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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Our feature writer Hannah Van Sickle has written a look at student film makers producing films on local, tough social issues:
Bill Shein, ever with his eye on the Great Barrington Airport, has written part 7 of his series examining the operations of this historic — and controversial — feature of South Berkshire County:
An activist group rallied at Park Square in Pittsfield for a better future for Western Massachusetts:
3. The legendary Dream Away Lodge in Becket has reopened under new ownership after being closed for almost three years. We’re all hoping it will stay the same as before.
This past Sunday we posted the third in a series of salutes to Broadway lyricists in our Anyone for Tennyson column. This column is devoted to poetry, and the author William Perry reminds us that the best Broadway lyricists should certainly be considered poets.

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

The controversy over the Great Barrington Airport continues, with the Selectboard hosting a crowded public hearing:

https://theberkshireedge.com/large-turnout-for-airport-special-permit-public-hearing/

Meanwhile, in a multipart series our investigative writer Bill Shein has been examining the airport operations, and asking just how busy — and essential — the airport actually is:

https://theberkshireedge.com/the-airport-part-three-how-busy-is-great-barrington-airport/

The Great Barrington Selectboard is also examining programs that will support affordable housing — in a community whose real estate values have become increasingly unaffordable:

https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-examines-programs-to-help-with-affordable-housing/

Meanwhile, the saga of the moribund Housatonic Water Works continues,

:

https://theberkshireedge.com/an-appraisal-of-the-housatonic-water-works-appraisal/

And finally, we should mention that we’ve just published the fourth chapter of our serial novel, “Artificial Insanity,” each chapter written by a different author. This chapter is written by Dan Tawczynski, who runs Taft: Farms and is a published author as well

https://theberkshireedge.com/artificial-insanity-the-novel-chapter-four/

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

We have a preview of the Tanglewood summer concerts and events — a schedule which our music writer David Edwards says is extraordinary, in his words, "Unconventional, subversive … exhilarating, hypnotizing, and intensely human”

: https://theberkshireedge.com/tanglewood-learning-institutes-summer-concerts-and-events-could-blow-your-mind/

The discussions over next year’s Berkshire Regional School District budget have begun with the district’s staff making a request for a full-time librarian at Muddy Brook Elementary School:

https://theberkshireedge.com/school-district-staff-advocates-for-a-full-time-librarian-at-muddy-brook-elementary/

In north Berkshire County John Pitroff has organized Second Chance Composting, collecting surplus food scraps and organic matter, to create a community compost site for gardeners:

https://theberkshireedge.com/john-pitroff-and-second-chance-composting-are-looking-to-make-community-composting-accessible-and-second-nature/

The Berkshire Pride Festival is returning in June in Pittsfield, with a parade and a community celebration at the Common Park:

https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-pride-festival-coming-back-in-june/

Finally, we have part 2 of our series on the history and current status of the Great Barrington Airport that has come under fire from newly arrived second home residents disturbed by the flight activity:

https://theberkshireedge.com/the-airport-part-two-rick-solans-story-begins-with-robert-wheelers-in-1929/

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

The Housatonic River has received a federal designation as a Wild and Scenic River, thereby further protecting the river and its immediate surroundings:

https://theberkshireedge.com/housatonic-river-receives-wild-scenic-designation/-

True to its progressive credentials, Pittsfield hosted a demonstration commemorating the 50 year anniversary of Roe v. Wade, now that the court has reversed itself, allowing states to determine the legality of the procedure:

https://theberkshireedge.com/pittsfield-residents-commemorate-the-50-year-anniversary-of-the-roe-v-wade-decision/

In a review of the state of the Berkshire economy, 1Berkshire cited the introduction of east-west passenger rail service through Pittsfield … giving hope to the business community that a more robust rail service could be restored from Pittsfield south through Great Barrington and Connecticut to New York City:
In her “dateline Stockbridge” column Carol Owens has summoned the soul of Stockbridge, depicting the community as still governed by traditional but vanishing old-time values:

https://theberkshireedge.com/dateline-stockbridge-in-stockbridge-history-still-informs-contemporary-decisions/

And finally, what’s in a name? The two southern Berkshire regional school districts are stalled in their effort to merge simply because school officials can’t decide on a name for the enlarged district:

https://theberkshireedge.com/regional-school-district-agreement-taking-longer-than-anticipated-committee-cant-agree-to-merged-districts-name/

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A Berkshire-based musician and music producer has been nominated for a grammy:https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-based-musician-and-producer-nominated-for-grammy/
We have been developing a lively new business section on Mondays, called Business Monday!. Over the last couple of weeks, we have posted several profiles of local businesses.

This week, we looked at a 24-year-old resident of Ashley Falls named Lily Geiger who spend her COVID isolation inventing a non-alcoholic aperitif called Fiore (Italian for flower)which she is marketing through her new company called Figlia (Italian for daughter), and she’s off to a strong start.

Also for Business Monday, we ran a story a couple of weeks ago about Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, and about how the younger generation is taking over.
And our business section has a regular feature called Adventures in Retail, which looks at interesting products for sale in stores in the Berkshires. Recently our columnist reported that you can find wold-class croissants at Pixie Boulangerie in Great Barrington, and we show how they’re made.
Our local celebrity Karen Allen, star of the Indiana Jones movies and owner of Karen Allen Fiber Arts in Great Barrington produced a film based on an adaptation of a Carson McCullers short story, and the film is now available to stream. It was made in the Berkshires:
Our Edge weather reporter Nick Diller analyzed the weather for December, which he found to be a crazy month that couldn’t make up its mind. Overall, 15 days had above average temperatures and 13 had below.
And finally, there’s a fight developing over the prospect of a new car dealership on Route 7 in Lenox. An automobile dealership wants to buy the site now owned by the Different Drummer kitchen retail store plus an adjacent parcel, and turn them into offices, a car service center and a parking lot where test drives will presumably originate. The neighbors are fighting it.

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The Eight Town Regional School District Planning Board has received a state grant to study the merger of Berkshire Hills and Southern Berkshire school districts:

And there will be a public meeting about he proposed merger January 21 to explain the progress toward the school district merger:

Meanwhile, the Tri-Town health board is warning residents about the continuing pandemic threat, especially with a new variant spreading abroad:
Berkshire County has a new District Attorney — Timothy Shugrue, who has replaced Andrea Harrington and has started his term in office:
Our historian Gary Leveille writes a reminiscence of the snow trains that would bring skiers from the city to the Berkshires:
And finally, in her column Woman on the Verge, Sarah Wright discusses the Rachel Maddow’s new “Ultra” podcast — Maddow, by the way, is part of what you might call the “Greater” Berkshires, since she lives in Northampton:

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

The Mass DEP is getting impatient with Housatonic Water Works, the private company that supplies drinking water (such as it is) to the village of Housatonic:
Meanwhile, in West Stockbridge, the town’s Planning Board approved a controversial special permit for The Foundry to continue to host special events and concerts in spite of complaints from neighbors — in particular, Truc’s Orient Express Restaurant:
This week we have a profile of Eve Schatz, an attorney who founded the Berkshire Center for Justice, providing, among other services, weekly free legal clinics at the Guthrie Center:
And on the bright side, Berkshire Bach will be presenting a New Year’s Baroque Concerto Showcase:
Greylock Glen project — a development of this area near the base of Mt. Greylock — receives preliminary approval from the Adams Selectboard… this is an unusual, perhaps unprecedented permit for a development on the mountain that has heretofore been fiercely protected from any development;
Finally, we should mention that Christine Gevert’s Crescendo’s “Story of Hope” concert in Lakeville and Great Barrington January 7 and 8. It had to be rescheduled for these dates:

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

The saga of The Foundry in West Stockbridge seems to have reached a denoument, however temporary, by securing a West Stockbridge Planning Board approval for concerts and performances — at least for now:
We alert our readers that for the duration of the holiday season, now upon us, Great Barrington has suspended parking time limits…
In a ceremony organized by the District Attorney’s Office at St. Stephen’s Church in Pittsfield, people gathered to remember those who had died in accidents due to impaired driving… serving as a warning for this holiday season:
The potential merger of school districts in southern Berkshire County could mean a rather long bus ride for students in the sprawling territory of South County, a study has predicted:
Crescendo, the Baroque and Renaissance music performance group, will be giving holiday concerts in Stockbridge and Lakeville:

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

The dispute over The Foundry in West Stockbridge — a performing arts venue seeking a special permit and that’s next door to a venerable restaurant — continues before the town’s Planning and Zoning board.
Our feature writer Sheela Clary has been creating a series of stories (Where We Are) about local people and enterprises that epitomize the character of South Berkshire County. This week she wrote about Craig and Gail Elliott, former owners of the Egremont Store in Egremont.
We have a profile of Volunteers in Medicine, headquartered in Great Barrington, that offers a broad definition of healthcare —physicians integrating housing, food insecurity, employment, education, in a comprehensive approach to health:
Our columnist Carole Owens has begun a series on the origins of “welfare" in the Berkshires — and how it has been a polarizing issue since the county’s founding:
We should note that during the holiday season we have daily updates on the many events celebrating the holidays, with links to purchase tickets:

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

Here’s a story that will put a chill in the hearts of administrators of the region’s cultural organizations: Are employees of the region’s vaunted cultural organizations getting paid equitably?
Meanwhile, the Great Barrington Selectboard is reviewing a second proposal to redevelop the Housatonic School building in the hamlet of Housatonic.
Ben Doren, the very popular principal of the W.E.B. DuBois Middle School in Great Barrington, has announced that he is leaving. He introduced the concept of “radical inclusion” into the Middle School classrooms:
Well, radio fans, we have some dire news about our low power FM station in Great Barrington, WBCR, that’s run by a corps of volunteers — it may have to shut down for lack of funds:
Finally, if you like jazz, you won’t want to miss the Berkshire Jazz Sprawl featuring pianist Brandon Golberg:

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

We have a huge fight going on in West Stockbridge between a performing arts venue called The Foundry and a restaurant called Truc’s Oriental Express. https://theberkshireedge.com/trucs-vs-foundry-soap-opera-continues-at-contentious-public-hearing/
There’s an informal group in Housatonic fighting the Housatonic Water Works. It’s called the Housatonic Clean Water Alliance. This week a member of the alliance hired an attorney from Boston, upping the ante in this fight.

3.We had two interesting stories this week as part of our Business Monday line-up:

One was the announcement that a store on Railroad Street in Great Barrington is closing after 43 years. And the owner has born witness to the changes in the town. https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-byzantium-set-to-close-in-january/

The second comes from our “Personal shopper” Harriet Ziefert who admits to being a scarf-aholic and talks about the scarves she has found at Karen Allen Fiber Arts on Railroad Street in Great Barrington. https://theberkshireedge.com/personal-shopper-finding-scarves-at-karen-allen-fiber-arts/

Our weather guru Nick Diller puts the recent warm weather into historical perspective.
We have the second in an ongoing series by Sheela Clary called “Where We Are”, in which she talks to local community people who live and work in the Berkshires about how they feel about their lives here. This installment focuses on three local voices ranging in age from eighteen to forty-one. They were all born and raised in South County.

The first installment was published on October 30, and includes conversations with six local people onhow they are doing, what troubles them, and what gives them hope.

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Berkshire Style is an online magazine that celebrates this richness and vitality of its architects, designers, artists and businesses who have made their mark preserving the Berkshire aesthetic

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

It’s the Housatonic Water Works — again. The town of Great Barrington — Housatonic is a village within the town — is considering its next steps to acquire the privately owned — and troubled — water system tht serves the village of Housatonic and environs:
What’s Halloween without visual mischief…. in this case, area students set about to decorate Great Barrington storefront windows with ghoulish art… and the merchants are all for it… and to go along with this bit of mischief, we have our historian Gary Levieille recall Halloweens past in Great Barrington:
We continue with another chapter in Bill Shein’s examination of the development projects under way and envisioned by entrepreneur Ian Rasch. This installment (Part 6) examines Rasch’s plans for Prospect Lake in Egremont:
Our political and cultural observer Mickey Friedman has been writing a series of essays analyzing the immediate and long-term effects of what he calls “Trumphobia” on the vitality of American democracy:
One of our writers, Sheela Clary, has been writing a fascinating series of interviews with various South Berkshire County residents to "ask local people how they are doing, what troubles them, and what gives them hope.” In this installment she talks with the Rev. Jill Graham of First Congregational Church of Sheffield: https://theberkshireedge.com/where-we-are-south-county-voices-from-late-october-2022/
And finally, Sarah Wright, in her Woman on the Verge feature, has an essay on how voting is a sign of civic health — Vot-ER’s Civic Health Fellowship — imagine, she asks, health care providers asking their patients if they’re prepared to vote:

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

We have now published five parts of a seven-part series by Bill Shein that explores in great depth the housing market in the Berkshires, especially in Great Barrington. It’s called THE DEVELOPER, and organizes the information around the story of one local developer named Ian Rasch. Here’s a link to today’s installment:

2.Nick Simonds is bringing much needed services and education to Berkshire County with his Harm-Reduction Mobile Unit.

For movie buffs, we have an insightful overview of the New York Film Festibal by reviewer Barbara Quart

4.In the heat of the current election season, we have a letter to the editor discussing why it’s not good to steal the opposition’s lawn signs.

In this week's Business Monday line-up, we have an interesting profile of a Great Barrington institution, Barrington Brewery
And also in the Business Monday section, we have an announcement that the much loved Mission Restaurant in Pittsfield is closing. Mission was well known for its Monday Night Jazz sessions. It leave a gib hole in the cultural landscape.

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

Today we started Part One of aa six part series called The Developer. It’s written by our in-depth/investigative reporter Bill Shein who has already done a multi-part series on housing in the Berkshires. The developer Ian Rasch emerged as a major player in that first series, and now Shein is looking at all the projects Ian Rasch is doing in the Great Barrington area, as a way to look into larger questions of development.
The Housatonic Water Works story continues. Our managing editor Shaw Izikson reported yesterday that the Great Barrington select board is now considering two options, each with its own pros and cons. The board has invited the Aquarian Water Company, which owns the water company in nearby Sheffield, to bid on buying HWW. The other option is to merge HWW with the Great Barrington Fire District which means, essentially that the town takes over the company.
It’s election season, and we have two long-time incumbents running for re-election.

We had a profile of Incumbent Congressman Richie Neal who has served in the House since 1989, even though the districts have changed, and he is now Chair of the House Ways & Means Committee. Neil is being challenged by Republican Dean Martilli from West Springfield who is accusing Neal of being a do-nothing follower of Nancy Pelosi.

We expect soon to have a profile of Dean Martilli, whom we have interviewed.

The other incumbent is State Representative Smitty Pignatelli, and we have received several letters of support for him that praise him for his dedication and omnipresence. We have not yet had any letters in support of his opponent Michael Lavery of Becket, who is running on the Green Party ticket.

For those of us old enough to remember, this week is the 60th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and we have a very nice remembrance by a local contributor named Steve White who reflects on how seriously the country took that experience, White reminds us that we may be facing the same kind of crisis today.
In our Business Monday line-up, we had a profile of an extraordinary young woman named Madison Quinn who, at the age of 13, started a non-profit called Strong Little Souls to provide support and experience to children with pediatric cancer. Now in her early 20’s, she has kept the organization going and growing for eight years now.

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

There’s a revolt stewing among the members of the 8-town planning committee in southern Berkshire County trying to come up with strategy for consolidating educational facilities and spending:
Concurrently, this same 8-town committee is complaining about a lack of input from staff at the school districts and from the public:
The restoration of the historic A.M.E. Zion church in Great Barrington, where W.E.B. Du Bois worshipped, is moving ahead, with the goal of creating a Du Bois Freedom Center:
The residents of Housatonic are really getting up in arms about the troubled water system their village depends on. Now the owner of the system is saying there has to be an “alternative” plan to address the water quality issues. At the top of his list, merging his failing system with the town of Great Barrington’s:
Pulling for the Pantry. The Great Barrington Food Pantry, where those in need can get food, held a successful Pulling for the Pantry fundraiser, with performances by local musicians:

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

We have a new director of Great Barrington libraries… Samara Klein, daughter of the well-known writer Daniel Klein:
The Great Barrington selectboard spent a scant 15 minutes on the issue of the Housatonic Water Works water system for the village of Housatonic, despite hundreds of Housatonic residents demonstrating outside Town Hall:
Finally, after a long and weary effort, the village of Sandisfield has been designate a national historic district:
On August 31 a candlelight vigil was held in front of the South County Recovery Center in Great Barrington to remember those lost to drug overdoses and to call attention to the scourge of drug addiction.. This coming Saturday, a “Smash the Stigma” event will take place at Town Hall, sponsored by the South County Rural Recovery Center:
OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) at Berkshire Community College is sponsoring a program on the indigenous peoples of the Berkshires. Hint: they still live here:
Finally, our columnist Carole Owens, who lives in Stockbridge, has touched a live wire with her column supporting a residential tax exemption that would place more tax burden on the second-home owners:

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

We have the primary election results from Berkshire County:

In a closely watch race, Tim Shugrue easily defeated Andrea Harrington for the post of District Attorney, and Tom Bowler was elected sheriff.

Housatonic residents are continuing their protest against the rusty water emanating from the Housatonic Water Work. There are new developments in the frustration that Housatonic residents feel against Housatonic Water Works On Thursday, September 1, the company’s owner issued a press release that its water quality now meets compliance with some of the state’s DEP standards, and to address the problems of manganese in the system, they would be raising rates. This led to an angry protest in front of Town Hall last Saturday. s:
Our regular columnist Carole Owens discussed the proposed Residential Tax Exemption (RTE) that has been proposed for Stockbridge.This would lead to second home owners paying taxes at a higher rate than full-time resident. In response to a terrible fight looming in Stockbridge over this, Carole advocates civility and truthfulness, and she has attracted several spirited comments. This is a very interesting issue.
Just as most of us think we can lower our guard against Covid, our commentator Mickey Friedman offers a warning that we’re not out of the woods yet titled “Covid: What, me worry?"
The inaugural authors guild WIT (words, ideas and thinkers) festival is coming to Shakespeare & Company. The theme: Reimagining America:

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The town of Sheffield has just concluded a 3-day celebration to honor one of its most famous residents, Elizabeth Freeman. Born a slave, she sued for her freedom in 1781, and with the help of the Sedgwick family of Stockbridge, and the Massachusetts General Court, she won it in 1781, 80 years before the Emancipation Proclamation:
District Attorney Andrea Harrington has been a controversial figure, since she was elected four years ago, not the least because she’s reformer and a woman. Now she’s up for re-election, and the arguments over her tenure are heating up as the Sept. 6 primary date approaches… she faces off against another Democrat, Attorney Tim Shugrue, the old-guard candidate. It should be noted that U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren has endorsed Harrington:

And we should add that one of the issues she is confronting is gun violence:

She’s been recognized by the national gun control organization Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America — and we should poit out that Harrington is herself a mom:

On the education front, Berkshire Hills Superintendent Peter Dillon has assured the community — parents, students and teachers — that the imminent school year will be productive — and the district is prepared to open its classrooms once again after the trying period of dealing with the COVID19 pandemic:
Closer to you guys, in New Marlborough, well-known Shakespearian — and Shakespeare & Company — actor John Douglas Thompson will be at the New Marlborough Meeting House on the 27th to talk about his life and work…
Talk about downsizing. The American Tiny House Association (is that an oxymoron?) made a presentation to the Great Barrington Selectboard:

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

At a special meeting the Great Barrington Selectboard listed affordable housing and the predicament of the Housatonic Water Works as primary issues for the town:

Indeed, the Selectboard has called for an audit of the troubled Housatonic Water Works — a relic of the days when a public utility were privately owned and maintained:

Meanwhile, some good news for this summer’s Berkshire cultural season: The number of COVID cases remains low:
Julianne Boyd, founding director of Barrington Stage, is retiring… and she was celebrated at a farewell gala. She has been a creative force for the arts and theatre in the Berkshires:
The town of Great Barrington has been presented with a number of promising proposals for the reuse of the Housatonic Elementary School building:

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

Hi Marshall —

You can call us at 413-528-3408

Here are a few stories for our radio audience tomorrow:

The local food coop, the People’s Pantry, is in need of help — and more donations:
The town of Great Barrington will celebrate the life of civil rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois on August 27 — at Du Bois River Park. The controversial civil rights leader was born in Great Barrington:
We have a feature on the Railroad Street Youth Project’s RYSE program, supporting youth in finding a potential career after high school — and a life with purpose:
And here’s another good news story, so to speak… in the dog days of summer. Local church groups have banded together to provide AT hikers a “corner of kindness” as they navigate the trail between Maine and the southern Appalachians:
The press, but not the public, is invited to a “debate" between sheriff candidates… this has been a particularly bitter contest. Given the format, this may be the first time I can recall a law enforcement organization trusting the press rat her than the public:

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

At a special meeting the Great Barrington Selectboard listed affordable housing and the predicament of the Housatonic Water Works as primary issues for the town:

Indeed, the Selectboard has called for an audit of the troubled Housatonic Water Works — a relic of the days when a public utility were privately owned and maintained:

Meanwhile, some good news for this summer’s Berkshire cultural season: The number of COVID cases remains low:
Julianne Boyd, founding director of Barrington Stage, is retiring… and she was celebrated at a farewell gala. She has been a creative force for the arts and theatre in the Berkshires:
The town of Great Barrington has been presented with a number of promising proposals for the reuse of the Housatonic Elementary School building:

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

The process for merging the South Berkshire County school districts is moving ahead. The merger planning board has hired a transportation conclutant to fisgure out the logistics of getting kids to the enlarged district schools:
Finally, on a cheerful note, downtown Great Barrington on Friday night, and Saturday afternoon and evening, will feature “busking” to enliven the visiting experience:

And by the way, if you want to find out what’s happening in the Berkshires, at the region’s theaters and concert halls, as well as on its stages, check out the Berkshire Edge calendar where you can also purchase tickets.

We have a vigorous agricultural community in the Berkshires, and two local farmers, Elizabeth Keen and Alexander Thorp, are raffling off tickets for a far-to-table dinner on July 30… with proceeds going to the Harry Conklin Fund for Farmsteads.. Conklin was a beloved attorney in Great Barrington:
The contest for the post of Berkshire County High Sheriff is usually one of little notice… but not this time. There’s bitter dispute between candidate Alf Barbalunga and Sheriff Tom Bowler:
And finally, we have a story about Greenagers, what we have designated as the “premier youth environmental organization in the region.” They build gardens for people, repair woodland trails, engage in sustainable farming. and partner with local institutions on all sorts of projects:

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

Great Barrington Selectboard is denying accusations that some members may have violated the open meeting law in the deliberations over short-term rentals:

https://theberkshireedge.com/selectboard-members-deny-violating-open-meeting-law-violations/

Meanwhile, there’s the controversial proposal to construct a roundabout at a busy Great Barrington intersection: Essayist Bill Shein considers the implications:

https://theberkshireedge.com/reason-gone-mad-the-history-of-great-barringtons-first-roundabout/

Back to the bigger issues: Great Barrington residents took to the streets to protest the Supreme Court ruling about abortion:

https://theberkshireedge.com/south-county-residents-protest-against-scotus-roe-v-wade-decision/

And speaking of bigger issues, essayist Mickey Friedman takes on the attempt by former President Trump to subvert the outcome of the election:

https://theberkshireedge.com/the-other-side-theres-redemption-and-theres-the-back-door/

Writer Hannah Van Sickle has created a fascinating profile of author and book coach Courtney Maum and her new memoir “The Year of the Horses”:

https://theberkshireedge.com/book-coach-courtney-maum-at-the-mount-june-30-to-celebrate-her-first-memoir-the-year-of-the-horses/

Finally, if you’re in a mood for the pithy mysteries of Agatha Christie, the Theatre Barn in New Lebanon, N.Y. — just west of Great Barrington — is staging “Fiddlers Three” — reviewer Peter Bergman highly recommends it: https://theberkshireedge.com/theater-review-agatha-christies-fiddlers-three-at-the-theater-barn-in-new-lebanon-n-y/

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

The Great Barrington fire department subdued a blaze at the mothballed former Searles Elementary School in Great Barrington. The fire reminds us of the frustration Great Barrrington has had in rejuvenating its abandoned properties:
The writer Mickey Friedman, one of our regular feature writers and columnists, has written a thoughtful essay on why he will continue to wear a mask to avoid COVID19 exposure, even though the requirements for mask-wearing seem to be easing:
Now here’a story dear to your heart. Our local AM/FM station, WSBS, was knocked off the air, and had to resort to online streaming:
Despite the pandemic, the iconic Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade — “America’s Parade” — will proceed this year as usual:

And at last there seems to be a full array of performances and concerts at the many summer venues:

The Mavericks and Nick Lowe at Tanglewood,

And “Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Barrington Stage Company:

And finally, our columnist Carole Owens has written a fascinating column reminding us of how vital a role the Berkshires played in sustaining the “underground railroad” before the Civil War and emancipation of black citizens:

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Here are a few stories from the Edge this week:

The town of Great Barrington held its annual town meeting this week, a four-hour affair in the parking lot of the high school, due to COVID restrictions. People were in their cars listening to the proceedings on their car radios:

a. The most contentious issue that dominated the meeting was what to do about the proliferation of short-term rentals and Airbnb’s … the selectboard had proposed restrictions … and the declaration by some longtime Great Barrington residents that the conversion of the community into a second-home retreat was creating a “slow bleed” of working class families and artists:

b. Other budget items passed without much debate, including $19 million for the regional school district .. an increase of $600,000 over lat year — without much comment… which is unusual… perhaps it was the darkness of the parking lot:

c. And the town meeting adopted Community Preservation Act projects, zoning bylaws, body cameras for the cops, and to wrap up the discussion about short-term rentals (STR), the town meeting approved a 3 percent “impact” fee on STRS that will be applied to affordable housing projects:

And finally, the Tri-town Health department reports good news on the COVID front… cases have been falling for the past several weeks:

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week the Berkshire International Film Festival opens in Great Barrington:

We have two stories previewing the film festival:

https://theberkshireedge.com/biff-a-very-sweet-sixteen-part-i/

https://theberkshireedge.com/biff-a-very-sweet-sixteen-part-ii/

Berkshire County school districts have received major funding $300,000, to support programs to help strengthen career and college readiness. "“This will help all of these Berkshire County schools address the ongoing disparities in college and career readiness opportunities that are present here due to economic disadvantages, demographics, and our rural location.”

https://theberkshireedge.com/berk12-and-berkshire-county-schools-secure-300k-grant-for-post-secondary-readiness/

Berkshire Pride events are set to begin in Pittsfield, with the annual Pride Festival and Pride Parade:

https://theberkshireedge.com/time-to-turn-out-pride-events-scheduled-for-june-and-beyond-in-the-berkshires/

Meanwhile, Justin Cole, former town accountant for the town of Monterey (and 3 other Massachusetts towns), was sentenced to 3 years in the slammer for pilfering more than $900,000 from four towns:
Congressman Jamie Raskin of Maryland came to the Great Barrington to endorse Andrea Harrington for another term as Berkshire District Attorney (Raskin was in town to deliver a lecture):

https://theberkshireedge.com/u-s-representative-jamie-raskin-endorses-andrea-harrington/

Writer Bill Shein has written a series (he calls it Reason Gone Mad) on the issue of short-term rentals in Great Barrington and the Berkshires whose sky-high fees have made it difficult for those working in the Berkshires to find — and afford — housing:

https://theberkshireedge.com/analysis-the-short-term-rental-debate-a-reason-gone-mad-series-part-3/

And finally, our theatre reviewer Peter Bergman has recommended “Grief, the Musical… a Comedy,” by written and performed by local and internationally known comedienne Alison Larkin:

https://theberkshireedge.com/alison-larkin-and-great-barrington-public-theater-go-deep-in-grief-the-musical-a-comedy/

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

The Great Barrington Selectboard, after months of wrangling, will submit a proposed short-term rental law to town meeting:
And on the subject of short term rentals, our columnist (and resident wit) Bill Shein has weighed in on the topic, with a series of analyses. This week is Part II:
In memory of a beloved local attorney, Harry Conklin, a concert series has been organized to support local independent farmers and the Harry Conklin Fund for Farmsteads:
The historic Clinton Church in Great Barrington — where W.E.B. DuBois was a member — has received funding to continue its restoration:
On the lighter side, we have our BerkShares Business of the Month: Roger the Jester:

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Lee voters ask selectmen to have town leave the PCB agreement the EPA negotiated with General Electric over the contamination of the Housaatonic River: https://theberkshireedge.com/bailey-wins-back-selectboard-seat-in-lee-citizens-ask-selectmen-to-rescind-dump-agreement/
Of course we can’t go a week without reporting on the COVID epidemic… and here’s the latest from the Tri-town Health Department:https://theberkshireedge.com/tri-town-health-departments-covid-19-update-for-may-17/
Regional school planners examining the merger of the two sprawling South Berkshire districts are proceeding with a public hearing to present progress on a merger plan, and to gather public input;https://theberkshireedge.com/regional-school-planners-move-ahead-with-merger-plan-schedule-public-input-session-next-month/
And while we’re on the topic of education, Dr. Peter Gray is to give a talk about children’s natural way of learning, as he puts it:https://theberkshireedge.com/dr-peter-gray-to-give-talk-childrens-natural-way-of-learning-this-thursday-in-dalton/
Finally, Sheela Clary has written an update on the work being done by the 22-year-old Railroad Street Youth Project in Great Barrington — a remarkable drop-in center for youth ages 14-25:https://theberkshireedge.com/railroad-street-youth-project-has-come-a-long-way-and-has-far-to-go/

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

It’s town election time in Sheffield, and we have a contest for a seat on the Selectboard between two political veterans, Nadine Hawver and George Oleen. The candidates disagree on the merger of school districts :https://theberkshireedge.com/challenged-by-veteran-planner-former-sheffield-selectboard-member-seeks-to-retake-her-seat/
Our cultural writer Peter Bergman has reviewed a fascinating autobiography by Kevin O’Hara, a Pittsfield writer who has spent 30 years as a psychiatric nurse on a locked ward at Berkshire Medical Center… and since Kevin is Irish, he tells a fascinating story: https://theberkshireedge.com/book-review-kevin-oharas-ins-and-outs-of-a-locked-ward-my-30-years-as-a-psychiatric-nurse/
Bob Gray, a writer who grew up in the village of Housatonic, has written a charming tale out of his youth about yo-yo’s …. https://theberkshireedge.com/bob-gray-yo-yo-man/
The pandemic may be subduing the customarily lively Berkshire cultural scene but there are bright spots here and there, and one of them, write Eli and Carolyn Newberger, was the Pittsfield City Jazz Festival (and of course their reviews come with the Newbergers' marvelous illustrations: https://theberkshireedge.com/a-brilliant-opening-concert-for-the-2022-pittsfield-cityjazz-festival/
We have a fascinating business story profiling Lyon Aviation, which for 42 years has operated a flight school and a jet charter service out of the Great Barrington Airport: https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-spotlight-on-mike-lyon-ceo-of-lyon-aviation/
And finally, Carole Owens, our Stockbridge columnist and teller of Berkshire tales, short and tall, has summoned up the Berkshire Gilded Age, when the Nouveau Riche, and the just the plain old riche, sought refuge in the Berkshires: https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-the-berkshires-and-new-york-city-gilded-and-beyond/

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

The town of Great Barrington is considering upgrades to crosswalks of its busy Main Street where pedestrians have been struck: https://theberkshireedge.com/town-mulls-two-options-to-improve-safety-of-infamous-main-street-crosswalks/
The Southern Berkshire School District has been awarded $37,000 from two funds to underwrite student-devised projects:https://theberkshireedge.com/southern-berkshire-district-scores-funds-for-14-educational-activities-and-projects/
The Pittsfield CityJazz Festival is returning this year, beginning April 23 and running through May 1: https://theberkshireedge.com/preview-pittsfield-cityjazz-festival-returns-april-23-may-1/
Elementary school students in Williamstown and North Adams have been writing letters to Afghan families who have resettled in Williamstown and North Berkshire County… welcoming them to America (and the Berkshires). On April 29 there will be a concert in Pittsfield to benefit these families:https://theberkshireedge.com/in-williamstown-a-warm-welcome-for-afghan-refugees/
Food for thought. The “Edible Natural World” is a locally produced YouTube video series celebrating Berkshire farms and chefs:https://theberkshireedge.com/the-edible-natural-world-youtube-series-unearths-the-secrets-and-wisdom-of-berkshire-makers/

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

We have had three interesting stories recently about the housing crisis facing the Berkshires::
On Monday, April 4, we had a story from 1Berkshire, which helps promote local economic development. about the work of a task force and the report they have produced. The report talks about obstacles to new housing development and ways to overcome them. https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-a-housing-vision-for-the-berkshires/
Then yesterday, as part of our “It’s not That Simple” series, we published a discussion with a local developer and property manager about the hurdles you have to face when trying to build new housing. https://theberkshireedge.com/its-not-that-simple-who-will-build-our-housing/
In our Monday Business section this week, we had a story about B&B Micro Manufacturing in Adams, which is ending great success building tiny homes. Maybe this is the answer. https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-bb-micro-manufacturing-tiny-home-builders/
We have an ongoing discussion here about the little airport in Great Barrington that started receiving plaines in the mid-1920s and was officially established in 1931, before local zoning was implemented and is grandfathered into what has since become a residential neighborhood. In our Then & Now series, we posted a fascinating series of photos showing the history of the airport. https://theberkshireedge.com/then-now-the-great-barrington-airport/ But the airport is at the center of controversy.Three of its neighbors are angry about the airport and keep trying to curtail its operations. Last week, the Great Barrington zoning board unanimously denied an appeal from the angry neighbors, accusing the neighbors of harassment.. We have had interesting letters and comments, many speaking fondly about the airport. https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-zoning-board-unanimously-denies-appeal-from-angry-airport-neighbors/
Our weather guru Nick Diller reported that March was warmer and drier than usual, and that thee were lots of bears roaming around after their winter snooze.https://theberkshireedge.com/nick-diller-march-was-warm-bears-were-abundant/
And on a lighter note, we have been running a series on Sundays called “Recollections of a Pittsfield Kid” which will appeal to anyone “of a certain age”. In this latest installement from last Sunday, the author talks about his adventures as a newspaper delivery boy for the Berkshire Eagle. https://theberkshireedge.com/recollections-of-a-pittsfield-kid-all-the-news-thats-fit-to-sprint/

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

A proposed short-term rental plan before the Selectboard has been shelved — for the time being — because of potential conflicts of interest: https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barringtons-short-term-rental-plan-stymied-by-conflicts-alleged-in-anonymous-email/
Meanwhile, our writer Sheela Clary has interviewed a single woman who describes the difficulties of finding housing in Great Barrington — and South Berkshire County:https://theberkshireedge.com/jessica-winn-a-tenant-speaks-on-the-housing-crisis-in-south-county/
Great Barrington’s effort to sell the mothballed Housatonic School building is picking up steam, apparently:https://theberkshireedge.com/measuring-the-drapes-effort-to-sell-housatonic-school-picks-up-steam/4. An “upscale” soup kitchen is opening in Pittsfield, in the heart of the impoverished Morningside district:https://theberkshireedge.com/restaurant-style-soup-kitchen-to-open-in-the-heart-of-local-food-desert/
Hannah Van Sickle has written a moving profile of Rabbi Everett Gendler, a beloved figure in South County: https://theberkshireedge.com/remembering-rabbi-everett-gendler/
And lest anyone imagine that the pandemic has silenced music in the Berkshires, now comes double bassist Edward Kass who has gathered a septet of bassists who will give a concert at Tanglewood of music for bass ensembles:https://theberkshireedge.com/concert-preview-double-bass-ensemble-to-play-britten-bartok-balch-balliett-at-linde-center/

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

It seems that proposed upgrades to our public education system is occupying public attention this week.The Great Barrington Selectboard has authorized a townwide vote on the town’s share of a $1.5 million study to determine whether a new high school should be built:https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-authorizes-town-vote-on-1-5-million-to-fund-new-high-school-study/
In the background, of course, is the potential merger of the Berkshire Hills and Southern Berkshire school districts that has been recommended by a consultant: https://theberkshireedge.com/consultant-recommends-full-merger-of-berkshire-hills-southern-berkshire-regional-school-districts/
At the same time, the Mt. Everett Regional School in the Southern Berkshire Regional School District has been designated an “early” college, part of the state’s Early College Initiative and in partnership with Simon’s Rock of Bard College:https://theberkshireedge.com/state-gives-mount-everett-early-college-designation/ And to prepare Mt. Everett students for college the Southern Berkshire School District is expanding its partnership with Simon’s Rock College in Great Barrington:https://theberkshireedge.com/sbrsd-expands-partnership-to-prepare-students-for-the-college-and-work-worlds/
Of course, we could not go a week without mentioning the burgeoning marijuana business. And now it’s the mountain town of Becket, where town planners have approved a proposal to build a “cannabis grow facility” —a 31,000 square foot greenhouse with the somewhat menacing name of “Tetrahydra” — sounds like some creature from 20,000 Leagues under the Sea: https://theberkshireedge.com/becket-planners-approve-large-cannabis-grow-house-amid-questions-about-compliance-and-procedure/
Meanwhile, on the arts front, David Edwards has written a review of the significant Sol LeWitt exhibit at the Williams College Museum of Art that will be up through June 11: https://theberkshireedge.com/strict-beauty-sol-lewitt-prints-at-williams-college-museum-of-art-through-june-11/ And if you can’t make it to Williamstown, we offer a video tour of the exhibit.

