Catwalk Boutiques celebrate ten years, raising more than half a million dollars for animals
Lenox— Catwalk Boutiques, Berkshire Humane Society’s resale shops, recently marked 10 years in business. In a decade, the stores have netted about $700,000 for homeless animals of the Berkshires.
The first Catwalk Boutique opened its doors in Great Barrington at 325 Stockbridge Road in May of 2013. Six years later, a second store opened in Lenox, and is now at 51 Church Street. Catwalk Boutiques are known for their gently-used, stylish and affordable fashion for women.
The nearly three-quarters of a million dollars raised by the boutiques have helped fund medical care of shelter animals, companion animal adoptions, a pet food pantry, and boarding of animals whose owners are in crisis. “When you shop at Catwalk, you support your community,” said John Perreault, Executive Director of Berkshire Humane Society. “Thank you to the people who’ve generously donated clothing, loyal customers, and dedicated employees and volunteers who have made our journey to the 10-year milestone possible.”
“We call shopping at Catwalk Boutique the ultimate guilt-free shopping experience,” added Perreault. “Not only can you get quality designer clothes at great prices, you’re helping the environment by reducing, reusing and recycling while supporting shelter animals.”
To mark the occasion, for the month of June, shoppers at both stores will have the chance to win a discount or a gift card through June. “We invite all fashionistas, bargain hunters and animal lovers to join us in celebrating our Catwalk Boutique stores,” said Perreault. “They truly are where shopping saves animals.”
For more information, including hours of operation, visit catwalkboutique.org.
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A&M Bakery launches this week at the North Adams Farmers Market and First Fridays
North Adams— A&M Bakery will be offering breakfast and coffee at the Farmers Market and wine and beer on Eagle Street at First Fridays and other downtown festivals through the Fall.
A&M Bakery is a collaboration between Andrew Fitch and Meghan Daly, both of North Adams, Massachusetts. Andrew and Meghan, A&M, leverage their diverse backgrounds and creative perspectives to provide delicious and vibrant food and beverage options and experiences to downtown North Adams.
A&M Bakery will offer breakfast sandwiches, cold brew coffee, ice cream sandwiches, and other pastries and nonalcoholic beverages at the North Adams Farmers Market every Saturday through October 21st. A&M will also be producing the “Eagle Street Lounge” on the sidewalk and street in front of the 3-5 Eagle Street building, which Andrew owns. A&M Bakery received approval from the North Adams Licensing Board to offer wine, beer, and nonalcoholic beverages on Eagle Street when it is closed to car traffic during First Friday events through November 3rd and during the Eagle Street Beach Party on July 15th. The wine and beer lounge will include outdoor seating and music.
Meghan Daly grew up in Southern Vermont and spent much of her life in the region. Meghan was the founder and owner of Daly Pies, a successful bakery and wine bar that operated for several years in Brooklyn, NY. Meghan returned to the Berkshires to reestablish roots in the North Adams community, initially serving as the Farmers Market Manager for the 2021/2022 season. Connecting with the community reignited Meghan’s love for baking, and she decided to dive back into her passion. “The time really felt right to reinvest in what I love doing most in this world, and that is providing my community with excellent food, beverage, and experiences. Since I closed Daly Pies a few years ago, I have continued making pies and pastries for friends and family. This year, I am excited to share my creations more broadly, for all who visit and live in the Northern Berkshires and am excited to be part of the growing food community in North Adams”, said Daly.
Andrew was born and raised on the South Shore of Boston and has spent the majority of his life around the state. His career has varied from directing an acting school to managing local and national marketing partnerships to producing inclusion programs at major tech companies and nonprofits, and has taken him across industries and the world, with the common thread being a focus on community development and advocacy. “After time spent living and learning in other cities and towns, I was eager to move home to North Adams, where I could dive into our beautiful city, and leverage my experience, passion, and vision to fix up old buildings, develop spaces for residents to gather, foster a bustling downtown small business district, contribute to the workings of our government, and produce an engaging food and beverage experience”, said Fitch. In 2021, Andrew purchased the buildings at the corner of Eagle and Main Streets in downtown North Adams. Until the new design, engineering, and construction is complete, Andrew is leveraging the storefronts to curate community art and provide connection opportunities for visitors and residents such as First Friday events and now A&M Bakery’s Eagle Street Lounge.
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Dorset Theatre Festival appoints new executive artistic director and managing creative director and announces the launch of an endowment fund
Dorset— Dorset Theatre Festival’s Board of Trustees has announced Will Rucker as the company’s Executive Artistic Director and Ryan Koss as Managing Creative Director in advance of the upcoming 46th summer season.
Rucker and Koss relocated together from New York City to Vermont full-time in 2018, were married in Vermont in 2019, and became Dorset residents after purchasing a home in 2020. Since then they have been dedicated to the Festival’s mission and vision, deeply involved in all aspects of the organization for the past several seasons, and were also instrumental in keeping the Festival alive throughout the pandemic.
As Producing Director since 2018, Rucker has line produced the past five seasons, including “Slow Food” by Wendy MacLeod, the world premiere of “Thirst” by Ronan Noone, and a staged reading of “I Need That” by Rebeck, starring Danny and Lucy DeVito. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama, Rucker has worked on new plays at the Atlantic Theatre Company, the Working Theater, the Playwrights Realm, Lincoln Center, and Yale Rep. As an educator, he has been a guest artist at the Yale School of Drama, New York City’s New School for Drama, and has taught Shakespeare and improvisation in juvenile correction centers. He was also an artistic director of the Yale Cabaret.
Ryan Koss has worked as a professional theatre artist for the past 16 years with a background as a performer, developing new work at theaters like Radio City Music Hall, Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas, Off-Broadway, on tour, and many productions at regional theaters across the country. Ryan finished his master’s degree in arts administration at Baruch College while working as a producing assistant for Tony Award-winning producer Andy Sandberg, and as a designer for acclaimed Brooklyn-based event designer, Lindsay Rae Design.
The Festival also announced the launch of an endowment fund. Dorset has also received two of the largest gifts in the organization’s history from The James H. and Irene M. Hunter Charitable Trust and Mary-Anne and Bob Van Degna. Totaling one million dollars, the gifts have been dedicated to an endowment fund for the Dorset Theatre Festival.
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Haddad Subaru donates $18,500 to Berkshire Humane Society
Pittsfield— It was a chilly day for the four adorable Berkshire Humane Society chihuahua puppies that graced the showroom of Haddad Subaru on May 25th. But a warm welcome was had by all as owner George Haddad, General Manager Chris Kramek, General Sales Manager Ben Pigott and all the staff at Haddad Subaru gathered around to watch Subaru New England’s Joe Altavilla, Josh Enderle and Patrick Winther hand over a $18,500 check to John Perreault, Executive Director of the Berkshire Humane society. This amount was a result of Subaru donating $250 for each car sold between November of 2022 and January of 2023.
Haddad Subaru has held a long-standing relationship with the Berkshire Humane Society with their “Pet of the Week” partnership that pays for a portion of the adoption fees.
Haddad Subaru was honored to receive the 2023 Subaru Love Promise Customer and Community Commitment Award. This award nationally recognizes elite Subaru retailers who provide an exceptional customer experience at every interaction with Subaru.
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Clark Art Institute joins national 2023 Blue Star Museum initiative offering free admission to active-duty military and their families
Williamstown— The Clark Art Institute is one of more than 2,000 museums nationwide participating in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free admission to active-duty U.S. military personnel and their families this summer. The 2023 program begins on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20th and ends on Labor Day, Monday, September 4th.
“We look forward to welcoming U.S. military personnel and their families to the Clark this summer and to thanking them for their service and commitment,” said Olivier Meslay, Hardymon Director of the Clark Art Institute. “We have been so inspired by our participation in the Blue Star program that the Clark has extended our free admission program for active duty military members on a year-round basis.”
The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military—Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.
Find the list of all participating museums at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.
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Regional partnership presents 2nd Annual Berkshire Small Business Resource Expo
Dalton— The regional partnership of 1Berkshire, Berkshire Immigrant Center, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC), DEI Outdoors, EforAll Berkshire County, Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation (PERC) is excited to announce the 2nd Annual Berkshire Small Business Resource Expo happening on Friday, June 30th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Stationery Factory in Dalton.
With underwriting sponsorship support from Lee Bank, this free event brings together over 25 resource providers, several focused informational panels, and networking opportunities to support the breadth of small businesses in the Berkshires.
To continue to improve practices and increase accessibility, this year the planning committee is excited to share that all resource providers will have at least a summary of their resources available on-site in Spanish, and simultaneous in-ear Spanish interpretation will be available during all three panel workshops.
Resource providers focused on financing, marketing, business development, industry-specific growth opportunities, intern access, state resources, supplier diversity and more will all be on site at the Stationery Factory for this high-energy day of information, access, and opportunity. Light breakfast and lunch will be provided free to pre-registered attendees. Registration is required. To register, visit https://bit.ly/Berkshire-small-business-resource-expo
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Berkshire Community College Practical Nurse Program Receives National Accreditation
Pittsfield— The Practical Nurse (PN) program at Berkshire Community College (BCC) recently earned accreditation through the national Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), making it the only accredited Practical Nurse program in the Berkshires.
The ACEN is recognized as an accrediting body by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). ACEN accreditation is a peer-review, self-regulatory process by which non-governmental associations recognize educational institutions or programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards and criteria for educational quality. The decision to accredit BCC’s PN program was made after a site visit from the ACEN Board of Commissioners.
At BCC, the goals of the Practical Nursing program include supporting students in successfully completing the program; a 100% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) boards on every PN student’s first try; and 100% job placement for each student after they are licensed, explained Dean of Nursing Lori Moon.
“The PN program is strong, with consistent faculty and high standards as we educate the next generation of nurses in our community,” Moon said. “We are very proud of this accreditation, which further demonstrates the quality of education each student receives at BCC.”
The ACEN commended BCC’s Practical Nurse program for its partnership with Berkshire Health Systems, which provides eligible students with living expenses, tuition payment and a full-time salary for part-time work. BCC was also praised for its efforts to connect students with community resources, such as a food cupboard, gas cards, bus passes, clothing and diapers.
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2nd Street receives $50,000 grant commitments from St. John’s Episcopal Church in Williamstown
Pittsfield— Second Street Second Chances (known as 2nd Street) has received two $25,000 grants from St. John’s Episcopal Church in Williamstown. The church, which was recently the recipient of two unexpected and significant bequests, decided through its governing body to tithe 10 percent of the bequests to community initiatives consistent with the parish’s mission. 2nd Street is one of the first groups to receive support from this source, with $25,000 earmarked for 2023 and $25,000 for 2024.
Jim Kolesar, chair of St. John’s Outreach Committee, said the group held conversations with a number of local leaders to research opportunities for partnering more fully with organizations in the Berkshires facing pressing social issues.
“In looking for ways to use this bequest money to support lasting social change in the area, the parish’s Outreach Committee was pleased to learn of the launch of 2nd Street. Its creative, holistic, individualized approach seems poised to transform lives and, in so doing, advance the health of our whole community,” Kolesar said. “We feel blessed at St. John’s to be able to partner in this important work.”
Housed in the former county jail, 2nd Street’s initial goal was to connect with 100 clients in its first year; it connected with 400 in the first 10 months.
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Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad funding approved
Southern Berkshire— At their town meetings the people of Alford, Egremont, Great Barrington, Monterey, Mount Washington, and Sheffield approved an annual appropriation for Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad
In each of the town meetings held in early May, voters approved warrants to appropriate funds from Free Cash to pay for an annual fee to Southern Berkshire Ambulance service. In total, $350,000 will be appropriated for SBA, which will meet the organization’s current financial deficit.
Since 1968 the Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad has provided emergency medical care to residents and visitors of Southern Berkshire County. Historically SBA was an all-volunteer squad, funded entirely by public donations. Today, the SBA is a non-profit 501c3 with an expanded staff of paid professionals who provide Advanced Life Support and Paramedic level services.
Providing a high level of service has not been without challenges for Southern Berkshire Ambulance. Today, SBA’s main source of funding, insurance companies, do not cover our escalating operating and staffing costs. Frequently, insurance reimbursements don’t cover the entire cost of emergency calls, and because many individuals in need lack health insurance, SBA receives nothing at all in return for providing their emergency care.
“The SBA has been struggling for years to provide life-saving services despite a perennial lack of funding,” said SBA Board President Jim Santos. “We are deeply grateful for the support of the towns Selectboards and Finance Committees, and especially to the voters of Southern Berkshire County. The SBA has always been there for our neighbors, and it’s great to know they have our backs too.”
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Berkshire Community College honors Physical Therapist Assistant graduates
Pittsfield— Berkshire Community College (BCC) held a traditional pinning ceremony for eight graduates of its Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program on Wednesday, May 24. The graduates earned an associate of science degree.
The graduates are Hannah M. Brennan of Windsor, James Champion Callaway of Shelburne Falls, Molly M. Coughlan of Adams, Shelby L. Glasier of Cheshire, Crystal Y. Harrington of Adams, Dawn M. Kent of Suffield, Crystal L. Townsend of Hinsdale, and Teri Ann Woodland of Florence.
The wearing of the school pin symbolizes the right to serve others, signifying the acceptance of the responsibilities of the practice of physical therapy and the educational preparation of the wearer. The ceremony is a time-honored nursing school tradition dating to the turn of the twentieth century. The gold center of the pin features the college seal, including the words “To travel hopefully.”
PTAs work in diverse settings including hospitals, private PT practices, community health agencies, schools, pediatric facilities, nursing homes, industrial or corporate health facilities and rehabilitation centers. The PTA program at BCC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
