Railroad Street Youth Project announce that Emilia Sarmiento has been awarded the 2024 Railroad Street Youth Student Empowerment scholarship
Great Barrington— Railroad Street Youth Project (RSYP) is pleased to announce that Emilia Sarmiento has been awarded the 2024 Railroad Street Youth Student Empowerment (RYSE) Scholarship.
This scholarship is the culmination of the Railroad Street Youth Student Empowerment (RYSE) Program, a unique example of intergenerational collaboration, providing an opportunity for students to explore options after high school, whether at a private, state, or community college, through a gap year, or at a vocational school, in a safe and supportive space. Students from Monument Mountain and Mount Everett High School participate in the weeklong program in July, where they take part in a series of dynamic and youth-centered sessions on topics ranging from balancing tasks, goal setting, demystifying the Federal Student Aid application process, and productive financial behavior such as credit building, budgeting, and saving.
Youth who successfully complete RYSE are eligible to apply for a scholarship of $20,000, which may be used over four years to assist with tuition at a state or private college or university, a community college or vocational school, a focused curriculum for a gap year, or any GED Program. A panel made up of staff and board members review applications in a competitive process. Sarmiento was ultimately selected to be this year’s recipient.
Emilia graduated from Monument Mountain Regional High School in 2022 and is currently following her passion for culinary arts at her job at No Comply Foods in Great Barrington. “Emi’s a perfect mix of a punk-rocker, badass cook, and a fashionista,” say Emilia’s parents, Andrés and Pamela Sarmiento of Monterey. “The ways she expresses herself and sees the world never ceases to amaze us.”
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Truffles by Tarah announces grand opening of pop-up
Pittsfield— Truffles by Tarah LLC is excited to announce the grand opening celebration for the Truffles by Tarah Pop Up North on Friday, November 8th at 48 North Street. There will be a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. followed by free samples and a raffle all weekend. The raffle winner will receive a free 25-day Advent Calendar (a $75 value.)
Tarah H. Warner is the owner and chocolatier of Truffles by Tarah LLC. She is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, with a degree in Baking and Pastry. Truffles by Tarah LLC was founded on the idea of unique chocolate truffle flavors using the bounty of the Berkshires. Truffles by Tarah stands out for its dedication to quality, mixing classic with bold inventive truffle flavors, and its use of locally sourced ingredients. The pop-up will feature weekly flavor, Advent calendars, special packaging, and more. For more information, visit www.trufflesbytarah.com.
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CHP names Dr. Lina Bermudez Associate Director of Dental Medicine
Great Barrington— Dr. Lina Bermudez has been named Associate Director of Dental Medicine at CHP Berkshires.
She joined CHP Great Barrington Family Dental in 2013, and in her new role will work with CHP leadership to support CHP’s dental practices and staff in North Adams, Adams, Pittsfield, and Great Barrington. A native of Colombia, Bermudez is a general dentistry graduate of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Prior to her work at CHP, she worked as a dentist for Hillcrest Educational Centers.
Her appointment follows completion of a countywide expansion of CHP’s dental services, intended to expand oral healthcare access to thousands of Berkshire residents, especially those who rely on MassHealth for their insurance coverage. The Great Barrington Family Dental Center has recently reopened after a two-year development project.
“Dr. Bermudez has been a role model in both caring for dental patients at CHP, and in her commitment to expanding access to dental care throughout the Berkshires,” said Dr. Andrew Beckwith, chief medical officer at CHP Berkshires.
In addition to her new leadership responsibilities, Dr. Bermudez will continue to see patients at Great Barrington Family Dental. “It is always my honor to be on a team that’s making a difference to the health of our Berkshire community,” she said.
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Berkshire Agricultural Ventures announces new staff hires
Great Barrington— Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV) is pleased to announce the hiring of two staff members, Kallie Robertson, who joins BAV as Finance Manager, and Audrey Hackett, who steps into the role of Communications & Development Associate.
Robertson comes to BAV with a diverse background in farming, nonprofit financial management, and design experience. For over a decade, Robertson and her husband have owned and managed Sawkill Farm, a diverse pasture-based livestock farm in the Hudson Valley. They currently raise sheep and make yarn from the fiber. Most recently, Robertson worked as the Finance & Administrative Director of NOFA/Mass, managing the budget and financial health of the organization whose mission is to promote organic agriculture and food access in Massachusetts.
Hackett joins BAV with over two decades of diverse experience in writing, editing, nonprofit communications, and community journalism. Most recently, she worked for a regenerative agriculture nonprofit in Ohio as editor and writer. Hackett is relocating back to the Berkshires, where she previously was editor of The Women’s Times and worked on staff and as an independent consultant for Norman Rockwell Museum, The Mount, and other organizations. Prior to accepting this position, Hackett served BAV as a communications consultant beginning in early 2024.
“BAV is thrilled to welcome these two passionate and talented professionals to our team.” said Executive Director Rebecca Busansky.
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Berkshire Grown is announced one of several Berkshire County Food Security Infrastructure Grant recipients
Berkshire— The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $24.6 million in grants to 163 Massachusetts food system enterprises, helping to sustain Massachusetts’ food production and distribution sectors, while at the same time working to ensure that fresh, healthy, local food is available to all residents.
This funding is being distributed through the innovative Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) program, a competitive grant program managed by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and designed to ensure farmers and other local food producers are better connected to a strong and resilient food system.
Berkshire Grown is proud to be one of the recipients, receiving funding for infrastructure improvements to their Farm to Food Access cold storage facility.
Other Berkshire County and member recipients include:
- Berkshire Grown, Great Barrington
- Berkshire Resources for Integration of Diverse Groups and Education (BRIDGE), Lee
- Farmfields Dairy Farm, LLC, Williamstown
- Full Well Farm, Adams
- Gwozdz/Mizpah Farm, Cheshire
- Ioka Valley Farm, Hancock
- North Adams Public Schools, North Adams
- Roots Rising, Pittsfield
- ServiceNet, Inc., Pittsfield
- Sonrisas, Inc., Cheshire
- Sweet Brook Beef Company, Williamstown
- Taft Farms, Great Barrington
- The Farm New Marlborough, New Marlborough
- Twin Rivers Farm LLC, Ashley Falls
- Verrill Farm LLC, Concord
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East Elm Pediatrics joins Berkshire Health Systems provider practices
Pittsfield— Berkshire Health Systems )BHS) has announced that East Elm Pediatrics has joined the BHS medical group, furthering the legacy of care provided by Dr. John C. Dallenbach and his team, and providing continued access to important pediatric services for thousands of children and families.
Effective Tuesday, October 29th, East Elm Pediatrics became Berkshire Health Pediatrics at East Elm, retaining the majority of the office staff and clinical care team. Dr. Dallenbach will remain at the practice during the transition period. BHS is also in the process of actively recruiting new pediatric specialists to join the patient care team.
“The landscape for primary care and pediatrics has changed dramatically over the last decade, making it increasingly harder for offices to continue as stand-alone practices. By joining with Berkshire Health Systems, East Elm Pediatrics can continue to care for the region’s children and families and can expand the practice to meet their needs now and well into the future,” said James Lederer, MD, BHS Chief Medical Officer and Chief Quality Officer. For more information visit www.berkshirehealthsystems.org/eastelm.
