The Berkshire Edge: Flying Cloud celebrates end of summer camp and S•M•Arty Party

Flying Cloud staff and board members (from left) Caitlin Meister, Maria Rundle, Dana Vorisek, and Sarah Reynolds North at the annual fundraiser at One Love Farm on Aug. 1.

by Robbi Hartt

With nearly half of local students in Pittsfield, Southern Berkshire, Berkshire Hills, and Lee school districts facing economic disadvantages, the need for Flying Cloud Institute’s (FCI’s) hands-on, inspiring science and art education has never been more urgent. What to do to ensure even more students can benefit next year? Hold a S•M•Arty Party!

FCI held its annual summer fundraiser, S•M•Arty Party, this past Saturday at One Love Farm in Southfield, where hosts Lynn and Mitchell Samberg gave an enthusiastic welcome, standing beside the pool on their iconic 298-acre property. The sweeping Berkshire mountain views were enough to satisfy most people’s appetites, but Los Lopez Tacos was also on hand whipping up their popular tacos, accompanied by Harney & Sons herbal iced tea blends.

Jane Burke, FCI founder and long-time executive director, acknowledged by Maria Rundle as “the root we grew from,” received an enthusiastic round of applause. “We did some really weird stuff when we started. I wanted kids to see weird, crazy grown-ups and not be afraid to jump into the clay,” Burke says, with an unapologetic smile.