April 25

IBT demonstration

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- On April 25, Daniel Tomasulo, Ph.D., MFA, MAPP, University of PA will present "Wrong to Strong: Using Positive Psychotherapy." Specific evidence-based positive interventions drawn from positive psychology and positive psychotherapy have been incorporated into Interactive-Behavioral Therapy with promising results. The techniques and findings will be demonstrated and shown as part of this presentation.

IBT is the most widely used form of evidence-based psychotherapy for people with dual diagnosis and is the first and only method featured by the American Psychological Association in their book Healing Trauma the Power of Group Treatment for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Videos highlighting the incorporation of positive psychotherapy interventions will be shown along with descriptions and demonstrations of these new, effective evidence-based techniques.

Dr. Tomasulo holds a Ph.D. in psychology, an MFA in writing, and is the first licensed psychologist and psychodramatist to graduate from the Master of Applied Positive Psychology program from the University of Pennsylvania in 2012. He is an assistant instructor for Martin Seligman at University of Pennsylvania for the MAPP program.

The workshop will take place from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn. The workshop is free of charge and Continuing Education Credits are available. To register or for more information please contact Carol Fox at 413-664-9382 x40 or at cfox@bfair.org or on-line at www.bfair.org.

Two opening receptions

HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. -- Maggi Randall is a Bennington artist who works in a wide variety of mediums, including ceramics, wood, fabric, oil paint and pastels.

Maggi's work has been exhibited in both group and one-woman shows in a number of galleries in and around New York City, including the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in Manhattan. Her artwork can be found in private collections as well, including a wooden alter piece commissioned by an Episcopal Church in New York and a fabric creation purchased for the Fermi Labs Art Gallery in Chicago.

Maggi received a BFA from Tyler School of Art in 1975 and an MFA in Sculpture from Rhode Island School of Design in 1979.

The Hoosick Artist Guild is also exhibiting new work: "The Metamorphosis of Seven Chairs." Members of the Hoosick Artist Guild have taken seven matching chairs and transformed them in imaginative and creative ways. The artists have reimagined and transformed them in many different ways: Painted them and added things to them, deconstructed them and used the parts to create works of art unrelated to chairs, or made a different kind of furniture out of it. Some hang from the ceiling or the wall, or sit on the floor or a pedestal. Some may be stable or have moving parts. The show is creative exploration of form and function, definitely a different kind of artistic experience.

The Opening Reception for both of these exhibitions is Friday, April 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. Both the art show and the musical performance are free and open to the public. Performing live downstairs in The Owls Nest at 7 p.m. that same evening will be members of the Hoosick Falls High School Senior Chorus. Bill Brown will accompany them on keyboard and Martha Von Schilgen will play the violin. Chorus Director, Ambigay Yudkoff, conducts the group.

Goats in the Woods collaboration

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Goats in the Woods, a community celebration sponsored by Williams College Sustainable Food Agriculture Program, Pine Cobble School, Black Queen Angus Farm, and Wild Oats Market, begins at 4 p.m. on April 25, with an easy walk in the Pine Cobble woods to visit the goats who are being raised there. The evening continues with a full-course gourmet dinner, followed by a presentation by Dr. Peter Smallidge, New York State Extension Forester and Director of the Cornell University Arnot Teaching and Research Forest.

This fun and informative evening is open to all. The woods walk and presentation are free. The dinner, an elegant meal grounded in the cuisines of Northern and sub-Saharan Africa, is $15 per person. To make participation easier for families, Pine Cobble is offering free child care and dinner for children ages three to 12 from 4-7 p.m. on the night of the event. For dinner, children will help prepare their own pizzas with ingredients from Wild Oats Market. The children's dinner is sponsored by Williams College.

Walk-in guests are welcome for all three events. However, pre-registration for the dinner and/or the child care services is appreciated in order to assist with the event planning. To register, go to the Williams College events page (calendar.williams.edu) or the Wild Oats Market website (wildoats.coop).

Chronic pain healthier living workshop

BENNINGTON -- Chronic Pain doesn't have to control your life. In this workshop developed by Stanford University, you can learn ways to stay optimistic and ward off depression, cope with frustrations and fears, manage pain and stress, beat fatigue, improve communication, and increase self-confidence. Complete projects and tasks you have put off and do the things you want to do again.

Meet others coping with similar challenges. Family and supportive friends also welcome. This event is free and sponsored by the VT Blueprint for Health.

Please register in advance by calling Janice Provost 802-440-4098 or online at svhealthcare.org/classesevents. There will be six sessions, Fridays, April 25 - June 6, from 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., at the Bennington Fire House, 130 River St.

Annual library book sale

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Friends of Milne Public Library annual sale is Friday, April 25 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a silent auction, cafe, bake sale, a raffle of an iPad Mini, and over 25,000 used books at Williamstown Elementary School, 115 Church St. For more info visit milnelibraryfriends.org or call 413-458-4639.

Methodist Church rummage sale

CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. -- The United Methodist Women, Embury Unit, of the Cambridge United Methodist Church will hold their annual rummage sale at the Church, 41 East Main St., on April 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and April 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. This is a fund raiser for the UMW, and all proceeds will be donated to missions around the world.

Dorset theater benefit for community groups

MANCHESTER -- The Dorset Theatre Festival and Perfect Wife have combined forces to present the up and coming singer/songwriter Caroline Rose on April 25 at The Perfect Wife Restaurant in an event to raise funds for the DTF Giving Back Programs. Each year, the Dorset Theatre Festival underwrites free tickets to the following community groups: Firefighters, Police, EMS Workers, Local Farmers, Military and their families, the Refuse to Use graduates, Special Needs Community and, new this year: Habitat For Humanity volunteers.

Reservations for dinner ahead of the concert can be made my contacting the Perfect Wife at 802-362-2817. Doors open at 9 p.m. and there is a $15 cover charge.

For further information and to find out about other DTF summer events, go to www.dorsettheatrefestival.org.

Dance concert

BENNINGTON -- The Senior Dance Concert at Bennington College will feature performances by Bennington College Seniors at the Martha Hall Dance Studio, VAPA, Bennington College. There will be showings on April 25 at 7 p.m., April 26 at 8 p.m. and April 27 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.