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

The Stockbridge Library was the site for a discussion with former Boston Globe editor Marty Baron of the future of journalism and the so-called “cancel culture” that calls for the banning of books — and ideas — that are controversial: https://theberkshireedge.com/newsman-marty-baron-on-book-banning-cancel-culture-and-the-future-of-journalism/
The village of Housatonic — part of the town of Great Barrington — expressed its solidarity with the embattled residents of Ukraine by lighting the elementary school in yellow and blue, the Ukrainian colors: https://theberkshireedge.com/in-housatonic-solidarity-with-ukraine-a-little-bit-of-magic/
Lisa Donovan, a professor at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, has created a method of integrating the arts into the traditional educational curriculum: https://theberkshireedge.com/mcla-professor-dr-lisa-donovan-aims-to-make-the-berkshires-an-integrative-arts-example/
In solidarity with Ukraine, the windows of the elementary school building in the village of Housatonic (part of the town of Great Barrington) has been illuminated in the Ukrainian national colors, thanks to the effort of Great Barrington Selectboard member Eric Gabriel — who, by the way, is a licensed electrician: https://theberkshireedge.com/in-housatonic-solidarity-with-ukraine-a-little-bit-of-magic/
Roger Kavanaugh, a selectman in West Stockbridge, has abruptly resigned, siting irreconcilable differences int he town: "“I’ve learned that the town is slowly and quietly splitting into factions: one that wants everything to be like it used to be, another that sees transformation as the only answer for the future,” https://theberkshireedge.com/selectmans-abrupt-resignation-over-divisions-fuels-uncertainty-as-caucus-approaches/
On a musical note, a plug for our own Berkshire Opera: On Sunday March 27, at Saint James Place in Great Barrington, the Berkshire Opera will give an all-Mozart recital by Berkshire Opera singers who are preparing for a performance of “Don Giovanni” in August: https://theberkshireedge.com/concert-preview-berkshire-opera-festival-presents-mid-winter-mozart-recital-march-27/

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Berkshire Hills Regional School District to borrow $1.5 milli0n to study reconstruction of Monument Mountain Regional High School: https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-hills-to-borrow-1-5-million-to-study-reconstruction-of-monument-high-school/
For our Edge subscribers Sheela Clary will conduct an Edge-sponsored online interview with New York Times’ Supreme Court reporter Linda Greenhouse discussing her new book, “Justice on the Brink” and other topics:
Public transit in the Berkshires may shrink.. Berkshire Regional Transportation Authority proposes to cut service by 50 percent in South Berkshire County:
The Berkshires are welcoming refugees. The Jewish Family Service is helping to resettle afghan refugees; https://theberkshireedge.com/a-warm-welcome-jewish-family-service-resettles-afghan-refugees-into-berkshire-community/
U.S. Senate panel proposes to name a federal fellowship program after Sheffield native Samya Stumo who died three years ago in the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX-8: https://theberkshireedge.com/senate-panel-pushes-legislation-to-rename-key-fellowship-program-after-samya-stumo/

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

The debate in Great Barrington over short-term rentals — whereby homes in residential neighborhoods are rented out — has become roiled in what appears to be a conflict of interest since a member of the selectboard, it turns out, does rent property on a short-term basis: https://theberkshireedge.com/lively-debate-over-short-term-rental-regulations-in-great-barrington-stalls-again/
And on that issue we have a thoughtful and provocative commentary by one of our writers, Sheela Clary: https://theberkshireedge.com/sheela-clary-what-we-are-starting-to-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-strs/
Terry Cowgill has written a fascinating history of the Great Barrington fire department, and how it’s evolved over time: https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-fire-department-now-state-of-the-art-after-horse-drawn-beginnings/
A group of organizations in Great Barrington is collaborating on the gathering of an oral history of the African-American community in the Berkshires: https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-oral-history-collaborative-forms-to-preserve-african-american-stories/
Once again the Housatonic Water Works, the private water company in the village of Housatonic, has been threatened with criminal prosecution by the DEP for failing to remove carcinogenic ingredients from the water supply: https://theberkshireedge.com/housatonic-water-works-scolded-by-massdep-threatened-with-fines-criminal-prosecution/
Finally, the stars may be aligning to the state to fund a long-sought upgrade to Monument Mountain Regional High School: https://theberkshireedge.com/are-the-stars-aligning-berkshire-hills-now-in-line-for-state-aid-to-rebuild-monument/

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

The Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee has adopted a proposed $32 million budget for next year… that will have to be approved at the member towns’ town meetings in the spring. New this year is a “communications” staff member: https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-hills-school-committee-approves-23-million-spending-package-adds-communications-position/
To the relief of parents, students and faculty, the Berkshire Hills Regional School District is lifting its mask mandate on March 7:https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-hills-to-ease-mask-mandates-for-students-staff-on-march-7/
To unite the thriving Latina population in the Berkshires, Latinas413 (413 being the area code for the Berkshires) has been organized to support Spanish speakers in the Berkshires: https://theberkshireedge.com/latinas413-uses-its-collective-power-to-create-space-for-spanish-speakers-in-the-berkshires/
As astronomer Bob Berman likes to say, keep looking up. That’s what our columnist Judy Isacoff suggests we do just before dawn to observe Venus, the solar system’s hottest planet: https://theberkshireedge.com/eyes-to-the-sky-leading-the-sun-at-dawn-eye-popping-venus-our-solar-systems-hottest-planet
Here’s some bad news for visitors and campers at Prospect Lake Campground in North Egremont… the new owner, Ian Rasch, is closing it for the season. He’s not yet disclosed what he intends to do with campsite: https://theberkshireedge.com/developer-to-shut-down-prospect-lake-campground-for-2022-season-future-of-property-unclear/

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Good news/bad news from the regional school district: COVID cases down, but the pipes burst: https://theberkshireedge.com/good-news-and-bad-for-berkshire-hills-covid-cases-down-but-pipes-burst/
The state DEP has found the privately owned Housatonic Water Works, providing water to the village of Housatonic, to have conducted an inadequate analysis of contamination in the water system: https://theberkshireedge.com/massdep-deems-housatonic-water-works-analysis-of-cancer-causing-contaminant-inadequate/
The Great Barrington Community Preservation Committee has awarded a record $1.1 million to nine projects in the town:https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-community-preservation-panel-awards-record-1-2-million/
Vestiges of grandeur…. Artist Hunt Slonem to restore Searles Castle: https://theberkshireedge.com/vestiges-of-grandeur-artist-hunt-slonem-aims-to-restore-searles-castle-as-a-private-residence/
Plans move forward to install a statue of Great Barrington native son W.E.B. Du Bois, the great civil rights leader, in front of the Mason Library in Great Barrington — a project that has been stalled for many years: https://theberkshireedge.com/plans-for-du-bois-statue-expand-to-include-gathering-place-for-the-community/

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

The Great Barrington Health Board declines to advocate COVID vaccine requirement for Berkshire Hills students and staff:https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-health-board-wont-endorse-vaccine-mandate-for-berkshire-hills/
Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington explains her efforts to upgrade and reform the county’s justice system, to make sure there is no racial bias: https://theberkshireedge.com/action-toward-justice-reforming-berkshire-county-justice-system-in-the-spirit-of-martin-luther-king-jr/
Of course, we can’t go long without reporting on the COVID pandemic, and how it’s affecting the Berkshires. We have an update n the epidemic and some recommendations from Berkshire Health Systems:https://theberkshireedgoe.com/berkshire-health-systems-community-update-testing-vaccination-and-treatment-during-omicron-covid-19-surge/
Meanwhile, in Housatonic the state has found that the village’s water system — the privately owned Housatonic Water Works, has exceeded the limits on a carcinogenic contaminant: https://theberkshireedge.com/housatonic-water-works-exceeds-limits-for-potentially-cancer-causing-contaminant/
We have a new column — from an old friend —the brilliant wit Bill Shein. The title is “Reason Gone Mad” — and his inaugural entry is about living in an old house: https://theberkshireedge.com/reason-gone-mad-heres-what-ive-learned-living-for-many-years-in-an-old-house/
Finally, Sheela Clary has written a profile of a student who found a new path through Greenagers — and a nudge from Yo-Yo Ma: https://theberkshireedge.com/finding-his-own-path-derick-turner/

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Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Second homers beware! The Great Barrington Selectboard is considers raising property taxes for out-of-town property owners, lowering them for full-time residents (and how will they determine the difference?):
We have the latest weekly update on the COVID19 outbreak in Berkshire County. A 2x increase in new cases: https://theberkshireedge.com/tri-town-health-departments-covid-19-update-for-january-7/
Speaking of COVID, Dr. Richard Kessin, a microbiologist at Columbia University and a resident of Lakeville, Conn., has written an analysis of where we are with the pandemic. “So many sick children and adults that the medical system has still been overwhelmed,” he writes: https://theberkshireedge.com/the-body-scientific-omicron-mutations-and-medical-updates/
Great Barrington is creating free public wifi access for the downtown:
Finally, Great Barrington Selectboard member Ed Abrahams explains what the town is doing to alleviate the affordable housing shortage — at last:

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Our lede story is that former state Senator Ben Downing, a Democrat who had announced he would run for governor next year, has called it quits: https://theberkshireedge.com/with-gubernatorial-campaign-running-low-on-funds-former-berkshires-state-senator-calls-it-quits/
A worker co-op in Pittsfield, Rose & Cole’s Transport, aims to provide transportation for the city’s poorest neighborhoods in order to provide the city’s poorest residents in the poorest and largely neglected neighborhoods a way of getting to work:https://theberkshireedge.com/rose-coles-transport-co-op-aims-to-drive-change-in-pittsfield/
Our writer David Edwards interviews set designer Carl Sprague of Stockbridge about his work on the new Wes Anderson film, “The French Dispatch”: https://theberkshireedge.com/set-designer-carl-sprague-discusses-his-work-on-wes-andersons-the-french-dispatch/
And now for an unusual holiday favorite: Gary Leveille’s satirical “holiday house tour”: https://theberkshireedge.com/gary-leveille-sixth-annual-satirical-holiday-house-tour/
So here’s a holiday uplift. Two residents of the village of Housatonic are on a campaign to bring holiday cheer to the village, all in memory of the beloved Deb Koffman, whose gallery and support oof emerging artists is legendary in South Berkshire County:https://theberkshireedge.com/light-it-up-for-deb-koffman-illuminates-housatonic/
Young local artists now have anew venue in Lee, the Off-Of-It Gallery, where customers can find intriguing collectibles — all run by a young entrepreneur:https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-off-of-it-gallery-for-modern-art-and-collectibles/
Finally, part 1 of a two-part series on financial New Year’s resolutions that will really work: https://theberkshireedge.com/personal-business-financial-resolutions-that-really-work-part-1/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Responding to a spike in COVID19 cases, Gov. Charlie Baker issued a new mask-wearing advisory and called up the National Guard to relieve the beleaguered staff at state hospitals:
Meantime, the Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee decided against a COVID19 vaccine mandate for students participating in extracurricular activities:
In their column, Pedro Pachano and Great Barrington Selectboard member Ed Abrahams discuss the possibility of restoring passenger rail service from the Berkshires to the metropolitan New York area, via the Housatonic RR line from Pittsfield through Canaan, CT… the old New Haven line. https://theberkshireedge.com/its-not-that-simple-passenger-rail-service-in-berkshire-county/
Two residents of the hamlet of Housatonic are trying to bring cheer to their village by commemorating the memory of Deb Koffman, whose art gallery and artwork were such a delight to the village: https://theberkshireedge.com/light-it-up-for-deb-koffman-illuminates-housatonic/
Finally, that icon of family entertainment, Cove Bowling, may have a new life: https://theberkshireedge.com/cove-bowling-lanes-remain-open-soon-to-be-new-owner-looking-for-business-to-be-upgraded/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Great Barrington Selectboard is seeking limit the conversion of the town into a collection of rental properties: https://theberkshireedge.com/opposing-sides-tangle-over-short-term-rental-proposal-for-great-barrington/
Dennis Powell, president of the Berkshire County Chapter of the NAACP, has written an essay on what he perceives as the erosion of equal rights for all citizens, especially citizens of color: https://theberkshireedge.com/american-justice-or-jus-us/
From our magazine, Berkshire Calendar Magazine, we have a roundup that we call “Season of Light” — a guide to where in the Berkshires to see displays of seasonal lights — some of them quite spectacular: https://theberkshireedge.com/season-of-light/
Two years ago Samya Rose Stamo of Sheffield was killed in the Kenya when her flight crashed. She was in Africa promoting health for women. In her memory her family has established a fellowship for women seeking to pursue unique health projects: https://theberkshireedge.com/think-well-do-good-the-samya-rose-stumo-memorial-fellowship-for-global-health-aims-to-pick-up-where-she-left-off/
Our feature writer Sheela Clary, who’s also had a career as a teacher, has written a fascinating profile of a student struggling over the decision of whether to continue in higher education:https://theberkshireedge.com/equity-access-and-high-expectations-for-all-a-students-perspective/
Finally, the Massachusetts health care system is under a good deal of stress due to the COVID19 pandemic, and in response Gov. Charlie Baker has issued some guidance to hospitals to minimize non-essential procedures in order to preserve space for those who are afflicted by the pandemic: https://theberkshireedge.com/as-healthcare-system-strains-baker-urges-hospitals-to-cut-back-on-non-urgent-scheduled-procedures/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

The iconic Cove Bowling Alley in Great Barrington is (finally) up for sale — and likely foreclosure unless a buyer can be found: https://theberkshireedge.com/foreclosure-auction-set-for-iconic-cove-lanes-owner-vows-to-get-out-of-the-situation/
Berkshire Grown has assembled a network of nonprofits and farmers to create a network to bolster the local food network as we endure the uncertainties of the pandemic:https://theberkshireedge.com/building-a-better-web-berkshire-grown-and-local-partners-aim-to-strengthen-the-southern-berkshires-food-web/
Climate change preparation comes to the Berkshires. The Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program has engaged, among other groups, the youth group Greenagers to the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, to assess the risk of Housatonic River flooding. This is termed “climate resilience”:https://theberkshireedge.com/a-regional-approach-to-climate-resilience/
To follow up on a story we’ve reported previously, the town of Great Barrington has named a new assistant town treasurer, Jackie Dawson, as the town attempts to reorganized the treasurer’s office after the resignation of Town Treasurer Deborah Ball who had been accused of embezzlement and has pleaded not guilty:https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-names-assistant-town-treasurer/
On a happier note, Great Barrington will be holding a special (virtual) meeting to review plans for upgrading the Lake Mansfield recreation area: https://theberkshireedge.com/town-to-host-december-6-update-on-lake-mansfield-improvement-plans/
And here’s an even happier note: $350,000 in cannabis revenues for Great Barrington, to be distributed to local agencies:https://theberkshireedge.com/cannabis-impact-panel-awards-350000-in-pot-revenue-to-eight-local-agencies/
Finally, from our magazine, we have a roundup of seasonal light displays to celebrate the holidays: https://theberkshireedge.com/season-of-light/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

After 10 years, redevelopment of mothballed Eagle Mill in Lee is finally getting under way: https://theberkshireedge.com/after-nearly-10-years-redevelopment-of-eagle-mill-gets-underway/
On the 61st anniversary of the desegregation of schools in New Orleans, epitomized by the Norman Rockwell painting of “Rainbow Ruby” walking to school, local artist Pops Peterson has created a mural in the Jubilee Hill neighborhood of Pittsfield celebrating desegregation:
Today at Berkshire Community College is hosting a workshop on the challenges veterans face after returning home from combat:
Our science writer Dr. Rich Kessin — who hails from Lakeville but works at Columbia University — has a prediction on how the COVID19 epidemic will end: vaccinations — not “treatments”:
Sheela Clary reviews “Tax the Rich” by the so-called Patriotic Millionaires, whose aim is to “unrig” the political economy in thrall to the rich. And by the way, Edge members are eligible to join a webinar with the authors of the book this Thursday — tomorrow -- at 6 p.m.
Finally, in a sign of the times, a derelict Getty gas station on Main Street in Great Barrington is being reincarnated as a pot shop:

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

The Great Barrington Selectboard fielded suggestions from the public on how best to allocate the $2 million in Recovery Act funds — a windfall. Repair of the Housatonic Water Works, affordable housing, sewer line extension were the items the public proposed: https://theberkshireedge.com/affordable-housing-blue-hill-sewer-extension-great-barrington-residents-weigh-in-on-how-to-spend-arpa-funds/
Great Barrington Selectboard is also considering a measure to bar “out-of-town speculators” from operating short-term rentals:
Monument Mountain Regional High School students have organized a campaign to raise funds for research on a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy — a disease that one of the school’s graduates, Charlie Seckler, a junior at NYU, is suffering from. Their campaign attracted the attention of Warrior Trading which will contribute double the amount students raise: https://theberkshireedge.com/a-cause-for-celebration-charleys-fund-team-monument-and-warrior-trading-set-a-birthday-fundraising-goal/
Great Barrington has had a shortage of parking spots in its downtown commercial district, caused in part by store employees taking up street-side slots. Now the town is going to designate 8-hour parking spots for merchant employees: https://theberkshireedge.com/one-way-to-get-more-downtown-parking-spots-employees-can-park-remotely-and-walk-to-work/
The first-ever public performance of Leonard Bernstein’s “Music for String Quartet” — written when Bernstein was 18 years old — will be performed this coming Saturday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m. at Tanglewood’s Linde Center. It will be a benefit concert for the Stockbridge Library: https://theberkshireedge.com/stockbridge-library-presents-leonard-bernstein-world-premiere-nov-6-at-the-linde-center/
Finally, our weatherman Nick Diller tells us that October 2021 was the warmest October in 57 years: https://theberkshireedge.com/nick-diller-weather-summary-october-2021-warmest-in-57-years/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

A brainstorming session is set for this coming Saturday for a public discussion about what the derelict Housatonic Elementary School building could become: https://theberkshireedge.com/what-will-happen-to-housatonic-school-amid-uncertainty-brainstorming-session-set-for-saturday/
The town of Great Barrington has been reimbursed for the $167,000 stolen by a former assistant treasurer Deborah Ball: https://theberkshireedge.com/town-recoups-167000-allegedly-stolen-by-assistant-treasurer-collector/ Here’s the original story of her indictment;https://theberkshireedge.com/former-great-barrington-tax-collector-pleads-not-guilty-to-embezzlement-in-fraudulent-ponzi-scheme/
Meanwhile, Great Barrington students engaged in the traditional Halloween sidewalk and store display window decoration:https://theberkshireedge.com/student-artists-descend-on-downtown-great-barrington-brightening-up-the-landscape/ While the Trustees of Reservations have announced that the holiday light display Naumkeag (150,000 lights) will be illuminated on November 26: https://theberkshireedge.com/bits-nonprofit-salary-survey-jeff-robb-exhibit-at-sohn-fine-art-lenox-winter-parking-ban-berkshire-waldorf-open-house/
The town of Great Barrington is about to break ground on a badly needed affordable housing project: https://theberkshireedge.com/ground-expected-to-be-broken-soon-on-great-barringtons-latest-affordable-housing-project/
For our Business Monday feature we had a great profile of two women who started a farm — a small scale sustainable agriculture operation they’ve named Full Well Farm —https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-what-it-takes-to-start-and-grow-a-farm/
Our voracious reader and feature writer Mickey Friedman has reviewed Robert Costa’s and Bob Woodward’s book, “Peril,” about the last desperate moments of the Trump administration:

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Good morning… please call us at Edge headquarters: 413-528-3408

Mass. Attorney General Maura Healey has joined with 24 other state attorney generals in urging the Supreme Court to nullify Texas abortion ban: https://theberkshireedge.com/ag-healey-urges-supreme-court-to-halt-unconstitutional-texas-abortion-ban/
Continuing our theme of politics, Berkshire County state Democrat Rep. Paul Mark is running for state senate, advocating for “medicare for all.” He is likely to be opposed by former state senator Andrea Nuciforo, who held the seat for 10 years 1997-2007. https://theberkshireedge.com/paul-mark-announces-candidacy-for-state-senate-will-likely-run-against-nuciforo/
Still on the political front, Sen. Adam Hinds is throwing his hat into the electoral ring, announcing he’ll run for lieutenant governor:https://theberkshireedge.com/as-lawmakers-mull-redistricting-hinds-tosses-hat-into-ring-for-lieutenant-governor/
Meanwhile, back down to earth, actually under it, the Great Barrington Selectboard continues to mull the acquisition of the decrepit Housatonic Water Works … Town Manager Mark Pruhenski presented the board with four scenarios: https://theberkshireedge.com/gb-selectboard-acquisition-of-housatonic-water-works-could-take-several-months-to-years/
At the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington a free screening of "Dedicada a mi ex" (With Love to my Ex), a romantic comedy with English subtitles, is being presenting by Volunteers in Medicine tomorrow night, with funding from the Berkshire Taconic Foundation, as a way to engage the Latino community:https://theberkshireedge.com/dedicada-a-mi-comunidad-a-free-event-en-espanol-aims-to-invite-the-latinx-community-in/
Finally, a little “trail magic” on the Appalachian Trail as it wends its way through Sheffield. Local congregations are celebrating their collaboration in providing a little assistance to thru-hikers:https://theberkshireedge.com/two-sheffield-congregations-join-forces-to-create-trail-magic-for-appalachian-thru-hikers/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

What do you know…. Boston acknowledges the western county of Massachusetts. Great Barrington is to receive $2.1 million in COVID relief funds, and state auditor acknowledges the state’s “East/West divide”:
And to that point, State Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lenox, has called for “equity” in the distribution of funds for infrastructure revitalization:
Speaking of infrastructure, the Great Barrington Selectboard is taking up the complicated issue of the Housatonic Water Works, that village’s privately owned water system that is plagued with issues, from broken mains to rusty water — a relic of the days when utilities like the water system were privately rather than publicly owned:
We also had a report of the rally in Salisbury, Connecticut, in support of women’s right to an abortion, one of 600 demonstrations nationwide:
The Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire (CDCSB) is conducting a (virtual, of course) fundraiser for its affordable housing projects, and it’s showing the film “Citizen Jane,” about Jane Jacobs
And finally, in the spirit of independence, Berkshire County will be celebrating “Indigenous People’s Day” on Oct. 11.

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Great Barrington Selectboard has given the green light for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations available to the general public. Fueling up, though, won’t be free: https://theberkshireedge.com/its-official-great-barrington-will-charge-for-electric-vehicle-owners-to-fuel-up/
BerkShares, the local currency pioneered in Great Barrington 15 years ago, is going digital: https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshares-celebrates-15-years-in-the-berkshires-with-plans-to-evolve-to-a-digital-format/
The two southern Berkshire school districts have hired a project manager to assemble a process of merging the two districts: https://theberkshireedge.com/school-district-consolidation-panel-hires-project-manager-seeks-essential-public-input/
At the same time Berkshire Hills Regional School District has received a $300,000 grant from the Barr Foundation to expand the role of students in making school decisions: https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-hills-regional-school-district-receives-300000-barr-foundation-grant/
On the musical front, the Boston Symphony Orchestra is offering free tickets for the re-opening of Symphony Hall in Boston:https://theberkshireedge.com/free-bso-community-concert-at-symphony-hall-october-3/
Finally, we have a column from Carole Owens about the tradition of women’s clubs in the Berkshires: https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-the-history-of-berkshire-county-womens-clubs/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Free battery charging for electric vehicles in Great Barrington? That’s a plan being touted by the Selectboard, for charging stations to be installed in a municipal parking lot behind Carr Hardware on Main Street. The idea has aroused some criticism: https://theberkshireedge.com/free-electricity-in-gb-should-vehicle-owners-pay-for-charges-at-planned-town-ev-stations/
The Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative is issued a “film challenge” for young filmmakers… a program to give youth experience in creating their own digital stories:https://theberkshireedge.com/local-film-challenge-aims-to-gives-young-people-a-voice-through-video/
A mother-daughter duo host Mundo Latino on WBCR-lp, the low-power radio station in Great Barrington, to inform the Latino community — as well as the general South County residents — of events and news and services for the Latino populace: https://theberkshireedge.com/mother-daughter-duo-use-their-voices-to-celebrate-diversity-on-the-radio/
Massachusetts has allowed the regulated sale of marijuana, but our writer Sheela Clary has a cautionary story about deleterious physical side-effects from cannabis consumption:https://theberkshireedge.com/cannabinoid-hyperemesis-syndrome-when-cannabis-causes-the-pain/
On the cultural front, David Edwards has a fine review of a concert by the Emerson String Quartet at South Mountain in Pittsfield…https://theberkshireedge.com/concert-review-emerson-string-quartet-at-south-mountain/ And he also previews the Aston Magna Chamber Players concert in Hudson (N.Y.) and Great Barrington at St. James Place this weekend: https://theberkshireedge.com/aston-magna-chamber-players-at-hudson-hall-saint-james-place-this-weekend/
And finally, our writer Sheela Clary has an evocative essay about the end of summer: https://theberkshireedge.com/at-the-end-of-the-summer/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

My Day at Ground Zero. Retired Episcopal priest Dr. Stephen White, who has served in the Berkshires, recalls his day at Ground Zero as a volunteer clergyman:https://theberkshireedge.com/steve-white-my-day-at-ground-zero/
The state giveth, and sometimes giveth not. An unexpected grant for a road repaving project in Great Barrington, and nothing for the repair of the derelict Housatonic School: https://theberkshireedge.com/out-of-the-blue-unexpected-state-road-grant-and-a-walloping-bill-to-tarp-an-old-school-roof/
Meanwhile, in statewide news, former Berkshire state Sen. Ben Downing has announced he’s running for governor … and in a campaign event in Lee, he focused on transportation issues; https://theberkshireedge.com/in-run-for-governor-berkshires-native-son-downing-stresses-transportation-regional-empowerment/
In a sign of how the COVID19 pandemic has upended the Berkshire cultural scene, community choral groups have had to go on hiatus:https://theberkshireedge.com/community-choral-groups-go-silent-as-the-pandemic-drags-on/
The volunteer Berkshire Literacy Network (LitNet) is celebrating its 30th anniversary of helping immigrants learn English in order to gain American citizenship: https://theberkshireedge.com/litnet-celebrates-30-years-of-changing-lives-one-person-at-a-time/
And finally, Music in Common (an organization that was founded by Daniel Pearl, the journalist and musician who was murdered by Muslim extremists while on assignment for the Wall Street Journal — Pearl also worked in the Berkshires for the North Adams Transcript and Berkshire Eagle) is launching a groundbreaking racial equity project in the Berkshires: https://theberkshireedge.com/music-in-common-launches-groundbreaking-racial-equity-project-in-the-berkshires/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

The Berkshire International Film Festival opens this week, and one of the films is “Sproutland,” a film by Great Barrington’s Cynthia Wade, a fictional account about “Sproutman” (Steve Meyerowitz): https://theberkshireedge.com/a-film-sublime-sproutland-focuses-in-on-local-lives/
There will be a memorial procession on Saturday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks: https://theberkshireedge.com/20th-anniversary-9-11-memorial-procession-to-take-place-saturday-in-south-county/
We have a podcast, It’s Not that Simple, put together by Great Barrington Selectboard member Ed Abrahams and his cohort Pedro Pachano — and this week they created a discussion of blue laws in Massachusetts, prompted by a marijuana distributor’s failure to pay holiday wages for which Theory Wellness was forced to pay $300,000 in back wages: https://theberkshireedge.com/its-not-that-simple-the-blues-in-masschusetts/
Berkshire Community College is resuming its in-person Health Scholars’ Program designed to increase the number of healthcare providers in rural areas. https://theberkshireedge.com/health-education-students-offered-free-program-focused-on-community-needs/
In the Berkshires, there is an urgent need for volunteers for organizations that provide a variety of important services. We profile several: https://theberkshireedge.com/help-wanted-part-two/
Finally, through the agency of the West Stockbridge Board of Selectmen an accommodation of sorts has been reached in the feud between the Vietnamese restaurant Truc and the performance venue The Foundry: https://theberkshireedge.com/west-stockbridge-breathes-sigh-of-relief-as-settlement-reached-in-truc-foundry-imbroglio/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

We’ve had several stories about the dispute in West Stockbridge between The Foundry and the owners of Truc Orient Express restaurant. The Foundry being an open air venue not far from the restaurant where concerts are held, leading to a glut of traffic and parked cars around the restaurant. We may finally get some resolution this week: https://theberkshireedge.com/a-solution-may-be-near-as-marathon-foundry-hearing-set-to-resume-on-thursday/
Despite continued appeals from the public, and a history of accidents, the Mass DOT will not put a traffic light at the foot of the driveway to Monument Mountain Regional High School— instead, installing “safety measures":https://theberkshireedge.com/massdot-agrees-to-place-safety-measures-at-monument-driveway-but-no-red-light/
Theory Wellness (sic), the pot dispensary (one of three in Great Barrington), has been forced by the attorney general Maura Healey to pay $300, 000 in unpaid wages and penalties:https://theberkshireedge.com/ag-maura-healey-theory-wellness-agrees-to-pay-300000-in-wages-and-penalties/
An engineering firm has assessed the value of the Housatonic Water Works — the privately owned water system in Housatonic — at a value of negative $25 million — due to repairs necessary to keep the system functioning. That leaves the question of what will the town do.https://theberkshireedge.com/engineer-housatonic-water-works-has-negative-value-of-25-2-million/
Book review: As if things on the national scene weren’t unhinged enough, here come’s Michael Wolff’s account of the last days of the Trump presidency. Mickey Friedman reviews and reminds us to count our lucky stars: https://theberkshireedge.com/book-review-michael-wolffs-landslide-covers-the-last-days-of-trumps-presidency/
Then & Now: Local historian Gary Levieille digs into Berkshire history to recall the crash of trolley cars in Lee — at a time when a “street railways” network criss-crossed the Berkshires, and even provided a link to trolley lines in eastern New York: https://theberkshireedge.com/then-now-trolley-car-number-30-crashes-twice-in-lee/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

It is the dog days of August, as they say— with few big news happenings but lots of routine items:

And here’s a measure of what I’m talking about. Infrastructure… a story about the painting of the “brown” bridge red: https://theberkshireedge.com/after-rehab-pink-bridge-work-nears-completion-two-other-town-bridges-remain-closed/
From Jim Sleeper, a resident of Lakeville, Connecticut, and a national correspondent for Newsday, comes an essay on the debacle in Afghanistan: https://theberkshireedge.com/from-the-fall-of-saigon-to-the-fall-of-kabul-american-ignorance-has-only-doubled-down/
In response to the ongoing COVID plague Berkshire Hills Regional School District has announced its mask mandates for students and vaccination requirements for staff:https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-hills-issues-masking-mandate-for-students-and-vaccination-requirement-for-staff/
Meanwhile, despite the pandemic, we have theatre and dance and music. Here’s a sampling:At Berkshire Theatre Group we have “Nina Simone: Four Women” — like by our critic Peter Bergmanhttps://theberkshireedge.com/theater-review-btgs-nina-simone-four-women-tells-the-stories-behind-the-songs/ At the Ancram (N.Y.) Opera House “The Plein Air Plays” — a series of one-acts — is intriguing, writes reviewer Dan Dwyer:https://theberkshireedge.com/theater-review-plein-air-plays-at-ancram-opera-house/
The state of Massachusetts has awarded Great Barrington a grant of $126,000 to complete a trail system north and east of downtown: https://theberkshireedge.com/state-gives-great-barrington-final-grant-for-paved-recreational-connector-path/
Finally, we have a profile of Damon Groves, the piano tuner who keeps all the instruments at Tanglewood on their proper sharps and flats:https://theberkshireedge.com/tanglewoods-lead-piano-technician-damon-groves/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

It’s official: The troubled Housatonic Water Works, the private water company that serves the village of Housatonic within Great Barrington, is less than worthless — to the tune of negative $25.2 million, an engineering firm determines.
After 50 years, the Snap Shop photo processing and photographic emporium on Railraod Street in Great Barrington is calling it quits:
Great Barrington Selectman Ed Abrahams and his fellow-columnist Pedro Pachano look at the issue of zoning, and whether it creates more problems and issues than it solves: https://theberkshireedge.com/its-not-that-simple-is-zoning-a-solution-to-a-problem-or-is-it-the-problem/

https://theberkshireedge.com/its-not-that-simple-is-zoning-a-solution-to-a-problem-or-is-it-the-problem/

In this era of environmental and social anxiety environmentalist Bill McKibben and Ms Magazine editor Sue Halpern will be giving a talk at the New Marlborough Meeting House. The topic: The future you don’t want; the future you can have: https://theberkshireedge.com/write-read-talk-bill-mckibben-sue-halpern-kick-off-new-marlborough-series/
One business that seems to be thriving during the pandemic — and its stay-at-home regimen — is the musical instrument business.. several local outlets are thriving: https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-local-music-industry-finds-new-customer-base/
Despite the pandemic, concert and performance venues, such as Tanglewood and Jacob’s Pillow, have gotten creative. Jacob’s Pillow, for instance, organized an “African fiesta” in Pittsfield; https://theberkshireedge.com/dance-review-jacobs-pillows-african-fiesta-sizzles-in-pittsfield/

And writer Sheela Clary was inspired by an afternoon at Tanglewood. In her amusing portrayal she likened the experience to that of the Olympics:

https://theberkshireedge.com/top-10-olympic-results-roundup-tanglewood-sunday-afternoon-edition/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

The town of Great Barrington is assessing what it will take to clean up three brownfields sites: https://theberkshireedge.com/burdensome-brownfields-town-eyes-cleanup-of-three-important-but-polluted-properties/
On a happier note, Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) is creating enrichment summer activities for immigrant children: https://theberkshireedge.com/vim-berkshires-aims-to-make-summer-accessible-to-all/
We may be enduring a pandemic, but there is still theatre to take our minds off the masks we must wear. We take note of two productions; At the Great Barrington Public Theatre there is a terrific production of David Mamet’s “The Christopher Boy’s Communion, https://theberkshireedge.com/theater-review-christopher-boys-communion-at-great-barrington-public-theater/ While at Barrington Stage, local playwright Jessica Preovenz’s “Boca” comes to life. Peter Bergman gives us a behind the scenes look at this production: https://theberkshireedge.com/behind-the-scenes-jessica-provenz-brings-boca-to-life-at-barrington-stage/
Our Business Monday feature this week portrayed how artists are trying to make a living — in these pandemic times: https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-how-do-artists-make-a-living/
And from our calendar, authors and environmentalists Bill McKibben and Sue Halpern will be talking about climate change at the New Marlborough Meeting House on August 14 — my birthday! https://theberkshireedge.com/event/?event_id=MTk5Mzk=
Last but not least, in spite of the pandemic, Berkshire Hills Regional School District Superintendent Peter Dillon expects to the district’s schools will be open this fall: https://theberkshireedge.com/in-spite-of-recent-outbreaks-in-person-learning-likely-this-fall-for-berkshire-hills/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

What to do with the unoccupied Housatonic Elementary School… one thing not on the table is demolition: https://theberkshireedge.com/village-improvement-panel-wont-consider-demolition-of-housatonic-school/
School consolidation process creates a web site to share information and progress on merging South Berkshire County school districts: https://theberkshireedge.com/south-county-school-consolidation-panel-launches-website/
Moving on to our theater beat, Dan Dwyer finds Anne Undeland’s “Mr. Fullerton” an intriguing study of the household of Berkshire author Edith Wharton. An: https://theberkshireedge.com/theater-review-anne-undelands-mr-fullerton-an-intriguing-study-of-edith-wharton/ne
The ACLU has weighed in on the sign wars going on in Lee, Mass. — as officials remove lawn signs protesting the creation of a toxic PCB dump in town; https://theberkshireedge.com/in-political-sign-imbroglio-lee-officials-mull-response-to-letter-from-mass-aclu/
A muralist has found his spot in the alleyway next to Tom’s Toys:https://theberkshireedge.com/artist-joel-haynes-delivers-a-message-with-downtown-mural/
And finally, the Housatonic Improvement Committee has recommended against the demolition of the dormant Housatonic Elementary School: https://theberkshireedge.com/village-improvement-panel-wont-consider-demolition-of-housatonic-school/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Let us start with the Boston Pops, back in style,… that provided a musical uplift in these pandemic times, for the 4th of July: https://theberkshireedge.com/review-boston-pops-july-4th-spectacular-signals-return-to-community-life/ And while we’re on a musical theme, we should mention that Alice Maggio, the longtime artistic director — and founder -- of the Berkshire Children’s Chorus, is stepping down:https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-childrens-chorus-announces-next-artistic-director/

And tonight, cellist Yo-Yo Ma with pianist Emmanuel Ax is performing a concert to benefit Greenagers, the environmental youth program: https://theberkshireedge.com/bits-simons-rock-faculty-students-study-published-new-litnet-presents-episode-8-by-7-poetry-read/

Meanwhile, back to infrastructure reality, a roundabout is being built at the intersection of Routes 7 and 23, in front of the police station… the cops will be busy keeping things moving, that’s for sure:https://theberkshireedge.com/work-on-controversial-roundabout-to-resume-shortly-triplex-parking-lot-to-be-ripped-up-in-the-fall/
Housatonic, the village in Great Barrington that feels neglected, is going to get fibre line access to Internet — maybe… but it’s expensive. https://theberkshireedge.com/excessive-costs-cited-as-town-mulls-bringing-fiber-to-housatonic-village/
You might call him the dancing farmer. At Jacob’s Pillow, dancer Adam Weinert is reviving a Jacob’s Pillow tradition …. dancers working in the garden — Jacob’s Garden.. https://theberkshireedge.com/dancer-adam-weinert-grows-upon-ted-shawns-vision-with-a-garden-at-jacobs-pillow/
In our Business Monday column, Jonathan Butler notes how collaboration has been at the heart of successful, Berkshires entrepreneurial spirit: https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-shared-success/
Finally, at the Mission House in Stockbridge, the Trustees of the Reservation has mounted an exhibit paying tribute to the first residents of Stockbridge, the Mohicans — and isn’t there some irony in t

