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Rebecca Bloomfield, new creative administrator at Falls Village’s Center on Main.
Patrick L. Sullivan
Rebecca Bloomfield, new creative administrator at Falls Village’s Center on Main.
FALLS VILLAGE — A quick look at the Center on Main’s website shows upcoming events that have nothing to do with the Falls Village Children’s Theater (FVCT).
This is by design.
Rebecca Bloomfield, a 10-year resident of Falls Village, is the new Creative Administrator at the Center, taking over from Brook Martinez, who was the first to hold the position. (Martinez is still involved with the center, with a music program).
Bloomfield took over in April.
In a June 2 interview, she said a key part of the plan for the Center is “to get more people into the space.”
The FVCT has its productions, and the Twelve Moons Coffee House people offer folk music, but that leaves plenty of time for other activities.
Bloomfield is looking for programming that has a regional appeal, and that “deepens community connections through programs that explore creative expression.”
On Friday, May 31, Bloomfield facilitated the first of what will be monthly events, called “Big Talk” (as opposed to small talk).
She said the idea is to get people who may be quite familiar with each other to go past the usual questions about work or family.
Questions such as “What’s giving you energy these days?” are open-ended and encourage the development of deeper connections between participants.
Eight people showed up for the first Big Talk event, allowing for four groups of two people each, with Bloomfield facilitating.
Also, there was chocolate.
Bloomfield said she was encouraged by the initial session. “It took a little bit of trust” on the part of the participants.
Bloomfield and the Center in Main board are actively looking for ways to use the space for creative endeavors.
Bloomfield is excited about the efforts at building community connections. Two people that attended the first Big Talk session (and who have known each other for years) reported that “they talked about things they normally don’t.”
Bloomfield and the Center in Main board are actively looking for ways to use the space for creative endeavors.
Coming up is Make Music Day on June 21, the summer solstice. (See www.thecenteronmain.org/events for details).
Ongoing programs include Co-Working on Main, when the building is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a good Wi-Fi connection and coffee for anyone who wants to settle down with a laptop and get some work done, and NO SERVICE: A Phone-free Art-Making Space for Non-Artists, described as “two hours of phone-free connection, where you will be guided through a creative process that uses art as a tool for meaning making.”
FALLS VILLAGE — Housatonic Valley Regional High School girls basketball won 52-29 against Shepaug Valley High School in round one of the Berkshire League playoff tournament Feb. 19.
The Mountaineers established a lead early in the game and maintained a double-digit buffer throughout all four quarters. Housatonic's relentless defense completely stalled Shepaug, forcing numerous turnovers that paved the way for victory.
Olivia Brooks plays point guard for HVRHS.Photo by Riley Klein
HVRHS seniors Kylie Leonard and Daniela Brennan each posted five steals in the game. Leonard led the team in scoring with 13 points and Brennan added a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Shepaug battled until the end, but the young Spartan squad struggled to build momentum. Sophomore Eliana Ostrosky scored a team-high 10 points. Emma O'Dwyer scored eight points.
Elian Ostrosky, right, led Shepaug Valley in scoring with 10 points. Photo by Riley Klein
Housatonic advanced to the semifinals to play the reigning champs, Northwestern Regional High School. On the other side of the bracket, top-ranked Gilbret School will play Thomaston High School.
Berkshire League girls semifinals games will be played Friday, Feb. 21 on neutral ground at Nonnewaug High School. HVRHS and Northwestern play first at 5 p.m. and the Gilbert versus Thomaston will follow immediately after.
The BL girls basketball championship game is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. at Nonnewaug.
The home section of the bleachers looks on with anticipation as a three-pointer by Olivia Brooks finds the hoop.Photo by Riley Klein
The Lakeville Journal and Millerton News are seeking young journalists for an educational internship program.
The six week program provides training in the everyday operations of a community weekly. Interns will learn the news-gatheringprocess from pitch to print through regular workshops with industry professionals on topics such as photography, libel and copy-editing.
Interns will also work closely with the papers’ staff. Editors will collaborate with interns to develop stories and provide feedback throughout the program. The papers’ reporters will take interns into the field for shadowing opportunities, teaching interviewing and photography in action.
By the end of the program, interns should be capable of reporting and writing a hard news story or feature fit for print, and should have an article clip and a photograph to start a reporting portfolio. Interns should finish the six-week program with an understanding of current community journalism best practices, interviewing techniques and news-writing skills.
Interested students can find the application online at lakevillejournal.com/education-internship-programs or on our social media accounts.
WOODBURY — Housatonic Valley Regional High School boys basketball was eliminated from the Berkshire League tournament Feb. 18 after a 76-62 loss to reigning champion Nonnewaug High School.
Nonnewaug's triple-threat offense found success both in the paint and on the perimeter against Housatonic. Lincoln Nichols, Brady Herman and Matt Shupenis combined for 64 of the Chiefs' points in the quarterfinal game.
Housatonic's Jesse Bonhotel, left, sets up a play against Nonnewaug.Photo by Riley Klein
After falling behind early, the Mountaineers refused to go down without a fight. HVRHS cut a double-digit lead to seven points in the third quarter before foul trouble stalled offensive momentum.
HVRHS juniors Anthony Foley and Wesley Allyn each had season-high scoring nights with 21 and 16 points respectively. Defensively, Owen Riemer forced repeated turnovers through steals and swatted shots.
Anthony Foley scored 21 points for HVRHS Feb. 18.Photo by Riley Klein
After the game, Housatonic coach Kurt Johnson reflected on the season, calling it an "improvement but we didn't hit our ceiling." He described graduating seniors Jesse Bonhotel, Mason O'Niel, Sam and Jacob Marcus as "the toughness of the team, so that's the challenge that the young guys will have to figure out" next year.
Nonnewaug advanced to the semifinal round Feb. 20 against Thomaston High School. On the other side of the Berkshire League bracket, undefeated Shepaug Valley High School got matched against Lakeview High School. Both games will be played at Northwestern High School back-to-back beginning at 5:15 p.m.
Housatonic coach Kurt Johnson.Photo by Riley Klein