Tuesday, February 18, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Gary Leveille

Gary Leveille is presently buried beneath piles of vintage photographs as the Great Barrington Historical Society's volunteer archivist. He has over 35 years' experience as a writer, editor, humorist, researcher, photographer, author, publisher and newspaper columnist. Gary served as a senior editor and editorial project supervisor for Hasbro Games in Springfield, Massachusetts. He is also the author of several books about the Southern Berkshires.

written articles

THEN & NOW: The North Egremont Country Store — once a ‘mom and pop’ gas station

This stretch of Route 71 heading north was sometimes referred to as “Gasoline Alley.”

THEN & NOW: Downtown Great Barrington

Thanks to the hard work of the town’s DPW, Main Street was quickly cleared after the most recent snowstorm.

THEN & NOW: The Lincoln Lane ‘White Swinging Bridge’ in Stockbridge

This bridge should not be confused with the present-day suspension bridge located at the end of Park Street.

THEN & NOW: Holiday lights on Great Barrington’s Main Street

The festive lights of the holiday season have brightened Main Street in Great Barrington for many years.

Then & Now: Sauer’s Barber Shop

A tradition of Housatonic hair specialists.

GARY LEVEILLE: Ninth Annual Satirical Holiday House Tour

Yet again, the Southern Berkshire Hysterical Society bravely blazes new trails with a free digital frolic of some histrionic homes and habitations in our area.

THEN & NOW: The Great Barrington Fire Department

The recent massive wildfire on East Mountain has reminded residents of the invaluable protection provided by local fire departments.

THEN & NOW: Gorham & Norton in Great Barrington

The neon “Package Store” sign mounted above the entrance has been an iconic beacon for many decades, as shown in the photograph below taken in 1961.

THEN & NOW: The Congregational Church in Great Barrington

All are invited to a special open house at the manse today, Saturday, November 2, from 1 to 3 p.m. This is a rare opportunity to tour the interior of the impressive home.

THEN & NOW: Pumpkin hunting in Stockbridge

Back in 1985, sisters Angela and Jennifer Caffrey of Great Barrington went on a Halloween pumpkin hunt at their grandfather’s (Chuck Cardillo’s) Stockbridge pumpkin...

THEN & NOW: The Collins General Store in South Lee

In 2017, Collins family members announced they had repurchased the property with plans to reopen the historic store.

THEN & NOW: F-2 Milk Bar & Restaurant

Local lore reveals that owner Frank Zollner used his initials, “F and Z,” to name the business, but the Z on the building looked more like the number 2, so the name “F-2” stuck.

THEN & NOW: The F-2 Mexican Novelty Barn

The barns and a guest house stood on a bluff overlooking the Sheffield covered bridge.

THEN & NOW: The Green River

The Green River has played an important role in the lives of area inhabitants for hundreds of years.

THEN & NOW: West Stockbridge’s Zucchini Festival

This year’s zucchini festival starts today in downtown West Stockbridge.

THEN & NOW: Riverside Cemetery in North Egremont

Riverside Cemetery in North Egremont dates back to the early days of settlement by Dutch and English descendants.
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