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Berkshire Hills Regional School District and Volunteers in Medicine are teaming up to hire a immigrant parent liaison — acknowledging that Berkshire institutions need to embrace its growing immigrant population:https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-hills-partners-with-vim-to-hire-immigrant-parent-liaison/
For our Business Monday feature writer Julia Dixon looked at whether people were buying art during the pandemic:https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-did-people-buy-art-during-covid/
Among the items at its annual town meeting Lee — and it was a marathon session — voted against allowing a PCB dump in the town, insisting instead that the contaminated sludge from Woods Pond be transported by rail out of town: https://theberkshireedge.com/pcb-dump-and-fights-over-the-future-dominate-marathon-lee-town-meeting/
The Berkshires welcomed new immigrant citizens this week. In a ceremony at Naumkeag, 20 individuals for foreign countries were congratulated on becoming American citizens: https://theberkshireedge.com/at-naumkeag-a-citizenship-ceremony-to-remember/
Meanwhile, in Sheffield a group of devoted volunteers are managing to keep the programming at Dewey Hall thriving: https://theberkshireedge.com/dewey-hall-remains-vital-admist-trying-times/
And in spite of the pandemic, cultural events are continuing in the Berkshires: To mention a few:Barrington Stage has a production of “Chester Bailey”:https://theberkshireedge.com/barrington-stages-chester-bailey-a-superb-drama/ At Simon’s Rock, Great Barrington Public Theatre has produced Mark St. Germain’s “Dad”:https://theberkshireedge.com/mark-st-germain-gets-real-with-dad-at-great-barrington-public-theater/

There is to be a Yo-Yo Ma benefit performance on behalf of the youth program Greenagers July 7:https://theberkshireedge.com/bits-simons-rock-faculty-students-study-published-new-litnet-presents-episode-8-by-7-poetry-read/

7.. An finally, the b

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

A tale of two cities… or rather, a town and a village. Great Barrington and Housatonic.Housatonic residents are peeved that the lawn of the Ramsdell Library doesn’t get mowed… and thereby hangs a tale: https://theberkshireedge.com/selectboard-rebuts-claims-of-gb-favoritism-from-housatonic-residents/
It seems to be the season of small town disputes… take the feud between Trúc Orient Express restaurant and The Foundry, a sculpture park, over an access road: https://theberkshireedge.com/solution-reached-in-west-stockbridge-road-dispute-long-term-fix-still-in-question/
Despite the pandemic, it is town meeting season int he Berkshires, and Stockbridge held its annual Town Meeting in the school gymnasium as usual. The most contentious issue was the allocation of $40,000 for a consultant to advise on complex zoning issues and $70,000 for treatment of diseased trees in Ice Glen. Also approved was a request to the state Legislature for the return of Mohican Nation documents — that 200-year-old fight isn’t over yet: https://theberkshireedge.com/budgets-consultant-funding-pass-at-marathon-stockbridge-annual-town-meeting/
Our writer Hannah Van Sickle examines an alternative to traditional educational practices … “unschooling” — in order for students to develop critical thinking skills. It’s called the Berkshire Freedom Academy : https://theberkshireedge.com/the-power-of-choice-unschooling-comes-to-pittsfield/
Now, let’s not forget we’re in the summer season in the Berkshires, and that means Tanglewood, and more specifically, the Boston Pops on July 4… and despite the pandemic, the show will go on — without James Taylor this year, alas: https://theberkshireedge.com/boston-pops-at-tanglewood-july-4/
Finally, on June 19 — Juneteenth — Multicultural BRIDGE will host a forum on “white privilege” — with a presentation in Tyringham by Dr. Peggy McIntosh of the Wellesley Centers for Women at Wellesley : https://theberkshireedge.com/celebrating-juneteenth-with-a-conversation-on-white-privilege/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Please call us at 413-528-3408

It’s town meeting time… our first report is about Great Barrington, held in the parking lot of the high school: And speaking of parking, one of the controversial issues was a proposed parking lot at the (dormant) rail station; the second hot topic were restrictions and buffer zones pot farming. Both measures failed. https://theberkshireedge.com/gb-annual-town-meeting-as-heat-subsides-budgets-pass-but-pot-restrictions-fail/
Meanwhile in Sheffield, voters at the town meeting decided to limit the number of outdoor marijuana cultivation sites:https://theberkshireedge.com/sheffield-votes-to-limit-outdoor-marijuana-farms/
Update from Tanglewood: The good news is that the number of available tickets to Tanglewood concerts doubles on June 21; the bad news is that James Taylor won’t be performing his annual Berkshire concert this year… Taylor fans will have to wait until 2022: https://theberkshireedge.com/tanglewood-2021-ticket-supply-doubles-on-june-21/
Meanwhile, in West Stockbridge a proposed concert venue and a restaurant are in a stand-off over access during performances… it’s gotten quite vitriolic … but a resolution may have been reached: https://theberkshireedge.com/thorny-west-stockbridge-road-dispute-moves-toward-solution/
In a Business Monday feature we have a profile of Destiny Saunders, a Pittsfield entrepreneur who is engaged in several enterprises — and she’s an evangelist with her own ministry, as well: https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-local-entrepreneur-fills-gap-for-women-of-color/
And finally, from our magazine, we have a feature about touring historic artists' studios in the Berkshire region: https://theberkshireedge.com/road-trip-guide-to-historic-artists-homes-studios-is-the-perfect-companion/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This coming Monday Great Barrington’s annual town meeting will be held — in the high school parking lot: https://theberkshireedge.com/for-great-barrington-a-second-annual-town-meeting-in-the-great-outdoors/
In a tongue-in-cheek preview of the town meeting, our columnist Heebie GB predicts what might take place at the town meeting: https://theberkshireedge.com/test-your-future-knowledge/
June is LGBTQ Pride month… to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots — and our writer Hannah Van Sickle interviews the Rev. Erika Allison, who has written a book promoting equality and rights for the LGBTQ community. The title: "Gay the Pray Away….”https://theberkshireedge.com/erika-allison-will-help-you-gay-the-pray-away/
From our magazine we have a feature on where in the Berkshire region to see art — in the outdoors: https://theberkshireedge.com/art-in-public-places/
Berkshire Reads… and writes. From our magazine… a selection of new books by Berkshire authors:https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-reads-may-2021/
Finally, we should pay tribute to the town of West Stockbridge for continuing its tradition of a Memorial Day parade. It signified the restoration of community celebrations after the pandemic quarantine: https://theberkshireedge.com/for-west-stockbridge-parades-return-signifies-something-greater/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

We had an interesting debate on our pages this week about the difficulty local businesses are having hiring workers. First we published an article from the point of view of local merchants looking for help:

https://theberkshireedge.com/as-economy-fully-reopens-downtown-merchants-struggle-to-achieve-full-staffing/

Then we had a letter to the editor talking about how hard it is for workers to find a job that will support them:

https://theberkshireedge.com/underlying-causes-behind-merchants-struggle-to-find-workers/

And that letter got a lot of comments agreeing that the jobs available are not desirable.

Our business section on Monday had a couple of useful articles. One is the first installment of a new series we’re launching called PERSONAL FINANCE, about how some home sellers sabotage their own sales by incorrect pricing.

https://theberkshireedge.com/personal-finance-pricing-your-house-to-sell/

And our Business Monday section also had a good article on the success of the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires. The center held its fourth annual awards ceremony virtually last week. But the importance of the Center is that, as an advocate and advisor, it has helped many nonprofits weather the storms of the last year.

https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-nonprofit-center-of-the-berkshires-hold-awards-ceremony-online/

The effort to renovate Monument Mountain High School proceeds along its bumpy path. A third application for funding is being submitted to the state and members of the school board felt that the language needs to be aggressive, that conditions should not be described as simply inadequate; the are abysmal.

https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-hills-officials-want-stronger-language-in-state-application-for-new-high-school-funding/

It’s not just the school committee that’s frustrated with the state over Monument Mountain High School. The Great Barrington Selectboard is trying to get the Mass DOT to make the road entrance to the school safer after several accidents, and the state has put this way down on their list.

https://theberkshireedge.com/massdot-officials-grilled-over-dangerous-route-7-intersection-at-high-school/ 6. Finally, we attended the graduation ceremony at Bard College at Simon’s Rock last Sa

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we’ve had a slew of education stories:

It’s town election season in the Berkshires, and in Lee the key issue was the proposed PCB dump that led to the demise of a 12-year veteran of the Selectboard:https://theberkshireedge.com/campaign-fought-over-pcb-dump-ends-with-landslide-ouster-of-12-year-incumbent/
The pandemic is not going to deter Great Barrington from catering to tourists.. they’ll just have to eat on Railroad Street…. literally, on the street: https://theberkshireedge.com/expanded-outdoor-dining-to-return-to-downtown-gb-memorial-day-weekend/
Meanwhile, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has announced the end of all COVID-19 restrictions on May 29 — just in time for Tanglewood!: https://theberkshireedge.com/gov-baker-announces-end-to-all-covid19-restrictions-on-may-29/ And in fact, Tanglewood tickets went on sale Monday, and it will be a star-packed season:https://theberkshireedge.com/tanglewood-tickets-on-sale-today-at-10-a-m/
In front of Great Barrington’s Town Hall this past Sunday there was a rousing demonstration against the violence in the Mideast — expressing support for the Palestinians… supporters of Israel also showed up:https://theberkshireedge.com/in-gb-peaceful-protesters-deplore-middle-east-violence-differ-on-whos-at-fault/
And to make the pandemic pause more relaxing, a fourth cannabis retailer has opened up in Great Barrington:https://theberkshireedge.com/fourth-cannabis-store-opens-in-great-barrington/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we’ve had a slew of education stories: 1. The Massachusetts School Building Authority once again has rejected an application to upgrade Monument Mountain Regional High School in Great Barrington: https://theberkshireedge.com/state-authority-again-denies-funding-for-monument-mountain-regional-high-school/ 2. From our business desk, we have an examination of how affordable housing projects are dealing with higher costs and administrative delays: https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-affordable-housing-projects-deal-with-skyrocketing-costs-and-delays/

From our agriculture desk we have a story about how farmers are coping with the pandemic and the changes within their marketplace:https://theberkshireedge.com/one-year-later-how-berkshire-farmers-adapted-to-the-pandemic/
Town elections are coming up next week, and we have a number of letters endorsing candidates for the Selectboard and school committee…. here’s one, from a School Committee member:https://theberkshireedge.com/dohoney-endorses-burke-for-gb-selectboard/
It’s not often that we have news from the tiny town of Mt. Washington (pop. 538) but there seems to be a brouhaha brewing in that community at the top of Mt. Everett, leading to the resignation of the town clerk and a selectboard member (same person):https://theberkshireedge.com/emotions-boil-over-in-tiny-mount-washington-as-resignation-leaves-two-major-posts-unfilled/
Finally, we have a piece from our naturalist's desk. The hummingbirds are back, flying thousands of miles to return to their Berkshire summer homes, much like many others of the human sort. https://theberkshireedge.com/hummingbirds-return-to-the-berkshires-after-long-journey-from-tasmania/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

In Great Barrington’s annual town election, there’s only one contested race:

https://theberkshireedge.com/only-one-contested-race-on-the-ballot-for-great-barringtons-annual-town-election/

Mickey Friedman, our observer and analyst of the cleanup of toxins from the Housatonic River watershed, has written an analysis of the status of the 20-year campaign to remove PCB’s from the Housatonic River watershed — and this includes Connecticut as well. The verdict is that the EPA’s cleanup is arbitrary and capricious:

https://theberkshireedge.com/a-cleanup-thats-arbitrary-and-capricious/

Egremont is the latest rural Berkshire town to adopt a plan to bring high-speed Internet access to its citizenry:

https://theberkshireedge.com/egremont-officials-sign-broadband-pact-to-light-up-unserved-areas-of-town/

And of course we can’t go a week without reaffirming the fight against the COVID19 pandemic and the value of vaccines. Dr. Christopher Sproul of the Community Health Program assures Berkshire residents that vaccine is safe:

https://theberkshireedge.com/why-we-can-be-confident-in-a-fast-tracked-covid-19-vaccine/

And from our agriculture desk comes a story about how Berkshire farmers have adapted to pandemic conditions:

https://theberkshireedge.com/one-year-later-how-berkshire-farmers-adapted-to-the-pandemic/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

The Berkshire County DA’s office endorsed the conviction of Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis officer who killed George Floyd:https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-da-office-endorses-verdict-in-derek-chauvin-trial/
The Berkshire Hills Regional School District School Committee has adopted plans of educational equity access and high expectations: https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-hills-school-committee-unanimously-approves-plans-for-equity-access-and-high-expectations-for-all/
In a completely different direction, we have a story that focuses on the very beginning of life. Hannah Van Sickle writes about “The Hello! It’s me” project that seeks to nourish the relationship between parent and newborns: https://theberkshireedge.com/the-hello-its-me-project-supports-parent-infant-relationships/
One year after the pandemic lockdown, we find that Great Barrington merchants have found creative ways to weather the general shutdown: https://theberkshireedge.com/one-year-after-the-lockdown-downtown-merchants-keeping-the-faith/
Our film reviewer Leonard Quart writes an occasional column about life in New York City… and his latest observes that despite the pandemic, normal life seems to be reviving in the Big Apple: https://theberkshireedge.com/letter-from-new-york-the-city-emerging/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Once again the Great Barrington Fairgrounds is in the news. A Great Barrington couple has offered to buy it, and donate a portion back to the town, though it’s not quite clear what their intentions for the property will include: https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-couple-offers-to-buy-fairgrounds-donate-portion-back-to-town/
The town of Great Barrington is mourning the death of its longtime fire chief, Harry Jennings: https://theberkshireedge.com/town-of-great-barrington-fire-department-mourn-loss-of-retired-chief-harry-jennings/
In the past week, there have been presentations that address efforts to have the Berkshires become more inclusive of its racial and ethnic constituencies. We write one at Williams College: https://theberkshireedge.com/a-community-in-conversation-moving-toward-inclusion-in-the-berkshires/
It’s looking more promising that the Berkshires will host a a traditional summer season of cultural activities — abbreviated and masked, but a welcome sign that we are gradually emerging from the constraints of the COVID pandemic: https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-the-summer-cultural-season-returns/
And if you are in a mood to explore the fringes of the Berkshires, we have a fascinating look at the Brimfield antiques center, just east of Lee on Route 20, where it’s brimming, so to speak, with antiques dealers and stands: https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-as-goes-brimfield-so-goes-the-regional-antique-business/
And finally, we have an amusing — and counterintuitive commentary — by the novelist Sonia Pilcer about how she will miss wearing a mask (assuming the pandemic will subside): https://theberkshireedge.com/ill-miss-my-mask/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Pot is us in Sandisfield. The Selectboard has approved a large-scale cannabis growing operation, over objections of neighbors: https://theberkshireedge.com/in-the-face-of-opposition-sandisfield-selectboard-approves-large-scale-cannabis-grow-facility/
How does a parent (and in this case a writer for The Edge) deal with having a child home during the pandemic. assuring her child continues her education, and getting her own work done, too? Hannah Van Sickle explains how she and her daughter are coping — with CLuB, a hybrid method of remote learning through the Southern Berkshire Regional School District: https://theberkshireedge.com/club-helps-kids-and-parents-gain-traction-in-a-pandemic/
And continuing our education theme, parents ain the Berkshire Hills Regional School District are up in arms about a proposal to end the practice of tracking, whereby students are grouped according to perceived academic ability: https://theberkshireedge.com/parents-urge-berkshire-hills-officials-to-put-the-brakes-on-plan-to-end-tracking/
Our writer Sarah Wright calls our attention to Dr. Bandy Lee, a graduate of the Riggs Center in Stockbridge, who has written a cautionary book about Donald Trump, “The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump,” arguing that Trump was a dangerous, mentally unfit president: https://theberkshireedge.com/the-doctor-is-in-and-she-specializes-in-violence-prevention/
Could passenger rail service between the Berkshires and New York (through Canaan, Conn,, of course) ever be revived? Railroad aficionado Jack Trowill imagines it could --: https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-lore-quest-for-renewed-ripton-rail-service/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

First up, our third installment of the situation of workers in the so-called cultural economy in the Berkshires:"Movements like this [Change Berkshire Culture] don’t happen except as a last resort. This is people not been feeling valued or seen.” https://theberkshireedge.com/part-iii-change-berkshire-culture-expands-out-of-the-digital-realm/
The town of Great Barrngton has come up with a program to welcome new residents and show them how to connect with town resources: https://theberkshireedge.com/welcome-project-invites-new-gb-residents-to-connect/
A citizens’ campaign to block the creation of a toxic PCB dump in the town of Lee is escalating with a lawsuit against the Lee Selectboard: https://theberkshireedge.com/legal-battle-against-lee-pcb-dump-expands-as-citizens-file-lawsuit-against-selectmen/
A feud is brewing — in faced bubbling — between the Great Barrington selectboard and the owners of the Great Barrington Fairgrounds. The two owners, Bart and Janet Elsbach, have ignored town inquiries about purchasing the moribund property: https://theberkshireedge.com/disrespectful-town-leaders-have-strong-words-for-fairgrounds-owners/
Acknowledging that the COVID pandemic restrictions will still be in place this summer, Great Barrington Selectboard is planning to create an outdoor dining environment on Railroad Street: https://theberkshireedge.com/outdoor-dining-on-railroad-street-to-continue-this-summer-as-merchants-air-concerns/
Finally, writer — and educator — Sheela Clary reviews Fredrik deBoer’s “The Cult of the Smart,” a critique of the way we evaluate students: https://theberkshireedge.com/book-review-lets-dismantle-the-cult-of-smart/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Let’s start with the big issue on the minds of the Selectboard, namely, the reconstruction and installation of a good old-fashioned New England roundabout in front of the Police Station, at the intersection of Routes 7 and 23…. this ought to tie up traffic for a while. https://theberkshireedge.com/preliminary-work-on-controversial-route-7-roundabout-to-start-soon/
In the meantime, the Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire has received $14 million to create an affordable housing complex on South Main Street (Route 7)… to help the town address a critical need for affordable housing… https://theberkshireedge.com/with-14-million-in-hand-cdcsb-project-helps-town-meet-state-affordable-housing-goals/
Of course, let us not forget that we are in the midst of a pandemic, severely restricting commercial activity and delaying the education of the county’s children. To illustrate — and in a way commemorate this era … illustrator Marc Rosenthal has created a series of posters to create a spirit of unity in our fight against the virus — similar to the poster campaign during World War II: https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-illustrator-created-public-propaganda-posters-for-covid-19/
Here’s a tale that is nearer your neck of the woods, so to speak… in the Ashley Falls neighborhood of Sheffield, neighbors of a proposed marijuana-growing complex convinced the Planning Board to reject a special permit for Wise Acre Farm whose pot farming would have grossed $5 to $9 million per year… (and think of the tax benefits to the town!)… https://theberkshireedge.com/neighbors-convince-planning-board-to-nix-sheffield-pot-growing-proposal/
Celebrating Women’s History Month, Berkshire Grown is highlighting women in agriculture… and in the Berkshires there are a surprising number of farms operated by women — in fact, 70 percent. https://theberkshireedge.com/women-in-agriculture-in-the-berkshires-and-beyond/
So on a positive note, Tanglewood has announced the Boston Symphony Orchestra will be offering in-person performances this summer… https://theberkshireedge.com/tanglewood-returns-to-in-person-performances-this-summer/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Once again, a committee examining the merger of the two South Berkshire school districts — the Monument Mountain Region district in Great Barrington and the Southern Berkshire district along the Connecticut border —has received a significant boost with a $125,000 grant from the state. https://theberkshireedge.com/armed-with-125000-grant-south-county-school-merger-group-moves-swiftly/
There is a possibility, despite the COVID19 pandemic, that some semblance of a 2021 Tanglewood season may occur this summer — fingers crossed: https://theberkshireedge.com/time-to-get-our-hopes-up-for-a-2021-tanglewood-season/
On the theatre front, we have two stories about Berkshire theaters adapting to the pandemic: Barrington Stage is producing its 10th annual 10x10 Festival (10 10 minute plays), recording the plays for remote viewing:https://theberkshireedge.com/review-barrington-stage-companys-10x10-new-play-festival/ Meanwhile, WAM Theatre in Pittsfield is planning a season devoted to exploring the roots of our cultural faults —navigating racial issues, beginning with “Letters to Kamala." The plays are available to stream. https://theberkshireedge.com/wam-theatre-moves-forward-with-its-season-and-its-mission/
Believe it or not, the so -called “Flying Church” complex on Main Street in Great Barrington is thriving, suggesting signs of life for commercial activity, despite the pandemic: https://theberkshireedge.com/flying-church-nearly-at-full-capacity-as-business-climate-improves-downtown/
Here’s a story to make us feel as if there’s hope in the world… a group of local students has organized “Bags of Hope,” donations for those who are staying in St. Joseph’s winter shelter in Pittsfield: https://theberkshireedge.com/bags-of-hope-shows-care-for-those-who-are-currently-house-less/
And lastly, Sheela Clary has been doing a series of articles on the so-called cultural economy and whether it is fair to its employees… She looks at the workers’ situations at Mass MoCA, for example: https://theberkshireedge.com/installment-2-will-pay-equity-help-change-berkshire-culture/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Good morning Jill and Miles… here’s a list of stories we can discuss Wednesday morning. Call us at 413-528-3408

Gov. Charlie Baker has announced a “stop the spread” initiative whereby free COVID19 testing sites will be extended through June: https://theberkshireedge.com/baker-targeted-free-covid-19-testing-sites-expanded-to-june/
Meanwhile, Ed Abrahams, vice chair of the Great Barrington Selectboard has outlined how the town could allocate its $3 million in marijuana revenues, including lowering the tax rate: https://theberkshireedge.com/what-happens-to-great-barringtons-pot-revenue/
Cannabis farming could also be coming to the town of Sandisfield (population 1,000)… where a large-scale cannabis growing operation is being considered. It’s caused a ruckus between full-time residents and second-home owners: https://theberkshireedge.com/proposal-for-large-scale-cannabis-grow-facility-stirs-the-pot-in-sandisfield/
Our business writer Julie Dixon takes a look at the potential of sports betting being introduced at Berkshire bars and restaurants, as the Legislature seems poised to permit it: https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-is-sports-betting-coming-to-berkshire-bars-and-restaurants/
The stresses of the pandemic have also produced a movement — “Change Berkshire Culture” — to improve the working conditions of employees of the vaunted “cultural economy,” the museums and performing arts organizations: https://theberkshireedge.com/can-an-instagram-initiative-change-berkshire-culture/
And we’d like to call attention to a new series of articles about Pittsfield history, as seen through the eyes of Bob Connors who summons up in his narratives what it was like growing up in the Berkshire city … he is a Berkshire version of Jean Shepherd who used to broadcast his stories of a childhood in Indiana. https://theberkshireedge.com/recollections-of-a-pittsfield-kid-making-lemonade-from-lemons/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

So how can we concoct a news lineup without dealing with the COVID19 pandemic… In Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker relaxes COVID restrictions, and cites ‘vaccine equity’ for marginalized communities… some of his critics aren’t buying it.https://theberkshireedge.com/baker-eases-covid-restrictions-touts-vaccine-equity-program-for-marginalized-communities/
In the meantime, Great Barrington received a grant for a recreational hiking path, allowing bikers and hikers to avoid using the U.S. 7 corridor: https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-snags-grant-for-paved-connector-path-eliminating-scary-walk-up-route-7/
We’re already thinking about spring … with a feature about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and how CSA’s support local farmers: https://theberkshireedge.com/growing-together-joining-a-csa-is-a-win-win-for-you-and-local-farms/
An here’s a cheery note.. Our business writer Julia Dixon conducted a survey of Berkshire businesses, and found them optimistic about the prospects of the local economy, inspite of the pandemic: https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-berkshires-business-owners-optimistic-about-the-future/
And the COVID slowdown has given composer David Edwards (and Edge music writer) an opportunity to put together his own music, offering royalty-free recordings to ballet dancers to use in their video performances. Edwards calls it his gift to the dance community:https://theberkshireedge.com/bits-bcc-virtual-massage-therapy-info-session-open-house-dorset-theatre-festival-announces-new-program-resident-artist/
And finally, since the COVID regimen has meant we are staying home and spending more time cooking, our food columnist Bob Luhmann offers a recipe for Yankee shrimp and grits — a little taste of New Orleans… just the dish to melt away winter chill:https://theberkshireedge.com/yankee-shrimp-and-grits/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

In an address at Wahconah Regional High School in Dalton, Mass., the Massachusetts education commissioner, Jeffrey Riley, has called for public school students to return to in-school classes by April…
And speaking of education, two Southern Berkshire high school students, Cecelia Caldwell and Isabella Kemp, seniors at Mt. Everett, have created a speaker series on sustainability and the environment, a program of the Sustainability Coalition they had established. First speaker is Mt. Everett graduate Ezra Small, who is campus sustainability manager at UMass:
Cannabis farms are cropping up in the Berkshires like, well, mushrooms… another one is proposed for West Stockbridge, and the neighbors are not happy:
Everyone in the Berkshires and vicinity keeps their eye on the BSO, so it’s of keen interest that the orchestra has selected its first female CEO… Gail Samuel, whom the BSO lured away from Los Angeles:
We have an interview with Great Barrington’s new police chief Paul Storti, and we look at his plans for the department: https://theberkshireedge.com/interview-great-barringtons-new-police-chief-paul-storti/
In an example of how cultural organizations are planning a summer season during a pandemic, Shakespeare & Company is reconfiguring its Lenox campus in order to retain its programs:

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

A staff member at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield wrote a thank-you tribute to the Berkshire first responders whose convoy of police cars, ambulances and fire trucks drove around BMC to honor the nurses and doctors who treated COVID19 victims: https://theberkshireedge.com/a-tribute-to-bmc-staff-members-from-recognition-convoy-at-berkshire-medical-center/
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker noted that more than 1 million COVID19 vaccinations have been given in Massachusetts … and we must say that Marcie and I are included in that tally… we went to the gymnasium at the Middle School with hundreds of other Great Barrington residents to get our shots — our first dose. It was like a town meeting: https://theberkshireedge.com/state-passes-more-than-1-million-vaccine-doses-administered/
Berkshire Hills Regional School District is beginning its budget deliberations, and has proposed a $30.3 million budget, a 3 percent increase. Meanwhile, the district is losing its top leadership of Muddy Brook Elementary School: https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-hills-spending-plan-calls-for-3-19-increase-two-top-muddy-brook-administrators-retire/
Great Barrington has joined Pittsfield in creating a police oversight panel in order to establish more community trust in the integrity of the law enforcement agencies: https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-joins-pittsfield-in-creating-police-oversight-panel/
Berkshire state Sen. Adam Hinds has outlined his priorities for the imminent legislative session, including making sure the rollout of the COVID19 vaccination reaches all state residents; a strong effort to establish more convenient public transportation, including train service to Boston; and climate change: https://theberkshireedge.com/mass-state-senator-adam-hinds-lays-out-his-2021-priorities/

And indeed, we had a piece by Jonathan Butler, CEO of the business group 1Berkshire, who also calls for reestablishing public transportation links to Boston and New York: https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-one-mile-at-a-time/

Finally, we have a story about a traditional celebration in Stockbridge, Mass. An ice festival that includes extraordinary ice sculpture:

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

State Sen. Ben Downing, with deep political roots in the Berkshires (his dad was DA for years) announces that he is a candidate for governor, challenging Republican Charlie Baker:https://theberkshireedge.com/former-state-sen-ben-downing-enters-race-to-unseat-gov-charlie-baker/
Of course, we cannot get away without mentioning the COVID19 pandemic, and its effect and affect on the Berkshires, and how the cultural economy is struggling to survive: https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-covid-19-and-the-cultural-economy-part-2/
Meanwhile, the Great Barrington Selectboard declined to authorize changes to an intersection off Route 7 on Monument Mountain where a fatal accident recently occurred — ironically, on Lovers Lane: https://theberkshireedge.com/town-leaders-decide-against-major-changes-at-lovers-lane-and-route-7-intersection/
One of the groups that’s been most effective in helping out families in distress due tot he COVID pandemic is the Berkshires DSA (Democratic Socialists of America). They’ve organized a food and necessities drive to support those in need: https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshires-dsa-continues-mutual-aid-with-care-packages-for-all/
For those suffering from addiction, a new support group and recovery center have been organized in Great Barrington:https://theberkshireedge.com/peer-support-recovery-center-in-gb-aims-to-smash-the-stigma-of-addiction/
And finally, we have a book review that may seem topical, considering what we’ve been through with the Trumpster. It’s about the lure of authoritarianism: https://theberkshireedge.com/book-review-twilight-of-democracy-the-seductive-lure-of-authoritarianism/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

As might be expected, we’ve been focusing on the COVID19 pandemic.Not surprisingly, COVID cases are spiking at nursing homes, just as vaccination sites are coming on line. (In fact, Marcie and I are getting our shots this afternoon) https://theberkshireedge.com/covid-cases-spike-at-great-barrington-nursing-homes-as-vaccination-sites-expand/
Citing a surge in COVID19 cases, Berkshire Hills Regional School District has delayed opening in person instruction: https://theberkshireedge.com/citing-covid-data-berkshire-hills-backs-off-return-to-full-in-person-learning/
The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative has set up a COVID19 vaccination system to schedule vaccinations: https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-vaccine-collaborative-launches-website-on-local-vaccine-distribution-announces-sites/
We are coming up to town meeting time, in the midst of a pandemic. In preparation, the Great Barrington selectboard is going Zoom, to conduct its budget deliberations: https://theberkshireedge.com/gb-encourages-virtual-participation-in-fy-2022-budget-planning-process/
The Great Barrington Selectboard is considering the purchase of the Great Barrington Fairgrounds… the latest chapter in a troubled history of what once was the site of agricultural fairs, a New England tradition: https://theberkshireedge.com/selectboard-mulls-buying-idle-gb-fairgrounds-as-possible-park/
Despite vehement opposition Lee selectmen are posed to sign off on a toxic PCB landfill to contain the PCB contamination dredged from the Housatonic River: https://theberkshireedge.com/in-the-face-of-vehement-criticism-lee-selectmen-stand-their-ground-on-ges-pcb-dump/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Last night at 9 p.m., on the eve of the Presidential inauguration and, hopefully, the beginning of a new era, Great Barrington residents joined other communities in “shining a light for democracy." https://theberkshireedge.com/shine-a-light-for-democracy/ And one of the brightest lights, it turned out, was the Great Barrington Police Department, that illuminated its headquarters: https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-police-department-mourns-covid-19-victims/
Our Berkshire legislative delegation is satisfied with the aid packages offered Berkshire residents and businesses by the federal government, but is less than satisfied with state contributions: https://theberkshireedge.com/boston-delegation-would-like-to-see-more-aid-to-county-but-still-bullish-on-the-berkshires/
Writer Julia Dixon has a fascinating look at how artists and freelancers are navigating the pandemic economy: https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-artists-creative-freelancers-navigate-covid-era-funding-challenges/
Writer Bob Luhmann — a Connecticut scribe, we should note — has written an amusing tribute to oatmeal, since January is Oatmeal Month. Luhman wonders whether oatmeal could heal the nation’s divided soul:https://theberkshireedge.com/on-oatmeal-the-way-forward/
Our columnist Leonard Quart has written a column about the influence that Mass MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) has had upon the city of North Adams. He writes about a film “Farewell to Factory Towns? and Quart’s conclusion is that the museum has really transformed the city of North Adams as much as cultural aficionados have claimed:https://theberkshireedge.com/leonard-quart-the-plight-of-an-old-mill-town/
Let us conclude with Sarah Wright’s account of getting the COVID19 vaccine… she’s a health care worker at Berkshire Health Systems — and a very fine writer, as well: https://theberkshireedge.com/the-bearable-lightness-of-being-vaccinated/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

The divisions within the country were on full display at Lake Mansfield in Great Barrington Sunday when a crowd of skaters — from New York, it should be said — defied health protocols and refused to wear masks, and dismiss the dangers of the COVID pandemic as “a government hoax”: https://theberkshireedge.com/maskless-new-yorkers-pack-lake-mansfield-to-play-hockey-dismiss-covid-as-government-hoax/
Our political analyst Mickey Friedman has written a thoughtful examination of the storming of the Capitol by Trumpeters: https://theberkshireedge.com/civil-war-too/
And along these lines, our writer Andrew Blechman has called attention to a national demonstration of support for democracy. Light a candle for Democracy on Friday, January 15 at 8 p.m. https://theberkshireedge.com/light-a-candle-for-democracy/
COVID or no COVID, you can’t keep a good orchestra down. So here’s some good news for BSO fans… Andris Nelsons is back as Music Director:https://theberkshireedge.com/bso-music-director-andris-nelsons-returns-after-years-absence-to-fete-beethoven/
Our writer Sheela Clary has written a terrific profile of University of Massachusetts student from Lenox, Claudia Maurino, who is volunteering for AmeriCorps, the domestic equivalent of the Peace Corps: https://theberkshireedge.com/claudia-maurino-thinks-you-should-join-americorps/
Finally, Great Barrington has promoted one of its own to become Police Chief. Paul Storti has been on the force for 26 years. He replaces Bill Walsh who had retired after 40 years in the Great Barrington Police Department: https://theberkshireedge.com/veteran-officer-paul-storti-named-great-barrington-police-chief/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Great Barrington firefighters, joined by mutual aid from surrounding towns, subdued a blaze at a historic structure on the Aston Magna estate in Great Barrington Tuesday morning.Luckily, the occupants were able to evacuate:https://theberkshireedge.com/joined-by-neighboring-departments-great-barrington-firefighters-contain-fire-at-historic-berkshire-heights-estate/
Now, quite the opposite from homes on fire is our report of a new short-term rental market for “shared estates” in the Berkshires; https://theberkshireedge.com/crowd-funded-shared-estates-establishes-itself-in-berkshires-short-term-rental-market/
Well you may not be able to head to Symphony Hall or the Linde Center at Tanglewood to hear the Boston Pops holiday concerts, but you can watch them via streaming —and we need some cheer this season:https://theberkshireedge.com/americas-keeper-of-christmas-the-boston-pops-orchestra-makes-merry-through-jan-9/
We have to come to the season of year-end reviews. In the first of several we’ll be running between now and the New Year, attorney Charles Ferris has collected a list of highlights and lowlights of 2020 of the judicial system: https://theberkshireedge.com/2020-highlights-lowlights-of-american-judicial-system/
Speaking of the New Year columnist Carole Owens sifted through her considerable Berkshire archives to explain how Berkshire residents of yore (yore is an obscure village in the Berkshires, just outside Stockbridge), celebrated the New Year: https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-new-old-ways-to-celebrate-the-new-year/
And in spite of the pandemic entrepreneurs are busily creating opportunities to take sustain the abundance of Berkshire landmarks, through what is called “Shared Estates”: https://theberkshireedge.com/crowd-funded-shared-estates-establishes-itself-in-berkshires-short-term-rental-market/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Bill Walsh, the long-serving police chief of Great Barrington, is retiring… he has served for 40 years in the department, 37 as chief: https://theberkshireedge.com/after-40-years-in-the-department-37-as-chief-bill-walsh-calls-it-a-career/
The end of the federal moratorium on evictions has many people, who are continuing to suffer from the consequences of the COVID19 pandemic, has many people very distressed: https://theberkshireedge.com/scheduled-end-of-federal-eviction-moratorium-has-local-tenant-advocates-worried/
For a little comic relief: Remember the so-called “Brown Bridge” in Great Barrington, bearing Route 7 over the Housatonic? It’s now red, after a brief green stint. Historian Bernard Drew recalls the history of this span: https://theberkshireedge.com/the-colorful-history-of-the-great-scarlet-bridge/
The Berkshire Innovation Center has become a critical component in the fight against the COVID19 pandemic. It has developed a portable freezer to transport the COVID19 vaccine:https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-berkshire-innovation-center-to-the-rescue-with-freezer-for-vaccines/
The Housatonic River cleanup saga continues. EPA announces a “final” permit for the cleanup of toxic PCBs:https://theberkshireedge.com/epa-announces-final-revised-permit-for-ge-clean-up-of-the-housatonic-as-lee-group-threatens-lawsuit/
Finally, on this apocalyptic era, we end with a poem by Robert Frost, highlighted in our magazine by writer Phil Holland. Frost, of course, lived just north of us in Shaftsbury, Vermont.The poem poses which shall end the world: fire or ice: https://theberkshireedge.com/fire-and-ice-at-100/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Will the so-called Brown Bridge become the Pink Bridge? Mass. Highway Department repainting the span carrying Route 7 over the Housatonic River in Great Barrington … https://theberkshireedge.com/will-the-brown-bridge-become-the-pink-bridge-state-and-town-disagree-on-color-recommendation/
Let’s look up. Judy Isacoff, with her eye on the firmament, alerted us to a rare occurrence: A conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, for the first time in 800 years: https://theberkshireedge.com/eyes-to-the-sky-jupiter-and-saturn-closest-meeting-in-centuries-on-the-21st-get-ready/
The Great Barrington Selectboard is planning ahead for next summer, in case the COVID19 pandemic is still raging… The board is reviewing proposals for outdoor dining on Railroad Street. And at the same meeting, they also approved another pot shop — which should get us through the pandemic winter months: https://theberkshireedge.com/town-hall-briefs-railroad-street-outdoor-dining-revisited-whither-the-gb-dog-park-revenue-pact-approved-for-new-pot-shop/
In response to the pandemic cultural venues have been compelled to reinvent themselves. For example, Shakespeare & Company’s ''Fall Festival of Shakespeare” has been taken online. This is the yearly festival featuring students from local high schools performing Shakespeare plays:https://theberkshireedge.com/bits-bscs-holiday-getaway-virtual-cook-along-a-virtual-christmas-spectacular/ And in the same roundup, we also highlight Barrington Stage Company’s “Holiday Getaway” — online of course — And St. Ann’s Church in Lenox is presenting a Virtual Christmas Spectacular.
From our magazine (and on The Edge, too ) a preview of the Berkshire Grown Farmers Markets: https://theberkshireedge.com/category/berkshires-calendar-magazine/
And since we are in winter — and in lockdown, more or less — we have a story about how to spend those indoor hours: Read. And here are some suggestions. https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-reads/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Holiday happenings: There’s plenty of joy to be had in the Berkshires this holiday season, in spite of the pandemic. We have a roundup of events (and we’ll be updating it the weeks ahead): https://theberkshireedge.com/holiday-happenings-updated-december-8/
But back to more serious topics, Dr. Richard Kessin (of Norfolk, Conn.) has written an assessment of the COVID19 vaccines that may protect us from the pandemic: https://theberkshireedge.com/the-covid-19-vaccines-introducing-the-innate-immune-system/
Great Barrington is in dire need of affordable housing, so it was good news when the Selectboard endorsed a proposed for converting a vacant nursing home complex to affordable apartments. Now it’s up to the Planning Board:https://theberkshireedge.com/selectboard-gives-green-light-to-maple-avenue-apartments-ball-now-in-planning-boards-court/
Just in time for the holidays the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office has established a “Domestic Violence High Risk Team” to strengthen her office’s response to domestic violence:https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-district-attorneys-office-launches-domestic-violence-high-risk-team/
Another good news community story is the collaboration of small business and social justice proponents, to conduct public discussions of race, sexism and religion, all in the wake of the George Floyd killing in Minneapolis:https://theberkshireedge.com/social-justice-and-small-businesses-join-forces-in-unity-through-community/
Berkshire Reads, a feature of our magazine, introduces you to recently published books by local authors available, of course, at local bookstores:https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-reads/

toni7. And last but not least is another story about cannabis — this one features home delivery service for pot:https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-new-rules-for-cannabis-home-delivery-spark-opposing-reactions-among-local-dispensarie

