Tuesday, February 18, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Andrew D. Blechman

Andrew Blechman is a former Great Barrington selectman and member of the Finance Committee. He is the author of two nationally reviewed books for Grove Atlantic, and has written for the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian magazine, The Atlantic, among other publications. His pup, Gingersnap, a wolverine-honey badger mix, is perfect in every way.

written articles

Extra Special – 1.5 seconds of fame in Lenox

I review the do's and don’ts of being a Movie Extra. Do bring snacks. Do be positive. Don’t try to stand out. Do arrive early. Don’t look into the camera and wave “Hi Mom!”

Great Barrington Assistant Treasurer/Collector under criminal investigation

A financial betrayal of trust by a town employee, let alone one empowered to help collect and safeguard residents’ tax payments, is a bitter pill for any community to swallow.

Southwest Florida blues: Oranges, pizza, strip malls and other stuff

Baby, it’s cold outside! So I headed for the land of postcard sunsets, white-sand beaches, strip malls, leathery skin, and did I mention strip malls?

U R Famous: WSJ is Wink Wink Nuts 4 local confectioner and her stash of Sweethearts XOXO

The story of Robin Helfand, and her eponymous candy store in Great Barrington was read by more than two million Wall Street Journal readers this Tuesday and the story was far more sweet than sour.

2018 Year of the Mushroom: A hot, moist year produces overabundance of delectable fungi

Mushrooms are FASCINATING. AND BIZARRE. There are countless varieties that come in all colors (even blue and purple!), sci-fi shapes and perplexing consistencies (some are essentially slime).

Free seminar on creating a life story to pass on to loved ones

The seminar is participatory, and attendees are asked to bring a cherished photo that represents a special story in their lives

Great Barrington’s search for a Town Manager off to a sleepy start

“I think the town’s been run just fine the past five years. Jennifer did a great job. I’m very sorry to see her go.” -- Selectman Bill Cooke

The Big E-xcitement: My day at the fair

I also learned that there’s plenty of good beer there, brewed in New England. And if you stand on one of the tables in one of the beer gardens, you can watch people pay 10 bucks for a lame monster truck ride.

The Inn that grooved the Berkshires

For a brief shining moment, rock and roll was HERE. In the Berkshires. Stockbridge of all places, across the street from Tanglewood.

Barrington abuzz with Pollinator Protection Plan: Viewed as the Bee’s Knees by regional communities

Perhaps most surprising is just how easy, inexpensive, and even time-saving the plan is to implement. Homeowners can have a very real impact on the health of our local pollinators by simply mowing their lawns less often.

Race Brook Lodge to host Music Inn reunion

Although there will be celebrations all weekend long at the Race Brook, most events will be held Saturday, with storytelling, live music, memorabilia and the reuniting of all friends from the Berkshires' counterculture past.

Citizen Simon: Author, journalist, OBE, sage of Sandisfield

“I wanted to create a sense of community in a town that has no downtown or sense of cohesion given that it’s spread out over 53 square miles. And I believe the paper has done that to a certain degree.” -- Simon Winchester, founding editor of The Sandisfield Times

Great Barrington Selectboard: New tax rate lower than expected; bees buzz; DuBois gets a legacy committee; town mulls additional liquor licenses

One by one, those with existing liquor licenses strode to the podium to plead their cases. Unless one is particularly thirsty, it’s uncommon to come across all of these men in one night.

Remember our days: Local trio crafting family documentaries for lasting legacies

"It’s about recording those ‘aha!’ moments, those flashes of recognition for younger family members to better understand who they themselves are, why they do what they do, the spark that started it all, and how it passes down through the generations.” -- Mark Farrell

Respected sommelier and partner re-open South Egremont Spirit Shoppe

Morrison is particularly excited about creating a community aspect to the store. He also plans to create a tasting and seminar room, where local artists will be invited to show their work.

Glimmerglass Festival: Another side to Cooperstown, New York, and an opera lover’s paradise

As much as I enjoy the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, I occasionally crave opera, as well, and the Glimmerglass Festival is central New York’s answer to outdoor classical flair.
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The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.