Your Connection To the Outdoors
Pertaining in some way to the operational activities of the chapter (meetings, structure, bureaucracy, etc.)
We're excited to announce that award-winning mountaineer and author Ed Webster will be the speaker at this year's Berkshire Bash - our chapter's annual meeting and dinner. The 2016 Berkshire Bash will take place the evening of Saturday, November 5, at the Summit View in Holyoke. Please save the date, and watch out for further details and ticket information in September.
We are saddened to announce that Gary Forish passed away recently. Gary’s family has asked us to share the below information.
There will be a celebration of life service for Gary at 10:30am on Monday, June 6. The service will be at Central Baptist Church in Westfield. There will then be an ash spreading ceremony at Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell, at 1:00pm. All are invited to attend, and to speak and share a memory of him if you wish.
We are saddened to announce that Patrick H. Fletcher, our long-time Trails Chair, passed away earlier this week.
Pat worked tirelessly for the AMC, for our chapter, and for his beloved M-M / New England Trail. As Trails Chair for more than two decades, Pat volunteered countless hours building shelters, maintaining trails, organizing, and working with other local groups to maintain and improve the trails under his purview. In 2009, Pat was a leader in achieving the designation of the New England National Scenic Trail.
Our New England Trail (NET) Committee works to ensure the protection and promotion of the NET for the enjoyment of current and future generations. This is done through a combination of maintenance work and public advocacy. The committee is led by a chairperson elected to a one-year term by members of the Berkshire Chapter at our Annual Meeting each November.
Berkshire Bash—Our Annual Meeting
Saturday, November 7, 2015; 5:30-9:00pm
Please join all Berkshire Chapter members and friends at our annual dinner meeting! The evening includes a social time, short business meeting with election of officers, buffet dinner, and a presentation by Tom Wessels. The full buffet dinner includes chicken and vegetarian options and there is a cash bar.
Save the Date: AMC Berkshire Annual Member (and guest) Potluck, Genesis Conference Center, 53 Mill Street, Westfield MA
Come join Berkshire AMC for our Berkshire Bash on Saturday, November 2nd from 6-9 PM. We’ll be at a new place, Willits-Hallowell Conference Center in Mt. Holyoke College (https://www.mtholyoke.edu/willits/directions_willits) . Set in the beautiful historic campus, this modern building has meeting rooms overlooking Stony Brook, providing a beautiful backdrop for our meeting, dinner and presentation by Sue Morse, wildlife educator from www.keepingtrack.org.
Berkshire Chapter leadership is eager to meet new and established members and have you meet each other. We've planned a meet-and-greet with the Sabine Prather, Chapter Chair and Pat Fletcher, Trails Committee Chair, at Agawam Public Library at 6:30 on Monday, July 29th. We can talk about what AMC and Berkshire Chapter does and see what you'd like to do in the club. We'll have coffee and snacks, and some information about the club and Chapter. Please come with questions, or just to meet and talk to folks! You're also welcome to come to Executive Committee and other committee meetings.
Are you looking for great local things to do, and new activities to try? Please come and see what AMC Berkshire is all about, or come see old friends!
It's all happening on Saturday, March 23 at 6 PM at the Florence Civic Center at 90 Park Street in the center of Florence (directions). We’ll check out this historic building and setting, new to us. Ideally, we'll get a chance to socialize outdoors on the lovely wrap-around porch. We’ll have trip leaders and committee tables to show members and visitors alike where we’ve been, and show how you can get out on the trails, rivers, lakes, and mountains around us. There will also be folks from the Appalachian Trail Committee and Noble View Outdoor Center to talk about the fun of getting involved with trail work and outdoor education.
AMC Western Massachusetts