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Stockbridge, MA – Berkshire Botanical Garden, 5 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge, MA, offers Winter in Watercolor 1-4 p.m. on January 5. What is your favorite place in BBG? Is it the fountain surrounded by grasses and pines? Herb garden? the blessing? Martha Stewart Park? Join us on Wednesdays this winter to capture the winter landscapes at BBG. We will work from photos and/or drawings. Stop by BBG with your camera at any time to get ready. Walk around the park and photograph or paint your favorite landscape. Additional inspiration will also be provided. This workshop is suitable for both beginners and advanced students. The cost of the three classes is $210 for non-members and $180 for members. For information, visit http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events; Call 413-298-3926 or email info@berkshirebotanical.org.
VALATIE – St. Luke’s Church, 1010 Kinderhook Street, Valati, will be the site of a six-hour NYS DMV-accredited defensive driving course offering discount points and insurance from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. January 8. To register, call Victor Bogano, teacher, at 518-784-5009.
STOCKBRIDGE, MA – Berkshire Botanical Garden, 5 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, Heritage Grape Variety of New England and Heritage Wine Tasting 2-4 p.m. Jan. 8. Author, vineyard, and winemaker, J. Stephen Casscles will talk about the many wonderful grape varieties developed in Massachusetts and the rest of New England. Will provide information and slides on New England grape hybrids such as E.S. Rogers of Salem, Mass.; Paul and Jacob Moore of Concord, Massachusetts; and others. As we review the heritage grape varieties, wines made from them will be presented. Non-members, $35; Members, $25. For information, visit http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events; Call 413-298-3926 or email info@berkshirebotanical.org.
STOCKBRIDGE, MA – Berkshire Botanical Garden, 5 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge, MA, offers Plant Propagation from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on January 8 and January 9. Learn the art and science of plant propagation from Broken Arrow Nurseries Container Production and Horticultural Director, Adam Wheeler, who will focus on the basic botany needed to understand and successfully propagate plants. Methods of sexual and asexual reproduction including sowing, cuttings, grafting, layering and division will be covered. Students will learn the fascinating science behind reproduction along with the different techniques used to create new plants. Two classes cost $210 for non-members and $185 for members. For information, visit http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events; Call 413-298-3926 or email info@berkshirebotanical.org.
COPAKE – Roeliff Jansen Community Library Books and Bridles: The Story of the Horse Back Librarians will be hosting from 6-7 p.m. Jan. 10 via Zoom. This is the final episode of the History Program on Roosevelt series, presented by Jeff Orbin, educator from the Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park. This program is sponsored by Claverack Free Library, Hudson Area Library, Philmont Public Library, and Roeliff Jansen Community Library. This presentation tells the story of the Pack Horse Library Initiative, a little-known WPA program of the Roosevelt administration. Its mission, carried out almost entirely by women, was to deliver and distribute reading material to the far corners of the Appalachians during the darkest hours of the Great Depression. Equine librarians have been the subject of recent novels, including Kim Michelle Richardson’s The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and Jojo Moyes’ The Giver of Stars. Register by emailing library@philmont.org.
ALBANI – The Upper Hudson Peace Movement introduces Hyun Lee as she talks about “Understanding the Prospects for Peace with Korea: Korean Peace Treaty Key to Northeast Asia’s Nuclear Weapon Free Zone” 7-8pm Jan 12th via Zoom. The event is sponsored by Women Against War. Join us for an informative hour on the history of the conflict and the state of prospects for peace with North and South Korea. The watch will include a question-and-answer session. Hyun Lee is the US national organizer of Women Cross DMZ and Korea Peace Now – a global women-led campaign to end the Korean War. Previously, she was a writer for ZoominKorea, a fellow at the Korea Policy Institute, and co-producer of the radio show, Asia Pacific Forum. She received her BA and MA from Columbia University. If you would like to register for this free speaking, question and answer session, send an email to moonjn@gmail.com.
STOCKBRIDGE, MA – Berkshire Botanical Garden, 5 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, Offers Organic Vegetable Growing, Online Classes, 4-5:30 p.m. Jan. 12. Led by Maria Zordan, co-owner and operator of MX Morningstar Farm, a diverse organic vegetable farm in the Hudson Valley, this class is designed for those starting out or looking after a vegetable garden. This online course will include discussion of seed selection, sowing schedules, bed preparation and successful planting practice. During the first two courses, students will learn about these practices, as well as what different families of vegetables need to be successful. For third grade, students will demonstrate their learning by completing a botanical garden design to be implemented in their own home. Three classes cost $65 for non-members and $55 for members. For information, visit http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events; Call 413-298-3926 or email info@berkshirebotanical.org.
