October 2025
Bob Gentile
Special to the Otis Observer
Every year the Berkshire Woodworkers Guild hosts an exhibition at the Botanical Gardens. Bob Gentile, a member of the Guild, donated these two unique tables to a silent auction benefiting the Guild's scholarship program. This program supports young people seeking a career in woodworking by providing tuition assistance for training in the field.
The tables are made with a fossilized limestone top formed 150 million years ago, set in a Sapele wood base. The tables raised $1,600 for the scholarship fund. For more information about the scholarship fund, visit https://berkshirewoodworkers.org/scholarship.
Bob Gentile sitting at his hand-built tables at the Berkshire Woodworkers Guild exhibition. Photo: Arlene Tolopko
OPT presents Sherry Steiner
The Otis Historical Commission and Otis Preservation Trust (OPT) presents musician Sherry Steiner on Thursday, October 16th at 7 PM at Otis Town Hall. This event is in-person only. Ms. Steiner will present a short musical performance followed by a question and answer session. Admission is free but registration is required.
Sherry Steiner is a piano composer and performer of original, improvisational music, described as meditative, soothing and reflective, where one may find peace within themselves. Her original compositions reflect the environment where she is performing so each and every creation is unique.
Sherry performs live locally and beyond. She has over 800 recordings on SoundCloud that are reaching listeners around the world as well as on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and other streaming platforms.
Sherry also makes music on a double-neck ukulele, a 6 string tenor ukulele and a Seagull Merlin dulcimer and is a published writer of off-beat poetry, monologues, flash fiction and musical performance pieces, a former arts educator, exhibiting visual artist and more. Her website is: www.sherrysteiner.com
Otis Preservation Trust (OPT) works with the Otis Historical Commission to organize and preserve the history and heritage of Otis, MA for future generations by supporting efforts to preserve, restore, repurpose and educate about buildings, monuments, lands and memorabilia of Otis. OPT is a not-for-profit (501)(c)(3) organization operated for fundraising and educational purposes. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Otis Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, an agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The event is LIVE, in-person only at 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Otis Town Hall, One North Main Road, Otis, MA. To register to attend this event, or for more information, please visit: www.otispreservationtrust.com; or www.townofotisma.com. There is no charge to attend this event but pre-registration is required. Donations are welcome.
