Berkshire South is such a valuable part of our community, but it's also great for visitors looking…read morefor a place to workout or swim indoors. The employees are helpful, facilities good quality, and hours convenient. There are always a ton of fun programs offered: cooking classes, arts and crafts, swim and fitness lessons, babysitting and life guard certifications (look for them out patrolling local lakes in the summer!), dance for kids and adults, guided nature walks, etc. etc. You can even host a birthday party here! Most importantly, this organization does such vital good work for our community - from providing excellent childcare and day camps for families to offering free community suppers and discounted memberships to those in need. People of all ages and backgrounds can find a deep sense of belonging here. I truly appreciate all the work the staff and volunteers do for the people of Great Barrington and nearby towns.

Berkshire South is a terrific facility with a wonderful, friendly staff. The COVID protocol is top…read morenotch. The problem is that their policy is to sic a collection agency on you if a payment problem occurs. I had a monthly membership and lost my credit card. Every other company with which I'd set up auto payments sent me an email with a few days grace to set up my new card. I never got an email from Berkshire South but did get a dunning letter from a collection agency. I live in town too small to have postal delivery, and I don't retrieve my mail from the post office daily so I missed the letter. I eventually got a call from the collection agency and that day drove to Berkshire South to pay my monthly fee (plus a $20 collection fee) and set up my new card. I got another call from the collection agency a couple of weeks later and drove to Berkshire South to see if they could get the collection agency off my back and if there was a way I could join on a monthly basis that wasn't automatically billed. The receptionist told me that the membership manager had just started a phone meeting, so I took her card to handle the matter over the phone. I left two messages for her - her title is Membership and Rentals Manager. Neither call was returned. So I called the collection agency and was told that Berkshire South had called them and I was no longer on their books. So that's cleared up, but I don't know if there's a membership set up that would work for me. I left what I hope is a final message with the Membership and Rentals Manager asking her to cancel my membership - unfortunately, that seems to be my only option - and to inform me by mail or phone that it's been cancelled. I really hope I get an email or a phone call and I'm wondering if I should just cancel the auto-payment and hope they don't sic a collection agency on me again.

Fantastic, Edible,…read moreInstant, Tolerable, Legendary, Extraordinary, Root vegetables. Hearty, Oven-baked, Upscale, Seasoned, Eggs. Feitler = fantastic. The food is freshly fried for friends. Finally, it feels fine to dine before Friday.

A community center in many towns and cities is an out dated school or an old industrial building…read morewith a meeting room or a gym. In Ridgefield Ct. a beautiful estate hosts the community's events. Known better as the Lounsbury House, this beautifully preserved property is the place to have your wedding or event. Originally named Grove Lawn, the Lounsbury House at 316 Main St., was built in 1896 by a former Connecticut governor, Phineas Lounsbury, who was born and raised in Ridgefield. While he attended the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, also known as the Columbian Exposition, he saw a replica of the Connecticut State Building on display. He commissioned the original Bridgeport architect to build a replica of the Connecticut State Building, so that upon his retirement from politics, he would have it to serve as his residence in Ridgefield. The Georgian Revival house exhibits the elegance and style he wanted to reflect Connecticut's hospitality. Lounsbury and his wife Jenny lived and entertained their friends at the house until his death in 1920. Since they did not have any children, the house was passed onto their heirs. Eventually, the house was purchased by the Town of Ridgefield. In 1953, it became the Ridgefield Veterans Memorial Community Center. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, the Lounsbury House is a non-profit association and proceeds from its fund-raisers, membership fees and rentals go towards the preservation, maintenance and operational cost of the home. I was present for the Ridgefield "Gone Country" barbeque contest which raises funds for the local Rotary club. The association hosts house tours, concerts, luncheons, picnics, fireworks and more. The July 20, 2018 Lobster & Clambake featuring 1 1/2 lb Maine lobsters, steamers and muscles is not to be missed.

From the owner: Lounsbury House, a Ridgefield landmark since 1896, is a place to celebrate life's memorable…read moremilestones. Since becoming the town's community center over 60 years ago, the House and classical gardens have served as an exceptional venue for weddings, corporate meetings, art gatherings, festivals and special events for all seasons.

I like the Y and am glad to have found such a nice, local pool to swim in. I do wish the lifeguards…read morewould watch and see how the lanes are shared when it gets crowded. I was also disgusted when a man put his hands down his swim shorts in front of me! I cursed at him but I think staff have to watch for this kind of thing, especially around keeping children safe. Other than that, the pool is clean and the sauna is a very cool feature. The staff and even most of the people are genuinely nice, which can really make your day.

Love it plenty of new equipment and even child care they even have a bulletin of local events and…read moreopportunities

Love this place. New to the area and although hours are slightly goofy, it is a great place to get…read morework done, prints or just grab a book and enjoy the space. Staff are great and helpful and the space is beautiful in a great little town! Highly recommend checking it out and seeing what peaks your interest there. Great local resource!!!

The Phoenicia Library's logo is the best. It features a bespectacled bear in an Adirondack chair,…read morereading a book. Really, what's NOT to adore about that? Due to a fire several years ago, the library recently underwent major renovations and looks brand spanking new. There are two floors full of books and DVDs, and the rooms are bright with lots of light and wooden floors. There were plenty of folks sitting in chairs and reading and also a bunch in a back conference-like room. If you enjoy fishing and ukuleles, you're in luck. Ukuleles are available to borrow, and the Phoenicia Library also has the unique Jerry Bartlett Memorial Angling Collection which is worth checking out, on the second floor. We spoke with a couple of librarians, and they were quite friendly and helpful. There is a bathroom off to the side of the circulation desk. Offering lots of books and activities, if I lived in Phoenicia, I'd be a regular fixture at the library, no doubt.