Berkshire Community College faculty member wins Fulbright scholarship
Pittsfield— Berkshire Community College (BCC) Writing Across the Curriculum Coordinator Liesl Schwabe recently received a Fulbright-Nehru Award for Professional and Academic Excellence, part of the U.S. Department of State Fulbright Scholar program.
Schwabe will spend the 2024-25 academic year in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), India. Schwabe’s grant combines teaching and research. For the teaching portion, she will provide writing instruction to faculty, graduate students and undergraduates at various public universities across Kolkata. For the research portion of the award, Schwabe will continue her work on a collection of essays that highlight specific instances of American and Indian interdependence.
Fulbright Scholar Awards are prestigious and competitive fellowships that provide unique opportunities for scholars to teach and conduct research abroad. Fulbright scholars also play a critical role in U.S. public diplomacy, establishing long-term relationships between people and nations. Alumni of the Fulbright Program include 62 Nobel Laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, 80 MacArthur Fellows, and thousands of leaders and world-renowned experts in academia and many other fields across the private, public and non-profit sectors.
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The Thornewood, a new housing option for our local workforce, open house to open in early June
Great Barrington— The Thornewood, located at 453 Stockbridge Road in Great Barrington, will open much-needed housing in early June.
Fourteen comfortable and furnished units with private ensuite bathrooms will be available. The rooms are suitable for one to two adults, and vary in size, layout, and features. All rooms will have compact refrigerators and access to a shared kitchen; they do not have their own kitchen. The property has ample parking and beautiful outdoor space at a convenient location, with access to a Berkshire Regional Transit Authority bus line. There is plentiful shared living space in the property to relax, read, work, and socialize.
Monthly fees start at $1,000 per month, which includes all utilities and high-speed internet. Add your name to the Thornewood waitlist online or by emailing workforce@cdcsb.org. Applicants working in Great Barrington will receive priority access; those working elsewhere in Berkshire County are also eligible. Children under age 18 and pets are not allowed.
There is an open house on May 14th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Walk through the property, see the available units, ask questions, and see if The Thornewood is a good fit for your housing needs.
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Uva Pizza e Vino, an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria opens its doors in Great Barrington
Great Barrington— Uva Pizza e Vino, proudly opens its doors to pizza aficionados and food enthusiasts alike.
Spearheaded by Adrian Misacango and Chef Taven Barrera, Uva Pizza e Vino is the latest addition to Misacango’s Gruppo Ulmus enterprise, which includes The Elm restaurant and bar, also on Railroad Street in Great Barrington.
Chef Taven Barrera, trained under the esteemed Roberto Caporuscio, founder of New York’s Kesté and President of the U.S. Branch of the Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani (“APN”), brings expertise and reverence for the art of Neapolitan pizza making, unique in the Berkshires. Under the tutelage of Caporuscio, Barrera immersed himself in the ancient art of Neapolitan pizza making, undergoing rigorous training that instilled in him a deep respect and appreciation for the time-honored methods, processes, and ingredients intrinsic to Neapolitan tradition and culture.
Drawing from his extensive culinary background, which includes expertise in whole-animal butchery, fish mongery, and artisanal sausage and salumi production, as well as his recent tenure as Chef at New Marlborough’s Gedney Farm restaurant, Barrera brings a wealth of experience and creativity to Uva Pizza e Vino.
In addition to the star attraction of authentic Neapolitan pizza, Uva Pizza e Vino offers an array of innovative salads, with the menu set to expand in the coming weeks to include handmade pastas, crafted with the same dedication to quality and authenticity that defines the pizzeria’s culinary ethos. Uva also features a carefully curated wine and beer list.
“We are thrilled to bring the true taste of Italy to Great Barrington,” said Chef Barrera. “Our mission is to transport our guests to Italy with every bite, delivering an authentic culinary experience that honors tradition, while embracing the best products of our own region.”
Uva Pizza e Vino invites pizza enthusiasts and food lovers to savor the flavors of Naples and Italy at our location in the alley, just off 20 Railroad Street in downtown Great Barrington. For more information, visit www.uvapizzaevino.com or by phone at 413-402-1016.
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Gould Farm celebrates grand reopening of Roadside Store and Cafe
Monterey— Gould Farm is thrilled to announce the grand reopening of its beloved Roadside Store and Cafe. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Saturday, May 11th, marking a significant milestone for the community.