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Forget Amazon; shop local…Here’s a rundown on where to shop during the holiday season: https://theberkshireedge.com/the-joys-of-shopping-local-give-a-little-berkshires-love/
Meanwhile, back at the Great Barrington Airport, the selectboard has put the kabosh on adding a new hangar, and at the same time has signed a contract to do a study of the troubled Housatonic Water Works system: https://theberkshireedge.com/town-hall-briefs-airport-permit-officially-kaput-contracts-signed-for-appraisal-of-housatonic-water-works-downtown-parking-updates/
In the wake of recent national incidents of police violence, the Great Barrington Police Department is undertaking a self-examination of its procedures and attitudes:https://theberkshireedge.com/of-chokeholds-and-deescalation-reimagining-great-barringtons-police-department/
From our magazine and on The Edge we have a historical tour of Berkshire mills and factory buildings: https://theberkshireedge.com/car-trip-berkshire-mills-and-factory-buildings-works-in-progress/
Andrew Blechman has written a fascinating survey of the legacy of Black Americans in the Berkshires: https://theberkshireedge.com/black-berkshires-a-hidden-and-not-so-hidden-legacy/
And finally, in spite of the pandemic the Berkshires are managing to find creative — and safe --ways to celebrate the holidays: Stockbridge Main Street lights up; Shakespeare & Company will hold a virtual gala; and tonight at 7 at the Norman Rockwell Museum there will be a talk — virtually, of course -- about animation, by Tim Evatt of Pixar Animation Studios; https://theberkshireedge.com/bits-shakespeare-animation-talk-solar-eclipse-lecture/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Not another one! Yes, another pot shot is proposed for Great Barrington, the marijuana capital of South Berkshire County. This one may be too close to the John Dewey Academy on South Main Street, but it’s to be located in a stone edifice across the street — that once was occupied by a jeweler. The name of the shop? Glad you asked — Coastal Cultivars: https://theberkshireedge.com/questions-raised-as-selectboard-grants-special-permit-for-pot-shop-near-school/
A high powered attorney living in Egremont — Steve Cohen — is one of a number of lawyers leading a national effort to thwart the legally dubious attempt by the Trump campaign to overturn the election of Joe Biden as president:https://theberkshireedge.com/fighting-back-egremont-attorney-helping-bidens-legal-team-in-michigan/
That’s high crimes and misdemeanors… but our local historian Bernie Drew writes about an unsolved murder case in West Stockbridge in 1808 that became the subject of a William Cullen Bryant poem, “The Murdered Traveler”: https://theberkshireedge.com/a-19th-century-cold-case-in-west-stockbridge/
In our Business Monday feature we have story about how Sen Adam Hinds has secured relief funds for local businesses crippled by the COVID pandemic: https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-sen-hinds-announces-new-relief-funding-as-berkshire-businesses-adopt-customized-covid-responses/
Are New Yorkers overrunning Berkshire communities trying to escape the pandemic in the city? School enrollments tell the story: https://theberkshireedge.com/are-new-yorkers-moving-to-south-county-in-droves-school-enrollment-and-voter-data-tell-the-story/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

A terrible tragedy at Jacob’s Pillow, the celebrated dance venue in Becket. A fire Monday burned down the Doris Duke Theatre: https://theberkshireedge.com/fire-destroys-theater-at-jacobs-pillow/
It is estimated that cultural organizations in the Berkshires have suffered about $55 million in lost revenue due to the COVID19 pandemic:https://theberkshireedge.com/western-mass-cultural-organizations-suffer-55-million-in-covid-19-related-losses-since-march/
More economic woes to report.. beer lovers, lament. Berkshire Bank has foreclosed on Shelton Brothers beer importers: https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-bank-forecloses-on-influential-beer-importer-will-become-new-owner/
From beer to water…. the contaminated water of the Housatonic Water Works, found to be laced with manganese. The continuing saga of a privately owned public utility that’s been unable to maintain its water system for the village of Housatonic (a hamlet in Great Barrington): https://theberkshireedge.com/surprise-manganese-not-iron-identified-as-main-culprit-in-discolored-housatonic-water-supply/
Boyd Technologies in Lee is playing a major role in providing protection against the COVID19 pandemic. The firm makes protective masks… in fact, is manufacturing 60 million. Just one of several innovative products the firm has introduced, thanks to a state Manufacturing Emergency Response Team grant: https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-boyd-technologies-announces-new-manufacturing-capabilities-during-visit-from-u-s-rep-richard-neal/
And finally, Gould Farm in Monterey, a residential therapeutic center, has dedicated a new residential community center: https://theberkshireedge.com/the-rev-hampton-e-price-community-center-a-celebration-of-community-at-gould-farm/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Hey, it’s election season… one week to go. So here is a roundup of issues and candidates for the November 3 balloting;
One of our economic columnists, Allen Harris, dismantles the so-called “Great Barrington Declaration,” promulgated by the American Institute of Economic Research (AIER), a right-wing think tank funded, in part, by the Koch brothers, arguing that we should let the COVID19 pandemic take its course without any intervention: no masks, no distancing: sounds like Ayn Rand to me… :
Troubled bridge over waters — of the Housatonic. A Mass DOT examination of the Division Street Bridge in Great Barrington, one of critical links between the west and east sides of Great Barrington, may not be repaired for another decade, due to a faulty analysis of the bridge. That, combined with what our reporter describes as a funding boondoggle in Boston, will delay replacement of the bridge:
The W.E.B. Du Bois Center at UMass Amherst is calling for a weekly community “read" of the work of the Black author who was born in Great Barrington, in particular his seminal book, "The Souls of Black Folk,” a series of 14 essays published in 1903:
The Literacy Network of South Berkshire sponsored two immigrants through the citizenship process:
Finally, in our new Business Monday section, we profile a Lenox business, Zogics, that has managed to thrive during the pandemic. They supply cleaning supplies and wellness equipment:

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

A local libertarian think tank has been much in the news, both here and nationwide. Great Barrington-based AIER — American Institute for Economic Research — propounded the preposterous recommendation that we should rely on herd immunity rather than a vaccine to eliminate the COVID19 pandemic. Eventually, they argued, “herd immunity” would develop — at the expense of thousands if not millions of lives. This agenda attracted nationwide attention:

And we had several responses to AIER in the form of op ed pieces:

Attorney Dan Seitz wrote that the AIER viewpoint depended on faulty science: https://theberkshireedge.com/the-great-barrington-declaration-another-viewpoint/

And speaking of Ayn Rand, our columnist Carole Owens has an intriguing column about social Darwinism, and about its acceptance by the American wealthy hierarchy who built “cottages” in the Berkshires: https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-110/
We have a story from your neck of the woods. In a memoir Allison Drew writes about the anguish and mystery of her 91-year-old father, Tom Drew, a retired fashion designer, who went missing 13 years ago.
In response to the COVID19 pandemic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra has canceled its holiday pops and 2021 spring season. Tanglewood still up in the air: https://theberkshireedge.com/bso-cancels-2020-21-winter-spring-season-and-holiday-pops-2020-series-at-symphony-hall/
But back to reality, our writer Hannah Van Sickle focused on the emergence of new food pantries in South Berkshire, as the pandemic disrupts the economy and social fabric of small towns in the Berkshires: https://theberkshireedge.com/new-food-pantries-support-local-communities-in-south-county/
It’s not all dark stages in the Berkshires. To a small audience, but to a much larger one online Close Encounters with Music hosted the Escher Quartet at the Mahaiwe Theatre in Great Barrington: https://theberkshireedge.com/close-encounters-with-music-still-killing-it-at-the-mahaiwe/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

A local right-wing think tank, AIER, has issued a “Great Barrington Declaration,” to the effect that “herd immunity” is the only effective way to combat COVID19, so rather than vaccinate, let people get sick — and perhaps die. Is this what’s at the bottom of Trumps’ response to the virus?: https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-declaration-and-aier-feeling-heat-on-both-sides-of-the-atlantic/
And while we’re on issues of national import, our writer Sheela Clary has written a thoughtful piece on the implications of the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court: https://theberkshireedge.com/some-thoughts-on-amy-coney-barrett/
Up in North County our feature writer Hannah Van Sickle profiles a North Adams filmmaker who documenting the prevalence of COVID19, and opioid addiction, in hopes of removing the stigma associated with these twin plagues: https://theberkshireedge.com/filmmaker-aims-to-reduce-stigma-around-addiction-covid-19/
Our columnist Carole Owens has written a fascinating story about the history of Great Barrington’t Main Street… and how the downtown has always had parking problems. On Christmas eve in 1825 there were 300 rigs tied up on Main Street:https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-109/

5…Each Tuesday evening the Clinton Church Restoration project is hosting a community reading of W.E.B. Du Bois’ “Souls of Black Folk.” Du Bois grew up in Great Barrington, and attended the Clinton Church.https://theberkshireedge.com/clinton-church-restoration-to-host-the-souls-of-black-folk-community-read/

And lastly, we have a profile of the poet and Williams College faculty member Louise Gluck, who just won the Nobel Prize for Literature: https://theberkshireedge.com/in-praise-of-falling-apart-and-standing-together/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

A Simon’s Rock exchange student from Africa explains what it is like to be African in a largely white New England. A cautionary tale for this time: https://theberkshireedge.com/african-in-the-berkshires-an-exchange-student-recalls-his-time-in-south-county/
A Great Barrington think tank, The American Institute for Economic Research, propounds the view that the most efficacious way to combat the coronavirus is not through vaccinations but to develop herd immunity — even if that means untold many may die. They’ve issued their views in the Great Barrington Proclamation — forever tarnishing the name of the town:https://theberkshireedge.com/news-analysis-disputed-great-barrington-proclamation-issued-by-free-market-think-tank/
Fans of Tanglewood and the Boston Symphony Orchestra will be delighted to know that their brilliant music director Andris Nelsons has signed a 3-year contract extention: https://theberkshireedge.com/andris-nelsons-signs-three-year-contract-extension-with-boston-symphony-orchestra/
The stages of the cultural Berkshires have been dark this season, due to the pandemic. But the actors came back, in this film by Tim Newman, reading a poem by Michael Brady promising they will be coming back: https://theberkshireedge.com/the-actors-came-back/
Still, despite the conclusions of the Newman’s film, there are cultural events — at a distance. For instance, at TurnPark Art Space in West Stockbridge, the Guild of Berkshire Artists is presenting a multimedia installation, “Six Feet Apart; Zero Degrees fo Separation”: https://theberkshireedge.com/turnpark-art-space-guild-of-berkshire-artists-present-outdoor-multimedia-installation-six-feet-apart-zero-degrees-of-separation/
And finally, our columnist Carole Owens, with her tales of Berkshires past, explains how Great Barrington got its name… and Sheffield, too:https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-108/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Great Barrington Police are investigating what they are calling a hate crime, the defacement of Macedonia Baptist Church, whose congregation is primarily black: https://theberkshireedge.com/gb-police-investigating-church-graffiti-incident-as-hate-crime/
In the wake of the pandemic and its curtailment of in-person education, the Kellogg Conservation Center has become home to CLuB, or Community Learning in the Berkshires, to provide kids with remote learning sites. https://theberkshireedge.com/new-club-supports-children-families-with-supervised-remote-learning/
We should mention that there are a slew of cool things going on. Here are a few: Like the Botanical Garden Fall Harvest — reimagined; An Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) discussion with the wife of Elijah Cummings; Community Development Corp. of South Berkshire is holding a fundraiser this Friday featuring a film by Gregory Crewdson, and is being sponsored by Theory Wellness; and let us not forget the incredible pumpkin show at Naumkeag: https://theberkshireedge.com/bits-elijah-cummings-talk-cdcsb-film-fundraiser-the-incredible-naumkeag-pumpkin-show/
And speaking of films, we have a film produced by videographer Tim Newman, portraying a poem by Michael Brady, entitled “And the Actors Came Back” — in response to the closure of cultural institutions due to the COVID19 pandemic. The poem is read by actress Karen Allen, among others. The film includes interviews with Yo Yo Ma, Joe Thompson at Mass MoCa, Pam Tatge at Jacob’s Pillow, cellist Owen Young, Kelly Vickery, Julianne Boyd, Barrington Stage, among others… the pledge being that the arts are coming back. It’s quite a stirring invitation: https://theberkshireedge.com/the-actors-came-back/
The toxic PCB contamination of the Housatonic River, from Pittsfield into Connecticut, has still to be resolved, writes our river observer Mickey Friedman who has been studying the proposed remedies … and the likelihood that the river will be decontaminated, without creating a toxic waste dump in the Berkshires. One solution could thermal desorption:https://theberkshireedge.com/adapt-or-dump/
And on another environmental front, Great Barrington has reopened three water bottle refill stations (GB on Tap) to reduce the proliferation of plastic water bottles: https://the

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Schools in Great Barrington have reopened with a remote learning model, but on October 5 will go to a “hybrid” model in which half the students would be in class four days a week:https://theberkshireedge.com/muddy-brook-principal-let-youngest-berkshire-hills-students-be-in-school-four-days-a-week/
The Selectboard can’t seem to get the hang of it about a proposed expansion at the Great Barrington airport… for the third time, they’ve put off a decision on whether to allow the airport to add hangars:https://theberkshireedge.com/hearing-on-controversial-plans-to-add-hangars-to-airport-continued-a-third-time/
Sheela Clary has written a really thought-provoking review of “The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of Common Good” by Michael Sandel, a book that examines the social divisions that will be determining factors in the upcoming elections: https://theberkshireedge.com/are-we-really-all-in-this-together-a-review-of-the-tyranny-of-merit/
How are cultural organizations coping with the pandemic? We had an update from Alice Maggio on the strategy of the Berkshire Children’s Chorus:https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-childrens-chorus-adapting-to-the-challenges-of-the-pandemic/
And how is the town meeting form of government coping with not being able to hold a town meeting in the customary fashion in a school auditorium?Great Barrington held a special town meeting to consider a raft of articles… in the parking lot of the high school on a cold night.. a drive-in town meeting: https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barringtons-special-town-meeting-a-cold-and-historic-night/
Of course, due to the pandemic the customary Tanglewood season of the Boston Symphony Orchestra could not be held. But classical music lovers aren’t entirely left in the lurch. The BSO has scheduled a weekly series of online concerts each Thursday through November 12, featuring 50 musicians from the orchestra: https://theberkshireedge.com/encore-bso-recitals-beginning-sept-17/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

As in other schools districts, in the Berkshires, in Massachusetts, in Connecticut, grappling with how to reopen schools in a pandemic, Berkshire Hills is grappling with the complexities of trying to sustain an educational program and keep their students and staff safe. Schools have tentatively reopened — but not in classrooms. https://theberkshireedge.com/as-berkshire-hills-reopens-school-officials-grapple-with-labor-athletics-issues/
Build something new, neighbors will object… and so two projects have been scotched, one at the airport for new hangars, the other on a residential street where residents complained about an affordable housing project. And in the same package, there is a complaint about the chairman of the Housing Authority, Jim Mercer, who also owns the controversial Housatonic Water Works: https://theberkshireedge.com/town-hall-briefs-town-loses-manville-place-lawsuit-airport-hearing-continued-housing-authority-chairman-mercer-to-be-investigated/
On a more mellow note, a local organization is offering a program for teachers to deal with stress … and who isn’t in need of such a program these days: https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-nonprofit-brings-free-peace-wellness-programs-to-teachers-the-community/
What kind of education will children have if schools are closed due to the pandemic, but their parents are at work — they’ll be alone at home? Techer Sheela Clary (and one of our writers) has a plan. She wants to have the local community center, and other nonprofit centers, join together in an effort to provide education and child care: https://theberkshireedge.com/an-immodest-grant-proposal/
The Guthrie Center in Housatonic, located in the church building where free meals are distributed to the needy, needs help, and has embarked on a fundraising campaign. This is the church made famous by Arlo Guthrie where a community Thanksgiving dinner was held, all related in his ballad, "Alice’s Restaurant.” https://theberkshireedge.com/the-guthrie-center-turns-to-the-public-to-survive/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

At long last, advocates of honoring civil rights leader and Great Barrington resident W.E.B. Du Bois have won their battle to name a Great Barrington school after him.
A victim of the COVID19 pandemic and contractual issues with the town of Great Barrington, the Southern Berkshire Elderly Transportation Corp. is shutting down:
Jamal Ahamad, a teacher at Taconic High School in Pittsfield, teaches a course in African American literature, and he’s created a curriculum he calls BlackBooksMatter. You can follow him on his Stories with Mr. Ahamad on Instagram… https://theberkshireedge.com/local-teacher-shows-students-community-that-blackbooksmatter/
You may not know this but the Revolutionary War was won near Bennington, Vermont — at least that’s what Vermonters believe, and that’s why Vermont celebrated Battle Day for the 243rd time. 735 men from the Berkshires fought in that battle on Aug. 16, 1777: https://theberkshireedge.com/the-battle-of-bennington-follow-the-rum/
The COVID19 pandemic hasn’t entirely shuttered the Berkshire concert scene… on Sept. 12 the West Stockbridge Chamber Players (members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra) will give their final benefit concert.
Finally, it’s apple-picking time … and we have a great feature about orchards that offer you a chance to pick your own apples — in the Berkshires and Southern Vermont, too.

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

First, we should convey the results from the Democratic primary — we don’t yet have the tally from Great Barrington, or Berkshire County —But here are the winners and losers:

a. In the U.S. Senate primary incumbent Ed Markey prevailed over U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy, the first time a Kennedy has lost an election in Massachusetts. b. District 1 incumbent, U.S. Rep. Richie Neal was victorious over former Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, though in Great Barrington Morse won by a margin of 53-46 percent. Overall, Neal won by a margin of 60 to 40 percent.

And while nationally we are in a major meltdown over the Black Lives Matter movement, the Berkshire Hills Regional School District is seriously considering — again — naming one of their three schools after the civil rights leader, NAACP founder, and Great Barrington native W.E.B. Du Bois. This is certain to provoke a furious debate: https://theberkshireedge.com/15-years-later-berkshire-hills-weighs-another-proposal-to-rename-a-school-after-du-bois/
And speaking of schools, the same Berkshire Hills School District has come up with a creative plan to offer educational enrichment during the COVID pandemic and schools are closed for in-class sessions. The district has teamed up with five area nonprofits to offer programs during the days students are scheduled to work remotely. thus allowing parents to go to work. https://theberkshireedge.com/new-kids-club-offers-sliver-of-hope-to-south-county-parents-during-pandemic/
Knowing that pandemic weary residents are yearning for distraction, the Millerton Movie House has scheduled a showing of “Jaws” on Sept. 6 — a drive-in movie benefit at the Sharon Playhouse… https://theberkshireedge.com/jaws-forever/
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh declared Sept. 1 to have been Seiji Ozawa Day, in honor of the longtime conductor and music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra… Ozawa was a particular favorite at Tanglewood during his tenure. https://theberkshireedge.com/mayor-proclaims-seiji-ozawa-day-in-boston/
And finally, another product of the pandemic era is Joe Grochmal’s @GBLabs, a resource for those interested in exploring Great Barrington and surrounding environs. Joe has put together 8 destinations — The Great 8 — in an effort to bring a sense of identity to the community greater awareness of its treasures. https://theberkshireedge.com/town-group-encourages-locals-visitors-to-explore-great-barrington/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

To lead off, let’s take a look at a package of news: a. A permit to add hangars to the Great Barrington Airport has been put on hold — again. b. On the other hand, Guido’s Fresh Marketplace was given the green light to nearly double the size of their popular market. c. Rate adjustments for customers of the Housatonic Water Works may be forthcoming… the water system for the village of Housatonic has been plagued by bouts of cloudy, dirty water. d. And the ban on single use water bottles has been reinstated — eventually. https://theberkshireedge.com/gb-town-hall-briefs-of-special-permits-water-and-more-water/
In spite of all, it’s harvest time, and Berkshire Grown has issued a guide — online -- of local farmstands, where to find the produce from local farms: https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-grown-where-to-find-local-food-and-farms-2/
A Worcester-based nonprofit has opened a drug treatment facility in Housatonic — in a former bar, no less — in the belief that Southern Berkshire was underserved when it comes to attending to drug addiction: https://theberkshireedge.com/seeing-an-underserved-community-nonprofit-group-opens-drug-treatment-center-in-former-bar/
Even though the Tanglewood Music Center is not offering its full array of live concerts, you can still enjoy streaming performances by BSO musicians, writes our music writer David Edwards. In particular he cites a video of BSO musicians performing string quartets Mozart, Roumain and Schubert that will be available through Friday, Aug. 28: https://theberkshireedge.com/bso-musicians-in-recital-from-tanglewood-mozart-roumain-and-schubert/
The Berkshire Hills Regional School District has adopted a hybrid model for opening the school year: https://theberkshireedge.com/in-another-shift-berkshire-hills-to-adopt-hybrid-learning-model-three-weeks-into-school-year/
And finally, out of our online magazine, we have a survey of day trips: https://theberkshireedge.com/roads-less-traveled-easy-day-trips-for-modest-times/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Of course, everyone wants to know whether schools will reopen, given the risks of the COVID19 pandemic…In the Berkshires, the private schools, at least, are looking toward opening with in-person classes: https://theberkshireedge.com/private-schools-in-the-region-are-reopening-cautiously-with-in-person-learning/
Despite the stay-at-a-distance summer, some things remains the same, almost — such as James Taylor appearing at Tanglewood on Parade — a virtual parade: https://theberkshireedge.com/the-best-of-tanglewood-on-parade-hosted-by-james-taylor/

And speaking of Tanglewood, Tanglewood is producing a series of online video performances, one of which is pianist Conrad Tao’ concert from last August. Our reviewer David Edwards recommends it: https://theberkshireedge.com/great-performers-in-recital-at-tanglewood-conrad-tao/

Our correspondent Victor Feldman wrote an interesting piece about democracy on the run in Hong Kong: https://terger's "heberkshireedge.com/democracy-on-the-run-china-cracks-down-on-hong-kong-independence/
And for those who love exploring the natural world we have Chapter 52 of Carolyn Newberger’s “Illuminating the Hidden Forest” in which — very much Henry David Thoreau-like — goe tramping about the forest around her Lenox home, sketch pad in hand, keen eye at the ready: https://theberkshireedge.com/illuminating-the-hidden-forest-chapter-52-keys/
And of the array of events coming up in this abbreviated summer season, one of the more intriguing is a book launch by Tina Packer, founder of Shakespeare and Company in Lenox. She’s teamed up with audiobook publisher (and author and performer Alison Larkin) to produce ‘Tales from Shakespeare,” 10 short stories written by Packer. A reading from the audiobook will take place at Ventfort Hall in Lenox this coming Saturday afternoon:https://theberkshireedge.com/bits-berkshire-bounty-food-drive-compassion-club-for-kids-online-theater-workshop-guerilla-bunny-at-nhff/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Of course we have to start out with the COVID19 pandemic news:Berkshire Hills Regional School District has announced it will open in the falls with remote learning:https://theberkshireedge.com/under-pressure-from-teachers-berkshire-hills-will-start-year-with-remote-learning/
Meanwhile, in the village of Housatonic, residents are still seething over the discoloration of their tap water, provided by the only remaining private water company in the Berkshires (water companies like roads were all once privately owned)… and the town of Great Barrington will convene at public hearing this Thursday on what to do about this situation:https://theberkshireedge.com/as-brown-water-plagues-housatonic-ratepayers-state-officials-feel-powerless/
Tanglewood calls it a “summer season transformed” — by which they mean performances available online and through streaming… among them, is a recital program with members of the Boston Symphony that will be available until Friday online… https://theberkshireedge.com/bso-musicians-in-recital-from-tanglewood-bewick-gorney-oconnor-coleman-drivera/ https://theberkshireedge.com/preview-bso-musicians-in-recital-from-tanglewood-beethoven-gabrieli-j-s-bach-day-ellington-hughes-and-debussy/
Now, for all those journalists out there, and for those who are fans of the New York Post, we have a profile of the renowned columnist Pete Hamill, written by Leonard Quart, himself a New Yorker and resident of the Berkshires, who also teaches film at NYU:https://theberkshireedge.com/leonard-quart-pete-hamill-the-bard-of-brooklyn-dies-at-85/
Then there is Bob Luhmann, who writes about the trials and tribulations of being an executive chef at posh Berkshire resorts: https://theberkshireedge.com/dreams-and-nightmares-of-a-former-restaurant-chef-part-two/
Finally, the town of Great Barrington has adopted a creative practice to enhance its role as a destination community… on Friday and Saturday evenings it closes its charming commercial district — railroad street — so that restaurants can set up outdoor tables — and maintain the kind of social distancing required by the COVID19 pandemic… and the town received a

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

The Great Barrington Selectboard is considering taking over the Housatonic Water Works, the privately owned water system in the village of Housatonic. It’s not yet no whether the owner, Jim Mercer, would accept an offer. But the fact is the little water company can’t keep up with maintenance on its system, nor whether fire hydrants are adequately pressurized:https://theberkshireedge.com/selectboard-mulls-options-on-housatonic-water-works-including-eminent-domain/
Here’s a good news story… Charley Seckler, a college student sequestered at home in Egremont, has developed a system for helping out restaurants, struggling during the COVID19 pandemic. It’s an app to allow people to use their cell phones to do “touchless” ordering at restaurants for pickup… he has plans to expand the concept to the NY city subway system.https://theberkshireedge.com/students-remote-internship-helps-local-restaurants-cope-during-covid-19/
The Railroad Street Youth Project is back at it in Great Barrington, creating another mural that expresses the cultural vision of the town. This one celebrates the Black Lives Matter movement. https://theberkshireedge.com/the-railroad-street-youth-project-and-the-blm-mural-that-tells-a-story/
Coming up this Thursday the Tanglewood online gala is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of violinist Isaac Stern, with cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Emmanuel Ax. Tanglewood is still making music even though the Shed is dark.https://theberkshireedge.com/tanglewood-online-gala-celebrating-the-100th-anniversary-of-isaac-sterns-birth/
On the lighter side, you might say, there has been an increase in the frequency of bear sightings. There was one in our backyard lst week, gobbling sunflower seeds, and our writer David Edwards had one slurping the grape jelly from his Oriole feeder. Whatever the reason, wildlife is reclaiming territory:https://theberkshireedge.com/bear-steals-grape-jelly-from-canaan-mans-oriole-feeder/
Finally, we published an EdgeCast with former state Sen.Ben Downing delivering an impassioned address to Sheffield Democrats about what he sees as the challenges for the state and the nation:https://theberkshireedge.com/edgecast-ben-downing-on-why-win

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

What would a weekly report on Berkshires news be without the announcement of a new pot shop. This one is in Egremont, the town just to the west of Great Barrington (which as everyone knows, is the pot capital of Berkshire County):
Our most popular story of the week so far is Terry Cowgill’s report of the crowds swimming at Bash Bish Falls, despite the risks posed by the COVID19 pandemic:

https://theberkshireedge.com/hordes-of-people-breaking-every-single-rule-pack-bash-bish-falls/

We have a very interesting column by Carole Owens on the history of pandemics in the Berkshires and the development of vaccines. She cites the development of the smallpox vaccine (but she doesn’t happen to mention how blankets infected with smallpox were used by the first settlers in New England to kill the native American population — one of the first instances of biological warfare.) This tactic was the brainchild of Lord Jeffrey Amherst. https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-97/
To survive this COVID19 pandemic, Berkshire restaurateurs have had to get creative. We take a look at a few of their strategies:

https://theberkshireedge.com/south-county-restaurants-get-creative-to-survive-during-covid-19-pandemic/

And associated with the above story is a companion piece, from the Edge magazine, also online, about where to find local farms and locally grown food:

https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-grown-where-to-find-local-food-and-farms/

Are you missing spending an evening at the cinema? Our columnist Rochelle O’Gorman has an alternative: Drive-in movies. She does a tour of the local drive-in movie sites, some of them improvised by performing arts venues, such as the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington where they’re showing drive-in films at Simon’s Rock: https://theberkshireedge.com/amplifications-changing-times-mean-more-movie-times/
Finally, if you’re lamenting the loss of Boston Symphony Orchestra concerts on the lawn or in the shed at Tanglewood, there’s an online substitute… the online Tanglewood Festival: https://theberkshireedge.com/the-tanglewood-2020-online-festival-schedule-in-a-nutshell/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

In spite of the COVID19 pandemic, the instruments of New England government survive. In Sheffield, for example, the Annual Town Meeting — the town’s actual government — passed its budget and contribution to the school district, though not without a bit of conflict: https://theberkshireedge.com/after-impassioned-pleas-sheffielders-approve-their-share-of-school-spending-proposal/
There won’t be any fireworks over Stockbridge Bowl on the fourth of July this year, since Tanglewood will be dark because of the COVID19 pandemic, but there is a Boston Pops “Salute to our Heroes” concert to be broadcast online: https://theberkshireedge.com/exclusive-interview-keith-lockhart-talks-about-the-july-4-boston-pops-salute-to-our-heroes-broadcast/
The Southern Berkshires seem to be evolving into the marijuana capital of the region. A second pot store is in the works for the little village of Egremont (to get those New Yorkers just over the border as they drive to Tanglewood?):https://theberkshireedge.com/second-cannabis-store-planned-for-egremont-outreach-meeting-slated-for-thursday-via-zoom/ Meanwhile in Great Barrington, another marijuana emporium is opening up across the street from an established pot shop — Theory Wellness — north of town on Route 7. With all the tax revenues from sales, the town is going to make out handsomely: https://theberkshireedge.com/a-stones-throw-from-theory-second-pot-shop-planned-for-stockbridge-road/
Carolyn Newberger, an artist and child psychologist, writes of the confluence of the pandemic and racism:https://theberkshireedge.com/contagion/
At Part II of Great Barrington’s Annual Town Meeting, held in the parking lot of Monument Mountain High School, the citizens rejected a proposal to keep access to Lake Mansfield open as a two-way road: https://theberkshireedge.com/citizens-reject-proposal-to-keep-lake-mansfield-road-open-to-two-way-traffic-forever/
And in Part I of Great Barrington’s Annual Town Meeting, you may recall, the voters rejected a proposal to “defund” the police;

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Great Barrington held its Annual Town Meeting this week, and due to the COVID19 pandemic, the annual meeting took place in the parking lot of Monument Moutnain Regional High School … with all social distancing protocols observed. One of the hottest issue before the voters was the conduct of the town police department: https://theberkshireedge.com/police-defunding-effort-fails-town-and-school-budgets-pass-but-great-barrington-annual-town-meeting-to-continue-thursday/
Scandal in West Stockbridge: Peter Skorput, the former Fire Chief who was found to have been engaging in kickbacks, is seeking his old seat on the Selectboard: https://theberkshireedge.com/forced-out-as-fire-chief-fined-by-state-ethics-panel-skorput-seeks-to-reclaim-seat-on-select-board/
Given that the cultural Berkshires are looking at much abbreviated season due to COVID19, director and actor Jim Frangione surveys how theaters and theater artists are coping and devising ways to practice their art:https://theberkshireedge.com/theater-in-the-time-of-covid-19-how-area-theaters-and-theater-artists-are-coping-during-the-pandemic/
We have a fascinating profile of Susan Sellew and her Rawson Brook Farm in Monterey where she produces delicious chevre:https://theberkshireedge.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=102145
Our columnist Carole Owens has a fascinating account of how she once had to host a dinner with the Kennedys — yes, those Kennedys:https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-93/
Finally, writer David Edwards, who often writs about music and Tanglewood, considers what dangers lurk along the trail.. namely, poisonous snakes: https://theberkshireedge.com/deadly-berkshire-copperheads/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Given the pandemic and the social turmoil, there are still issues of preserving the character of our communities. And so we have a story of a resident of Great Barrington who is flouting the guidelines for environmental protection by bulldozing a wetland in Great Barrington:https://theberkshireedge.com/repeat-offender-fined-for-wetlands-violations-ordered-by-concomm-to-restore-property/
Food security starts here — the next generation of Berkshire farmers. We profile two young farmers:https://theberkshireedge.com/food-security-starts-here-the-next-generation-of-berkshire-dairy-farmers/
Boston Symphony, the premier summer attraction in the Berkshires, has announced an online 2020 festival:https://theberkshireedge.com/hobbled-by-pandemic-bso-announces-tanglewood-2020-online-festival/
There was an impressive celebration of the Black Lives Matter movement in Great Barrington, with thousands gathered in front of Town Hall, but it also devolved into a feud between the local head of the NAACP, Dennis Powell, and the Jewish community, over his remarks assigning blame to Israeli military techniques for the death of George Floyd:https://theberkshireedge.com/black-lives-matter-rally-denounces-the-rise-of-racism/
Of course, our schools have been closed during the pandemic and one of our writers, Sheela Clary, a mother and a teacher, wrote an amusing piece about the life of a parent at home with kids. She calls it the Suck at Home Handbook:https://theberkshireedge.com/stuck-at-home-handbook/
And finally, realizing how seriously the pandemic and the resulting crash in the economy has affected Berkshire families, local schools are going to provide access to food for students during the summer months:https://theberkshireedge.com/local-schools-answer-question-of-food-access-during-summer/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

In this pandemic era South Berkshire County schools have had to get creative about how to honor and celebrate the 2020 graduating class: https://theberkshireedge.com/south-county-schools-get-creative-about-graduations-in-pandemic-era/
And the Berkshires have been participating in the outrage over the murder of a black man by police in Minneapolis. Demonstrations in support of Black Lives Matter have taken place in Pittsfield, and more are scheduled:https://theberkshireedge.com/hundreds-pack-park-square-to-protest-police-brutality-and-racial-injustice/
With the turmoil in the streets the suffering in the hospitals should not be forgotten. Gov. Baker has issued new guidelines for how the state can reopen camps and child care facilities: https://theberkshireedge.com/baker-releases-detailed-guidelines-for-reopening-of-child-care-camps-summer-rec-programs/
Through Chang-Chavkin program five Berkshire high school seniors have been awarded full scholarships to college. Among the qualifications is that they be the first in their families to go to college:https://theberkshireedge.com/chang-chavkin-scholars-program-for-first-generation-college-students-sees-impressive-2020-cohort/
Now here’s something closer to home — your home: The battle over Sunday racing at Lime Rock Park. https://theberkshireedge.com/neighbors-win-pitched-battle-over-sunday-racing-at-lime-rock-park/ And our story led to a letter writer, a second-home owner, who declared he loved car racing and was upset to read that new Yorkers were the ones who had been complaining about the thunderous race track:https://theberkshireedge.com/some-new-yorkers-love-racing-at-lime-rock-park/
And finally, on a cheerier note, it seems that despite the pandemic, or perhaps because of it, gardening seems to be flourishing in the Berkshires: https://theberkshireedge.com/in-the-pandemic-age-gardening-blooms-in-the-berkshires/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

