George Arthur Mortenson
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Survival and conflict on screen at Berkshire International Film Festival
Brian Gersten
May 27, 2026
Psychologist, Holocaust survivor and specialist in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, Edith Eger’s book, “The Choice” has now been adapted into a documentary premiering at the Berkshire International Film Festival.
Photo courtesy The Choice Films
A new documentary exploring survival, trauma and resilience will make its world premiere later this month at the Berkshire International Film Festival. “The Choice,” directed by John David Coles, is scheduled to screen at 12:30 p.m. May 30 at The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington.
Inspired by the bestselling memoir of Holocaust survivor and psychologist Edith Eger, the film brings together the stories of several women confronting profound personal loss and trauma. The documentary follows Eger alongside Iris Haim, an Israeli mother whose son was killed by the IDF while escaping Hamas captivity. The film examines how individuals navigate grief while attempting to rebuild their lives.
Coles, whose previous directing work includes television series such as House of Cards, Homeland and The Sinner, will attend the screening.
The festival will also screen “Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk,” on Sunday, May 30, at 4:30 p.m. at The Triplex in Great Barrington. Directed by Sepideh Farsi, the documentary is built from video conversations with Palestinian photojournalist Fatma Hassona documenting daily life in Gaza during the ongoing war. The film gained international attention after Hassona was killed in an Israeli airstrike shortly before the documentary’s premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.
Together, the films underscore BIFF’s focus on urgent, emotionally resonant storytelling from around the world.
Now in its 20th year, the Berkshire International Film Festival runs May 28–31 and features more than 75 films, along with appearances by Karen Allen, Amy Goodman and other filmmakers and performers, as well as screenings, filmmaker conversations and special events across Great Barrington and Lenox.
For more information and tickets to the Berkshire International Film Festival, visit biffma.org
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Sharon Playhouse opens season with Spotlight Gala Celebration
Natalia Zukerman
May 27, 2026
Skip Barber and Sarah Combs to be honored during Sharon Playhouse gala.
Provided
The Sharon Playhouse will kick off its 2026 summer season with its annual Spotlight Gala, “Hey There, Good Times!,” on Saturday, May 30, honoring longtime board member Skip Barber and arts educator Sarah Combs during the theater’s signature fundraising celebration of music, performances and community.
“Few individuals embody innovation, excellence, and community spirit quite like Skip Barber,” said artistic director Carl Andress. “While many know him as a legendary force in American motorsports and the longtime steward of Lime Rock Park, we are equally grateful for the energy, generosity, and community leadership he has brought to this region and to the Sharon Playhouse. He is a true original, and we are thrilled to honor him,” he continued.
Education and community director Michael Baldwin said honoring Combs with the first Spotlight Spirit Award is “both joyful and deeply fitting.”
“Sarah Combs has devoted her life to the transformative power of the arts — not only as a gifted performer, but as a teacher, mentor, and tireless advocate for young artists and community creativity,” Baldwin said.
The evening begins at 5 p.m. with cocktails, dinner by Rita Welch Catering and a fundraising celebration in The Bok. A second “Patio Celebration” option beginning at 6:30 p.m. will feature live music by Ram Miles and Joe Finn, outdoor dining and pre-show festivities.
The gala performance and award presentation, directed and choreographed by Krystyna Resavy with music direction by Eric Thomas Johnson, will feature a Broadway-style musical revue performed by Sharon Playhouse favorites, guest artists and members of the YouthStage Company. Performers include Will Nash Broyles, Michael Siktberg, Ricky Oliver, Lucy Rhoades, Sasha Spitz and Michelle Lemon, along with special guests from upcoming season productions including “Swingtime Canteen,” “Come From Away,” “42nd Street” and “Zombie Prom.”
“This is truly one of the most joyful nights of our year,” Andress said. “The Spotlight Gala is a celebration of everything the Playhouse represents: professional theater, arts education, community, and the incredible artists of all ages who bring our campus to life.”
Proceeds from the gala support the Sharon Playhouse Fund, which helps sustain professional theater productions, arts education programs and the theater’s Northwest Connecticut campus.
More information and tickets are available at sharonplayhouse.org.
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Greenwoods Puppet Festival returns to Norfolk Library with whimsy and wonder
Mike Cobb
May 27, 2026
Designed by Kelli Shepard
The third annual Greenwoods Puppet Festival returns to Norfolk Library May 29 and 30 with two days of puppetry, storytelling and hands-on workshops featuring nationally recognized artists and family-friendly performances.
Children’s librarian and events coordinator Eileen Fitzgibbins said, “The first Greenwoods Puppet Festival was sparked by a question I had: Where does magic occur?”