Nestled in the heart of the Berkshires on 700 acres of picturesque farmland and forest, Gould Farm has been a beacon of hope since its founding in 1913. Committed to fostering meaningful work, community living, and clinical care, Gould Farm provides support and resources for adults dealing with major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other mental health challenges.
Central to Gould Farm’s mission is the integration of its guests into therapeutic work teams, including the kitchen, forestry, farm team, garden team, bakery, and the iconic Roadside Store and Cafe. Serving as the public face of Gould Farm since 1978, Roadside offers guests a supportive environment to practice social and vocational skills, empowering them on their journey to recovery. The Roadside Store and Cafe not only serves as a vibrant farm-to-fork dining establishment and market for the surrounding community but also stands as a beacon of hope and resilience, combatting mental health stigma.
Roadside will open to the public beginning on May 15th, Wednesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information about Gould Farm and its mission, please visit www.gouldfarm.org. For Roadside updates, visit us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RoadsideStoreandCafe.
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Supreme Soft Serve announces opening of second location at Upper Depot in Hudson
Hudson, N.Y.— Supreme Soft Serve is thrilled to announce its expansion with the launch of a second ice cream truck, parked outside Upper Depot Brewing Co.
Located at 708 State Street, Hudson, N.Y., the new Supreme Soft Serve location promises a unique experience, blending the best of frozen desserts with the charm of a bustling brewery. This partnership marks a delightful fusion of artisanal ice cream and craft beer in a vibrant community setting.
“We’re incredibly excited to join forces with Upper Depot to bring our passion for exceptional soft serve to Hudson,” said Megan Kitsock, founder of Supreme Soft Serve. “This partnership allows us to introduce our creative flavors to a new audience while complementing the fantastic atmosphere cultivated by Upper Depot.” Supreme Soft Serve’s second location will feature an array of signature and seasonal flavors and toppings, all crafted with premium ingredients. From classic favorites to innovative concoctions, there’s something to satisfy every palate.
For more information on Supreme Soft Serve and its new location at Upper Depot, please visit www.supremesoftserve.com or follow us on instagram: @supremesoftserve.
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Lebanon Valley Community Corporation receives Daughters of the American Revolution Historic Preservation grant
New Lebanon— The Lebanon Valley Community Corporation (LVCC) is thrilled to announce that it has secured a $3,000 grant from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Historic Preservation Program.
The money will be used to restore headstones in the Cypress Hill section of the Cemetery of the Evergreens. Cypress Hill is the oldest part of the cemetery and the final resting place of numerous Revolutionary War veterans, as well as veterans from the Civil War and other more recent wars. Albany Grave Digger Genealogical Services & Cemetery Conservation will do the work, beginning on the stones most in need of repair.
This project is part of an ongoing effort by the Hendrick Hudson Chapter of the DAR, the New Lebanon Town Historian, the Superintendent and Board of Evergreen Cemetery, the American Legion, local historian Sharon Moon, and other devoted residents to restore Cypress Hill and respect the graves of those who fought for our freedom.
As with all projects supported by LVCC, donations to support this effort are tax-deductible. You can donate using a PayPal account or credit card online. Select “Friends of Cypress Hill Fund” in the “Funding Options Dropdown Box.” Or, send a check made out to the Lebanon Valley Community Corporation and mail it to P.O. Box 74, New Lebanon, NY 12125. Please make sure to write “Friends of Cypress Hill Fund” in the memo section of your check.
Learn more about the LVCC online.
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Reid Middle School students complete course on philanthropic giving and will donate $700 to Berkshire Humane Society and help determine the use of the funds
Pittsfield— Reid Middle School students have complete a course on philanthropic giving and will visit Berkshire Humane Society to donate $700 and to assist its Executive Director in determining a target for their donation
Working with Ms. LeeAnn Massery’s 8th grade ELA class, Nonprofit Center (NPC) of the Berkshire Master Teaching Artist, Julie Haagenson, led the residency, taking students through a crash course on nonprofits, the various nonprofit sectors, giving, volunteering, and specifically, on the needs of Berkshire County nonprofits. Students then chose a local nonprofit organization whose mission they found most meaningful. The curriculum, designed by Yvette “Jamuna” Sirker, PPS Coordinator for Arts Integration & Community Partnerships, is standards-based, centered in English Language Arts (ELA) enrichment, with students engaging in research, persuasive writing, and public speaking.