If there were to be any encouraging news during the pandemic-driven economic downturn in the Berkshires, the ongoing redevelopment of the Eagle Mill site in Lee would have been the candidate but now even that $40 million project is in jeopardy:https://theberkshireedge.com/pandemic-economy-forces-scaling-down-of-transformative-eagle-mill-project/
On Memorial Day we recalled the 2005 tornado that ripped through the Great Barrington Fairgrounds… and the fairgrounds now lie rehabilitated but dormant, due to the pandemic tornado: https://theberkshireedge.com/remembering-the-great-great-barrington-tornado-25-years-later/
Historian Bernard Drew has written a two-part account of the notorious members of the Berkshire 49th regiment in the Civil War… who returned home to rob a bank — unsuccessfully: https://theberkshireedge.com/part-ii-the-perilous-lives-of-great-barringtons-49th-regiment-volunteers-frederick-deland-and-the-bungling-bank-robbers/
Among the victims of the pandemic is Kripalu, the yoga retreat center in Stockbridge… It is closing, laying off 450 workers:https://theberkshireedge.com/yoga-retreat-center-kripalu-closes-for-rest-of-year-lays-off-more-than-450-workers/
We are into Chapter 47 of Carolyn Newberger’s account of living in the forests of Lenox. It was bound to happen: the bears arrived. https://theberkshireedge.com/illuminating-the-hidden-forest-chapter-47-balancing-bears-and-ourselves/
And finally, J. Peter Bergman, our theatre critic and a member of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association, laments the stages gone dark this summer:https://theberkshireedge.com/a-lamentation-of-arts/

7… This just in as I was typing this … the Connecticut Supreme Court has upheld a planning and zoning ordinance, assuring that the Sunday chamber concerts at Music Mountain will continue: (Falls Village, CT) The Music Mountain Board of Directors is pleased with the decision of the Connecticut Supreme Court that will continue the prohibition on Sunday racing at nearby Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, CT. In its ruling in Lime Rock Park, LLC v. Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury, handed down on May 22, 2020, the co

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

The coronavirus epidemic is disrupting many of our traditions. The Tanglewood season has been canceled this summer, and this week Great Barrington announced it would be conducting its annual town meeting outside: https://theberkshireedge.com/town-hall-briefs-for-the-first-time-great-barrington-will-hold-its-town-meeting-outside-special-permit-for-gated-parking-lot-denied/
Legendary Great Barrington Police Chief William Walsh is retiring. He’s been on the force for 40 years, 37 of which as chief. https://theberkshireedge.com/legendary-great-barrington-police-chief-to-retire-at-end-of-year/
Meanwhile, Gov. Baker has issued what are the guidelines for the reopening of the state economy: https://theberkshireedge.com/gov-baker-announces-industry-specific-plan-guidelines-for-reopening-state/
1Berkshire, the countywide chamber of commerce, has presented its own path of reopening the Berkshire economy, and put together this week a virtual town hall to have a public discussion: https://theberkshireedge.com/in-the-wake-of-devastating-covid-19-pandemic-officials-and-nonprofit-executives-see-opportunity/
Multicultural BRIDGE, a countywide coalition that seeks to develop opportunities among the diverse groups in the Berkshires, is offering a new pathways to leadership program in response to the COVID19 pandemic. BRIDGE Founder Gwen Van Sant has created a video curriculum:https://theberkshireedge.com/bridge-develops-new-pathways-of-leadership-organizing-in-answer-to-covid-19/
Finally, we have the latest chapter in Carolyn Newberger’s now 46 chapter opus on her explorations of the world around her home in the forest near Lenox. This chapter is titled “What the trees can teach us": https://theberkshireedge.com/illuminating-the-hidden-forest-chapter-46-what-trees-can-teach-us/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is ordering a phased re-opening of the state’s economy, to be based on the results of testing:

https://theberkshireedge.com/baker-announces-4-phase-reopening-of-mass-economy/2. Meanwhile, the Boston Symphony Orchestra has announced an abbreviated summer season with broadcasts of its performances, but the Tanglewood season still is up in the air: https://theberkshireedge.com/bso-announces-2020-21-season-at-symphony-hall-cancels-july-4-esplanade-show/ But on the theatre front Barrington Stage in Pittsfield has announced that it is shifting the bulk of its 2020 season to 2021 yet it is reconfiguring its Boyd-Quinson Mainstage to accommodate theatre in the age of coronavirus, removing rows of seats to make social distancing possible… and it is, so far, the only theatre venue to be planning a production this summer: It will open David Cale’s “Harry Clarke on Aug. 5, with Mark Dold in the lead.https://theberkshireedge.com/barrington-stage-company-announces-special-summer-season/ 3. As a result of the epidemic, not only have most of the traditional Berkshire performance venues cancelled or shortened their seasons, but other organizations that depend on events, such as Construct Inc. that provides shelter for the homeless, are having to adopt online events to raise money: https://theberkshireedge.com/mayfest-in-place-to-support-affordable-housing/ And some events are intended to raise money for such basic needs, such as the Food4Vets event in North Adams:https://theberkshireedge.com/news-brief-food4vets-program-to-distribute-in-north-adams/

When was the last time crosswalks stirred a major public uproar? Well, in Great Barrington, the town’s decision to upgrade and repaint its downtown crosswalks has done just that. It’s the crosswalk color scheme that’s got social conservatives tied in knots. The pedestrian lanes are to be painted in rainbow stripes. And to some that isn’t a replica of rainbows in the sky but an affirmation of gay rights: https://theberkshireedge.com/after-rain-comes-a-rainbow-great-barrington-crosswalks-sporting-new-colors/ And a local loudmouth veteran took issue, which provoked a bunch of letters and comments in support of the colorful crosswalks (his daughter subsequently wrote in supporting the crosswalks):

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

The Berkshire Record, the weekly paper out of Great Barrington, has become another victim of the COVID19 epidemic. After 31 years, it has now ceased publication:https://theberkshireedge.com/the-berkshire-record-closes-its-doors-after-31-years/
Just an update on our COVID19 news: The Gov. Charlie Baker has extended the statewide shutdown of all but essential services until May 18. https://theberkshireedge.com/baker-forms-board-to-plan-reopening-extends-closures-stay-at-home-advisory-to-may-18/
Although the duration of the COVID19 pandemic is as yet uncertain, summer camps in Berkshire County are still planning to open, but later in the summer season. https://theberkshireedge.com/light-at-the-end-of-the-quarantine-tunnel/
Another victim of the COVID19 pandemic is the cultural life of the Berkshires. The Boston Symphony Orchestra programming for the summer is still up in the air: https://theberkshireedge.com/the-bso-at-home/
But not all commerce in the Berkshires has ground to a halt. At Berkshire Distilleries in Sheffield, they are cranking up production of hand sanitizers; https://theberkshireedge.com/responding-to-national-shortage-distilleries-shift-gears-to-produce-hand-sanitizer/
And despite the disruptions to routine life, New England town meeting form of government plods on, and candidates are getting their messages out there for town elections. Town meetings may be delayed because of the pandemic, but campaigns for town offices are proceeding. Case in point: Nadine Hawver in Sheffield is running for a third term as selectman. She describes herself as a pitbull, which in Sheffield is a form of compliment: https://theberkshireedge.com/hawver-self-described-pit-bull-runs-for-third-term-as-selectman/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Gov. Charlie Baker has declared a statewide closure of schools for the rest of the year, and an extension his essential services emergency order and the stay-at-home advisory that was set to expire May 4 until Monday, May 18.https://theberkshireedge.com/baker-forms-board-to-plan-reopening-extends-closures-stay-at-home-advisory-to-may-18/
We are publishing a running log of events and news about the COVID19 pandemic and how it is affecting the community: https://theberkshireedge.com/coronavirus-live-local-updates/
Still, a crisis also brings out creativity and resourcefulness: Robin Helfand (who lives in Lakeville, by the way) owns a candy store (not an “essential” business) on Main Street in Great Barrington … and she’s figured out she’ll be able to navigate this crisis:https://theberkshireedge.com/sugar-highs-and-lows-local-businesswoman-pivots-to-prosper/
Meanwhile, since we’ll all be wearing masks in public — doesn’t this remind you of Edgar Allen Poe? — enterprising craftspeople have decided to mask themselves in style. Moho Designs in Housatonic is creating colorful masks and has received a grant from the United Way to make 600 of them available for people who can’t afford them, and were distributed through the weekly food parcels being provided by the School District and the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund establish by the Berkshire Taconic Foundation:https://theberkshireedge.com/new-style-of-masks-designed-and-built-in-housatonic/ And speaking of masks, we have a survey of various masks being worn around the Berkshires by those on the front line of serving others during the crisis:https://theberkshireedge.com/masked-heroes/
Since performance venues are closed and are likely to be closed for the foreseeable future the newly minted Great Barrington Public Theatre is posting a collection of plays streamed online, titled “Bear Tales” that are “Six Feet Together": https://theberkshireedge.com/theatre-review-great-barrington-public-theaters-bear-tales-a-welcome-venture-at-a-time-when-live-theater-is-at-a-minimum/
And since we are all trying to conduct affairs from a distance, we have a little primer on the use of Zoom — and its limitations, the online application through which meetings can take place when participants aren’t in the same room:

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Gov. Baker announced yesterday the closing of all schools in the Commonwealth for the rest of the year, and he also signed legislation to protect homeowners and tenants from eviction during the COVID19 pandemic:https://theberkshireedge.com/gov-baker-cancels-school-for-rest-of-year-extends-childcare-program-closures/
We have been keeping an updated column of stories that relate to breaking news, closings and alerts, Updates: https://theberkshireedge.com/coronavirus-live-local-updates/ As of last night, information from the Mass. Department of Public Health:41,199 cases, 1,556 reported Tuesday; 1,961 deaths — all statewide404 cases in Berkshire County
There are many stories of a community coming together in a crisis. One of them is Nourishing Neighbors: Berkshire South Regional Community Center is providing free meals for the next eight weeks, distributing 500 restaurant prepared, cold-to-go meals each Wednesday:https://theberkshireedge.com/gov-baker-cancels-school-for-rest-of-year-extends-childcare-program-closures/
On the other hand, the coronavirus shutdown results in some curious choices. For instance, liquor stores are open; pot shops are not:https://theberkshireedge.com/with-recreational-cannabis-shops-closed-why-do-liquor-stores-remain-open/
But there are really serious consequences to the economic viability of the Berkshires this summer: Tanglewood season is up in the air;https://theberkshireedge.com/with-more-than-130-events-canceled-bso-announces-cuts-in-staff-and-salaries/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic and the stay-at-home directives, we have been running a continuous update of events that have been canceled or rescheduled, and other news notices that relate to the pandemic and our communities’ and cultural organizations’ responses to COVID-19. It looks as if most performing venues may be dark and silent this summer, a big blow to the cultural Berkshires that rely so heavily on cultural tourism. So here’s the latest Coronavirus Live Update: https://theberkshireedge.com/coronavirus-live-local-updates/ For instance, we featured the cancellation of the Boston Pops spring series at Tanglewood:https://theberkshireedge.com/boston-pops-cancellations-and-silver-linings/
In this national and social crisis, there are many stories of people stepping up to help others. As an example , 17-year-old Reed Lessing has created Doorstep Deliverers, a free store to door delivery service to her neighbors in need:https://theberkshireedge.com/april-showers-bring-may-flowers-amongst-downpour-of-bad-news-kindness-blossoms/
Meanwhile, in Housatonic Craig Bero of the Pleasant and Main restaurant providing covered plate dinners-to-go, as he did during Passover and Easter.https://theberkshireedge.com/by-bread-and-love-alone-craig-bero-housatonic-hero-of-the-moment/
And yet another story of an imaginative response to COVID19, and maintaining a sense of community: Pittsfield artist Peter Vacchina has been creating mosaics declaring a message of 2GTHR. They’ve been appearing in locations all over the Berkshires:https://theberkshireedge.com/were-all-in-this-2gthr/
For those who are in danger of losing their jobs and perhaps their homes during the pandemic Construct Inc. and the towns of Lenox and Great Barrington are providing emergency rental assistance: https://theberkshireedge.com/construct-lenox-and-gb-offer-emergency-rental-assistance-during-covid-19-pandemic/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

As might be expected we’ve been writing about the COVID19 pandemic that has struck the Berkshires, as it has the rest of the country and the world.And the contagion has thrown the Berkshires summer cultural season into turmoil. So far, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Becket has announced the cancellation of its season; Berkshire Theatre Festival will delay its productions until August — if then. The cultural institutions that constitute the heart of the Berkshire life are reconsidering what kind of events will be safe to present — if any. This is a severe blow to the Berkshire economy.
Given the restrictions demanded by social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus, markets, cafes, restaurants have had to adjust their way of serving customers. We’ve produced a list of status of these establishments, many of which now offer takeout service: https://theberkshireedge.com/where-to-find-meals-food-and-fresh-produce-in-the-berkshires-now/
In a virtual town hall, U.S. Rep. Richie Neal assured Berkshire Health Systems that additional supplies of masks, test kits, and ventilators are on the way. https://theberkshireedge.com/bmc-needs-ventilators-as-neal-assures-county-that-help-is-on-the-way-from-the-feds/
Of course, the other crisis, besides the pandemic, is affecting the educational system: https://theberkshireedge.com/how-south-county-schools-are-coping-during-unprecedented-times/ And the local community television station CTSB is now carrying an educational forum to address the schools’ response to the epidemic:https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-education-now-debuts-on-ctsb-addresses-schools-response-to-covid-19/
Our writer Sheela Clary has been writing a series about what it’s like to be a parent at home with two children during the closure of schools. She’s doing a handbook for parents: https://theberkshireedge.com/stuck-at-home-handbook/
And lastly, for a change of pace, let’s not forget that it’s spring, and that means the earth and forests are coming alive. One of the signs of spring is the screaming of spring peepers in swampy areas. Carolyn Newberger explores the awakening of the forest surrounding her house, and includes a recording of the little frogs singing their hearts out: https://theberkshireedge.com/illuminating-the-hidden-forest-chapter-39-springtime-for-beavers-a

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

So this morning most of our leading stories about the consequences of the coronavirus COVID-19 epidemic:

1 The town of Great Barrington has declared a state of emergency, as the Berkshires the state and the country confront the coronavirus epidemic: https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-declares-state-of-emergency-will-likely-postpone-town-meeting-elections/

And it was just the health issues that had the Great Barrington town fathers (and mother) concerned. It was the fragile condition of local businesses, many of which were closed — and losing money — https://theberkshireedge.com/coronavirus-impact-some-south-county-businesses-close-some-struggle-others-do-well/
In order to keep our readers informed of the latest epidemic developments, we have been running “Coronavirus Live Local Update” https://theberkshireedge.com/coronavirus-live-local-updates/
All of the local efforts to stall the spread of the disease are part of a wider statewide effort. Gov. Charlie Baker ordered a statewide lockdown: https://theberkshireedge.com/as-baker-issues-emergency-order-closing-all-but-essential-organizations-county-records-its-first-death/
And in the midst of the crisis a coalition has emerged, an informal group of “do-gooders” engaging in a creative community initiatives to, among other things, provide masks for health care workers; https://theberkshireedge.com/informal-bunches-of-do-gooders-good-news-in-berkshire-county-as-of-march-23-2020/
But we’re not all health emergency alerts. We have a profile of 90-year-old Wray Gunn, founder of the Clinton Church Restoration in Great Barrington, a leader of the local NAACP chapter:https://theberkshireedge.com/clinton-church-restoration-founder-wray-gunn-reflects-on-90-years-and-life-in-the-berkshires/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Not surprisingly, our top stories this week involve the coronavirus epidemic and the havoc it has introduced to life in the Berkshires. We have created a rolling log of stories to which we add daily, sometimes hourly: https://theberkshireedge.com/coronavirus-live-local-updates/
For instance, the Berkshire International Film Festival has postponed its schedule until September… we have not yet heard from Tanglewood, the theatre festivals, Jacob’s Pillow…https://theberkshireedge.com/15th-annual-berkshire-international-film-festival-moved-to-fall-of-2020/
One casualty of the closure of schools is that children who are eligible for breakfast and lunches are no longer receiving them. Berkshire Hills Regional School District has set up a program to deliver this nutritional supplement: https://theberkshireedge.com/schools-support-families-with-proper-nutrition-during-unexpected-closures/
And before we leave the COVID19 beat, we should mention Sheela Clary’s dispatch about the epidemic from a friend in Seattle, an epidemic hot spot:https://theberkshireedge.com/coronavirus-dispatches-letter-from-washington-state/
But enough about the pandemic apocalypse. There’s West Stockbridge, where folks continued to be in a turmoil over the firing of the fire chief: https://theberkshireedge.com/after-selectman-is-blasted-for-role-in-ousting-fire-chief-west-stockbridge-looks-to-heal-itself/
And on the lighter side, we have a review of a just published book by local author Barbara Bonner… the title: “Inspiring Forgiveness.” https://theberkshireedge.com/inspiring-forgiveness-an-auspicious-moment-for-local-authors-publishing-day/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

The decision by the EPA Region 1 to remove PCBs from the Housatonic River valley, but transport them to a waste disposal site in Lee has angered those who have campaigned for a restored, contamination-free river:
The Great Barrington Board of Selectmen, facing some criticism from some environmentalists opposed to the Rest of River Settlement, have proposed to schedule a town meeting to vote on whether the town should be a party to the agreement: https://theberkshireedge.com/selectboard-to-allow-citizens-to-weigh-in-at-town-meeting-on-controversial-ge-epa-settlement/
In West Stockbridge the Board of Selectmen have fired the town’s fire chief Peter Skorput on accusations of conflicts of interest: https://theberkshireedge.com/west-stockbridge-fire-chief-forced-out-in-wake-of-ethics-violations-and-departmental-dysfunction/
And of course what news lineup would be complete without a mention of the coronavirus. The latest public report is that there are 5 cases in the Berkshires. But one way of dealing with a public health crisis is to be edgy: a. Sarah Wright is a nurse, and a writer — she accuses Gov. Baker of being slow to react to the potential pandemic, and of letting the state become unprepared for such an epidemic: https://theberkshireedge.com/sarah-wright-international-emergency-day/ b. Columnist Carole Owens reminds us of past pandemics, and how difficult it seems to be to come to grips with the presence of an epidemic: https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-78/ c. Our business columnist Allen Harris considers the effect of the coronavirus epidemic has on the economy: https://theberkshireedge.com/capital-ideas-observe-and-react/
Our writer Hannah Van Sickle writes of a philanthropic-minded group of women who are raising money for underprivileged women and girls: https://theberkshireedge.com/philanthropic-group-brings-women-together-to-raise-money-for-underprivileged-women-and-girls/
Finally, marijuana sales are an equal opportunity market. The latest shop in Great Barrington is women-owned: https://theberkshireedge.com/woman-owned-cannabis-boutique-on-main-street-set-fo

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

First, a story we haven’t completed (and will be up today) that will be of interest to your listeners… The Environmental Protection Agency has reached a rest of river settlement with General Electric for the cleanup of remaining PCB contamination in the Housatonic River and its floodplain south of Pittsfield to the Connecticut border.
During February the town of Great Barrington is honoring W.E.B. Du Bois, and we have a number of stories about this native son of Great Barrington, a writer, civil rights activist, cofounder of the NAACP, and ultimately an exile: https://theberkshireedge.com/152-years-later-myriad-lessons-surrounding-du-bois-enduring-legacy/ https://theberkshireedge.com/bits-grand-piano-trios-author-talk-at-lee-library-potluck-a-play/
Town meeting season is just around the corner, and the Great Barrington Selectboard issued a bit of a warning to residents that next year's budget would have a significant increase, in part due to the subsidy to Southern Vermont Ambulance Services: https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-budget-to-rise-nearly-5-percent-private-ems-service-seeks-132000-donation/
And since we are just past Lincoln’s Birthday, we should mention that the Stockbridge Library recently acquired a copy of Daniel Chester French’s statue ‘Lincoln Standing.’ — French is the sculptor who created the Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington…. https://theberkshireedge.com/more-on-the-acquisition-of-the-standing-lincoln-by-the-stockbridge-library/
Two of our columnists, Pedro Pachano and Selectboard member Ed Abrahams put together a weekly pod cast, entitled “It’s Not That Simple” in which they address local issues… and this edition deals with the importance of the census as a benchmark for determining state aid for the town: https://theberkshireedge.com/its-not-that-simple-be-counted-it-is-that-simple/
And finally, here are a couple items from our Arts Desk: Work by the American landscape painter Thomas Cole is on exhibit at The Clark Art Museum in Williamstown:https://theberkshireedge.com/thomas-coles-dream-of-arcadia-enchants-at-the-clark/ In West Stockbridge at The Foundry, Amber Chand is performing her one-woman show, “Searching for The Moon”:

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

We have several stories about one of Great Barrington’s favorite sons, W.E.B. Du Bois. The Du Bois Legacy Festival will commence with a dance performance organized by Jacob’s Pillow that will be performed at Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington on Saturday, Feb. 22: https://theberkshireedge.com/w-e-b-du-bois-an-enduring-educational-legacy/ https://theberkshireedge.com/bits-grand-piano-trios-author-talk-at-lee-library-potluck-a-play/
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced its final cleanup plan for the Rest of the River, from Pittsfield to the Connecticut line. It proposes the creation of a landfill for low level PCB contaminated soil; and shipping the high polluted material shipped out of state to a treatment facility. But not everyone was satisfied with the remedies, as this letter indicates: https://theberkshireedge.com/no-berkshires-pcb-dumps-period/
Meanwhile, our “It’s Not That Simple” team of Selectboard member Ed Abrahams and his sidekick Pedro Pachano are urging Great Barrington residents to take part in the 2020 Census. Federal and state grants for infrastructure upkeep depend on census accuracy: https://theberkshireedge.com/its-not-that-simple-be-counted-it-is-that-simple/
Meanwhile, our peripatetic columnist Alan Chartock waded in the national political debate over the 2020 presidential election with a column in which he predicted that former NY City Mayor Michael Bloomberg could beat incumbent Donald the Trump. The column sparked heated debate: https://theberkshireedge.com/alan-chartock-56/
And in this week celebrating Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, we have a little story about how the Stockbridge Library had acquired Daniel Chester French’s ’Standing Lincoln’ statue: https://theberkshireedge.com/more-on-the-acquisition-of-the-standing-lincoln-by-the-stockbridge-library/
Finally, to entertain us during the dark days of winter Barrington Stage is hosting its annual 10 x 10 New Play Festival in Pittsfield. Ten plays of no more than 10 minutes are selected for this festival … and have been written just for this event. Full disclosure, some years ago your editor here had a play selected for this festival — its title was “Invasive Species.” https://theberkshiree

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

https://theberkshireedge.com/karpinski-killed-wife-and-children-before-setting-fire-to-their-home-recent-documents-say/ Chief Medical examiner in Massachusetts issued a report on the grisly murder and suicide in Sheffield last year in which five people died. It was determined that Luke Karpinski murdered his wife and three children before killing himself by burning down his house: https://theberkshireedge.com/karpinski-killed-wife-and-children-before-setting-fire-to-their-home-recent-documents-say/
Meanwhile, On a thoroughly different topic, this coming Monday — Feb. 10 — Construct Inc. is holding its Warm up the Winter concert, with an all-star cast of musicians to raise money for fuel assistance in the southern Berkshires — Construct provides shelter and housing for the homeless and the poor. https://theberkshireedge.com/warm-up-the-winter-to-raise-money-for-south-county-heating-assistance/
And while we’re on the topic, we’ve been running a series on “affordable housing” — that is, housing that people of modest means can afford. Our hosts for the series are Selectboard member Ed Abrahams and his sidekick Pedro Pachano.. their guest on their show was June Wolfe, housing director for Construct Inc. https://theberkshireedge.com/its-not-that-simple-affordable-housing-part-2/
Now here’s a topic dear to my heart: restoring passenger rail service from New York City to the Berkshires, via the Housatonic line that drifts north from Canaan, Conn., and Torrington… Our columnist Carole Owens reminds us of what passenger travel used to be, with travelers debarking and embarking at the Stockbridge (Mass.) station:https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-73/
A sign of the times, alas: The demise of village general stores that were the hub of a small community. The latest is the Mill River general store that closed last week: https://theberkshireedge.com/mill-river-general-store-to-shut-its-doors-friday/
Finally, Thursday night at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center journalist and author Rachel Louise Snyder will discuss her book “No Visible Bruises,” in a presentation about the prevalence of domestic violence .. her book was named one of the 10 best published in 2019.:

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he Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Supporters of a home rule petition that would allow the town of Great Barrington to vote whether or not to allow horse racing at the Great Barrington Fairgrounds have taken their campaign to Boston, and the Legislature: https://theberkshireedge.com/supporters-for-home-rule-on-great-barrington-horse-racing-take-their-fight-to-boston/
Mark Volpe, the CEO of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a guiding influence in the development of Tanglewood’s new performance spaces will retire next year: https://theberkshireedge.com/mark-volpe-to-retire-from-the-bso-february-2021/
Meanwhile, back in Great Barrington, the Selectboard has determined that enough is enough: only 7 pot stores: https://theberkshireedge.com/selectmen-want-to-limit-number-of-pot-shops-to-seven-on-a-par-with-liquor-stores/
On the lighter side, one of our writers, Sheela Clary, sent us a delightful poem about the challenge of getting her daughter dressed for school (in the style of the metaphysical poet Andrew Marvell): https://theberkshireedge.com/poem-to-her-stubborn-daughter/
We should mention that Great Barrington hosted a heartfelt tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, and in our report we included a video of Dr. King’s ‘We have a dream’ speech at the Lincoln Memorial: https://theberkshireedge.com/renew-build-restore-celebrating-mlks-life/
In Great Barrington Kendra Smallwood and Emma Blair have introduced a new concept for freelancers: a community workspace that incorporates collaboration: https://theberkshireedge.com/coworking-comes-to-great-barrington/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Fulcrum Enterprises has withdrawn its application for a permit to grow cannabis at an industrial site in Housatonic, a village in Great Barrington: https://theberkshireedge.com/fulcrum-formally-withdraws-pot-growing-proposal-as-selectboard-comes-under-fire/
And speaking of marijuana — and the funding stream it now provides to the town and the state — state Sen. Adam Hinds was asked by our reporter Sheela Clary whether some of this revenue would go to education. His answer was — maybe… Massachusetts had a $1 billion surplus last year. Hinds represents a rural district of 25 towns. https://theberkshireedge.com/a-public-education-funding-update-from-sen-adam-hinds/
Meanwhile, a redevelopment of the Eagle Mill complex in Lee, Mass., has received additional state support: https://theberkshireedge.com/eagle-mill-receives-more-historic-tax-credits-developers-apply-for-millions-more/
Back to schools, the findings of the Berkshire Hills Wellness Initiative found that student health needs are not being met — quite a stunning conclusion: https://theberkshireedge.com/wellness-initiative-presents-recommendations-to-berkshire-hills-regional-school-committee/
And many events are planned in the Berkshire region for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday this coming weekend. Among them a tribute to Elijah Cummings, the civil rights advocate and longtime Congressman from Maryland who died this past October:https://theberkshireedge.com/bits-the-making-of-a-protest-artist-martin-luther-king-jr-national-day-of-service-tree-and-wildlife-talk/
Finally, the Berkshire Hills Regional School District, frustrated with its efforts to secure stsate aid for a badly needed new high school, is considering whether the district should go it alone to update Monument Mountain Regional High School: https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-hills-mulls-rejecting-state-aid-going-it-alone-in-quest-for-new-monument/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Please call us at 413-528-3408

There’s nothing like affordable housing to spoil the neighborhood…. angry Housatonic residents assailed the town’s Community Preservation Committee over a proposal to commit funds for an affordable housing development on a wooded lot south of the village. It got raucous: https://theberkshireedge.com/angry-housatonic-residents-assail-cpc-for-funding-of-affordable-housing-property/
In Williamstown at the Milne Public Library the Osher Lifelong Living Institute (OLLI) has created an exhibit celebrating residents who are 65 and older and living vibrant creative lives … like the Jacob’s Pillow choreographer and dancer Sandra Burton: https://theberkshireedge.com/creative-aging-exhibit-highlights-growing-older-in-the-berkshires/
Among our weekly features is a podcast/article entitled “It’s Not That Simple” that takes a look at important issues facing South Berkshire County. It’s the creation of architect Pedro Pachano and Great Barrington Selectman Ed Abrahams. This week, their show features local farms and farmers … “Food doesn’t grow in grocery stores.” https://theberkshireedge.com/its-not-that-simple-food-doesnt-grow-in-grocery-stores/
And speaking of Housatonic, village residents there are not only up in arms about affordable housing, they’re also peeved about odors that may waft their way from a proposed cannabis production operation:https://theberkshireedge.com/residents-object-again-to-pot-farm-as-new-report-cites-potentially-significant-odor-impacts/
And just to put it all in perspective, we published our annual year in review that chronicles the significant stories of 2019: cannabis, school mergers, blood money, and bridges: https://theberkshireedge.com/of-mergers-bridges-cannabis-and-blood-money-gb-and-south-county-year-in-review/
And lastly, on a hopeful note, our correspondent Dook Snyder has written a review of 15-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg’s book, “No One is too small to make a difference.” With young people like her the human race might just survive another decade — perhaps a century:https://theberkshireedge.com/book-review-no-one-is-too-small-to-make-a-difference-highlights-immediacy-of-climate-crisis/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

It’s been an eventful week… first, Monument Mountain Regional High School has been troubled by rumors of a bomb threatp https://theberkshireedge.com/rumored-bomb-threat-at-monument-unfounded-district-officials-say/

And the Middle School was subjected to incidents of anti-semitism

In an extraordinary performance, Beth Robbins, joined by other actors including Alison Larkin, took the stage at Shakespeare & Company to read from Beth’s memoir “A Grief Sublime,’ about her life and the death of her partner Steve Sproutman Meyerowitz: https://theberkshireedge.com/a-book-launch-sublime-large-community-outpouring-for-beth-robbins-new-memoir/
It seems to happen every holiday season… a fire engulfs a residence. This time, one man died, his wife is in critical conditionhttps://theberkshireedge.com/one-dead-and-another-in-critical-condition-after-beech-tree-apartment-fire/
In Pittsfield, our correspondent Hannah Van Sickle writes, one man is making a difference for the icyt’s youth, Jerome Edgerton Jr.: https://theberkshireedge.com/jerome-edgerton-jr-creating-a-wave-with-pittsfield-youth/
Now here’s a quandary many communities would like to see themselves confronted with: What to do with extra cash! Great Barrington, if appears, is dealing with how to allocate the significant extra revenues it has received from the local tax on marijuana sales — more than $1 million so far: https://theberkshireedge.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=95415
At Monument Mountain Regional High School it isn’t all about academics, SAT scores, or grades… an innovative program is putting students to work… called Pathways to Trades:https://theberkshireedge.com/everything-was-pointing-in-this-direction-pathways-to-the-trades-is-putting-students-to-work/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

So-called “vocational” education is making a comeback at Monument Mountain Regional High School, where a “Pathways to the Trades” program is proving popular by putting students into the work environment: https://theberkshireedge.com/everything-was-pointing-in-this-direction-pathways-to-the-trades-is-putting-students-to-work/
In the wake of anti-Semitic incidents at the Monument Valley Regional Middle School, superintendent Peter Dillon explains new partnerships with local organizations to address the kind of attitudes that result in hate speech but his essay is but one response to an array of intolerant episodes: https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-hills-responds-to-anti-semitic-threats-at-middle-school/ https://theberkshireedge.com/on-hate-speech-building-structures-for-engaging-in-dialogue/ https://theberkshireedge.com/community-town-must-engage-in-dialogue-for-healing-cultural-violence/
Meanwhile, down at the track, the community is debating whether to restore horse racing to the Great Barrington Fairgrounds. A town meeting on the topic is scheduled for December 11. https://theberkshireedge.com/citizens-should-decide-whether-horse-racing-returns-to-great-barrington/ https://theberkshireedge.com/activists-file-home-rule-petition-on-horse-racing-as-questions-are-raised-about-selectboard-policy-changes/
A contaminated site in the heart of downtown Great Barrington is going to cost a bundle to remediate: https://theberkshireedge.com/price-tag-to-clean-up-polluted-ried-cleaners-site-could-be-a-whopper/
And we should alert our listeners to an ongoing work by Carolyn Newberger, entitled ‘Illuminating the Hidden Forest,’ now in Chapter 22, about what she observes in the forest around her Lenox home. https://theberkshireedge.com/illuminating-the-hidden-forest-chapter-22-getting-ready-for-winter/
Finally, lots of drivers in the Great Barrington community

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Let’s start off with two environmental stories. Great Barrington Ried Cleaners on Main Street, across from the Mason Library and adjacent to the Post Office. Both institutions have found elevated levels of flourocarbons in the basements, evidently originating with a toxic underground plume from the cleaners; https://theberkshireedge.com/price-tag-to-clean-up-polluted-ried-cleaners-site-could-be-a-whopper/
A farmer and environmental activist has warned the Great Barrington Conservation Commission about the dangers of the weedkiller Roundup, and has urged the Conservation Commission to ban its application: https://theberkshireedge.com/wetland-expert-urges-ban-on-use-of-roundup-weed-killer/
Meanwhile, let’s dream of warmer, safer environments, like the Tanglewood Institute. The Boston Symphony Orchestra has announced some highlights of the institute’s upcoming offerings. https://theberkshireedge.com/tanglewood-learning-institute-announces-2020-schedule/
Over the past six months or so we have been publishing a series of articles by illustrator Carolyn Newberger (her husband Eli is our classical music observer and interpreter) entitled “Illuminating the Hidden Forest” in which Carolyn explores the woodlands around their home in Lenox. We’re now on chapter 21: https://theberkshireedge.com/illuminating-the-hidden-forest-chapter-21-the-forest-is-a-nomad/ And Chapter 22 will be published on the 30th.
Our curmudeonly columnist Alan Chartock is at it again, wading into the swamp of national politics by suggesting a promising Democratic presidential candidate to challenge Trump in 2020 might be none other than our former governor Deval Patrick: https://theberkshireedge.com/alan-chartock-45/
And in keeping with the season, Carole Owens presents a few uncomfortable facts about the first Thanksgiving in 1637, and the brutality that accompanied its successive celebrations: https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-63/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Cannabis corruption — so soon. A federal investigation is looking into the agreements between marijuana providers and towns — “host community agreements” …. https://theberkshireedge.com/federal-corruption-probe-targets-towns-cannabis-agreements/
Here we go. The Joseph Kennedy campaign for Senate — to replace fellow Democrat Ed Markey — rolled into Pittsfield last weekend… https://theberkshireedge.com/kennedy-campaign-visits-pittsfield/
And of course we can’t go a week without mentioning the administrative woes of the Southern Berkshire Regional School District. In this piece we write that students and staff deserve better than what the dysfunctional administration and School Committee are allowing to transpire. https://theberkshireedge.com/a-district-in-disarray-parents-and-students-at-sbrsd-deserve-better/
Whether horse racing will ever return to the Great Barrington Fairgrounds has become a battle over home rule, with state Sen. Adam Hinds submitting a bill that would grant state permission. A special town meeting on the issue may be scheduled: https://theberkshireedge.com/activists-file-home-rule-petition-on-horse-racing-as-questions-are-raised-about-selectboard-policy-changes/
Carolyn Newberger is providing our readers with remarkable reflections — in the spirit of Henry David Thoreau’s On Walden Pond — of the land around her house in Lenox. She calls it “Illuminating the Hidden Forest.” And this week we published Chapter 19… they’re lovely ruminations on nature, with her splendid illustrations. https://theberkshireedge.com/illuminating-the-hidden-forest-chapter-19-property/
Finally, we have a amusing piece about a city slicker from Los Angeles who moved to the Berkshires, only to encounter a different kind of wildlife: bears and mountain lions. https://theberkshireedge.com/city-slicker-to-country-girl/

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Berkshire Style is an online magazine that celebrates this richness and vitality of its architects, designers, artists and businesses who have made their mark preserving the Berkshire aesthetic. The pages of Berkshire Style hold a wealth of local information inviting us all to play an active role in this beautiful community. If you have a passion for a refined simplicity

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Activists in Great Barrington are campaigning — and gathering signatures — to oppose the return of horse racing to the Great Barrington Fairgrounds. It’s become a hot issue for the Board of Selectmen, as the opposition to racing is being actively supported by Selectboard member Leigh Davis: https://theberkshireedge.com/activists-file-home-rule-petition-on-horse-racing-as-questions-are-raised-about-selectboard-policy-changes/
Speaking of campaigns, the Berkshire League of Women Voters is on the march to increase voter turnout — just in time: https://theberkshireedge.com/league-of-women-voters-supports-berkshire-residents-in-election-day-matters/
With the administration of Southern Berkshire Regional School District in turmoil, students at Mt. Everett High School have weighed in — with their own newspaper. https://theberkshireedge.com/mount-everett-students-weigh-in-on-controversies-ask-for-answer-on-devoti-degrenier/
The neighbors are outraged. The Great Barrington Airport is planning to add more hangars, implying more frequent takeoffs and landings:https://theberkshireedge.com/amid-an-atmosphere-of-mistrust-airport-revives-plan-for-more-hangars/
Finally, a memorial service is planned Sunday, November 10, for restaurateur Michael Ballon, a pioneer in promoting the farm to table fare and supporting local sustainable agriculture: https://theberkshireedge.com/memorial-planned-for-restaurateur-michael-ballon/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

We can’t get there from here! Great Barrington residents are fuming about the bridges that are under repair, forcing drivers and school buses to make long detours… but the fact is that, like the country the town has not kept up with its infrastructure maintenance: https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-residents-vent-about-speeding-scandalous-bridge-closures/
Since the Great Barrington Fairgrounds is on the cusp of receiving a permit to revive horse racing, we’ve had a clutch of letters opposing the sport on the grounds that it’s cruel to the horses:https://theberkshireedge.com/horse-racing-would-undermine-great-barringtons-character/ And State Sen. Adam Hinds has abandoned his support for legislation that would have permitted it:https://theberkshireedge.com/sen-hinds-renounces-support-for-bill-to-restore-horse-racing-to-fairgrounds/
Meanwhile, the meltdown of the Southern Berkshire Regional School District continues apace, with a staff member bringing forward a complaint of workplace retaliation for reporting the failures of the individual educational programs for students. It’s the second case of an employee bringing forth a complaint: https://theberkshireedge.com/second-whistleblower-at-sbrsd-alleges-workplace-retaliation-for-for-reporting-unlawful-conduct/
District Attorney Andrea Harrington has so far determined that there isn’t enough evidence to bring any charges concerning an alleged assault of a student at Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington: https://theberkshireedge.com/das-office-evidence-lacking-in-alleged-attack-on-simons-rock-student/
This month the town of Great Barrington celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the W.E.B. Du Bois homestead, in honor of the founder of the N.A.A.C.P. who was born in Great Barrington:https://theberkshireedge.com/dedication-of-the-du-bois-homesite-a-50-year-anniversary-celebration/ And construction work is beginning to restore the Clinton A.M.E. Zion church in Great Barrington, a historic landmark that Du Bois is said to have attended as a boy:https://theberkshireed

