Dare Bottleshop & Provisions is opening a second location on Railroad Street in Great Barrington
Great Barrington— On Friday, March 1st at 10 a.m., Dare Bottleshop & Provisions will be opening its second location at 28 Railroad Street in Great Barrington.
Since 2021, Mary and Benjamin Daire, along with the Dare Bottleshop team, have been championing small production artisanal wines from around the world. Their Lenox location offers local craft beer, cider, and an extensive selection of tinned fish and specialty foods. They are thrilled to be doubling their presence in the Berkshires, bringing their passion for their craft, unmet customer service, the shopping experience, and their unique product offerings to south county.
The second location opens on Friday, March 1st at 10 a.m. on 28 Railroad Street in Great Barrington. It will be open six days a week, closed on Tuesday, with plans to be open seven days a week during the summer season. They are hiring part-time positions; email resume to mary@darebottleshop.com. More information can be found online.
***
Gedney Farm hires celebrity chef Michele Ragussis as their new executive chef
New Marlborough— Gedney Farm is thrilled to announce the hiring of their new executive chef Michele Ragussis.
For the past eight years, Ragussis has been widely recognized as one of the area’s top private chefs and a successful food television celebrity. Currently a repeat judge on “Beat Bobby Flay,” she has competed successfully in several major television chef competitions, most notably “Food Network Star” (season 8 runner-up), “Chopped,” “NBC Food Fighters,” “Guys Grocery Game” (winner), and “Bobby Flay Show” (winner).
A graduate of Johnson & Wales University, Ragussis enjoyed an extensive career in the kitchens of many restaurants across New England and New York City. Born and raised in Connecticut to a family of Italian and Greek heritage, Michele’s cooking integrates the depth of her Mediterranean roots with her passion for the bounty and diversity of the foods of her native New England.
As a chef, Ragussis is committed to using only the freshest, most locally sourced ingredients, and thrives on the collaborative rapport she has developed with a vast network of small growers and artisanal producers in the region.
Beginning on March 6th, the restaurant will be open for dinner Wednesdays through Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Beginning on April 13th, it will be open Wednesdays through Fridays, with Saturday evenings reserved for private events. For dinner reservations, please call 413-229-3131 ext. 1.
***
Owners of Mill River Farm and Mill River General Store purchase Cantina 229
New Marlborough— Jan Johnson, Peter Chapin, and Maddie Austin of Mill River Farm and Mill River General Store are bringing their farm-to-table dream full circle with the recent purchase of Cantina 229 in New Marlboro village. The three businesses will be integrally connected.
The Mill River team had been talking with Cantina 229 owners Josh and Emily Irwin for a while, as well as talking to their farm and store teams. “It has been almost a year to the date since we closed our chapter at Cantina and listed the property, and we could not be more excited to see the lights turned back on by such a great and motivated group,” Josh Irwin states.
They plan on using the Cantina kitchen to prepare food items to sell at the store frozen or ready-to-go, followed later by prepared salads and sandwiches. By summer they hope to begin using the restaurant for hosting events and dinners, building on the Irwin’s concept of a small, creative menu featuring New American dishes from different cuisines.
They plan to retain the name “Cantina” (minus the 229) as a tribute to the landmark restaurant/event space, which has been known equally for its good food and good vibes for eight years. In addition, they plan to keep offering the adjacent five-bedroom, fully renovated home for Airbnb rentals. Members of the local community and tourists alike welcomed the news that the bucolic village setting would be re-opening its doors with excitement and resounding support.
***
Berkshire Community College announces new faculty and staff, a promotion, and title changes
Pittsfield— Berkshire Community College (BCC) has announced the addition of six faculty and staff members, one promotion, and three title changes.
Sanah Fouz joins BCC as Assistant Professor of Nursing. She currently resides in her home town of Pittsfield. Fouz is a graduate of BCC and earned a bachelor’s degree from College of Our Lady of the Elms. Most recently, she worked as a staff nurse at Berkshire Medical Center for nine years. She is a BCC alumni.
Darcie Lampiasi joins BCC as Food Security Coordinator. She received an associate degree in Science of Social Work, a certificate in Human Services and a certificate in Addiction and Recovery from BCC. Most recently, she was a Harm Reduction Specialist at Berkshire Health Systems, a role that resulted from a BCC internship. She has also supported students in the BCC TRIO office through past internships. Previously, she served as the Administrative Assistant for the City of North Adams Public Works Department.
Darlene McCauley joins BCC as the Clerk IV for Counseling Services and the Disability Resource Center. She brings more than 10 years of experience working with at-risk youth and diverse populations, including roles at Pittsfield Public Schools. McCauley has also worked for the Berkshire County Sheriff’s Department’s Juvenile Resource Center, and most recently for the Town of Lenox as Director of Parks & Recreation, Community Center, and the Lenox Council of Aging. She also serves on the board of directors for the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center.
Erin Milne joins BCC’s Division of Teaching and Learning Innovation as the Coordinator of Integrative Learning. With more than 20 years of experience in the education profession, she most recently spent eight years as Director of Assessment at MCLA, where she continues to serve as adjunct instructor of the MCLA Concert Choir. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Association for the Assessment of Student Learning in Higher Education. Milne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theory/History from Oberlin College and a Master of Arts with Teacher Licensure in Music Education from Case Western Reserve University. She serves on the Hoosac Valley Regional School Committee and sings with the Cantilena Chamber Choir.
