The Cummington Cultural District is bringing a wave of summer activities, including one scheduled for this weekend.
“DeTours: Exploring Cummington,” the second of two walking tours this year facilitated by artists, humanists and naturalists, will take place on Saturday from 9-11 a.m.
At the Pettingill Memorial Park, Malaika Ross will use plant-derived pigments made from flowers and plants growing along the Westfield River to create small botanical paintings.
Ross is a Caribbean American visual artist whose work focuses the relationship between soil and the botanical world, and creates two-dimensional art inspired by soil microorganisms and the flora of western Massachusetts.
A Hampshire College graduate who specialized in soil microbiology, she switched course to art in 2019.
Inspired by the shapes of soil microbes, Ross shifted from scientific research to visual storytelling, using drawing and painting to express the beauty of these microscopic forms. Over time, her work expanded into botanical painting, capturing both introduced and native plant species with expressive, organic compositions — an art form she will share with the community.
“As we paint, we’ll also learn each plant’s Latin name, explore their unique qualities, and discover where they appear in our local ecosystem,” she stated. “This is a chance to connect with plants in a hands-on, imaginative way while learning a new artistic technique and expressing yourself through nature-inspired art.”
Materials will be provided, and no experience is necessary.
Don’t hold your horses.
Participants from as far as New Hampshire will be heading to the Cummington Fairgrounds on Sunday morning for a good ole fashioned horse pull.
A horse pull, also known as draft horse pulling, is a competitive event where teams of draft horses, typically two, pull a weighted sled or stone boat, with the objective determining which team can pull the heaviest load over a set distance.
“It’s going to be an exciting time, we’re looking for a good time for the kids, and the weather should be no problem,” said organizer Ben Baumann of Dalton.
Baumann organized Sunday’s event, which will mark his return to the sport after a 10-year hiatus.
“I have been pulling since 2006, and took a break because of life and kids,” he said. “I decided to raise money here in Berkshire County and raised a boatload.”
Three weight classes will make their way hauling several tons of concrete blocks on sleds over a 12-foot stretch for a $6,000 prize.
Lightweight classes come in under 3,400 pounds, those above are heavyweights, and participants under the age of 16 will be able to bring their miniature ponies who will haul smaller loads.
At 7 a.m. on Sunday will be weigh in, and entry into the Fairgrounds will be $5 per person.
Rain or shine, the Worthington Council on Aging’s summer picnic will take place on July 14 at noon, but the registration deadline is July 6.
Worthy-Que Smok’n BBQ of Worthington will be serving lunch, with a menu of BBQ chicken, sides, and dessert at the Worthington Rod and Gun Club.
With limited seating, reservations are required and can be made by calling 413-238-1999.
Samuel Gelinas can be reached at sgelinas@gazettenet.com.