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Missing in action: David Magadini, the so-called homeless Mayor of Main Street in Great Barrington, hasn’t been seen lately dressed, winter and summer, in a ragged winter jacket and pushing a grocery cart stuffed with his belongings. He’s at a nursing home, recovering from having been struck by a car:https://theberkshireedge.com/mayor-of-main-street-david-magadini-missing-in-action/
Will horse racing return to the fairgrounds in Great Barrington? State Sen. Adam Hinds has withdrawn his support for a proposal to restore racing at the fairgrounds, after a groundswell of opposition from those opposed to racing: https://theberkshireedge.com/animal-cruelty-local-control-doomed-hinds-sponsorship-of-horse-racing-bill/
Classes at Bard College at Simon’s Rock were cancelled this week after a student had been assaulted on campus: https://theberkshireedge.com/simons-rock-classes-canceled-after-student-assaulted-on-campus/
Great Barrington Selectboard, after hearing an appeal from Multicultural Bridge, reinvented the traditional “Columbus Day” holiday, renaming it “Indigenous Peoples’ Day.” https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-responds-to-powerful-plea-recognizes-indigenous-peoples-day/
At its annual celebration Fairview Hospital honored Dr. George Veinoglou, born in Cairo, Egypt, who has become director of the hospital’s surgical department. https://theberkshireedge.com/fairview-hospital-2019-gala-honors-surgeon-dr-george-veinoglou/
Our columnist Carole Owens recalled the Mary Flynn, who was the conscience of Stockbridge for so many years. https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-55/
And finally, we should acknowledge the death of Michael Ballon, chef and proprietor of the Castle Street Cafe in Great Barrington, who had pioneered a farm-to-table menu, and was very much a part of the sustainable agriculture movement in South Berkshire County: https://theberkshireedge.com/michael-ballon-62-great-barrington-chef-and-restaurateur-dies-at-age-62/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III was in Pittsfield, announcing his campaign to seek the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination — he’ll be vying against fellow Democrat Ed Markey. We tell this story with an EdgeCast: https://theberkshireedge.com/edgecast-joe-kennedy-iii-opens-campaign-for-ed-markeys-u-s-senate-seat/
Meanwhile, The Great Barrington Selectboard has rejected the advice of the Lake Mansfield Task Force, and voted to keep the Lake Mansfield Road open — and one way. The road skirts the banks of the popular recreational area, and the roadbed is falling into the lake: https://theberkshireedge.com/divided-selectboard-votes-to-keep-lake-mansfield-open-one-way-for-now/
Faced with declining enrollments, two south berkshire school districts areseriously talking merger…. prompted by the eroding enrollment int he Southern Berkshire district that borders Connecticut. https://theberkshireedge.com/at-bhrsd-sbrsd-summit-talk-of-potential-merger-and-doing-whats-best-for-students/
Will horse racing ever return to the Great Barrington Fairgrounds?There is a possibility of enabling state legislation, that would supercede local permits, but even the hint of opening up the race brings out many objections: https://theberkshireedge.com/lawmakers-to-town-local-permits-for-potential-horse-racing-valid-and-necessary/ https://theberkshireedge.com/dont-let-horse-racing-return-to-great-barrington/
In a ceremony last week, the 16 immigrants were granted citizenship in a ceremony at the Norman Rockwell Museum. It was a moving ceremony…and packed with relatives and well-wishers …. quite a contrast to the racist degradation of immigrants you hear from the president:https://theberkshireedge.com/welcome-new-americans-immigrants-granted-citizenship-at-norman-rockwell-museum/
Finally, during the Sept. 20 global student-led climate strike, students from Berkshire County schools left classes to take part in demonstrations urging action of climate change… in Great Barrington, things got a little out of hand… several Simon’s Rock students were arrested for blocking traffic…

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Let’s start with a mundane item… the (broken) bridges of Great Barrington town. Two of the six bridges that cross the Housatonic River — that bisects the town of Great Barrington — are now closed for repair. With a very major bridge — the U.S. Route 7 so-called Brown Bridge — needing an overhaul, as well. Deferred maintenance … ir could cost the town $600,000 to fix the Division Street bridge. https://theberkshireedge.com/officials-temporary-repair-to-cottage-street-bridge-out-of-the-question/
The South (Berkshire) County Cable Advisory panel is requesting Massachusetts Atttorney Maura Healy to sue the FCC over new regulations that will jeopardize the financial well-being of local cable access channels: https://theberkshireedge.com/south-county-cable-advisory-panel-urges-healey-to-sue-fcc-over-rules-changes/
And of course, we can’t go a week without a marijuana story. Residents of the hamlet of Housatonic are protesting a proposed cannabis growing complex proposed for an industrial zone that is across a road and railroad tracks from their property. They packed planning board and selectboard meetings to demand the project’s special permit be rejected. The planning board gave a thumbs up; selectboard is hestitating. https://theberkshireedge.com/hearing-for-pot-farm-sparks-anger-and-threats-of-removal-from-selectboard-chair/
After a skateboarder got struck by a car in a crosswalk on Main Street in Great Barrington, Police Chief Bill Walsh promises stricter enforcement of speed limits:https://theberkshireedge.com/police-chief-announces-crackdown-on-road-scofflaws-including-speeders-and-skateboarders/
On this coming Monday Berkshire Grown will be hosting its 21st annual Harvest Supper, at Ski Butternut in Great Barrington. Berkshire Grown is a countywide organization that supports sustainable agriculture — this annual festive meal is a celebration of the brilliance and hard work of the many farmers and chefs and restaurants in the Berkshires:https://theberkshireedge.com/celebrating-the-bounty-at-berkshire-growns-21st-annual-harvest-supper/
And on Sunday, September 22, Construct Inc., the organization that shelters the homeless and those down on their luck or anyone needing emergency shelter, is holding its annual march — the 22nd annual march — to raise money for the homeless. The walk starts at Ski Butternut and proceeds th

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

A conference in Fairlee, Vermont, addressed a radically different approach to climate change and global warming: Enriching the soil can help cool the planet. However, microbiologist Walter Jehne is convinced that fertile soil acts as a carbon sponge: https://theberkshireedge.com/enrich-the-soil-cool-the-planet/
Alan Chartock — WAMC president, an Edge columnist, and a resident of Great Barrington — has written a tribute to Judy Grunberg, the philanthropist whose generosity has benefited so many Berkshire and eastern New York cultural institutions. She died last week: https://theberkshireedge.com/in-memoriam-judy-grunberg/
We continue our series of articles examining the economy of the Berkshires — and its opportunities — in articles written by Great Barrington Selectboard member Ed Abrahams and his sidekick Pedro Pachano: https://theberkshireedge.com/its-not-that-simple-economic-development-part-2/
Score one for small schools, where students are introduced to education in an intimate environment.The one-room schoolhouse in South Egremont has been repaired and reopened just in time for this school year…It has 11 students … and its reopening is a triumph for determined advocates for the Little School That Could: https://theberkshireedge.com/south-egremont-school-welcomes-students-for-the-first-time-in-several-years/
Carolyn Newberger of Lenox is a prolific artist and writer… Not only do she and her husband Eli review performances at Tanglewood and Jacob’s Pillow, but Carolyn illustrates their reviews. And now we are publishing her series of stories — text and illustrations — focusing on exploring the forest around her home. We’re on Chapter 10, which she entitles “The Incadescence of Mushrooms": https://theberkshireedge.com/illuminating-the-hidden-forest-chapter-10-an-incandescence-of-mushrooms/
And finally here’s a wrap-up of news items: The Oldtone Music Festival begins tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 5) and runs through Sunday, Sept. 8 in Hillsdale, N.Y.; also on Saturday the Mason Library in Great Barrington will screen ‘Leaning into the Wind,” Andy Goldsworthy’s exploration of the landscape; and as if there weren’t enough to do on Saturday, the Housatonic Valley Association and Historic New England are hosting a “leisurely paddle” along the Housatonic River in Stockbridge followed by a picnic lunch on the back porch of the Merwin House that overlooks the river. Built in 1875, the house was named “Tranquility” by its owners, William and Elizabeth Doa

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

The conversion of the former Searles Middle School, a historic building on Bridge Street in Great Barrington, into an 88-room hotel, has back on track for hotelier Vijay Mahida, who has many projects in the works to expand his motel/hotel network throughout South County and Pittsfield:https://theberkshireedge.com/conversion-of-searles-school-into-88-room-hotel-back-on-track/
At last, the school committees of the Berkshire Hills Regional School District, comprising the towns of Stockbridge, Great Barrington and West Stockbridge, and the Southern Berkshire School District, with five smaller communities — Sheffield, Alford, Egremont, Monterey and New Marlborough — have agreed to begin merger talks. They’ve recognized that declining enrollment jeopardizes the quality of their districts, and that together they can create a viable educational structure: https://theberkshireedge.com/in-historic-night-two-districts-set-wheels-in-motion-for-merger/
On the marijuana beat, Great Barrington Planning Board recommended — and the Selectboard approved — a special permit for a marijuana growing and processing facility in Housatonic, in a former gravel pit. Fulcrum Enterprises will erect 15 greenhouses and a processing plant… but it has not been without much gnashing of teeth by some residents in Housatonic: https://theberkshireedge.com/planning-board-recommends-special-permit-for-marijuana-cultivation-processing-facility-in-housatonic/
The Eagle Mill redevelopment project in Lee has received another boost, in the form of $400,000 in tax credits, announced by U.S. Rep. Richard Neale. The project aims to create a marketplace housing, and incubator spaces for enterprises.https://theberkshireedge.com/vips-descend-on-lee-as-eagle-mill-celebrates-funding-acquisition/
It may be late in the season but our gardening columnist Judy Isacoff, in her latest ’Nature’s Turn,’ explains how to make the most of these last warm days of summer and early autumn, and she’s even in high gear planting crops that thrive in cool weather: https://theberkshireedge.com/natures-turn-dont-garden-naked-and-other-late-season-highlights/
And we should give a shout out to our wonderful cultural reviewers who cover dance, theatre, and music in the summer… They’ve been terrific. We’ve had Eli and Carolyn Newberger providing superb coverage of Jacob’s Pillow and Tanglewood, with expert observations and illustrations by Carolyn; dancer Ruslan Sprague has wri

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Please call us at 413-528-3408

Let us start off with our editorial today praise the town of West Stockbridge for adopting a proclamation condemning racism, white supremacy, hate and intolerance. This is so rare that a town board of selectmen take a stand on a national social issue:https://theberkshireedge.com/editorial-west-stockbridge-leads-in-publicly-condemning-hate-racism-white-supremacy/
To switch gears, here is a very local story. Students, teachers and the community of Monument Mountain Regional High School have organized a Run4Uns this coming weekend, to honor a beloved teacher and cross-country coach Chris Unsworth, who died of cancer this year. He was 48 years old. Funds from the race will go to the Chris Unsworth Scholarship Fund. https://theberkshireedge.com/run4uns-to-honor-late-mmrhs-teacher-and-coach/
Great Barrington Finance Committee member Sharon Gregory has written a thoughtful proposal on rejuvenating the fortunes of the village of Housatonic, part of Great Barrington. She suggests a combination of zoning changes, modernizing village facilities such as the library, addressing infrastructure deficiencies and creating a “Housatonic Center.” https://theberkshireedge.com/a-plan-for-housatonic-village-revitalization/
Meanwhile in Lee, the Eagle Mill Redevelopment Project has received the necessary tax credits from the state to proceed with the transformation of this factory into a retail and residential complex that will include a hotel:https://theberkshireedge.com/with-state-historical-tax-credits-in-hand-eagle-mill-eyes-last-major-piece-of-the-puzzle/
Back to West Stockbridge where, like its neighbor to the east, Stockbridge, is having problems with its fire chief. The West Stockbridge Select Board has declared that Fire Chief Peter Skorput is incompetently leading the fire department that the town is at risk. The selectboard aired its grievances with Skorput in public session, after he waived his right to a closed-door meeting. And the session was packed.https://theberkshireedge.com/selectman-west-stockbridge-fire-chief-square-off-over-leadership-of-department/
And the saga of the old Castle Street Firehouse in Great Barrington continues, with a possible buyer in the wings. https://theberkshir

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Great Barrington planners and selectboard take stock of “surplus” properties and lack of affordable housing, and conclude these are two areas that are impeding the town’s economic vitality. Now, what to do about it: https://theberkshireedge.com/buttigiegs-call-to-service-plan-is-a-healthy-policy-in-more-ways-than-one/
On the impeachment front, Berkshire Democrats — or at least, the progressive wing, has urged Congressman Richard E. Neal to support impeachment of the president: https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-democrats-urge-u-s-rep-neal-to-support-trumps-impeachment/
Here’s a story that makes you proud to be in this region, and represents the generous spirit of America that we wish our president and his ilk would adopt : A partnership of organizations is collaborating on supporting two immigrants from West Africa. https://theberkshireedge.com/our-golden-doors/
Sheffield videographer Ben Hillman has produced a moving Edgecast about the demonstration against immigrant detention in concentration camps along the southern border:https://theberkshireedge.com/close-the-camps-lights-for-liberty-protest/
The Southern Berkshire Regional School District is in crisis, with plummeting enrollment, and a school committee that is reluctant to consider merging with its northern neighbor, the Berkshire Hills Regional School District. The southern district’s member towns, however, feel no such reluctance, and are demanding the school committee consider a merger:https://theberkshireedge.com/member-towns-might-override-south-berkshire-school-districts-reluctance-to-pursue-merger/
The cultural season is in full swing, and we have lots of reviews and previews of plays, concerts, dance performances. Of note were the two day performance at Tanglewood of Richard Wagner’s ‘Die Walkure’ and, remarkably, three reviewers agreeing that Lucy Kirkwood’s ’The Children’ at Shakespeare & Company was a terrific play (so it must be good?) Dan Dwyer, of Connecticut fame, for instance, and not one to pull punches, called it "engrossing and disarming:" https://theberkshireedge.com/review-die-walkure-at-tanglewood-featured-brilliant-performances-punctuated-by-serendipitous-weather/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Writer Sheela Clary, the mother of young daughters, is outraged at the sexual abuse of young girls by Friend of Trump Jeffrey Epstein, and she contrasts the role models for young women presented by Epstein and Trump, with that of the attitude of Megan Rapinoe, of the world champion U.S. Women’s Soccer Team: She calls it the Lolita Express vs. the Team USA Express: https://theberkshireedge.com/the-lolita-express-vs-team-usa-express/
Each summer Music in Common brings together students from the around the globe to celebrate their common humanity through music … a program in memory of Danny Pearl, who lived in the Berkshires as a reporter for the Eagle, and was slain in Pakistan by Muslim terrorists in 2002 while on assignment for the Wall Street Journal: https://theberkshireedge.com/students-celebrate-differences-find-common-bonds-through-music/
In a major demonstration hundreds of Berkshire residents turned out to Park Square in Pittsfield to protest the Trump administration's immigrant concentration camps on the border with Mexico: https://theberkshireedge.com/protesters-shine-lights-for-liberty-on-trump-immigration-policies/
Great Barrington is the beneficiary of a windfall from marijuana sales at the one pot store yet to open — three more are in the works. So far, the town has taken in $1 million since Theory Wellness opened in January. Second quarter sales alone at Theory Wellness were $10.3 million. Selectmen are figuring out how to apply the revenues: https://theberkshireedge.com/the-numbers-are-in-great-barrington-snags-almost-1-million-from-pot-sales/
We’ve had a vigorous reaction to our latest Carole Owens column, in which she wonders whether the Berkshires is prepared for population growth as envisioned in the state Senate bill “Western Massachusetts remove worker relocation incentive program,” based on a similar Vermont initiative. Some readers have stated, in no uncertain terms, they don’t want any more people here: https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-44/
Shakespeare and Company in Lenox is dedicating its season to its co-founder, Dennis Krausnick, who died in December. We profile his influence on the company: https://theberkshireedge.com/shakespeare-co-dedicates-season-to-one-of-its-founders-dennis-krausnick-actor-playwright-director-teacher-poet/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Great Barrington, the pot capital of the Berkshires, is now worried about the number of marijuana dispensaries in town. The selectboard is pondering whether it’s issued too many licenses — and whether they can restrict them in the future: https://theberkshireedge.com/in-joint-meeting-town-officials-call-for-public-info-session-on-limiting-pot-shops/
We have a profile of state Sen. Adam Hinds during which he reflects upon his legislative accomplishments, and initiatives yet to be realized: https://theberkshireedge.com/state-sen-adam-hinds-looks-back-at-a-year-of-legislative-accomplishments-and-challenges/
Tanglewood has opened a spectacular new center for learning and performing: The Linde Center. https://theberkshireedge.com/the-linde-center-for-music-and-learning-visions-and-promises-to-the-berkshire-community/
If you’re wondering where to see fireworks on the Fourth of July, or where to see parades, or special events, look no further. We have the lineup of events to celebrate Independence Day. https://theberkshireedge.com/amplifications-fourth-of-july-in-the-berkshires/
Illuminating the Hidden Forest. One of our writers, Carolyn Newberger, has created a series of essays exploring the forest around her house in Lenox. It is a marvelous evocation of the wonders and surprises that are all around us:https://theberkshireedge.com/illuminating-the-hidden-forest-chapter-3-ancestor-trees/
And on a sobering note, Chet Delaney visited the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, what he calls an American Auschwitz, that recognizes all those murdered because of their race. It is a reminder of the brutality and racism that is our heritage: https://theberkshireedge.com/essay-american-auschwitz/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

An effort is afoot to rename Monument Valley Regional Middle School after civil rights activist and scholar W.E.B. Du Bois, who was born in Great Barrington, and graduated from Harvard.. Among other achievements, he founded the NAACP and wrote The Souls of Black Folk. The attempt to honor Du Bois in his hometown has been a struggle:https://theberkshireedge.com/looking-back-and-ahead-efforts-to-name-a-school-after-the-legendary-w-e-b-du-bois/
Just in time for the height of the season, Great Barrington Selectmen are planning to close a section of the access road to Lake Mansfield, site of a popular town-owned beach and playground:https://theberkshireedge.com/in-a-nod-to-reality-great-barrington-selectmen-vote-to-close-lake-mansfield-road/
The new Linde Center for Music and Learning is opening at Tanglewood:https://theberkshireedge.com/tanglewoods-linde-center-to-open-june-28/ And on Monday, Tanglewood and Boston Symphony Orchestra officials unveiled a new sculpture of TMC founding conductor Serge Koussevitzky: https://theberkshireedge.com/serge-koussevitzky-sculpture-unveiled-at-tanglewood/
The Berkshire Co-op Market has finally moved into its new digs at Powerhouse Square, adjacent to its old building. Reviews are positive:https://theberkshireedge.com/rebranded-berkshire-food-co-op-opens-in-new-digs-at-powerhouse-square/
If you were hoping to visit Sheffield to see a monument commemorating a close encounter of the third kind, you’re too late. At the behest of the town administrator, the granite monument has been removed from the approach to the covered bridge over the Housatonic River: https://theberkshireedge.com/town-administrator-off-the-hook-selectmen-claim-responsibility-for-ordering-removal-of-ufo-monument/
Just what Great Barrington needs. Another cannabis shop. This time in a Flying Church — appropriately. https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barringtons-flying-church-buried-treasure-and-maybe-a-cannabis-store/
Finally, we interviewed Jim Murphy, for the past 20 years the spokesperson for Region 1 of the Environmental Protection Agency

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

Marie Ryan, who has been Great Barrington’s town clerk for the past 12 years, has taken a new job as the town administrator of West Stockbridge … a move up, in pay if not in geography: https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-town-clerk-marie-ryan-to-become-town-administrator-in-west-stockbridge/
Construct Inc. is cekebrating 50 years of having helped the homeless find housing … it’s quite an organization, building affordable housing and hosting a fund-raising walk in the fall from Butternut to the Fairgrounds: https://theberkshireedge.com/construct-inc-celebrating-50-years-of-helping-the-homeless/
High Times in Berkshire County. The cannabis culture keeps on growing. A pot shop in Lee, Canna Provisions, received a license, as did Equinox Farm in Sheffield, to grow marijuana. Interestingly, Ted Dobson, owner of Equinox Farm, has been arrested years ago for growing pot amidst his arugula: https://theberkshireedge.com/lee-pot-shop-sheffield-farm-receive-final-licenses-from-state-cannabis-authorities/
And we should mention the number of 50th anniversaries in the Berkshires. The Red Lion Inn is 50, as is the Norman Rockwell Museum … and let’s now forget Woodstock. Fifty years ago we went to the moon, and celebrated the musical counterculture in a spectacular way, as is noted in a Rockwell Museum exhibit titled ‘Woodstock to the Moon’:https://theberkshireedge.com/bits-berkshire-lyric-at-ozawa-hall-businesses-in-barrington-part-ii-matthew-noble-day/
This past weekend was the Berkshire International Film Festival in Great Barrington, and we will be running a number of reviews of the new films that the festival previewed. One is “Ophelia,’ a reworking of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ from the point of view of Ophelia: https://theberkshireedge.com/film-review-ophelia-should-resonate-with-a-younger-generation/
Finally, just so that you won’t think we’ve gone up in smoke up here in the Berkshires, Housatonic residents are objecting to a proposal to construct a marijuana cultivation and manufacturing site on Van Deusenville Road: https://theberkshireedge.com/residents-balk-at-housatonic-marijuana-manufacturing-site/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

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Students at Monument Mountain Regional High School — serving Great Barrington, Stockbridge and West Stockbridge — are requesting to be involved in the design of a new school, should voters in the three towns approve it: https://theberkshireedge.com/downtown-great-barrington-construction-moving-along-pretty-swiftly/
The “Hospital on Main Street” in Stockbridge is Riggs — the Austen Riggs Center. And the mental health institution is celebrating 100 years through an exhibit at the Old Corner House. https://theberkshireedge.com/bits-chris-herren-at-the-mahaiwe-hancock-shaker-village-exhibits/
Meantime, Deconstructing Great Barrington, or rather, reconstructing it, is taking place over the next month, with the replacement of sidewalks and curbs throughout the downtown — to make the town a bit mor walkable and less stumble-prone:https://theberkshireedge.com/downtown-great-barrington-construction-moving-along-pretty-swiftly/
In Lee, the $60 million Eagle Mill redevelopment project, converting a derelict mill complex into a retail and residential center has received millions of dollars in tax credits — which means the project is now ready to break ground: https://theberkshireedge.com/eagle-mill-receives-crucial-federal-tax-credits-for-mixed-use-project-in-downtown-lee/
NIMBYISM triumphs in Great Barrington. At the behest of neighbors, the Selectboard put the kibosh on a proposed hot air balloon festival at the Airport… too disruptive for the delicate sensibilities of neighbors — https://theberkshireedge.com/selectmen-put-the-kibosh-on-plans-for-mini-woodstock/
We’ve been running an informative series, produced in collaboration with the Railroad Street Youth Project, entitled ’Talking with Teens about Substance Abuse” — we have 4 episodes so far … in a text and video format. It’s quite instructive. In the latest episode we caution parents to keep the conversation going with your son or daughter: https://theberkshireedge.com/iv-talking-with-teens-about-substance-use-keep-the-conversation-going/
And in this vein, tonight there is a forum on this very topic, at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington. Sponsored

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

In Great Barrington town elections Tuesday voters two women scored significant victories: Leigh Davis won a seat on the Selectboard; Meredith O’Connor earned a post on the Finance Committee —indicating a progressive surge in GB politics: https://theberkshireedge.com/bannon-and-davis-victorious-for-selectboard-as-bailly-is-ousted-oconnor-wins-finance-committee-seat-mooney-ousts-smith-from-housing-authority/
And these elections come on the heels of a remarkable Town Meeting where voters affirmed a ban on single-use plastic bottles, and voted as well to rename the regional middle school after civil rights leader, and NAACP founder W.E B. Du Bois who grew up in Great Barrington: https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-town-meeting-votes-to-rename-middle-school-after-w-e-b-du-bois-session-continued-to-tuesday-night/
Gwendolyn VanSant, founder of Multicultural BRIDGE, was honored as Berkshire Business and Professional Woman of Achievement: https://theberkshireedge.com/__trashed-14/
Each Friday, in collaboration with the Railroad Street Youth Project, we’ve been running a a series titled “Talking with Teens about Substance Use.” These stories are composed of video interviews with teens — and their counsellors. https://theberkshireedge.com/iii-talking-with-teens-about-substance-use-set-yourself-up-for-success/
Getting away from news for a moment, we have a review of presidential candidate and South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s ’Shortest Way Home.’ — he’s an impressive candidate:https://theberkshireedge.com/book-review-shortest-way-home-sheds-light-on-the-life-of-south-bends-mayor-pete/
And let’s give a shout out to students worldwide and locally who walked out of classes to protest inaction on climate change, which will affect their lives for more than their complacent parents:https://theberkshireedge.com/south-county-high-school-students-rail-against-inaction-during-youth-climate-strike/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

What is it lately with principals of Monument Mountain Regional High School. With less than a year under his belt the current principal, Doug Wine, has announced he’s resigning: https://theberkshireedge.com/monument-principal-doug-wine-resigns/
Massachusetts State Police arrest at Great Barrington police officer, Daniel Bartini, for operating under the influence on the Mass Pike. It’s the second time Bartini has been so nabbed… and it seems that Great Barrington Police have a bit of a problem with officers drinking too much: https://theberkshireedge.com/state-police-nab-defiant-great-barrington-cop-for-oui-on-mass-pike/
Who knows, but we could in the not-too-distant future take the train to Connecticut — and back. The state of Massachusetts is spending $20 million to upgrade the Housatonic Railroad track and roadbed from Pittsfield to the Connecticut line in Canaan (where the HRR has its headquarters). This means new heavy duty welded rail and new ties. Columnist Carole Owens waxes sentimental over the possibility. https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-33/
It’s town meeting time in the Berkshires… and Great Barrington’s is Monday, May 6. Among the issues is an attempt to repeal the single-use plastic water bottle ban adopted last year, and there’s a lively raise for two positions that will be vacant on the Selectboard: https://theberkshireedge.com/for-many-great-barrington-voters-a-tough-decision-for-selectboard-awaits/
We’ve started a weekly video series produced by the Railroad Street Youth Project entitled “Talking with Teens.’ It’s a video interview, and text … and the first was how to talk with teenagers about substance abuse: https://theberkshireedge.com/talking-with-teens-a-video-series/
It looks as if the conversion of the former Searles Middle School on Bridge Street in the heart of Great Barrington into an upscale hotel, with spa and pool, is still on track, despite rumors that its developers were under financial stress. This particular property has a long and problematic history: https://theberkshireedge.com/rumors-of-downtown-hotel-projects-death-greatly-exaggerated/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

It would seem to be a splendid project: A statue of one of the most important historical figures to have grown up Great Barrington to be placed on the lawn of the Mason Library on Main Street. And the artwork is to be paid for privately. But nothing about civil rights activist and author W.E.B. Du Bois is without controversy — who attended local churches, schools and went on to become the first African American to graduate from Harvard University. https://theberkshireedge.com/plans-for-statue-honoring-du-bois-in-limbo-after-questions-from-historic-district-commission/
Meanwhile on the arts scene Local playwright and actress Anne Undeland has written a highly regarded play, “Lady Randy” that’s being given a full production by WAM Theatre at Shakespeare & Company. The play is about the wife of Winston Churchill: https://theberkshireedge.com/theatre-review-wam-theatres-lady-randy-features-high-end-talent-displaying-their-best-work/
Since Great Barrington has become the pot capital of Berkshire County, with five cannabis shops planned — it’s only to be expected that the marijuana industry might feel some incentive to offer some social benefits… Theory Wellness — now in operation on Stockbridge Road, is proposing to promote “a social equity” program to mentor others in the business. Dealers helping other dealers — is one way to put it — especially dealers who have suffered from now-abandoned illegality of pot. https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-cannabis-store-joins-social-equity-program-to-help-others-enter-the-business/
Talk about a reversal of fortune: In the first of a series of articles, Sharon Gregory, former chair of the Great Barrington Finance Committee, is now arguing that Berkshire Hills School District needs a new — or upgraded — regional high school — and suggests the district merge with its Southern Berkshire neighbor. This is an issue that’s going to be with us for a long while:https://theberkshireedge.com/education-needs-of-high-school-students-requires-combined-school-districts/
One of the iconic agricultural operations in South Berkshire is winding down. Rawson Brook Farm in Monterey, that produces the best goat cheese, may soon be closingSo get your chevre while you can! https://theberkshireedge.com/rawson-brook-farm-to-downsize-get-your-chevre-while-you-can/
Fi

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

We have a delicious story about two former Apache helicopter pilots, Trent and Steven Kinney, who have purchased Catherine’s Choclates in Great Barrington, now that Kathy Sinico has retired. The two helicopter pilots have traded in their wings — or blades — for becoming chocolatiers: https://theberkshireedge.com/american-in-paris-notre-dame-is-burning/
And we have two responses to the catastrophic fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The first is an account by a recent Monument Mountain Regional High School graduate, Mercedes Girona, now studying in Paris who was a witness to the conflagration, and wrote us a very moving account — and some stunning photographs as well:https://theberkshireedge.com/american-in-paris-notre-dame-is-burning/ And our second piece on this tragedy is a poem from Egremont resident Susan Bachelder, who lived in Paris for years:https://theberkshireedge.com/poem-the-homeless-of-paris/
On the brighter side, two local nonprofits have joined forces to combat hunger in the Berkshires… It may surprise you to know — it did me — that 25 percent of the Berkshire population — one in four — are going hungry: Berkshire Bounty aims to relieve their deprivation: https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-bounty-local-nonprofits-join-forces-to-combat-hunger/

4 Our writer Hannah Van Sickle has put together a fascinating article about a young jazz guitarist, Nico Wohl, who graduated last year from Monument Mountain Regional High School and is making quite a name for himself: https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-bounty-local-nonprofits-join-forces-to-combat-hunger/

Great Barrington’s ban on single-use plastic water bottles continues to draw the ire of one resident, Steve Farina (and I believe the animus behind his campaign against the ban has nothing to do with a love of microplstics but rather his humiliation at last year’s town meeting when he interrupted another speaker was reprimanded by the town moderator) … in any case, Farino has now concocted a repeal measure that will be up for a vote at Town Meeting this coming May: And by the way, the Berkshire Action women’s Group has been busily installing water stations in locations about town for people to fill their reusable water bottles: https://theberkshireedge.com/single-use-water-bottle-ban-should-be-repealed/
And finally, a Berkshire Hills School Committ

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington establishes a county task force to combat domestic violence and sexual assault: https://theberkshireedge.com/district-attorney-harrington-establishes-task-force-to-combat-domestic-violence-sexual-assault/
The town of Great Barrington is making a big push to promote public transportation and has proposed an upgraded Berkshire Regional Transit Authority bus route schedule and routes for South County:https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-public-transit-advisory-committee-releases-proposal-calling-for-added-service/
Berkshire Grown has acquired an additional connotation. The state has approved the first outdoor growing site for cannabis — and it’s in Sheffield. Oddly, it’s a partnership between Theory Wellness and Ted Dobson’s Equinox Farm… not too long ago Dobson was arrested for growing pot amongst his arugula. https://theberkshireedge.com/grown-in-the-berkshires-first-outdoor-cannabis-grow-facilities-in-the-state-planned-for-sheffield/
In the mood for maple syrup? We have a fine little feature on the sugaring operation at Gould Farm in Monterey: https://theberkshireedge.com/forest-mindfulness-and-liquid-gold-at-gould-farm-its-sugaring-season/
And while we’re speaking of maple trees, and the liquid gold they produce when temperatures hover just below the freezing mark at night, we ran a long review of a book on climate change, ’The Uninhabitable Earth.” https://theberkshireedge.com/book-review-the-uninhabitable-earth-a-grisly-sobering-look-at-climate-change/
And for a brief look at some notable opportunities, there’s the American Brass Quintet at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, under the aegis of Close Encounters with Music, and the ThinkFOOD conference at Simon’s Rock. This is the 6th annual ThinkFOOD conference taht spends the day examining the state of agriculture and nutrition in America:https://theberkshireedge.com/bits-thinkfood-conference-jill-soloway-at-williams-bring-it-to-the-light-music-festival/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

1 . Part VII of our series, written by Sheela Clary, on the implications of legalizing marijuana. This week we focus on its effect on youth .. both socially and physiologically: https://theberkshireedge.com/opening-the-weedgates-part-vii-youth-at-risk/ 1a. Of course, our columnist Alan Chartock had to weigh in on legalizing marijuana, and he notes that New York State may consider it as well, since Great Barrington’s pot shops are crowded with New Yorkers coming across the border… ahhh. The wages of sin. Sin is in. https://theberkshireedge.com/alan-chartock-12/

Here’s a story about how teens at Monument Mountain Regional High School have gotten behind a campaign to raise funds to cure a crippling disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which a classmate of theirs , Charley Seckler, is suffering from. His parents, Benji and Tracy Seckler, have started this campaign to find a cure for the disease that endangers the life of their son, as well as thousands of other children: https://theberkshireedge.com/charleys-fund-raises-awareness-for-local-teen-and-others-with-duchenne-muscular-dystrophy/
Of course, how could we not have a story — in fact two stories, about the college admissions scandal. The first is a survey of the national scandal, written by our national education observer, Bob Fizzolio: https://theberkshireedge.com/up-the-creek-without-a-palette-the-school-admissions-scandal/ And the second, story looks into the corruption of the admissions scandal through the eyes of a college admissions counselor, who is appalled: https://theberkshireedge.com/corruption-and-the-commodification-of-college-admissions/
Now on the lighter side of the world of college education, we have been running articles by Bard College at Simon’s Rock theatre professor Ken Roht, highlighting Daniel’s Art Party, a series of events at the college — (Daniel is the name of the art center at Simon’s Rock) — in which the performances engage the local community of Great Barrington. It’s an Edgy idea: https://theberkshireedge.com/daniels-art-party-at-simons-rock-community-radio-and-berkshire-bedtime-stories/
In a campaign to discourage the use of single-use plastic water bottles, Great Barrington will soon have water stations location in town for people to fill up their reusable water bo

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

t’s been a week of tragedies in South Berkshire County and Northwest Connecticut. A tragic fire that killed five, including three children in Sheffield; and the death of an outstanding young woman, Samya Rose Stumo, a resident of Sheffield and the niece of Ralph Nader, killed in the crash of Ethiopian Flight 302.