Valerie Rose joins BCC as Assistant Professor of Respiratory Therapy. Most recently, she was the Clinical Manager of Respiratory Therapy at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from UMASS Amherst and is also a graduate of the BCC Respiratory Program.
Cody Scolforo joins BCC as Special Programs Coordinator – Digital Technologies Coach. Scolforo is a Pittsfield native and a Taconic High School alum. He was a Technology and A/V Specialist for the last four years at the Mt. Greylock Regional School District, after spending several years working at Mad Macs in Pittsfield.
Christopher DeGray, formerly Director of Facilities, has been promoted to Executive Director of Facilities & Capital Planning. He has been with BCC since September 2021. Previously, he was Facilities and Operations Department Director for Environmental Services at Westfield State University, where he served for nearly 12 years.
George Ambriz is now the Interim Assistant Dean of TRIO and Student Success. Previously, he was the Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management and Retention. He has been with BCC since June 2018.
Elizabeth Dister is now the Interim Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Success. Previously, she was the Student SUCCESS Assessment & Research Analyst. She has been with BCC since October 2022.
Casey Young is now an Enrollment Counselor. She previously served as the Food Security Coordinator, a position she held since May 2023.
***
Housatonic Valley Association announces new Berkshire watershed director
Cornwall Bridge— The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA), the only conservation organization working across the entire 2,000 square-mile Housatonic Watershed, announced Erik Reardon as its new Berkshire Watershed Director effective February 1st.
Reardon brings to this position a longtime love of the outdoors and appreciation for wilderness spaces. With experience in both academia and the environmental non-profit sector with project management, program development, and public outreach, Reardon’s work centers on a professional and personal commitment to land and water conservation, environmental stewardship, and expanding access to outdoor recreation.
Earning a PhD from the University of Maine focused on the historic dimensions of dam removal and fisheries restoration in New England, he later served as a visiting assistant professor of history and environmental studies at Colby College and Bates College in Maine. In July of 2021, his book, “Managing the River Commons: Fishing and New England’s Rural Economy,” was published by the University of Massachusetts Press.
Recently, Reardon worked with the Adirondack Experience Museum, the Wild Center, the Nature Conservancy, and the Adirondack Diversity Initiative to develop and direct a collaborative, public-facing project series titled “Adirondacks for All,” which explores the region’s history and present-day reality through an expansive lens of environmental justice. A documentary of the same name will soon air on Mountain Lake PBS.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Erik to the team,” said HVA’s Watershed Conservation Director, Michael Jastremski. “His knowledge, expertise, and commitment to protecting and improving our environment and the health of the Housatonic River Valley will make him a valuable asset to our efforts in the Berkshires.”
***
Zonta Club of Berkshire County celebrates the amazing women of Berkshire County
Pittsfield— On Friday, March 8th from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Zonta Club of Berkshire County celebrates the amazing women of Berkshire County.
All are invited for an International Women’sDay dinner celebration to celebrate the 2024 Zonta Club of Berkshire County Women of Honor. The 2024 Women of Honor are:
Roberta McCullouch-Dews for “Mentoring Women & Girls.” McCullouch-Dews is a mentor and volunteer leader of Rites of Passage and Empowerment Program (R.O.P.E), Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, Berkshire Business and Professional Women, the Women of Color Giving Circle, Berkshire County NAACP, and she serves on the Board of Trustees for the Norman Rockwell Museum, Samuel Harrison Society, and the Berkshire Immigrant Center.
Linda Dulye for “Developing Leaders.” Dulye is the owner and president of Dulye & Co. and founding president of the Dulye Leadership Experience, a philanthropic organization dedicated to developing leaders of impact. Since 2019, 16 DLE leaders have received Berkshire “40 Under Forty Awards,” and they have generated countless volunteer hours. Dulye also serves on the Board of Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corp., and is a coach for EforAll and Berkshire Innovation STEM scholars.
Dr. Barbara Malkas for “Advocating for Women’s Health.” Dr. Malkas is president of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition and consultant for the “Let’s Talk Prevention: Actions You Can Take” environmental health education program for students and president of Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, working locally to ensure outstanding educational and trauma based services are offered in Northern Berkshire.
Rachel Meledez-Mabee for “Diversity & Women in Sports.” Meledez-Mabee works to bring women of color to the forefront in the golf industry both in the field and in management, ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion exists in Berkshire County. She is vice president of DEl for Greylock Federal Credit Union and also serves as a volunteer board member of Community Health Program (CHP), Berkshire Museum, Berkshire United Way, and Women in Golf Foundation.
Kelly Marion for “Helping Girls Thrive.” Marion is the leader of Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center / Girls Inc, including the “Eureka!,” “Discovery” programs, and all services that enable thousands of girls annually to become strong, smart, and bold. She administers early childhood education, the ABC school age enrichment program, youth empowerment services, the summer camp, counselors in training, aquatics and a Girls Inc. garden. She is also a member of the Rotary Club of Pittsfield foundation.
Daltrey Turner for “Supporting Mothers & Infants” Turner is a founding member and the current Board President of the Berkshire Community Diaper Project, distributing over 1.9 million diapers to families in need in Berkshire County. She is a clinical social worker at the Austen Riggs Center, as well as a volunteer at Barrington Stage Company and a Board member of Berkshire United Way.
The event is on Friday, March 8th from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Berkshire Hills Country Club on Benedict Road in Pittsfield. It is open to the public. Tickets are $50 per person with tables and sponsorships available ranging from $150 to $500. Tickets and more information can be found online.
