Happy 2009! I am squeaking this blog in just a few days before the time to stop talking about 2008 arrives (by my calculations exactly two weeks after the turn of the new year).

I polled a few of my colleagues to find out what their various favorites from 08′ were. Below are our picks, but I would love to get your answers too. Comment with your thoughts for the Best of  08′.

Best news story of  08′ (National)

- Obama elected President. (This was a staff favorite!)

-Michael Phelps winning 14 gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. (Meg, Performing Arts)

Best news story of 08′ (Local)

-North Adams bank robbery attempt. (Rebecca W, Development)

-The mysterious disappearance, and thank goodness, subsequent return of Northern Berkshire’s landmark poultry. (Sarah, Performing Arts)

-Mercury spill at Conte Middle School and mercury’s strange similarities to the Simon Starling sculptures in the galleries. (Alison, Education)

Best art piece featured in the MASS MoCA galleries

-Devorah Sperber’s installation in KidSpace. (Laura, Kidspace)

-Simon Starling’s Nanjing Particles. (Joe, Director)

-Marine Hugonnier’s Ariana. (Rebecca R, Membership)

-Sol LeWitt’s Wall Drawing # 146A . (Gene, Curatorial)

Best performance at MASS MoCA

-Bollywood Dance Party. (Alexis, Box Office)

-Sweet Divines at retro Soul Dance Party. (Katherine, Marketing)

-Yo La Tengo Concert. (Alison)

-Upside-down flute playing girl at an afternoon Bang on a Can Gallery recital. (Rebecca R)

-Steve Malkmus and the Jicks. (Jodi, HARDWARE Store)

Best Herrell’s Ice Cream Flavor

-Chocolate Peanut Butter. (Sue, Performing Arts)

-Mud Pie. (Another staff favorite!)

-Chocolate Coconut. (Joe)

-Burnt Butter & Sugar. (Eric, Development)

Best Noth Adams event

-Beach Day. (Rebecca R)

-Steeple Cats games; Downtown Celebration in August. (Paulette, Administration)

-Pancake Breakfast at the Houghton Masion Masonic Lodge (last Sunday of every month). (Sarah)

-Phillippa from Bang on a Can leading “Take me out to the Ballgame” on her musical saw @ the Steeple Cats. (Sue)

-Open Studios Weekend. (Rebecca W)

Best non-MASS MoCA related event

-North Adams Prom (for adults). (Alison)

-Okkervil river, Crooked Fingers, and What Cheer? at Pearl Street in Northampton, October 8th. (Gene)

-2 Dave Matthews Band shows back to back at SPAC. (Meg)

-GATZ at EMPAC. (Brittany, Marketing)

-Open Mic Comedy Night at The Alley. (Katherine)

Miscellaneous

-Summer Highlight- A Lovely BBQ at Duncan and Susan Brown’s House with the Sol LeWitt Professionals and Apprentices in early June. (Meg)

-Best Super Bowl upset- Giant over the Pats in Super Bowl XLII. (Gene)

-Best Sight- Seeing thousands of people enjoy themselves at the Sol LeWitt Opening. (Paulette)

-Most Satisfying and Beautiful Event- Watching the Sol LeWitt wall drawings slowly unfold over 6 months time. (Joe)

-Best HARDWARE Staffer of 08– Noelle Barlett (Jodi)

Cheers,

Brittany

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