A memorial gathering of friends and family will be held this Saturday in remembrance of Samya Stumo. A graduate of Mt. Everett Regional High School, she was working for ThinkWell, a nonprofit organization developing healthcare networks for underdeveloped countries: https://theberkshireedge.com/samya-stumo-memorial-reception/
Then a ghastly murder suicide took the lives of five in Sheffield a week ago, March 13 — a two adults and three childrern. An investigation by District Attorney Andrea Harrington determined that Luke Karpinski killed his wife and three children, then took his own life as a fire he had set consumed their Home Road house. https://theberkshireedge.com/district-attorney-confirms-that-accelerant-used-in-fatal-sheffield-fire-in-which-5-people-died-father-likely-killed-wife-and-children/

And as if that weren’t enough, three died in a fire in Pittsfield: https://theberkshireedge.com/update-on-fatal-fire-in-pittsfield-no-evidence-of-criminal-activity/

And the home of a local veterinarian and her husband, burned to the ground in Southfield: https://theberkshireedge.com/fire-destroys-home-in-southfield-but-former-church-next-door-is-saved/

Meanwhile, back in Great Barrington, the Selectboard will interview three candidates to replace outgoing Town Manager Jennifer Tabakin. One hte ocandidates, Mark Pruhenski, is a Great Barrington native who had served the town as health inspector: https://theberkshireedge.com/finalists-named-in-great-barrington-town-manager-search/
And next door in Egremont two candidates — both women — are vying for an open seat on the three-member Board of Selectmen (sic). Which means that after town elections are held in May Egremont could have the distinction of having a Selectboard with a majority of women as members, unique among Berkshire County towns.On Saturday at the Egremont Barn the candidates introduced themselves to a sizeable crowd of town voters: https://the

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

Our lead story today is about the death of 24-year-old Samya Stumo who was among the 157 passengers who died when an Ethiopian Airlines 737max crashed seconds after takeoff. Samya was a 2010 graduate of Mt. Everett High School in Sheffield. She is the daughter of Michael Stumo and Nadia Milleron of Sheffield who is the niece of Ralph Nader. Samya was working for ThinkWell, a nonprofit devoted to creating health systems for six African countries. https://theberkshireedge.com/samya-stumo-who-grew-up-in-sheffield-dies-in-ethiopia-plane-crash/
The Edge is the media partner with Railroad Street Youth Project in producing a forum — “Weed is Here, Now What?” -- on the implications and consequences of the legalization of recreational marijuana. The forum is tonight, Wednesday, March 13, at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, from 7 to 9 p.m. It’s free, and the panelists include the Berkshire County District Attorney Andrea Harrington, Chris Tucci of the RSYP, Great Barrington Police Chief Bill Walsh; Selectboard member Ed Abrahams, and others. https://theberkshireedge.com/chris-tucci-of-railroad-street-youth-project-to-address-weed-is-here-now-what-forum/
A Berkshire road trip through history. Writer Carol Owens, in the first of a two part series, explores how the history of America can be discerned from dwellings along U.S. Route 7, from Great Barrington to Williamstown… she starts in Williamstown with the 1753 House on the Green…. https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-road-trip-part-i/
The Berkshire region is a mecca for arts and culture, and nurtures an impressive array of playwrights, explains Jim Frangione, an actor, playwright and founder of Berkshire Playwrights Lab. He profiles three new playwrights, and the work they are doing: https://theberkshireedge.com/part-i-local-berkshire-playwrights-taking-on-big-subjects/
And speaking of the arts, we should brief mention a couple of other items from The Edge. A.. WAM Theatre’s production of ‘Ann’ by Holland Taylor— starring Jayne Atkinson as the formidable former Texas Governor Ann Richards (“Poor George. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.”) —is moving on to productions in Washington, D.C. and then Dallas. https://theberkshireedge.com/bits-chchunk-at-dewey-hall-rip-van-winkle-the-musical-amplify-2019-auditions-bagshare-project-in-pittsf/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

For the first time in many years, the Great Barrington Selectboard is not at odds with the Berkshire Hills Regional School District over the town’s portion of the 2019 school budget… big surprise: https://theberkshireedge.com/surprise-discord-notably-absent-from-town-school-budget-processes/ https://theberkshireedge.com/for-once-little-opposition-to-proposed-berkshire-hills-spending-package/
Media news… The big bad Berkshire Eagle has purchased the local weekly shopper, the Shopper’s Guide:https://theberkshireedge.com/south-county-shoppers-guide-sold-to-the-berkshire-eagle/
Meanwhile, Great Barrington selectmen are peeved at what they termed the “glacial pace” of negotiations to redevelop the former Housatonic Elementary School building, out of use since 2004. https://theberkshireedge.com/selectmen-frustrated-by-glacial-pace-of-housatonic-school-reuse-proposal/
Our columnist and longtime Berkshire observer writes that America was born in an era of climate change — it was very cold:https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-27/
Hot or cold, Bard College at Simon’s Rock is buzzing with activity… one of the latest projects is "Daniel’s Art Party” (referring to the Daniel Art Center), organized by Ken Roht, a California-based choreographer and theatre director:https://theberkshireedge.com/daniels-art-party-at-simons-rock-celebration-of-a-tree/
And we have a lovely remembrance of pianist, composer and conductor Andre Previn, who appeared numerous times at Tanglewood: https://theberkshireedge.com/remembering-composer-and-conductor-andre-previn/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

A rather bizarre twist: a convicted drug dealer, Ryan Babcock of Great Barrington, is suing the town for $750,000 citing the circumstances of his arrest in 2013: https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-fire-department-extinguishes-garage-fire-on-newsboy-monument-lane/
WBCR-lp, a community based, low power FM station is back in business, with new studios on Main Street in Great Barrington: https://theberkshireedge.com/community-radio-station-sees-rebirth-hopes-to-kickstart-its-bank-account/
Berkshire county District Attorney Andrea Harrington has called for the end of cash bail, putting Berkshire County in the forefront of criminal justice reform: https://theberkshireedge.com/district-attorney-andrea-harrington-calls-for-ending-cash-bail/
The town of Great Barrington culminated its celebration of its native son, the civil rights activist and scholar W.E.B. Du Bois, with a packed event at the First Congregational Church, where Du Bois had been a congregant: https://theberkshireedge.com/a-legacy-of-greatness-community-celebrates-w-e-b-du-bois-151st-birthday/
Tired of New England winter? Writer and journalist Andrew Blechman takes us on a tour of the Florida West Coast, Naples and Ft. Myers — and finds the culture there pretty tacky. His satirical take on life among the snowbirds provoked quite a reaction — from Floridians who didn’t appreciate his jaundiced viewpoint: https://theberkshireedge.com/southwest-florida-blues-oranges-pizza-strip-malls-and-other-stuff/
A trio of creative restaurateurs have put new meaning into the concept of ‘Meals on Wheels’: They offer delivery service and meals to go — from their well-known kitchens — a service to boost business during the off season: https://theberkshireedge.com/local-food-businesses-rely-on-community-creativity-to-weather-the-unpredictable-berkshire-off-season/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

First, the marijuana beat: Great Barrington is becoming the pot capital of the Berkshires with 5 outlets in the offing: https://theberkshireedge.com/proliferation-of-pot-shops-in-great-barrington-prompts-questions-about-social-justice/
Tina Packer, one of the founders of Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award … and she deserves it: https://theberkshireedge.com/shakespeare-companys-tina-packer-honored-with-lifetime-achievement-award/
For those looking forward to Tanglewood this summer, the former Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson will be back with Pet Sounds, an album that Rolling Stone described as the No. 2 album of all time: https://theberkshireedge.com/preview-brian-wilson-to-return-to-tanglewood-for-pet-sounds-performance/
We had a story about what farmers do when they’re not growing greens. — so we interviewed a few about how they shift away from growing crops to tending to their animals… and the story provoked a lot of controversy when some readers realized that animals are kept outside in the winter: https://theberkshireedge.com/animal-agriculture-in-winter-what-farmers-do-when-theyre-not-growing-greens/
Stockbridge Road — Route 7 north of Great Barrington — is a mixed-use commercial/residential zone…but it’s been suffering as businesses fail. The Planning Board is rezoning the district to make it more viable: https://theberkshireedge.com/gb-planners-eye-changes-for-stockbridge-road-high-vacancy-rate-seen-as-a-product-of-disruption/
One business that is thriving is the sweets business, as the Wall Street Journal noted when it did a story about Robin Helfand and her Robin’s Candy Shop in Great Barrington, where she employs student interns, teaching them what it takes to be an entrepreneur: https://theberkshireedge.com/u-r-famous-wsj-is-wink-wink-nuts-4-local-confectioner-and-her-stash-of-sweethearts/
On an Edgier note, columnist Carole Owens summoned tales of corporate corruption in the 1920s — remember the Teapot Dome scandal? — a civic environment that witn

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

On Monday Multicultural BRIDGE hosted a forum on what it’s like to be a person of color in the Berkshires:https://theberkshireedge.com/being-black-in-the-berkshires-a-forum-on-the-black-experience/
And on that topic, the Berkshire Museum has opened an exhibit of presenting oral histories and stories of Black Lives in the Berkshires. Here, you might, say, Black Lives do Matter, at least in this celebration. https://theberkshireedge.com/museum-exhibit-highlights-the-african-american-experience-in-the-berkshires/
And while you’re at the museum, check out the Leonardo da Vinci exhibit, entitled ‘Machines in Motion':https://theberkshireedge.com/leonardo-da-vinci-exhibit-opens-at-the-berkshire-museum/
Our series on the implications of the retail marijuana trade continues with part 6, on how Big Business ($32 million in sales so far) is cashing in,: https://theberkshireedge.com/opening-the-weedgates-part-vi-calling-bs-on-social-equity/
And we should mention our series of stories on Valentine’s Day and the pleasures of chocolate — we call it Decadence all Day:We’re at Part 3 —https://theberkshireedge.com/decadence-all-day-part-3/
And lastly, we had a feature story on a Salisbury woman, Kim Widener, who’s started a food and meal delivery service, called MealGopher… it’s a hit with students in area boarding schools who can call out for snacks to be delivered to their dorms;https://theberkshireedge.com/hungry-berkshires-students-want-food-mother-of-one-of-them-says-gopher-it/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

Thanks to a petition, voters in Great Barrington will vote at Town Meeting in May on whether to rename the Monument Valley Regional Middle School after W.E.B. Du Bois, thus reprising a bitter debate over honoring the renowned civil rights leader, founder of the NAACP, and author who very late in life, discouraged by the persistent racism in America, joined the communist party. https://theberkshireedge.com/petition-to-rename-regional-middle-school-after-du-bois-to-be-on-town-meeting-warrant/
Greenagers, a nonprofit that promotes programs for teens to get involved in sustainable environment projects, such as agriculture and even, providing Great Barrington residents with raised bed garden plots, is in the process of acquiring the Kellogg Conservation Center in Egremont: https://theberkshireedge.com/greenagers-launches-close-the-gap-campaign-to-support-expansion-acquisition-of-kellogg-conservation-center-more-than-1-1-million-raised-so-far/
Construct Inc., that provides shelter for the homeless and acquires residences for those struggling to find a home, is hosting a benefit concert — Keeping It Warm -- to raise funds for fuel assistance:https://theberkshireedge.com/keeping-it-warm-construct-inc-hosts-benefit-concert-for-fuel-assistance/
Railroad Street Youth Project is sponsoring a program for parents in how to cope with substance abuse among teens: https://theberkshireedge.com/coping-with-teen-substance-abuse-a-training-session-for-parents/
In light of last night’s State of the Union address, we should mention one of our political commentator’s take on Mr. Trump: The Emperor's New Wall, which exposes, if that’s the right word, the fallacies in the president’s demand for a southern border wall: https://theberkshireedge.com/the-emperors-new-wall/
Finally, another note about W.E.B. Du Bois: In honor of his life and work, the Mason Library in Great Barrington has an extensive exhibit devoted to the life and work of Du Bois, who was born in Great Barrington, went to school there at Searles High School, and then went on to Harvard: https://theberkshireedge.com/new-w-e-b-du-bois-exhibit-highlights-a-berkshires-grown-global-citizen/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

The town of Great Barrington is foreclosing on a highly polluted site — an abandoned drycleaners -- on Main Street. It’s going to be expensive to reclaim that property… which is polluting the adjacent Post Office and the library and church across the street. https://theberkshireedge.com/town-begins-foreclosure-on-polluted-ried-cleaners-site/
Baba Louie’s, the popular iconic and organic pizzeria in Great Barrington, is moving around the corner, to upper Railroad Street… https://theberkshireedge.com/baba-louies-moving-from-prime-main-street-location-to-former-allium-space/
Physician Dr Ernest Drucker of Great Barrington, a professor of Global Public Health and New York University and professor of family and social medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, applauds the legalization of marijuana .. and anticipates the legalization of other psychotropic substances. In the meantime, even in bitter cold, there’s an hour and a half wait to get into Theory Wellness, the marijuana dispensary in Great Barrington — even in bitter cold the lines are out to Stockbridge Road: https://theberkshireedge.com/legal-marijuana-in-the-berkshires-stepping-over-the-edge-of-the-drug-wars/
Here’s a story to warm the heart in this bitter cold: James Taylor will be performing again at Tanglewood on July 3 — https://theberkshireedge.com/preview-berkshires-fixture-and-icon-james-taylor-to-perform-at-tanglewood-in-july/
And while we’re on a musical theme, we had a profile of the founders of the Serenity Bamboo Flute Company in Stockbridge… and they make what the title implies: bamboo flutes: https://theberkshireedge.com/serenity-bamboo-flute-company-embraces-sustainability-changing-times/
Finally, a little bit of history: In her Connections column Carole Owens points out what a remarkable “neighborhood” Stockbridge was in the mid- to late-1700s… in town were Aaron Burr; the famous Puritan theologian Jonathan Edwards; Ephraim Williams, founder of Williams College; Theodore Sedgwick, representative to the Continental Congress and the liberator of Mum Bet; Barnabas Bidwell, a congressman and aid to Thomas Jefferson… not bad for a community described as residing in a “great and terrible wilderness.” https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-22/<

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

Great Barrington, as did other communities across the nation, celebrated the birthday of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday… and for Great Barrington, if had the added significance of projects to restore the legacy of African-American life in the Berkshires: the restoration of the AME Zion Clinton Church, and the recognition of author and philosopher and founder of the NAACP W.E.B. Du Bois: https://theberkshireedge.com/in-great-barrington-interfaith-community-celebrates-martin-luther-king-jr-s-dream/ Quite a legacy for a little town in Western Massachusetts.
Opening the Weedgates, a five-part series examining the implications of the opening of retail marijuana shops in the Berkshires and across Massachusetts: https://theberkshireedge.com/opening-the-weedgates-part-v-how-pot-stores-got-their-names/
On the political front, columnist Alan Chartock — yes, THE Alan Chartock, weighs in about what he terms “legal bribery” in the NY State Legislature; meanwhile, columnist Carole Owens has an amusing commentary about the breathless anticipation of impeachment of President Trump — which she likes to the Beckett play, Waiting for Godot … of course, Godot doesn’t show up. https://theberkshireedge.com/alan-chartock-2/ https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-21/
Meanwhile, back to reality, of sorts: The adoption of a ban on single-use plastic water bottles in Great Barrington has turned into a real brouhaha. The Selectboard seems to be backing away from enforcement of the bylaw. https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-selectboard-backs-away-from-enforcement-of-plastic-water-bottle-ban/ At the same time, the Berkshire Women’s Action Group is demanding the selectboard fulfill the will of the people: https://theberkshireedge.com/the-single-use-plastic-water-bottle-ban-and-gb-on-tap-a-progress-report/

This is analogous to the debate about plastic waste that is being held throughout the country.

Meanwhile, ICE agents took into custody an Albanian immigrant as he was walking to work on Great Barrington’s Main Street. It caused quite a furor: https://theberkshireedge.com/breach-alleged-of-town-trust-policy-af

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

ICE agents seize immigrant worker on Main Street in Great Barrington, in front of audience at the Fuel Coffee Shop: https://theberkshireedge.com/in-frightening-display-ice-agents-arrest-immigrant-worker-on-main-street/
On Friday, Great Barrington’s first recreational marijuana retail “pot shop” will open: https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-braces-itself-for-recreational-pot-shops-friday-opening/ Some will rejoice, but others urge caution, as in the case of our writer Sheela Clary: https://theberkshireedge.com/opening-the-weedgates-iii-the-cruel-and-unusual-legal-world-of-recreational-marijuana/
Southern Berkshire Regional School District, Mt. Everett Regional High School hosting overseas students in a global education program, even as its students travel to foreign lands: https://theberkshireedge.com/more-than-just-travel-sbrsd-takes-global-education-program-to-the-next-level/
Shout Out to Dine Out…. a local artist has created a campaign to call attention to the scourge of human trafficking: https://theberkshireedge.com/shout-out-to-dine-out-local-woman-seeks-to-shed-light-on-human-trafficking-while-creating-accurate-conversation-in-the-process/
Homeless in the Berkshires: Rita Dichelle explains what it's like to be homeless, and how Construct Inc. helped put her life together — and gave her a roof over her head: https://theberkshireedge.com/homeless-in-the-berkshires-one-year-later/

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The weedgates are opening, as recreational marijuana boutiques in Massachusetts are getting ready to deal, now that it’s been legalized. And Berkshire County has the second highest number of headshop applications, among Bay State counties. Four or five could open in Great Barrington.

https://theberkshireedge.com/ opening-the-weedgates-what- will-the-recreational- marijuana-industry-mean-for-berkshire-county/

Meanwhile, on the education front, we’ve had a meltdown in the oversight of the Southern Berkshire Regional School District that borders Connecticut. Bomb scare, school committee member walking out of meeting in a huff, illegal meeting procedures, inability to seat newly elected school board members… it’s quite the circus. Quite an entree for the new chair of the school committee:

https://theberkshireedge.com/ after-a-struggle-sbrsd-panel- appoints-newcomer-as-chair- amid-complaints-about-transparency/ https://theberkshireedge.com/ of-ethics-legitimacy-and- voter-intent-a-big-mess-in-sheffield/

On a more festive — and nostalgic note — our own Karen Allen, the actress and owner of a fiber arts shop on Railroad Street in Great Barrington, will be hosting and answering questions at a screening of “Scrooged,” the 1988 film in which she costarred with Bill Murray. It’s a new take on the Dickens’ 1843 novella, ‘A Christmas Carol.’ The film is going to be screened at the Mahaiwe on Friday, Dec. 14, and Karen will be answering questions about the film after its showing.. and there is a possibility that Bill Murray might be there, too.

https://theberkshireedge.com/ bits-plant-shadows-at-bbg- monument-man-book-launch- immigration-attorney-workshop-oakes-smith-at-st-paul

Of course, it’s hard to avoid mentioning General Electric, the EPA and the Housatonic River. The EPA held an information session recently in which Berkshire residents got to voice their frustration with the PCB contamination of the river, and how it’s to be remediated. About 300 people attended the meeting at Lenox Memorial High School auditorium. The EPA listened, and took notes…

https://theberkshireedge.com/ of-ethics-legitimacy-and- voter-intent-a-big-mess-in-sheffield/

Here’s one for the mycologists in the audience. 2018 is the Year of the Mushroom. The hot, wet climate made for an overabundance of tasty fungi. At least, that’s the view of our writer Andrew Blechman. He takes on a expedition to find mushrooms of all shapes and sizes — only the edible ones, though. https://theberkshireedge.com/ 2018-year-of-the-mushroom-a- hot-moist-year-produces- overabundance-of-delectable-fungi/
Finally, there’s Berkshire Barks and Purrs. The mobile veterinary clinic that makes house calls. It’s the creation of Dr. Tracey Fahey…. very old-fashioned, I’d say:

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about: 1. The Southern Berkshire Regional School District is having a major meltdown. Not only is its student population shrinking dramatically, but the school officials and school committee are in a muddle. Last week, the high school endured a bomb scare, the school committee conducted an illegal vote, and a school committee walked out of a meeting in a huff:

https://theberkshireedge.com/all-in-a-week-at-sbrsd-bomb-threat-an-illegal-vote-angry-school-committee-member-walks-out/

And to provide context for above issue, we published an essay about the inevitability of merging the school districts in southern Berkshire County.

https://theberkshireedge.com/school-districts-time-to-decide-on-direction/

The Environmental Protection Agency conducted an information session Monday to collect public input on the cleanup of PCBs from the ‘Rest of the River,’ the river south of Pittsfield and into Connecticut. EPA officials heard loud and clear that local residents did not want toxic PCB landfills from materials dredged from the river bed and bank but wanted research into neutralizing the carcinogenic chlorinated organic compound.

https://theberkshireedge.com/epa-to-host-informational-meeting-on-progress-of-pcb-cleanup-of-housatonic-river/

Sustainable energy is great; just don’t put it in my backyard. Neighbors of the Egremont Country Club are up in arms over a proposal to put a commercial solar array at the Egremont Country Club.

https://theberkshireedge.com/egremont-country-club-eyed-for-large-solar-array-causing-great-concern-from-neighbors/

Our music reviewer David Edwards takes a look at the upcoming Tanglewood season, and fi

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Marshall Miles covers news and events in the Tri-State Region on The Breakfast Club on Robinhood Radio

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about: 1. Local spirit shoppes are in a pickle … and angry about it. The Great Barrington Selectboard has decided to issue new liquor licenses to new venues, such as the Co-op and Rubiner’s Cheese Shop. The current license holders showed up in en masse to protest — but to no avail. https://theberkshireedge.com/as-selectboard-mulls-new-alcohol-policy-package-store-owners-fail-to-stop-additional-licenses/

Meanwhile, while one segment of the population argues about alcohol availability, the school superintendents are issuing a warning that ‘vaping’ has become an epidemic among Berkshire high school — and middle school — students. https://theberkshireedge.com/juul-of-the-housatonic-vaping-seen-as-epidemic-in-southern-berkshire-schools/
Last Sunday was the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Taking this critical need to heart, a local woman, Julie Bishop, is hoping to establish a transitional residence for women (and their children) who are victims of domestic violence. https://theberkshireedge.com/on-the-uns-international-day-for-the-elimination-of-violence-against-women-local-woman-envisions-a-transitional-home-for-women-and-children-fleeing-domestic-violence/
And on the literary front, with some comic relief a local writer — and friend — Dan Klein continues his franchise of books with his new volume, ‘I think therefore I draw: Understanding Philosophy through Cartoons.’ It’s a witty, and quite insightful book. His previous volumes, one of which is titled ‘Plato and a Platypus walk into a bar: Understanding philosophy through jokes,’ have made the NY Times best seller list.

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about: 1. Elections, elections, elections

Of particular interest to Berkshire County residents was the race for Berkshire County DA…. and in the end, the outsider prevailed. Elizabeth Harrington was the apparent winner by a margin of 3 to 1:

https://theberkshireedge.com/harrington-apparent-winner-in-contentious-da-contest/

Meanwhile, in New York State’s District 19, just over the border from the Berkshires Democrat Antonio Delgado unseated Trump worshipping Republican incumbent John Faso.

https://theberkshireedge.com/mission-accomplished-delgado-repeals-and-replaces-faso-in-ny19/

And in other election news, Senator Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and Gov. Charlie Baker were re-elected.

And on the ballot side, Question 1, which would have mandated nurses to patient ratios at hospitals, was defeated.

State aid for rural schools

Thanks for the efforts of State Sen. Adam Hinds, the state will add $1.5 million to aid rural schools in Western Massachusetts who often struggle to meet the costs of transportation, for instance.

https://theberkshireedge.com/let-the-cash-flow-rural-school-aid-envisioned-by-hinds-becomes-a-reality/

In the aftermath of the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, more that 1,000 people attended an interfaith vigil at the Knesset Israel synagogue in Pittsfield. It was a moving ceremony, with music and addresses by community leaders, including State Sen. Adam Hinds and a Muslim Imam from Williams College who deplored the violence against his Jewish brethren. And by the way, our report included a video of the event.

https://theberkshireedge.com/in-aftermath-of-pittsburgh-attendees-find-strength-in-interfaith-vigil/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

Vigil for Pittsburgh planned by the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires. https://theberkshireedge.com/interfaith-community-vigil-for-pittsburgh-planned-for-thursday-november-1/
The state of Massachusetts has funded a pilot to test the weekend-only, tourist-oriented Berkshire Flyer train. https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-flyer-pilot-rail-service-funded-for-2020-passenger-rail-on-housatonic-line-remains-a-question-mark/
There are two big issues in the upcoming election: the D.A. race and the Nurses proposition. Jonathan Butler from 1Berkshires wrote a statement in Viewpoints saying that the proposition is not a good fit for the Berkshires and that the business community does not support it. https://theberkshireedge.com/no-on-question-1-not-a-fit-for-the-berkshires/
A moving profile of Mary Gendler who has led a life of peaceful protest. We have a picture of her with the Dalai Lama, whom she visits regularly, lighting Hanukah candles. https://theberkshireedge.com/mary-gendler-a-life-of-peaceful-protest/
We had a four-part series on an addict identified as Sara. Now the author of the series wrote a “finale” about how local high school students, including a journalism class, reacted to the articles. https://theberkshireedge.com/addiction-in-the-berkshires-four-part-saras-story-hits-home/
STEM Week winds up with showcase at Monument Valley Middle School. https://theberkshireedge.com/stem-week-winds-up-with-showcase-at-monument-valley-middle-school/
If we have time, we can also talk about the state’s designation of Great Barrington’s as a “cultural district.” https://theberkshireedge.com/officials-celebrate-great-barringtons-newly-formed-cultural-district/. We also reported, on September 22, that Lenox is seeking the same designation.

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

Here’s a David and Goliath story. The town of Egremont vs. cable giant Charter Spectrum, formerly known as Time Warner. The Egremont selectmen voted to ditch Charter’s offer to build out a broadband network for town residents when the cable company virtually doubled the price the town would have to pay. All over town there had been lawn signs reading Ditch Charter.. And in the end, selectmen complied.

https://theberkshireedge.com/the-signs-were-everywhere-egremont-finally-ditches-charter/

A member of the Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee has called for a referendum on the merger of the Berkshire Hills and Southern Berkshire school districts, as a way of dealing with the enrollment decline in southern Berkshire. Berkshire County has been grappling with how to consolidate its school districts…

https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-hills-official-wants-referendum-on-possible-merger-with-sbrsd/

There are two hot-button issues that will be determined on the November 6 balloting in the Berkshires… and we’ve been getting a lot of letters on each a. The contest between Paul Caccaviello and Andrea Harrington for District Attorney: https://theberkshireedge.com/caccaviellos-experience-makes-him-more-qualified-for-da/ https://theberkshireedge.com/caccaviello-should-accept-the-will-of-the-primary-voters/ And in this race there is an undercurrent of national politics, where questioning the qualifications of attorney Andrea Harrington has been likened to Trump’s disparagement of women, in particular Christine Blassy Ford

b. Then there is ballot Question 1 which would designate a certain level of nurses to patients in hospitals across the state. The assumption here is that co

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about: 1. Addiction in the Berkshires: Sara’s Story

This is a four-part first-person narrative compiled by one of our writers, Sheela Clary, from tapes she recorded, about a young woman in the Berkshires who descended into heroin addiction. It’s quite moving. We’ve run three parts in successive days… Wednesday night is the fourth.. and last:

Part I: https://theberkshireedge.com/addiction-in-the-berkshires-chapter-1-saras-story/

Part II: https://theberkshireedge.com/saras-story-addiction-in-the-berkshires-chapter-two-addiction/

Part III: https://theberkshireedge.com/addiction-in-the-berkshires-saras-story-chapter-3/

Once again, into the breach, dear friends… The Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee is once again considering a renovation of 50-year-old Monument Mountain Regional High School.. Several years ago, voters turned it down. Never say never, I guess:

https://theberkshireedge.com/as-panel-mulls-future-of-monument-mountain-regional-high-school-questions-about-district-mergers-remain/

Our feature writer Hannah Van Sickle profiles Bizalion’s, a fine food market in Great Barrington with a French twist, that is celebrating its 15th year in business. The owners are Jean-Francois and Helen Bizalion … and it is a little taste of Europe in their Great Barrington shop.

https://theberkshireedge.com/vive-bizalions-speci

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

At a meeting of Berkshire school committees and local legislators, it was agreed that the funding formula for determining state aid to education is broken — and needs reform: https://theberkshireedge.com/at-school-committees-forum-lawmakers-school-officials-agree-critical-need-to-reform-school-funding-chapter-70-aid/
Here’s a story about the Bees Knees — or as it is known in Great Barrington (and several other Berkshire towns), the Pollinator Protection Plan. These pollinators — birds, butterflies as well as bees — are responsible for one-third of the food we eat.. so we should make sure they aren’t being poisoned by neonicotinoids — ingredients in pesticides… https://theberkshireedge.com/barrington-abuzz-with-pollinator-protection-plan-viewed-as-the-bees-knees-by-regional-communities/
And speaking of growing things, Barbara Zheutlin, longtime director of Berkshire Grown, the organization that supports sustainable agriculture throughout the Berkshires and sponsors farmers markets in the fall and winter, is stepping down. Her successor is Margaret Moulton:

https://theberkshireedge.com/margaret-moulton-takes-the-helm-at-berkshire-grown/

And let us not forget the fall season of film festivals…. our observer Barbara Quart has been attending the 54th annual New York Film Festival and has dispatched the first of two reports of the films she’s seen … some of which will no doubt show up in the Berkshires… and on the horizon, of course, is the Chatham (N.Y.) film festival.

https://theberkshireedge.com/review-new-york-film-festival-part-1/

We’ve had number of heartfelt letters and columns opposing the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. The latest is by columnist Rochelle O’Gorman, who argues that his record — alleged record — of sexual harassment disqualifies him: https://theberkshireedge.com/amplifications-speak-out-about-kavanaugh/

And another, by music criti and psychologist Carolyn Newberger is even more direct, insisting that Kavanaugh should withdraw from consideration: https://theberkshireedge.com/for-judge-kavanaugh-its-only-about-him/

And finally, we have a hot debate going on about the staffing levels of nurses at hospitals in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Nurses Association has a referendum on the November ballot that will insist on certain staffing levels — the implication being that hospitals are stinting on patient care in favor of paying hospital top administrators exorbitant salaries. We’ve had several letters back and forth on this issue… here’s one from Sheffield Selectwoman Rene Wood who has a day job at Berkshire Health Systems:

https://theberkshireedge.com/get-the-facts-vote-no-on-question-1/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about: 1. Great Barrington forging ahead with incorporating the W.E.B. Du Bois legacy into the fabric of town life. The Selectboard has appointed a panel to oversee and plan celebrations of the Du Bois legacy… it’s the 150th anniversary this year of his birth — with annual events, and eventually a statue of Du Bois at the Mason Library:

https://theberkshireedge.com/selectmen-appoint-du-bois-legacy-panel-begin-town-manager-search-approve-tractor-supply/

On Monday, 80 students at Monument Mountain Regional High School walked out of classes to congregate on the high school lawn, in protest over the candidacy of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh — and in sympathy with the women who have alleged that he abused them.

https://theberkshireedge.com/monument-students-walk-out-in-opposition-to-supreme-court-nominee-brett-kavanaugh/

3, On this coming Saturday, a walk to prevent youth suicide will be held in Great Barrington — the Out of Darkness Berkshire County Walk. The Berkshires have the highest rate of suicide among 15-19 year olds in the state.

https://theberkshireedge.com/walking-to-prevent-suicide-one-mothers-story/

In Pittsfield there was a so-called housing summit, to survey the future and challenges of the Berkshire housing market. The upshot: a looming crisis in affordable housing is looming:

https://theberkshireedge.com/at-berkshire-housing-summit-officials-are-bullish-on-countys-future-as-affordability-problem-looms/

The contest for the next Berkshire County District Attorney heats up… we’ve had numerous letters about the consequence of the Democratic pr

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about: 1. Great Barrington is in line to receive state funding for a “complete streets” project, whereby bike lanes, traffic monitoring devices, and pedestrian crosswalks are installed in the interest of making the streets accessible and safe for bikes — not just cars…

https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-eyes-funding-for-five-complete-streets-projects-theyre-not-just-for-cars/

A collaboration of north and south: Berkshire Hills Regional School District, a sprawling rural district, is joining with Pittsfield Schools, an urban environment, in challenging the state’s formula for funding public schools. Basically, the two school districts claim that the formula determining the amount of aid a district receives is unrealistic and unfair. https://theberkshireedge.com/at-pittsfields-urging-berkshire-hills-protests-state-school-funding-formula-in-strong-terms/
Now here’s an interesting development. Second home owners are in revolt against rules that prevent them from voting at town meetings. It’s taxation without representation, fumes a group of disgruntled second-home owners in Stockbridge. And they have a point there. 54 precent of the real estate is own by second-homeers….

https://theberkshireedge.com/second-class-citizens-no-longer-berkshire-second-home-owners-eye-greater-involvement-voting-rights/

Andrea Harrington, surprise surprise, won the Democratic primary for District Attorney, in voting last week.

https://theberkshireedge.com/andrea-harrington-wins-district-attorney-primary-race-in-a-

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about: 1. Primary Election —

Big upset: Andrea Harrington of West Stockbridge won the primary election for District Attorney over the Pittsfield incumbent Paul Caccaviello. The West Stockbridge outsider took down the Pittsfield Democratic machine… https://theberkshireedge.com/andrea-harrington-wins-district-attorney-primary-race-in-a-squeaker/

A Facebook post by a teacher at Southern Berkshire Regional School District — Jim Berlstein, a science and technology teacher for 18 years at Mt. Everett High School — has started a furor — and has put the district in a turmoil. He asserts that the working conditions at the school are endangering education. And he’s referring to the new superintendent. https://theberkshireedge.com/turmoil-at-sbrsd-teachers-facebook-post-seen-as-reflection-of-larger-problems/
Some merchants in Great Barrington are seeing an opportunity in the single-use plastic water bottle ban adopted — and reaffirmed — at a special town meeting in August:

https://theberkshireedge.com/merchants-back-ban-on-single-use-plastic-water-bottles-install-water-fill-up-stations/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

State Department of Environmental Protection slaps the privately held Housatonic Water Works with an administrative order requiring repair of chlorination system… and this after numerous complaints from customers about discolored water:

https://theberkshireedge.com/state-dep-issues-unilateral-administrative-order-against-housatonic-water-works/

Last weekend at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, 23 immigrants from 16 countries became U.S. citizens… in a ceremony conducted by First Justice of the Berkshire County Juvenile Court Joan McMenemy with those wonderful Rockwell paintings of the Four Freedoms behind her. We are a country of immigrants, let us not forget. https://theberkshireedge.com/long-process-bears-fruit-for-23-new-u-s-citizens-in-ceremony-at-rockwell-museum/
A local trio under the rubric of Imprint Films is creating family documentaries as lasting legacies. One of their first clients is Mark Hyman, the nationally know wellness physician…

https://theberkshireedge.com/remember-our-days-local-trio-crafting-family-documentaries-for-lasting-legacies/

We had a report of how students who survived the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in Parkland, Florida, visited the surviving families of that other school massacre, at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. The aunt of Cameron Kasky, on the the Parkland students and a prime organizer of the March for our Lives campaign, lives locally in the Berkshires.

https://theberkshireedge.com/march-for-our-lives-parkland-students-visit-sandy-hook/

And while we’re

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about: 1. A Great Barrington special town meeting Monday night tops our news of this week:

First, the 503 town voters crammed into the Monument Mountain Regional High School auditorium preserved the ban on small plastic water bottles that had been adopted at the May 7 annual town meeting. There was a lively debate.

https://theberkshireedge.com/town-great-barrington-voters-sustain-plastic-water-bottle-ban-but-reject-purchase-of-controversial-property/

Then, those same voters narrowly turned aside a proposal to buy the property of a local contractor whose business resides in a residential zone. For more than 10 years, the town has issued cease and desist orders, but the contractor, Gary O’Brien has defied them. Instead, apparently, the town will now continue to pay lawyers to try to halt his operations:

https://theberkshireedge.com/town-great-barrington-voters-sustain-plastic-water-bottle-ban-but-reject-purchase-of-controversial-property/

As a followup to our story on the special town meeting, we had an extensive news analysis, pointing out that the votes reveal a deep divide in the town:

https://theberkshireedge.com/news-analysis-plastic-water-bottle-ban-exposes-divisions-as-town-fails-to-buy-off-obrien/

To poison or not to poison. That is the question before the Stockbridge Bowl Association as it ponders how to control Eurasian milfoil in Stockbridge Bowl. Our columnist and Stockbridge observer Carole Owens is concerned about using chemicals to deter the invasive species:

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about: 1. The single use plastic water bottle ban adopted by the Great Barrington Town Meeting will meet a challenge Aug.6 at a special town meeting. Debate has been lively, with a cadre of students being the latest advocates for the ban… (although they won’t be able to speak at the special town meeting):

https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-youth-voice-support-for-ban-on-single-use-plastic-water-bottles/

The Berkshires are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Leonard Bernstein with performances and events at Tanglewood, Close Encounters with Music, Barrington Stage — a screenign of West Side Story with live accompaniment by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and other events. The latest is The Painted Pianos project of the Berkshire Music School, where 16 pianos painted by local artists are now in various towns in the Berkshires. It’s both a celebration of Bernstein and a fundraiser for this wonderful institution that has introduced so many students to the joys of learning to play a musical instrument:

https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-music-school-launches-painted-piano-project/

The town has called a special town meeting not only to deal with the singe-use plastic water bottle ban but also to put before voters a proposal to purchase a nonconforming trucking and refuse business that has plagued the residents of Blue Hill Road. The town has spent 10 years, at least, trying to deal with it. Finally, they’re proposing to buy the offender out:

https://theberkshireedge.com/town-proposes-to-pay-nearly-300000-for-troublesome-obrien-property/

Then there is the unfortunate episode of an outraged Elizabeth Warren supporter getting into a brawl with an admittedly obnoxious agitator armed with a bullhorn who was accusing those lined up to see Sen. Warren at the Mahaiwe Theatre to be racists. Independent Sen. candidate Shiv Ayyadurai was confronted by a Hillsdale resident, Paul Solovay… and of course the right wing media loved it. And our columnist Carole Owens was as disturbed and outraged as anyone.

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about: 1. The appearance of U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren at the Mahaiwe Theatre for her 30th town hall forum turned confrontational outside. First, her presentation and presence energized an audience of more than 1,000 — and some of those had to stand outside, and listen to her speak from the gazebo of the town hall park. https://theberkshireedge.com/warren-electrifies-mahaiwe-crowd-but-questioners-get-few-specifics/

And meanwhile, a disruptive troll, Shiva Ayyadurai successfully provoked one person who was standing in line to hear the senator. Standing across the street from the Mahaiwe, Ayyadurai, using a bullhorn and accompanied by a cadre of his followers, screamed insults at those in line. One of them, Paul Solovay, had had enough, and confronted the man. This resulted in a shoving match (you can see the incident on our video), and Solovay’s arrest. https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-police-identify-man-arrested-for-assault-against-senate-candidate/

And while we’re on politics, a Democratic challenger to Congressman Richard Neal has emerged int he person of Tahirah Amatul-Waddud, an attorney from Springfield — and a Muslim. She appeared this week in Sheffield, at the request of the Sheffield Democratic Committee, which is no friend to Neal. Amatul-Waddud called for universal health care, among other progressive reforms.

https://theberkshireedge.com/u-s-rep-neals-democratic-opponent-styles-herself-a-problem-solver/

On a quieter note, developer Jeffrey Cohen of Great Barrington has purchased the historic Sullivan Station in Lee — the former New York New Haven and Hartford Rail station, in an effort, he says, to preserve historic properties. He’s spending upwards of $60 million to renovate the Eagle Mill complex in Lee into a retail and residential complex:

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about: 1. And now there are three (and possibly four) proposed marijuana retail outlets for Great Barrington: The Selectboard is trying to sort out how to manage the rush of applications .. of course it means a lot of revenue for the town. https://theberkshireedge.com/jobs-and-hundreds-of-thousands-in-revenue-expected-as-third-marijuana-store-proposed-for-great-barrington/

Veterans storm a meeting of the Great Barrington Library Trustees to protest the Trustees’ decision to host a statue of civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois (and Great Barrington native) on the library front lawn. Du Bois founded the NAACP. The vets are upset that Du Bois — the town is celebrating 150th anniversary of the scholar’s birth — repudiated the United States at the end of his life (in his 90s) after frustration with the U.S. policies toward African Americans, and became a citizen of Ghana.

https://theberkshireedge.com/war-veterans-protest-statue-to-memorialize-communist-du-bois/

Our environmental reporter, Mary Douglas, a former lawyer for the Environmental Protection Agency, writes an expansive article about the ‘Hostile Takeover’ of the EPA by the corrupt Trump administration, in the person of Scott Pruitt, an avowed opponent of environmental protection and preservation:

https://theberkshireedge.com/hostile-takeover-at-the-epa/

Meanwhile, over in the sprawling New York Congressional District 19, just across the border, 7 Democrats are vying for the chance to oppose Trump acolyte Republican John Faso in this year’s election. The Democratic primary is June 26, next week: https://theberkshireedge.com/seven-democrats-se

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about: 1. One of the issues that towns face is what to do with derelict properties… one such in Great Barrington is the Housatonic Elementary School in the hamlet of Housatonic, part of Great Barrington. Once again, selectmen are mulling over a proposal for the school’s adaptive reuse. The former school building is in the center of the village, with a playground that serves as a village green:

https://theberkshireedge.com/proposal-for-housatonic-school-in-search-of-tenants-funding/

Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington is hosting a three-week arts festival called Daniel’s Art Party, with performances, exhibits — and some of them are tied to the Berkshire community, such as a show featuring tales of local firefighters:

https://theberkshireedge.com/a-new-way-to-party-daniels-art-party-at-simons-rock/

This year is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Leonard Bernstein, and Tanglewood has devoted much of its summer programming to celebrating the music of the famed conductor, composer and pianist — and a graduate of the Tanglewood Music Center School. One of the pieces that is being performed in his honor is the rock opera ‘Tommy’ and on June 15 its composer Roger Daltrey and friends will perform the opera at the Tanglewood Music Shed.

https://theberkshireedge.com/lenny-celebrates-tommy-with-roger-daltrey-and-the-boston-pops-prepare-to-be-amazed/

Of course, the Berkshires are known for being an oasis of artistic creativity, and in recognition of that the National Endowment for the Arts has awarded Berkshire cultural and educational institutions $328,000… a nice chunk of change, in this Trumpian era where such activities would not seem to be highly regarded… when was the last time (ever?) that the Trump set attended a performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington?

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

The pot shops are coming, the pot shops are coming. Great Barrington Selectboard hammers out the details of regulating the head shops, now that recreational marijuana will be able to be sold in retail operations: https://theberkshireedge.com/as-pot-shops-eye-their-openings-great-barrington-stands-to-profit/
Tracy Seckler, founder of Charley’s Fund, was named Rotary Club Citizen of the Year… and she really deserves it. She’s raised $36 million for research to find a cure for Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy, an affliction from which her son Charley suffers. It’s really amazing what one determined, motivated person can accomplish. https://theberkshireedge.com/tracy-seckler-named-citizen-of-the-year-by-great-barrington-rotary-club/
As we come into the tourist season, many merchants are finding it difficult to find part-time help. Fewer students available, for one thing. The labor market is tight. https://theberkshireedge.com/cant-find-decent-help-workforce-issue-likely-the-cause/
Kate McCormick, whose father Ed McCormick — assistant fire chief and former Great Barrington town moderator — was resigned from the bar after allegations of misconduct due to his handling of various estate funds, has given up her bid to become the register of deeds in southern Berkshire County, an elected position. She claims she can’t do both jobs: maintain her father’s law firm, and be register. https://theberkshireedge.com/election-news-kate-mccormick-bails-on-candidacy-for-register-of-deeds-zakim-wins-party-endorsement-for-secretary-of-state/
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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about: 1. The Berkshire International Film Festival opens this Thursday, with 80 films in four days. We have a preview: https://theberkshireedge.com/preview-berkshire-international-film-festival-2018/

A cadre of local merchants and others are campaigning to hold a special town meeting to overturn the historic ban on single-use plastic water bottles that was approved at Great Barrington town meeting: https://theberkshireedge.com/cadre-of-residents-merchants-look-to-repeal-plastic-water-bottle-ban/ And we have had numerous letters, and comments, on both sides….
We had a very thoughtful— and persuasive — essay about the virtues of eliminating plastic water bottles — from a junior at Monument Mountain Regional High School: https://theberkshireedge.com/a-students-perspective-on-the-plastic-water-bottle-debate/
Meanwhile, much debate has ensued over the prospect that horse racing may return to the Great Barrington Fairgrounds… it’s not clear what kind of racing — whether it be harness or flat track — but it has summoned all sorts of discussion about whether horse racing is cruelty to animals … never mind the unsavory crowd that follows the betting windows. https://theberkshireedge.com/back-to-the-future-fairgrounds-suffolk-downs-reach-agreement-to-return-horse-racing-to-great-barrington/
One of our writers, Sheela Clary, sent us a fascinating interview with a local soccer coach, Sean Flynn — also a high school guidance counselor -- who has founded a very popular summer soccer program, with hundreds of kids countywide.

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

Two stories about W.E.B. Du Bois:

The Great Barrington Library Trustees have endorsed the concept of installing a statue of the civil rights leader and NAACP founder and native son W.E.B. Du Bois on the front lawn of the Mason Library. They anticipate resistance …. and sure enough, no sooner had the story been posted than an ex-Marine weighed in:

The story: https://theberkshireedge.com/library-trustees-endorse-du-bois-statue-but-see-trouble-ahead/

The Marine: https://theberkshireedge.com/du-bois-statue-does-not-belong-on-library-lawn/

This development comes on the heels of a story about the Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee considering renaming Monument Valley Regional Middle School after Du Bois. This revisits the same fight over the name… when the elementary school was named after a nearby stream rather than Du Bois. https://theberkshireedge.com/another-go-around-the-complicated-matter-of-naming-a-school-after-du-bois/
We had a visit from White House correspondent April Ryan, who gave a rousing commencement address to the graduating class at Bard College of Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington;:

https://theberkshireedge.com/renowned-journalist-april-ryan-urges-simons-rockers-to-be-ever-curious/

Then, controversy erupted at the first meeting of the Great Barrington Selectboard after the annual town elections. Steve Bannon, who is chair of the regional school committee (see above) was selected as chair of the Selectboard. These two committees don’t necessarily have convergent agendas … especially around budget time. People are writing in to object:

https://theberkshireedge.com/discord-marks-bannons-appointment-as-chair-of-the-new-great-barrington-selectboard/

On a happier election day note, Alford elected it’s first woman selectboard member: horticulturalist Peggy Rae Mendon-Wilson

https://theberkshireedge.com/in-a-first-for-alford-a-woman-is-elected-to-the-select-board/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

Town elections in Sheffield, New Marlborough and Great Barrington: In Great Barrington, newcomer Kate Feuer Burke was elected to the Selectboard, bringing youth and energy to the governing board: https://theberkshireedge.com/cooke-re-elected-newcomer-burke-brings-youth-to-great-barrington-selectboard-atwood-out-at-fincom/

In Sheffield, on the other hand, a former selectperson, Rene Wood, decided to get back into the fray, and was re-elected. And in New Marlborough, Tara White was re-elected.. https://theberkshireedge.com/after-a-hiatus-wood-returned-to-sheffield-selectboard-white-beats-back-challenge-in-new-marlborough/ So it was a victory for the women all around.

Despite reports that the school-age population is declining, the Montessori School of the Berkshires is expanding, as its enrollment increases: https://theberkshireedge.com/with-enrollment-increasing-montessori-school-adds-new-educational-spaces/
Our environmental reporter, Mary Douglas, has a very interesting update on the negotiations over the removal of PCBs from the Housatonic River, that have been going on for 20 years. The EPA is attempting to come to terms with those who have contested the agency’s proposed cleanup plans — both GeneralElectric, the source fo the pollution and liable for $500 million in remediation costs — and environmental action groups who feel the cleanup hasn’t gone far enough. As long as I’ve been a journalist in the Berkshires, this has been an ongoing struggle to remove these carcinogens from the Berkshires. https://theberkshireedge.com/epa-initiates-second-round-of-mediation-on-housatonic-river-cleanup/
We should also mention a positive story about the much maligned Berkshire Museum, which has just sold off its valuable art collection — perhaps they’ll have to rename the institution. In any case, the museum held a PechaKucha Night, 400 seconds of creative sharing — in Japanese it means chit chat — the first of many such sessions. 20 slides, 20 seconds each on ‘Celebrating Knowledge’ featuring county schoolteachers. https://theberkshireedge.com/pechakucha-at-the-berkshire-museum-400-seconds-of-creative-sharing/
And finally, we have a publication about to hit the stands: BerkshiresCalendar.com … Marcie will explain.

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about: 1. At town meeting Monday night, Great Barrington became the third community in the nation — all in Massachusetts — to ban the sale of single-use plastic water bottles. The prohibition will go into effect in May of 2019. The meeting, attending by 350 voters, was influenced by three high school students who advocated for the ban that was on the town meeting ballot due to a petition from the Berkshires Women’s Action Group.

https://theberkshireedge.com/news-analysis-in-a-matter-of-minutes-plastic-water-bottle-ban-rode-a-giant-wave/ 2. Great Barrington is one of four towns selected to take part in HeatSmart Massachusetts, a program to introduce a heating and cooling system — air-source heat pumps — that will save homeowners on their energy costs. The program is a collaboration between the Department of Energy Resources and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center:

https://theberkshireedge.com/heatsmart-cost-saving-heatingcooling-systems-sale-launches-may-8-in-great-barrington/ 3. Our columnist Carole Owens discusses the film being made about Elizabeth Freeman, a k a MumBet (Mother Betty), the African-American woman who brought slavery to an end in Massachusett in 1781. She lived in Sheffield, in the household of Col. John Ashley. Of MumBet, the attorney — and future Supreme Judicial court judge Theodore Sedgwick said: "She was born a slave and remained a slave for nearly thirty years; she could neither read nor write, yet in her own sphere she had no superior or equal. She neither wasted time nor property. She never violated a trust, nor failed to perform a duty. “

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about: 1. At annual town meeting on Monday Great Barrington to vote on banning plastic water bottles. This citizens’ petition, generated by the Berkshire Women’s Action Group, has provoked a very lively debate. (And by the way, the town of Concord, Mass., banned the beastly bottles in 2012, so it can be done): https://theberkshireedge.com/pushback-bubbles-up-against-proposed-plastic-water-bottle-ban/

And as if that were enough to occupy the Town Meeting, the Selectboard and Planning Board are at loggerheads over who gets the final say in the siting of marijuana cultivation facilities (whoever thought we ever be talking about this??) Here’s a letter from two selectmen: https://theberkshireedge.com/with-bylaw-gb-selectboard-seeks-oversight-on-marijuana-growing-sites/, and the session that cast light on the dispute: https://theberkshireedge.com/news-analysis-the-great-barrington-marijuana-wars/
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito got an earful from folks in Monterey and other rural Southern Berkshire communities over the Baker Administration’s coziness with the big communications firms like Spectrum and Verizon that do not prefer the rural west, or if they do, they charge a lot… broadband access for everyone has become a big issue here. https://theberkshireedge.com/lt-gov-polito-listens-as-monterey-officials-accuse-mbi-of-big-business-bias-toward-rural-broadband-initiatives/
State funding for regional transit authorities, such as the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority, is being cut, which means routes are being curtailed and fares raised. When will we ever get public transportation right?

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about: 1. Often, local issues mirror the national debate. Take, for instance, one of the petitions before the Annual Town Meeting in Great Barrington, May 14.

At the upcoming annual town meeting in Great Barrington, a citizens’ petition is calling for the ban of single-use plastic water bottles — citing the damage these bottles do to the environment; https://theberkshireedge.com/environmental-activists-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-popular-water-bottles/ But now comes the chairman of the Republican Town Committee, claiming this petition would incur too much of a burden: https://theberkshireedge.com/plastic-water-bottle-ban-would-be-too-much-of-a-burden/

Berkshire Country Day School joined the national student walkout, protesting gun violence and the NRA, walking 3 miles from their campus to Lenox. So far in 2018, there have been 20 school shootings, an average of 1.25 per week. Simon’s Rock students also marched in Great Barrington, from the Mason Library to Town Hall. https://theberkshireedge.com/simons-rock-students-march-for-safety-joining-national-student-walkout/ https://theberkshireedge.com/bcd-joins-national-student-walkout-calling-for-strict-gun-controls-safer-schools/
Now the Berkshire Board of Realtors has suddenly gotten behind the Train Campaign, to restore rail service between New York City and the Berkshires… in this case, Pittsfield. A letter to the editor from the president and CEO of the realty board has endorsed this plan, being studied by MassDOT.

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about: 1. Monument Mountain senior Sophie Shron has earned accolades and an award from Scholastic for leading the creation of murals honoring the life of W.E.B. Du Bois, with a team of students from Railroad Street Youth Project. The murals, mounted on the Railroad Street alleyway and the Triplex Cinema, celebrate the Great Barrington-born Du Bois, author and founder of the NAACP. The murals are celebrate the 150th anniversary of Du Bois’ birth.

https://theberkshireedge.com/mmrhs-senior-sophie-shron-earns-award-for-w-e-b-du-bois-mural/

The Great Barrington marijuana wars. The town Selectboard and Planning Commission are fighting over which board has authority over the citing of marijuana cultivation and retail locations. One proposal is to grow pot in the empty mills in Housatonic.

https://theberkshireedge.com/news-analysis-the-great-barrington-marijuana-wars/

Climate Michael Mann urges students to speak out on the risks to the planet posed by climate change: https://theberkshireedge.com/climate-scientist-calls-on-students-to-speak-out-for-sake-of-the-planet-and-their-future/
Speaking of Railroad Street Youth Project, the organization is offering training sessions, in partnership with the Center for Motivation and Change, for parents who are concerned about their kids being at risk from addiction. https://theberkshireedge.com/beyond-addiction-coalition-offers-training-program-for-parents-of-teens-at-risk/
The saga of Mumbet a k a Elizabeth Freeman, a slave who won her freedom in Sheffield, Massachusetts, is being filmed at the historic Col. Ashley house in Sheffield:

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

The White Hart North in Great Barrington: https://theberkshireedge.com/47-railroad-street-project-near-completion-new-eatery-could-be-white-hart-north/ 47 Railroad St. Project at the top of Railroad Street will include The Fox, a restaurant run by Annie Wayte of the White Hart in Salisbury.
Of all things to pick on for budget cuts, the Great Barrington Selectboard chooses the libraries…. and thereby hangs a big controversy: https://theberkshireedge.com/amid-budget-cutting-ritual-great-barrington-libraries-become-a-victim/
Congressman Richie Neal has a challenger in the Democratic primary: It’s an attorney and a woman … Tahirah Amatul-Wadud from Springfield, who charges that Neal is too entangled with corporate interests, such as the health care industry, communications giants like Verizon and other wealthy donors, to really serve his largely rural and poor district that needs, among other things, high speed internet. https://theberkshireedge.com/springfield-attorney-challenges-u-s-rep-neal-from-the-left-points-to-open-secrets-about-his-donors/
Our columnist Carole Owens writes of how 11 men met in Sheffield, Mass., in 1773, three years before the Declaration of Independence was published, and put together what they called The Resolves, a expressing independence from British tyranny… and it’s remarkably similar to the 1776 Declaration…. it happened here first, folks. https://theberkshireedge.com/connections-the-resolves-of-sheffield-hotbed-of-insurrection/
The latest addition to the summer Tanglewood lineup is Harry Connick Jr. who’s bringing his New Orleans Tricentennial Celebration to the Shed on June 23… get your tickets now… And we have a video of him performing in New Orleans embedded in our story. https://theberkshireedge.com/harry-connick-jr-joins-2018-tanglewood-season/
Finally, on a brisk Sunday morning, 80 runners (and walkers) turned out for the 5k run/walk benefit for the Berkshire South Regional Community Center… it took place at the Great Barrington Airport. A really good cause, to support the Community Center’s youth programs. https://theberkshireedge.com/5k-runners-and-walkers-turn-out-for-berkshire-south/
And for those with a taste for intrigue, espionage and literature, we have the ninth chapter of our serial novel “Over the Edge,” each chapter written by a different author. The novel has taken us from Simon’s Rock College, to Fuel Coffeeshop, to Panama, and now back to Great Barrington. And who know where it will go next. https://theberkshireedge.com/a-novel-over-the-edge-chapter-9/

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

Attorney Andrea Harrington is running for district attorney, pledging to reform the office and introduce new approaches to law enforcement prosecution. The current DA, David Capeless, has abruptly announced he wouldn’t run for another term in November but designated his assistant Paul Caccaviello, as his heir apparent.
Here we go again… The Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee has taken the first step in preparing a proposal to upgrade Monument Mountain Regional High School… two years ago, a $50 million renovation of the building — half of which was to have come from the state school building fund — was twice rejected by voters in Great Barrington — though approved in the two other towns in the district, Stockbridge and West Stockbridge.
Wilbur Ross, Donald Trump’s Secretary of Commerce, has purchased a house in Great Barrington for $3.2 million…. there goes the neighborhood! This story went viral, appearing in the Boston Globe, Politico, and was spread around by the AP… ironically, the owner of the property, Bobby Houston, an Oscar-winning film maker and founder of the insurgent Green Tea Party, is adamantly opposed to the Trump administration’s policies.
Sheffield distiller proposes to diversify his business, and open a marijuana emporium. Christopher Weld, owner of Berkshire Mountain Distillers and his business partner Michael Cohen are looking for a special permit from the Sheffield selectmen to construct a fancy head shop on the site of the abandoned Pine Tree Inn on U.S. 7 where they would grow and sell marijuana products. Sheffield voted for legalizing marijuana.
The Berkshire Flyer, a seasonal weekend rail service between the Berkshires (Pittsfield) and New York City, via Rensselaer, N.Y., is the route recommended by the a Working Group consisting of state Sen. Adam Hinds and representatives of Mass DOT and Berkshire County. It’s a far cry from the commuter service envisioned some years ago for the Housatonic line that would have connected the major towns in Berkshire County with the Metropolitan area… of course that route depended on a financial commitment from Connecticut.
Finally, we should mention our political analyst Dook Snyder whose ‘Smoke Signals from the Swamp’ series has highlighted the corruption of the Trump administration. His latest took on Trump Jared Kushner.

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

Industrial weed factory

https://theberkshireedge.com/industrial-weed-facility-faces-headwinds-at-selectmens-hearing/

A big industrial sized cannabis production complex is before the voters in New Marlborough, Mass. At a public hearing Monday on whether to grant a special permit for the proposed project, 200 residents jammed town hall to protest.

Now you see it now you don’t

https://theberkshireedge.com/now-you-see-it-now-you-dont/ The one–story former Laramee Cleaners building on Bridge Street was demolished Tuesday to make way for the $14.5 million Powerhouse Square development that will house a new 14,500 square foot Berkshire Coop Market, plus office, retail spaces, and 22 condominiums.

Midwives to back in business

https://theberkshireedge.com/chp-partners-with-fairview-hospital-to-add-midwives-to-its-ob-gyn-services/ Community Health Programs and Fairview Hospital have partnered to establish a program to return midwives to the OB-GYN services offered by CHP…

Cable monopoly draws criticism

https://theberkshireedge.com/cable-problems-continue-as-charterspectrum-monopoly-rips-off-customers/ The chair of the Five Town Cable Advisory Committee, Alice Miller, has charged that Charter / Spectrum is ripping off its customers by providing inferior service for higher fees.

On the lighter sid

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

Last Saturday, there was a Berkshires Environmental Summit held in Pittsfield organized by Environment Massachusetts. They plotted the route to a 100% renewable energy future for both the county and for the state. Some towns, like Great Barrington, are already a little bit ahead. GB, for example,was part of the “Solarize Massachusetts” initiative, Green Communities, and now this. Great Barrington also has an initiative to do away with plastic water bottles. We’ll be able to explain this when we talk.
We have a story about a woman in the Berkshires whose grand-nephew Cameron Kasky is a student at the Marjorie Stonemason Douglas school in Parkland, FL. Cameron Kasky is the leader of the “Never Again” anti-gun movement, and was the one who confronted Senator Rubio about the money he gets from the NRA. Students are also demonstrating in the Berkshires against guns. And on February 26, we had a story that the local school committees and superintendents slammed Trumps proposal to arm the teachers.
The Berkshire County District Attorney David Capeless resigned abruptly last week. He seems to be leaving before his terms up in order to give his designated successor a chance to move up and then run as the incumbent in the fall.
The town of GB is honoring the 150th anniversary of the birth of W.E.B. DuBois, hoping to rehabilitate his reputation among the local people who have turned against him. At the same time, we have another organization which is honoring James Weldon Johnson, another important African-American leader with Great Barrington roots. Weldon was a writer, lawyer, diplomat, civil rights leader. He was a member of the Harlem Renaissance. In the 1930s, he owned a home in Great Barrington, and his writing cabin is still standing. An African American couple bought the house a few years ago and have made it the headquarters of the James Weldon Johnson Foundation. Last summer, the Foundation supported five artists-in-residence at Bard College at Simon’s Rock. This week, there’s an exhibition of these artists’ work at Simon’s Rock.
We’re up to episode six of our serialized novel. We post a new chapter every Sunday. Each chapter is written by a different local writer. It’s easy to start at the beginning and catch up. It’s really a good read.

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

Parking parking everywhere but not a spot for me. Great Barrington Selectboard once again seeks to solve the parking riddle, as residents complain about inconsistent approach to winter parking regulations (and yes, the Selectboard changed them once again). Walking, by the way, even a block or two -- is not an option.
With a ceremonial popping of champagne on a brisk February morning, the Tanglewood Board of Trustees formally celebrated the first steps in the creation of the Tanglewood Learning Institute, a complex of four new buildings adjacent to Seiji Ozawa Hall that will host year-roudn music study. The center ibeam of the walkway between Ozawa Hall and the new complex was lifted into place — or “topped,” as they say.
And not to be outdone, Great Barrington is eyeing the creation of a downtown “cultural district” that would market cultural destinations in the heart of the town.
At a contentious hearing in Stockbridge, the town Planning Board voted thumbs down to a proposed redevelopment of the former DeSisto school grounds on Route 183, the former Bonnie Briar Gilded Age estate. The sprawling 320-acre campus that backs up against the mountains had been proposed as a site for an upscale 40 to 50-room hotel, a restaurant, 132 condo cottages, and 34 single-family homes. It would have brought in an estimated $2.4 million in annual tax revenues.
The irrepressible columnist Carole Owens has a nifty column on the history of fake news: From the sinking of the Maine to the repot of life on the Moon. Of course, it’s nothing compared to the misrepresentations spewing from ur 45th president.
And for Valentine’s Day, we have a fetching pair of illustrations by Belle Fox-Martin.

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

The Berkshire legislative delegation is ‘deeply disappointed’ by the Baker administration’s transportation planning, announced in Baker’s state of the state address last week, that does not include passenger rail routes or improvements to rural transportation networks to be developed in the Berkshires.
Two Berkshire residents are embarking on another humanitarian mission to Africa, bringing modern solar lights and tools, as well as art supplies, to Kenya… Karen Smith and art gallery owner Phil Pryjma had traveled to Kenya and Botswana numerous times, having gathered tons of equipment. This year, they are focusing on agriculture.
Tanglewood has announced its season, and it focuses on Leonard Bernstein, a Tanglewood fellow and frequent guest conductor and pianist, on the occasion of his centennial birthday… we have a roundup (and some video of Bernstein conducting his overture to ‘Candide’) of the spectacular concerts and events that will fill the Shed and Ozawa Hall this summer.
We should mention our little brief item about how Gov. Charlie Baker has included in his budget money for supporting the education of Puerto Rican refugees, made homeless by the terrible hurricane. Quite a contrast to Trump who offered them paper towels.
The Edge has started the publication of a serial novel, ‘Over the Edge,’ that will appear on Sundays. Each chapter is to be written by a different author… we’ve got a least 10 lined up. Daniel Klein started it off, with the apparent abduction of a faculty member at Bard College of Simon’s Rock —

6. And speaking of international intrigue, we published a fascinating review of Michael Wolff’s ‘Fire and Fury inside the Trump White House.’ It’s the latest installment of our series illuminating the facets of the Trump administration whose policies will have a significant effect upon the Berkshire environment.

We also had a fine account of a play performed before theatre packed with high school students of “Jabber,” produced by a Canadian theatre company that confronted how easily the demonization of Muslims and Muslim culture can occur … the play portrays how a Caucasian high school student overcomes his prejudices about Muslims through a friendship he forms with a student who is a recent immigrant from Iraq.
Finally, congratulations to Berkshire Hills Regional School District (that’s Great Barrington, Stockbridge and West Stockbridge) for being named to the College Board’s Advanced Placement Honor Roll, being recognized as committed to offering advanced placement courses … 36 students are taking AP biology, for instance; 41 in England Language, 26 in Advanced Calculus.

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

The Women’s March and related activities were the big news of this week, and we have four articles: A report on the ‘sister event’ organized by Indivisible Pittsfield and held at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield. Fourteen panelists, representing 13 organizations, discussed their priorities and how they could partner together. A letter from Caroline Alexander of the Berkshire Women’s Political Action group, describing the difference between last year’s march and this year’s in NY. A letter from Leonard Quart with his impressions of the march in NY An Edgecast by Ben Hillman about the March in NY.
We just published the upcoming season of Shakespeare & Company. The theme is “delight, deceit and desire.” Should be juicy.
We also announced that Barrington Stage is committing to a season of women’s stories.
We had a book review by Sheela Clary of “The Perfect Nanny,” a riveting tale about a nanny who kills her charges. It’s based on a true story that took place in New York, but has been transplanted to Paris. The undercurrent of the book is the observation that the class society operates as meanly there as it does here.
Speaking of crime, Carol Owens has a wonderful piece on ‘The Gentleman Burglar,” a thief who operated in the 1890s and stole the jewelry of the rich and famous.
For listeners interested in real estate, we are about to publish the eighth and final installment of an unpublished book by a Great Barrington lawyer on “the Basics of how to buy, sell, built and finance a home in Berkshire County.” A valuable primer for anyone who lives or wants to live in Berkshire County.

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

A Connecticut firm bought Barrington Plaza shopping center. This is the largest shopping plaza in Great Barrington, and is the town’s biggest taxpayer. We wonder what, if any, changes the new owners will make to the shopping plaza.
The Town of Great Barrington is making plans to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of W.E.B. DuBois,Great Barrington’s most famous son. DuBois has been vilified by the town in earlier times as a Communist and a traitor to the U.S. Earlier attempts to create a national landmark or to name a school after him have been strongly opposed by the townspeople. This past Monday night, two of the organizers of the celebration, came to a meeting of the Board of Selectmen to ask permission to mount banners on utility poles in town and to report on their progress.
We have an article that describes reaction among Berkshire County non-profits new the new tax bill which decreases the incentive to itemize deductions and therefore to make tax-deductible contributions.
Dozens of letters, drawings, and photos of thanks and gratitude have been pouring into Berkshire Country Day School (BCD) from the 78 families in Puerto Rico who received aid from the School’s community-wide drive on Make a Difference Day, the largest single day of service nationwide held annually. BCD community sent boxes of aid to Puerto Rica. Some in Puerto Rico even replied to The Edge.
Carole Owens had an interesting column today: What would George (Washington) do? George Washington transcribed “Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation” (Washington, George. Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation: a Book of Etiquette. Williamsburg, VA: Beaver Press, 1971). These were a set of rules based on ones proposed by the Jesuits in the 16th century. Washington copied them out presumably because he meant to emulate and recommend them–although some have suggested it was merely an assigned exercise in penmanship.
Leonard Quart, who teaches film at NYU and writes regularly for us, wrote us a review of the Golden Globes Awards ceremony that took place last Sunday. He comments about Oprah Winfrey’s being now touted as a presidential candidate.

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

We reported Tuesday on a tragic accident on Route 684 that killed a Lee, Mass, woman and her son. Her wife, who was driving and who was also the parent of the son, survived. Their car was run into by a truck that could not stop because of icy conditions.
We have an amusing column from Carol Owens called Bamboozled Berkshires. She writes about a number of scams perpetrated in the Berkshires, and concludes that Berkshirites are either too naive or too innocent to mistrust con artists.
We broke the story that the developer Jeffrey Cohen has got new partners and now has the team and resources necessary to redevelop the old Eagle Mill in Lee. Towns always have a problem with what to do with old buildings like these mills in Lee. Cohen plan to convert it into a residential and commercial complex right in downtown Lee.
We have a review of a book called “Collusion,” written by a Guardian reporter named Luke Harding. Harding writes about a year-long investigation he did into whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians, and Harding seems to have evidence that they did.
We had an article by William Cruz, who works at Community Health Programs. He is an enrollment counsellor and wrote us “Notes from the front lines of health care coverage.” He describes what people are going through to enroll in the Affordable Care Act. He talks about how the highly publicized efforts to undermine the ACA seem to have drawn a spotlight – and people — to the ACA and its benefits: during this year’s Open Enrollment season, the surge in sign-up numbers show that people are more determined to get it and keep it — both nationally and here in the Berkshires. He gives some interesting examples about what people go through to enroll, and what counsellors do to help them.
We ran a little piece on Tuesday called “Start Talking” by Belle Fox Martin. She is a minister who often sends us amusing and insightful drawings, but now she’s talking about something very serious. She says that people had better start talking openly about the opioid crisis in Berkshire County. Here, in essence, is what she’s writing about:

"The drug crisis is notably greater in Massachusetts where Fentanyl is now involved in over half of all overdose fatalities. But this isn’t even the worst news. The worst news is that most of you reading this are already aware of the severity of the situation. The worst news is that we know that this crisis exists in our families, in our schools, with our friends or neighbors… We know and yet when one more obituary is published of a young person and the cause of death is omitted we know but it’s not discussed. No matter what action is taken to treat drug abuse what must happen first is that a dialogue has to begin. We have to talk. "

That should be enough to fill 25 minutes. Talk to you in the morning.

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

We posted an interview with the new principal of Monument Mountain High School. She seems to be an innovative educator with new ideas. She has questions about the validity of standardized testing. “All students need to meet the same standards, but not all students need to be taught the same way.” She’s interested in vocational training. She also has to deal with a physical plant. “The structure pf this building is a real barrier education. There’s no diversity of space.” And the building is in need of repair.
We posted an article about the Community Health Program’s Family Services Center. The Center is a rich tapestry of offerings from food, clothing, literacy, parent support and access to referrals for services not offered is aimed at helping families cope with challenging circumstances and develop relationships in the process. While this often translates to helping those on the proverbial edge by securing SNAP benefits, WIC, fuel assistance and subsidized housing, it also means having an open door to a judgment-free zone where help is always available. Also interesting is the exchange of comments on the article, with one woman complaining that women who can’t support their children properly shouldn’t have them, and other people asking her where her compassion is and suggesting that, if she doesn’t want children to be born to such women, she should be advocating for teen pregnancy prevention courses and giving heavily to Planned Parenthood.
We posted the O’Henry story “Gift of the Magi”, illustrated by local artist Adam Gudeon. According to Google Analytics, it was extremely popular.
The Four Freedoms Coalition is preparing for the possibility that Trump may fire Mueller, and already has plans for demonstrations if that happens. We have an article about it, with links to the organizations that are making the preparations.
We have been running a serious of occasional articles that profile senior members of the Trump administration. The latest, posted on Christmas day, looks at Carter Page and explores the connections between the Trump people and the Russians.
Spectrum Communications, which took over cable and internet services in much of Berkshire County when it bought Time Warner Cable, is now requiring that customers rent a set-top box for every televisions in the home. No more just plugging the cable into the back of your television. People here are very angry about it, and expressed that anger to the Five Town Cable Advisory Committee that represents Lee, Stockbridge, Lenox, Great Barrington and Sheffield. At a recent meeting, people expressed the annoyance that this is a hidden rate increase, the committee has not yet figured out how to address it.
We had an interesting article by Irina Fursman about how to eat over the holiday, to keep yourself healthy and not to gain weight. Good advice to all of us who are gorging at holiday celebrations.

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

On Tuesday we reported on a survey showing that, despite the best efforts of the Trump government, people are signing up in record numbers for the Affordable Care Act.
The Berkshire Edge introduced a membership program.
In a residential neighborhood in Great Barrington, there is a legacy trash collection and property management company. The company brings all kinds of heavy equipment in and out of the neighborhood on Blue Hill Road. The town of GB issued Cease & Desist orders seven years ago, but there is no enforcement and the operations continue. Neighbors came to the Selectboard meeting Monday night to insist that the town enforce the Cease & Desist orders.
The Berkshire Botanical Garden has opened a $2.3 million center in hopes of becoming a year-round destination. The building contains meeting and lecture rooms, a professional kitchen and a living wall.
The Mount Everett Middle School robotics team is going to the regional championships. These kids build robots, and they have one called Hyper Space that negotiates an obstacle course, performing different task along the way. Two girls are among the nine members of the team.
Berkshares is our very own local currency, and the E.F. Schumacher Society, which created the currency. Each month, a Berkshares Business of the Month is designated, and this month the award was given to the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires.

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

1. We just put up a story about an effort to sue the Monroe, CT, police department for releasing from prison a man who had a long record of drunken driving incidents. They released him because he was an informant for the police. He drove into Sheffield, MA,completely drunk and killed a young woman by smashing into her car. The Waterbury Superior Court judge Terrance Zemetis dismissed the case. It was the father of the victim who brought the suit. He is appealing the decision.

2. On a happier note, we did a profile of a West Stockbridge, Mass., couple, Rebecca Sheir and Eric Shimelonis, who are producing a children’s podcast called “Circle Round.” It’s an old-fashioned radio play format, telling ancient stories for different culture. It’s being produced for WBUR Boston. They call it “a movie for your mind,” and an alternative for screen time.

3. In our never-ending war against pollution in the Berkshires, we have a report on a presentation by Sandra Steingraber. We talked about her last week. She wrote a book called “Living Downstream” and another book called “Unfractured.” She spoke last Saturday at the Lenox Memorial High School.

4. Construction on a new development in downtown Great Barrington, called Powerhouse Square, is going to start any moment now. It will include the new home of Berkshire Co-op Market, 22 new condominiums plus offices. The developer is a local company, based in Lenox, called Benchmark.

5.We picked a winner for our Small Business Saturday promotion. We had twenty downtown retailers participating. Each contributed a $25 gift certificate. To enter into the drawing, a shopper had to visit at least ten of the businesses. If you visited all twenty, you got three entries into the drawing. The president of the Southern Berkshires Chamber of Commerce drew the winning entry for us. It’s a woman named Kristy Burris, and she will receive all the gift certificates, for a total value of $500.

6. David wrote a heartwarming story about the woman who picked up his wallet when he lost it in a crosswalk. She was driving by, saw it fall, had to make a u-turn, come back and park the car in order to pick it up. Then she took it to the Great Barrington Police and turned it in. David was fascinated to know what kind of a person would be so considerate, so he wrote a lovely portrait of her.

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The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

1. We had a couple of stories about a class action suite filed against two electrical utility companies, Eversource and Avangrid, for bilking customers out of $3.6 billion through supply manipulations in order to build a justification for construction of a new pipeline when there wasn’t really any need for one.

2. Berkshire towns are struggling with whether and how to regulate Air BnB rentals. Lenox is most actively dealing with this. Towns depend on room taxes for revenue, and Air BnBs are not paying any taxes.

3. In Great Barrington, we have a Community Preservation Fund. It comes from a little surtax on properties over a certain value, and the state matches it with money from small fees for registering a deed. The fund can be used only for historical preservation, recreation and affordable housing. The state match goes to all the towns that participate in the CP program, so we don’t know yet how much Great Barrington will receive. A committee selects contenders for funding and GB residents ultimately select projects at the annual town meeting. The committee has 10 applicants so far, totaling $1 million, but they estimate that they’ll only have about $500,000 to spend. Applications must be consistent with the town’s master plan. Among the GB projects submitted are: fixing the town hall steps; restoration of the Clinton Church AME Zion Church that is being turned into a community center to honor the local African-American community; creation of a canoe access point on the Housatonic River; creation of three recreational hiking trails, one of which would extend the river walk that starts down town and could go as far as the GB Fairgrounds and the senior center. This is a charming little institution, kind of a “rainy day fund” for projects that might not otherwise get funded.

4. The Berkshire Museum saga continues. Our lead story on Tuesday was a recommendation from Carole Owens, our history writer, who says that the museum should just settle down and be an old fashioned museum and not try to turn itself into anything else. She reminds us that in 2008, the museum received $2.5 million from the Feigenbaum Foundation for new construction and interactive exhibitions designed to “create wonder among children and adults.” That money has been spent, and she says there’s not much to show for it. Her recommendation: Don’t pursue a failed path. Get your assets back. Protect and preserve them. Hire trained and motivated staff. Do the basic work of a museum; that is, display assets for the enrichment of the visitors. Best of luck for the next 100 years!

5. We have a hilarious poem by Jonathan Hankin about “Giving Thanks,” which sarcastically thanks all the people who litter and pollute.

6. Finally,we just put up a little story about the environmental activist Sandra Stein Graber . She wrote a book 20 years ago called “Living Downstream.” She grew up in Illinois and was the only person in her family to develop cancer. She traced her illness back to a factory that dumped carcinogens in the river that went through her farm community. She wrote this book connecting cancer to polluters. It was a landmark book. She’s speaking at Lenox Memorial High School this Saturda

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