museum’s exhibitions and programs.


Research this: The Clark Art Institute’s newly renovated Manton Research Center will open to the public on Nov 12. The completion of the building’s renovation is the final part of the Clark’s multi-year campus expansion program. A significant reconfiguration of the building’s first floor provides new public spaces including a gallery and study center for works on paper; a public reading room; and a bookstore and coffee bar, while building-wide upgrades for accessibility and life safety have enhanced its library, auditorium  and administrative offices.  

The Manton Research Center is central to the Clark’s mission of advancing and extending the public understanding of art. Renovation of the building was designed by Selldorf Architects, New York. The center, built in 1973, is home to the Clark’s Research and Academic Program, the Williams College Graduate Program in the History of Art, and the Clark library — one of the largest art history research libraries in the country.

“We are eager to celebrate the opening of the Manton Research Center,” said Francis Oakley, interim director of the Clark. “These wonderful spaces will provide excellent facilities for visitors, students and scholars to engage with our art and library collections in new ways.”

The Clark is planning a weekend of festivities on Nov. 12 and 13 to celebrate the Manton Research Center’s opening, including a ribbon cutting ceremony; public lectures by Olivier Meslay, the Clark’s newly appointed director, and Annabelle Selldorf, project architect; and a concert performance in the auditorium. Details will be announced at a later date.

 

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