During the residency, each student wrote a persuasive argument that they verbally shared, convincing their classmates to join them in supporting their chosen nonprofit. With funding from Guardian Life Insurance, each student received $100 to donate to said nonprofit. Ms. Massery’s students opted to pool their funds, choosing Berkshire Humane Society and Mass Hire as recipients.
The culminating activity will take place on June 6th with a visit to Berkshire Humane Society. After a breakfast with Executive Director John Perrault, students will take a guided tour followed by a meeting to select the specific Berkshire Humane Society program that will benefit from their donation. The final step in the process is a pizza party for students, thrown by Berkshire Humane Society and NPC staff.
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Berkshire Bank Foundation announces Over $400,000 in philanthropic contributions to 107 nonprofits
Berkshire— Berkshire Bank is pleased to announce its foundation made $401,190 in philanthropic investments during the first quarter of 2024. The grants covered a wide range of projects that foster upward economic mobility, support overall well-being, and enhance opportunities for individual success in the communities the bank serves. The investments also support the company’s “BEST Community Comeback” program.
In all, the Berkshire Bank Foundation gave 107 local nonprofits grants to assist with critical projects in the areas of education, youth, food insecurity, housing, health care, substance abuse prevention, veterans, and employment. In addition, the foundation supports programs that align with Berkshire Bank’s Center for Women, Wellness, and Wealth.
“As a community-focused bank, we recognize the importance of supporting non-profit organizations with time, talent and treasure,” stated Lori Gazzillo Kiely, Director of Berkshire Bank Foundation. “We are proud to provide philanthropic contributions to so many organizations that are enabling vital services continue in the communities that Berkshire Bank serves.”
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Berkshire Regional Planning Commission resumes “5th Thursday” series with a Microtransit-focused event
Pittsfield— Berkshire Regional Planning Commission is pleased to announce the return of their “5th Thursday” series. The event will be held at Mazzeo’s Ristorante on May 30th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., beginning with networking, appetizers, and a cash bar.
The evening will include an opportunity to mingle with fellow attendees and learn more about microtransit programs operating in western Massachusetts through presentations by two guest speakers, Megan Rhodes of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, and Tate Coleman, now Program Director of the TriTown Connector.
While traditional bus service is useful to the many who live and work near service routes, microtransit can be an invaluable asset to people with mobility issues, households with only one car, and those with the occasional out-of-the-way appointment. By operating along fixed or flexible routes and using small-scale vehicles like shuttles, mini-buses, or cars instead of buses, microtransit offers flexibility to people, still at an affordable price.
In addition to convenience and affordability, microtransit can provide a myriad of secondary benefits. Increasing regional accessibility can bolster the economy by expanding riders’ options on where to work and shop. For employment centers, microtransit can be a reasonable answer to group shuttle needs. And for those without access to a personal vehicle or public transportation, microtransit is a lifeline, from attending critical appointments to simply buying groceries.
The event is on May 30th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Mazzeo’s Ristorante at 1015 South Street in Pittsfield. Tickets are $15. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Berkshire Regional Transit Authority is requesting proposals from qualified advertising firms
Pittsfield— The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA) is requesting proposals from qualified advertising firms to act as the exclusive agent for the sale of transit advertising in and on the buses, vans, shelters, and facilities owned or operated by the BRTA. The agent will sell and maintain display sign advertising space. In return, the agent will pay the BRTA a percentage of its gross operating revenue and/or profit-sharing percentage. The agent will develop a cross-platform solution for advertising opportunities via electronic media.
The contracting period between the BRTA and the selected Proposer will be July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027 and may by mutual agreement of both parties be renewed in one-year increments for up to two (2) additional years.
The RFP will be issued on May 7, 2024. To request a copy of the RFP package, please contact the BRTA at info@berkshirerta.com. The completed Acknowledgement of Receipt Form must be received at the BRTA prior to May 21, 2024 to receive all addenda containing written questions and answers and any other pertinent information.
Sealed proposals must be received at the BRTA Administrative Office prior to 11 a.m. on June 14, 2024. The BRTA reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals as it deems in its own best interest.
