Friday, June 20, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Alice Maggio

Alice Maggio is a member of the Sheffield Contra Dance Committee and the board of trustees of the Berkshire Children's Chorus. She was the former director of programs at the Schumacher Center for a New Economics and former executive director of BerkShares. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in planning and policy at Tufts University.

written articles

Social dancing is alive (and growing!) in the Berkshires

Contra dance is what is known as a social dance; you do not need to bring a partner with you and you do not need to take lessons—you can just show up.

BerkShares Business of the Month: Prairie Whale

“I’m trying to recreate what an American tavern would have been like when it was built back in the old days.” -- Mark Firth, owner of the Prairie Whale

BerkShares Business of the Month: Yummy Treasures

Connection to community is an important theme for the Carpenters, and so they made sure to include big wooden tables in their shop so that customers can come in to work on projects or simply hang out.

Berkshares Business of the Month: Assembly Coffee Roasters

In a world full of commodity coffee, Assembly Coffee Roasters buys from small-scale farmers.

BerkShares Business of the Month: Indian Line Farm

“Community Supported Agriculture is a relationship between farmers and consumers. It is sharing the risk and also sharing the bounty... the term was literally coined in my dining room in 1986.” -- Elizabeth Keen, owner of Indian Line Farm in South Egremont, Massachusetts

BerkShares Entry to Entrepreneurship kicks off 3rd year

Along with a strong backbone of business education Entry to Entrepreneurship has a sharp focus on the local economy, asking students to imagine and write about businesses that fill “import replacement” opportunities in the Berkshires.

BerkShares Business of the Month: Lucinda Vermeulen’s Kenver Ltd.

Kenver’s is located in an iconic building that dates back to 1731 and once served as a stagecoach stop. Its beautiful marble floors, high ceilings, and original beams captured Vermeulen’s fancy.

BerkShares names 5 new board members

BerkShares help to build regional identity, raise awareness about the importance of local ownership, and empower community-based economic decision-making.

BerkShares Business of the Month: Wandering Star Craft Brewery

This fall, with a pumpkin-butternut squash beer and a Belgian “saison” called Champs de Creux, Wandering Star will be showing some seasonal flair.

BerkShares welcome at grassroots events: Bike-N-Fly, Oldtone Roots Music Festival

The sixth annual Berkshire Bike-N-Fly, a benefit event for the Great Barrington Rotary Club’s scholarship fund.

BerkShares Business of the Month: Berkshire Co-op Market

Owned and governed by the people who shop there, the Co-op can adapt to community needs.

Berkshire Co-op now allows 100 percent of purchases in BerkShares

The Berkshire Co-op Market will be developing ways to recirculate the local currency back through the local economy.

BerkShares Business of the Month: Big Elm Brewing

Big Elm’s line includes their chamomile-infused 413 Belgian Saison, their “boss” IPA, the Gerry Dog Stout, and their summery American Lager, along with seasonal specials.

Adams Community Bank, Lee Bank expand access to BerkShares

BerkShares are now available throughout Berkshire County. “BerkShares resonate strongly with our own company’s values.” --- Charlie O’Brien, president and CEO at Adams Community Bank.

BerkShares Business of the Month: Berkshire Children’s Chorus

"As a public school choral teacher, I am passionate about music in school, but there are certain kids who need something more." -- Julie Bickford, artistic director of the Berkshire Children's Chorus

BerkShares Business of the Month: Barrett Tree Service

Sheffield-born and -raised and with a liberal arts education, Barrett used to think he wanted to be a politician.
spot_img

The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.