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Bits & Bytes: Farm-to-table pioneer Judy Wicks; Monterey OctoberFest

Judy Wicks founded Fair Food Philadelphia. In Monterey, OctoberFest will include a tour of plans for the Monterey Community Center.

Great Barrington — Judy Wicks, who has been called the “Alice Waters of the Northeast” for her pioneering role in the farm-to-table movement will deliver a public talk on Friday, October 10, at the John Dewey Academy (Searles Castle) in Great Barrington. Her talk “Building a New Economy: What’s Love Got to Do With It?” draws upon her extensive experience as a leader in the local economy movement.

Wicks is founder of the beloved Philadelphia restaurant the White Dog Café. She also helped to found Fair Food Philadelphia and the national organization Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), which is now a network of over 20,000 local independent businesses in the U.S. and Canada.  In 2009, Judy sold the White Dog with a unique agreement that preserves local ownership and maintains sustainable business practices.

Judy Wicks’ talk will begin at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $10. Berkshares accepted (and preferred). Pre-registration is required, as seating is limited. Register with Sam Willsea at 413-528-1737 or online: www.centerforneweconomics.org.

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OctoberFest in Monterey

Beer, Brats, Music, Crafts

Monterey — Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 11, on the grounds of the Monterey Community Center (MCC) to celebrate OctoberFest, generously sponsored by Berkshire Functional Fitness, Berkshire Property Agents, John B. Hull, Inc., and Prairie Whale.

The event takes place from noon to 4 p.m., at the corner of Route 23 and New Marlborough Road.

Enjoy local, world-class beer and food, live music from area musicians, crafts from local artisans, quilt raffle drawing, and activities for all ages and interests.

Come by and tour the grounds, see progress on the MCC, view architect’s renderings of what’s to come, meet neighbors, and learn how you can use the center.

Here’s a sampling what you’ll find at Octoberfest:

Microbrews from Glass Bottom Brewery;

Wood-grilled Artisanal Bratwurst  sourced and delivered by Phil Kampe, wine and travel writer ;

Organic hot dogs for kids donated by Berkshire Co-op;

Scrumptious desserts donated by the Monterey General Store as well as home-baked;

Harvest table featuring some of Monterey’s best seasonal jams and produce

Food and drink will be available with purchase of tickets at the door (cash only – no credit cards or checks). Attendees must be 21 or older to purchase alcohol.

And here are some activities for the whole family:

  • Pumpkin roll
  • Craft table
  • Chess tournament
  • Photo Booth
  • MCC Tour … and more

Some of Monterey’s top talent

  •  Karl Finger, folk singer, guitarist, composer of “The Ballad of Route 23”
  • Adam Brown and Will Conklin, (The Easy Ridin’ Papas) music from a bygone area (blues/jazz)
  • Bonner McAllester (hammered dulcimer)  and Joe Baker (guitar), New England contradance music

Visit www.ccmonterey.org for more information about the Monterey Community Center or to purchase tickets for the quilt raffle.

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