Mother's Day In Berkshire County MA

This Sunday, May 13, we celebrate and honor mothers all across the country. We are all familiar with this holiday -  we might plan on giving mom a gift, serving her breakfast in bed or just to be spending some quality time with her.

Here in the Berkshires there are several events that are happening to honor mothers and you should definitely consider treating your mother or another mother you know to one of these. I'll talk about these shortly but first, I'll give a brief history of how Mother's Day started in the first place.
       Early attempts to establish Mother's Day occurred during the Civil War, usually when mothers from opposing sides would meet together. In 1868, Ann Jarvis created a committee to establish a "Mother's Friendship Day" to reunite families divided by the war - but she died in 1905 before these celebrations became popular. In 1870, Julia Ward Howe, writer of the famous 'Battle Hymn of the Republic', created a "Mother's Day Proclamation" which celebrated peace and motherhood. Julia read this at a 'Mother's Day' anti-war service in New York City in 1872, and the celebration continued in Boston for 10 years before dying out.
       The first true Mother's Day was established by Anna Marie Jarvis, with the help of John Wanamaker, following the death of her mother Ann Jarvis on May 9, 1905. A small service was held on May 12, 1907 at a church in Grafton, West Virginia.  That was followed by an official day on May 10, 1908 in the same church, accompanied by a larger ceremony in the Wanamaker Auditorium in the Wanamaker's store at Philadelphia. The next year the day was reported to be widely celebrated in New York. After Jarvis campaigned to establish Mother's Day first as a U.S. national holiday, it was declared a holiday by the state of West Virginia in 1910, and the rest of states followed quickly. On May 8, 1914, the U.S. Congress passed a law designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day and requesting a proclamation. On May 9, 1914 President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation declaring the first national Mother's Day as a day for American citizens to show the flag in honor of those mothers whose sons had died in war.  And so that is how Mother's Day originated.

Now, here are some upcoming events and special meals:

Mother's Day Events:

* May 12 Ventfort Hall


A Pre-Mother's Day Pink Tea with a special Mother's Day ballet by the American Dance Institute Ensemble directed by Sharon MacDonald along with Albany Berkshire Ballet Junior Company and Cantarella School of Dance directed by Deidre Swindlehurst. Includes a viewing of the Les Petites Dames de Mode exhibit of 61 fashion mannequins dressed in fashions from 1855-1914- each is a work of art! Saturday, $20 Non-members, $18 Members, $7 Children 5-17, Children 4 and under are free. Reservations are recommended. Call 413-637-3206

A Selection of Mother's Day Meals in the Berkshires:

* Cranwell Resort in Lenox is holding a brunch from 11 am to 4 pm on Mother's Day, May 13.  Phone 413-637-1364 for reservations.

* Dream Away Lodge in Becket is offering their annual Mother's Day Pot Luck Picnic and Party starting at 3pm. 
     "We supply the hot coals, some basic salads and chips, horseshoes,      croquet, volleyball and a cash bar. You bring something to grill for yourselves and a little something to share with everyone else."

Call 413-623-8725 for more info

Zucchini's Restaurant in Pittsfield is holding a Mother's Day Brunch, Serving 10:00am-2:00pm

Carving stations, seafood, breakfast items, fruit, dessert.
$19.95 for adults, $10.95 for children 8 and under.
1331 North St., Pittsfield, MA 01201,

Call 413-442-2777 for more info

Planning on making mom breakfast?  Check back this Thursday for a Special Mother's Day breakfast...