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:
2. 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:
3. 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.
4. 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?
5. Here we go again… the Berkshire Hills Regional School Committee is once again considering a renovation of 50-year-old Monument Mountain Regional High School (Stockbridge, Great Barrington and West Stockbridge) — or building a new high school, at a time when consolidation of districts is on everyone’s mind as the student population steadily decreases.
7. And continuing today’s theme of education, Arnie Chavkin and Laura Change of New Marlborough — second home owners both — have set up a very generous college scholarship fund for first-generation Berkshire college-goers… so let’s not hear any more disparaging comments about those out-of-towners and their fancy Berkshire digs. The award of went to Savanna Nolau of Otis, who will attend Suffolk University’s program in Madrid, Spain. Her award: $60,000.
