The Berkshire Edge On-Air Wednesday March 23, 2022

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.

1.  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/

2.  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/

3. 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/

4.  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/

5.  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/

6. 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/