The festival begins Friday, May 29, at 5:30 p.m. with an adult sock puppet workshop in the Great Hall at Norfolk Library. Eric Weiss of Homeslice Puppetry will offer a behind-the-scenes look at puppet-making while guiding participants in creating their own puppets. A simple dinner will be served.
On Saturday, May 30, at 10 a.m., award-winning puppeteer Liz Joyce will present “The Doubtful Sprout,” an ecological wonderland featuring multiple puppetry styles, projections and songs.
From 12:30 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Heather Henson, daughter of Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets, will present a program for all ages called “Remember The Way: Where water flows and creatures return, balance is remembered.”
“We invited Heather Henson to come this year to give a performance. She has been very supportive of our town having puppet festivals,” Fitzgibbins said.
Using puppets, masks and dance props, participants will explore planetary movements, seasonal rhythms and interconnected waterways through immersive animal role-playing. Guided by whales, cranes, sturgeon and bison, audiences will journey through shifting landscapes while taking part in rhythmic dance games, song circles, crafting and interactive storytelling designed to illuminate the connection between local water systems and the ocean beyond.
At 3 p.m., puppeteer Sarah Nolen will present “Party Animals,” which follows four furry friends as they navigate throwing their first party. At 4:15 p.m., a children’s dress-up parade will take place outside around the library. Costumes are encouraged. There will also be opportunities to meet the puppeteers until 5 p.m.
Fitzgibbins concluded, “Puppetry is an ancient form of artistic expression. It is an avenue that can spread seeds of change, tackle issues of social justice and spark creativity. Puppets are tools of storytelling and are amazing works of art. It is an experience not to be missed.”
For tickets and information, visit norfolklibrary.org/events
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Creative workshops
Lakeville Journal
May 27, 2026
Provided
The Hillsdale Workshop Alliance (HWA) is a collective of independent producers offering creative workshops in and around Hillsdale. Once a year, HWA comes together to present the Workshop Experience Weekend, a carefully curated a festival of hands-on learning, creativity and community with over 26 workshops and events. This year’s Workshop Weekend takes place May 30-31. For tickets, visit theworkshopexperience.org.
Salisbury's 'Fix-It' pop-up shop returns
Patrick L. Sullivan
May 27, 2026
Expert fixers make small repairs to common household items at the Salisbury Congregational Church Saturday, May 23.
Patrick L. Sullivan
SALISBURY – Nearly 100 residents attended a fix-it event held at the Salisbury Congregational Church Saturday, May 23, armed with jewelry to be fixed, garments to be mended and knives to be sharpened.
The “Fix-It Pop-Up Shop,” sponsored by the church and the Scoville Memorial Library, took place indoors, including bicycle repairs, which were forced indoors because of the rain.
Nine fix-it stations were assembled inside the church hall. Karen Vrotsos from the library and Sarah Curtis from the Transfer Station Recycling Advisory Committee (TRAC) checked in attendees who made appointments ahead of time.
Fixer-uppers included:
Bob Palmer, knife sharpening.
Shepherd Myers and Paul Bacsik, basic bicycle maintenance.
Arthur Fort, lamps and small appliances.
Bob Buccion, small electronics and soldering.
Pastor John Nelson of the Congregational Church, small furniture gluing.
Steven Wolf, small furniture and electrical items.
Barbara Reeves, mending knitted garments.
Pat Palmer and Angela Lomantio, sewing and mending.
Karin Noyes, simple jewelry repair.
TRAC also had a recycling information table.
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Falls Village approves budget, increases mill rate
Patrick L. Sullivan
May 27, 2026
File photo
FALLS VILLAGE – Voters approved the $6.7 million 2026-27 budget at a town meeting Friday, May 22 at the Emergency Services Center, including the municipal and Board of Education proposed spending plans.
During the town meeting, the municipal budget of $2,503,382 passed by a vote of 28-9 with one abstention. The vote was conducted by paper ballot.
The education budget of $4,201,917 also passed with a voice vote and show of hands after a motion to use a paper ballot failed. Three people voted no.
Directly after the meeting, the Board of Finance set the mill rate at 23.82, an increase of 1.37 mills (5.92%).
The finance board used a combination of the mill rate increase and $144,800 from the general fund to cover a shortfall of $479,000. The action leaves a general fund balance of roughly $804,000, which is 12% of the total budget.
Voters approved by unanimous voice vote an ordinance establishing a 15-year real property tax abatement for surviving spouses of residents in public service, including law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical service providers who lose their lives in the line of duty.
In other business, the town voted to join the Northwest Resource Recovery Authority, the group of Northwest Connecticut towns that will take over the Torrington transfer station.
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