The Berkshire Edge On-Air Wednesday August 24, 2022

1. 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:

2. 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:

3. 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:

4.  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…

5.  Talk about downsizing. The American Tiny House Association (is that an oxymoron?) made a presentation to the Great Barrington Selectboard: