Ray Stalker and Sarita Orobio-Wolff of Core Kitchen to offer pop-up dining experiences
Berkshire/Chatham, N.Y.— Berkshire County’s Core Kitchen, a small food-based business run by Ray Stalker and Sarita Orobio-Wolff that offers micro-catering, residencies, and private dinners, is offering pop-up dining experiences.
For Stalker and Orobio-Wolff, who were raised in Columbia County and the Berkshires, respectively, cooking has been an essential part of both of their lives from birth. They come from different backgrounds, with common threads. Together, they bring their love of food, restaurant experiences, and a long history of working with and for many area farmers. They work with what the land has to offer, in the form of meat and produce, as well as what they can forage, grow, and preserve themselves. They describe Core Kitchen as their “hearts on a plate.”
They are celebrating the first anniversary of the Core Kitchen Garden with a return to its roots and a celebration of the land at a pop-up Harvest and Preserves Dinner on Sunday, October 19th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Old Chatham Country Store, located at 639 Albany Turnpike in Old Chatham, N.Y. Reservations and more information can be found online.
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BIFF SOCIAL CLUB for Berkshire young professionals
Great Barrington— Calling all Berkshire Young Professionals! You’re invited to be the first to know all about 2025-2026 programming and film events for the BIFF SOCIAL CLUB!
Berkshire International Film Festival’s (BIFF) 20th anniversary year brings together film lovers, creatives, and the next generation of the festival’s beloved community for an evening of cinema, conversation, and connection. Come for the screen, stay for the scene!
The BIFF SOCIAL CLUB will meet on Wednesday, October 15th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Robbie’s Market, located at 275 Main Street in Great Barrington. There will be special shorts screenings, a bar and wine cash bar, free pizza, merch, and more. Those who join the club during this event will become official members with a BIFF SOCIAL CLUB festival pass and will receive limited edition swag. More information can be found online.
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Berkshire LGBTQ+ business, professional, and community leaders networking event
Great Barrington— While LGBTQ+ people and businesses all over the country are experiencing extraordinary amounts of harassment and challenges in these times of rapid political and economic turmoil and homophobia, the Berkshires are experiencing a renaissance for new and established LGBTQ-owned businesses throughout the region.
To foster connections between queer business and professional leaders and local chambers of commerce from all over the region, and to celebrate more than 25+ LGBTQ-owned businesses in the South Berkshires, networking events provide a platform to reflect on the rich history, the vibrant present, and the promising future of LGBTQ+ businesses in the Berkshires.
Each gathering will feature insights from LGBTQ+ business owners, entrepreneurs, and allied business leaders in the region. A panel of business leaders will talk about the factors that have made it possible for so many LGBTQ-owned businesses to get started & thrive in the Berkshires, as well as what the resources are to help them adapt to rapidly changing economic, demographic, technologic, and political challenges.
Upcoming events are on October 15th at Farnsworth Fine Cannabis in Great Barrington (guests must be 21+ and bring an ID), November 19th at Common Table in Cheshire, and on December 17th at Only in My Dreams in South Egremont. Registration and more information can be found online.
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Crandell Theatre Open House
Chatham, N.Y.— You’re invited to the reopening of nearly 100-year-old Crandell Theatre, Chatham’s “Jewel of Main Street,” on Wednesday, October 15th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The nearly 100-year-old Crandell Theatre is ready for its closeup after mounting a $4.2 million capital campaign to complete a nine-month gut renovation and restoration. Come sit in the new seats, explore the expanded lobby, concessions and cafe. Be among the first to see the new Crandell!
The box office will officially open Friday, October 17th at noon, and public film screenings will resume on Friday, October 17th to coincide with the opening of the 25th anniversary FilmColumbia festival. More information can be found online.
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Literacy Network to honor Masiero Family at annual fundraising celebration
Lee— The Literacy Network (LitNet) will honor the Masiero Family of Guido’s Fresh Marketplace at its annual fundraising celebration “Generation to Generation: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future,” which will be held at Drifters Bar & Restaurant at Bousquet Mountain on Friday, October 18th at 6 p.m.
The first Guido’s opened in Pittsfield in 1979. In 1995, a second store was added in Great Barrington, and each store has been expanded over the years. In 2023, brothers Christopher and Matthew Masiero handed down the business to their children, the next generation, cousins Anna, Nick, and Matt. “The Masiero family doesn’t just bring excellent food to our community,” says LitNet’s Executive Director Leigh Doherty. “They are fair employers, and they give back generously to important causes in our towns. LitNet, too, is in a new generation, yet literacy, education, and opportunity remain at the center of our work.”
LitNet’s annual celebration is a significant source of funding for the organization’s free, flexible, and individualized tutoring programs in English for Speakers of Other Languages, US citizenship preparation, adult basic education, and first-generation college support. Proceeds from the event will support LitNet’s general operations and ensure the continuation of its free and accessible programming.
The evening will feature authentic Colombian cuisine, catered by Miguel Gomez of La Fogata Restaurant, live Mariachi music,beer, wine, and cocktails. Tutors and learners who have been impacted by LitNet will speak about how their lives have been transformed. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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American Mural Project announces departure of Executive Director Amy Wynn
Winsted, Conn.— American Mural Project (AMP), the home of the world’s largest indoor collaborative work of art, announced that Executive Director Amy Wynn will be departing the organization at the end of October 2025 after seven years of service.
Wynn said, “I’ve absolutely loved my time at AMP, especially the people I’ve had the privilege of working with and learning from. In this next phase, I’m looking forward to consulting for a variety of nonprofits with the aim of guiding strategic decision-making and actions for those clients.”
“Amy has worked with tireless enthusiasm for AMP, running the day-to-day operations in the office and guiding the overall direction of our mission. She has worn many hats and guided the organization to where AMP is today. Everyone at AMP will miss Amy and wishes her well as she takes the next steps in her career,” said Founder and Artistic Director Ellen Griesediec.
AMP has invited consultant Renee Chatelain of RMCreative Solutions, LLC to facilitate the transition process and work with the board and staff while an executive search is conducted. Chatelain, an attorney and former president and CEO of the Arts Council of Baton Rouge, previously led the American Mural Project during the recent capital expansion planning process which sought community input regarding AMP’s future campus expansion.
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Berkshire Community College names two Trustees
Pittsfield— Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces the election of two members to its Board of Trustee, Julie Fallon Hughes and Victor X. Reyes.
Julie Fallon Hughes is president and chief executive officer of Adams Community Bank, a role she assumed in August 2024. With over 25 years of experience in the banking industry, Hughes has held senior leadership positions at First Indiana Bank, M&I Bank, BMO Harris Bank, Fifth Third Bank, and most recently at Northwest Bank. She is widely recognized for her strategic leadership and her ability to guide teams through complex organizational change. Additionally, she has held leadership roles with organizations such as Allies for Children, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and Imani Christian Academy, focusing on education, child advocacy, and regional development.
Victor X. Reyes a liberal arts student at Berkshire Community College, is actively engaged in leadership roles including student trustee, parliamentarian, and student leader within the Student Government Association (SGA). They participate in various volunteer activities such as operating at Pittsfield Carousel, environmental efforts with the Green Team, beekeeping, and advocacy through MASSPIRG. Work experience includes roles as a student engagement intern, library work-study, front desk at Paterson Field House, shift lead at Burger King, and Amazon Flex driver, demonstrating a blend of leadership, communication, and customer service skills.
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Berkshire Community College opens nominations for 40 Under Forty Awards
Pittsfield— Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces nominations are now open for its annual 40 Under Forty awards, which will be held in March.
40 Under Forty is an annual celebration of talented people in the Berkshires, under the age of 40, who have a deep dedication to improving the quality of life for those living and working in our community. 40 Under Forty awards honor people from all walks of life who are making a difference in the Berkshires.
Nominees are eligible for this award through:
- Their professional work and how it makes a difference; or
- Their personal commitment to their community; or
- Other efforts to improve the quality of life for those living and working the Berkshires.
To promote and engender the spirit of philanthropy, Mill Town Foundation will provide each 40 Under Forty Award winner with the opportunity to re-grant $1,000 to an eligible Berkshire-based nonprofit organization.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, October 24th. To make a nomination, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/40-under-forty.
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Lenox Garden Club opens grant applications for 2026
Lenox— The Lenox Garden Club, a member of the Garden Club of America, has opened applications for grants for funding of 2026 projects.
Grants, generally ranging from $500 to $5000, are awarded to public or private not-for-profit organizations for specific projects in and around Berkshire County. These projects must be in line with the mission of the Lenox Garden Club, so should pertain in some way to areas such as conservation, gardens, environmental restoration, community beautification, or education. Projects with significant volunteer involvement will be given priority.
The grant application deadline is November 30th. For an application, email lgccommunityproject@gmail.com.