TROY – The Rensselaer County Cornell Cooperative Extension will be offering a free webinar entitled “Microgreens! The Budget Approach Use What You Have” noon January 12th via Zoom. Healthy, nutrient-packed greens can be grown using household items and ready-made supplies. Limited purchase and local purchase. Every step of growing Broccoli Microgreens is provided by Doug Pratt. Many options will be explored with tips for building and improving your “Wintergreens” diet. This webinar, presented as part of our free Lunch in the Garden series, uses the Zoom platform and you must download the free software in advance. To register, visit the extension’s website at http://ccerensselaer.org/events or call 518-272-4210.
STOCKBRIDGE, MA – Berkshire Botanical Garden, 5 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, Offers Drafting of Garden Design 1-4 p.m. Jan. 13. Their planning and design within the garden to the next level. Learn the basic drafting skills needed to effectively record and publish expanded site plans. The course will cover reference books, drafting supplies, media/paper types, line and letter weights, and scale reading. Drafting demos will introduce students to professional drawing techniques, and students will begin to craft basic site plans and explore map making. During the latter half of the course, students will learn to develop a landscape graphic to illustrate trees, shrubs, perennials, and ground covers, as well as solid materials such as stone terraces. This course is designed for beginner to intermediate students. Five classes cost for non-members, $285 and $265 for members. For information, visit http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events; Call 413-298-3926 or email info@berkshirebotanical.org.
HUDSON – The FASNY Firefighting Museum will host its monthly Super Saturday event at 10:30 a.m. on January 15, Weird Science with Professor Sparks. Spend the morning exploring fire science. Professor Sparks and her robot companion, Spot 2000, will present an interactive program full of surprises. After the program, make your own slime to take home. Only Professor Sparks can make learning about science so much fun. This hands-on program is suitable for children 5 years of age and older. Admission is free for District of Columbia residents and museum members.
STOCKBRIDGE, MA – Berkshire Botanical Garden, 5 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, offers Greenhouse and Conservatory Management 9 a.m. through noon Jan. 15. This course will focus on the finer points of greenhouse environment control. Whether maintaining a winter collection of ornamental plants or producing greenhouse crops, participants will learn how to grow, care and maintain plants in a greenhouse environment. The relationship between temperature, water, light, fertilization, plant health and disease will be covered, with a strong focus on integrated pest management (IPM). This program is suitable for owners of homes with conservatories, glazed balconies and greenhouses. The cost of the four seasons is $210 for non-members and $185 for members. For information, visit http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events; Call 413-298-3926 or email info@berkshirebotanical.org.
STOCKBRIDGE, MA – Berkshire Botanical Garden, 5 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, offers Botanical Wellness: Fire Cider Make and Take from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. January 15 and March 12 and 2:30-4 p.m. February 12. Come see how herbology can be fun and easy with our introductory herbal extraction workshop. Fire Cider is a popular traditional herbal remedy. Known for its immune-boosting and digestion-boosting effects, this delicious DIY infusion is made with healthy ingredients and soaked over time, creating a bright, spicy tonic used to revitalize one’s entire being. Simple to make, fire cider warms the body and soul while adding a healthy ritual to one’s repertoire. Learn how everyday food and culinary herbs, when chosen and prepared wisely, can help us improve our well-being. Leave this class active with a recipe and a jar of the ultimate fiery cider to take home. Providing this home brew with soaking time allows the medicinal properties of the ingredients to be extracted into the vinegar. You’ll learn about the medicinal qualities of the plants in the formula, the history of Fire Cider, a basic lesson in herbal extraction, the importance of traditional foods and remedies, recipes, and ideas on how to incorporate this tonic in your home. The ingredient list is flexible, so learn the process and then make your own recipe at home omitting or adding ingredients as you like. Come ready to chop the ingredients and get a little messy. Non-members, $35; Members, $30. For information, visit http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events; Call 413-298-3926 or email info@berkshirebotanical.org.
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