Hot Plate Brewing Co. to add coffee, tea, and pastries to its lineup of craft beer and gluten-free alcoholic beverages
Pittsfield— Addressing the rise of sober and sober-curious consumers, as well as the lack of safe third places for young folks to gather downtown, Hot Plate Brewing Co. is now expanding its menu to offer coffee, tea, and pastries in addition to its lineup of craft beer and gluten-free alcoholic beverages.
Prior to opening the brewery, Sarah Real, owner and head brewer, spent almost twenty years as a consumer insights expert, specifically focusing her research on kids and families. Having worked on several projects analyzing trends and insights surrounding Gen Z, she understood this emerging generation was drinking less than previous generations at that same age.
The couple, which launched the brewery in 2023 and earned the distinction of being named as one of the Best 19 New Breweries in 2023 by VinePair, always envisioned their space as being safe, welcoming, and inclusive, whether their guests were fans of craft beer or not. With almost two years under their belts, they’ve decided to double-down on Downtown Pittsfield and expand both their offerings and operating hours.
“For one thing, we’re really excited to be offering espresso and drip coffee drinks from Six Depot, which naturally allows us to cross-promote with a respected and established brand in West Stockbridge,” said co-founder Mike Dell’Aquila. “But the more exciting part is that we can leverage promotional tactics that we’re not legally allowed to do with alcohol, and we believe that will open the door to more taproom events and fundraising opportunities.”
Hot Plate will be kicking off their expanded menu with a “Sunday Funday” on October 20th, which will also include their monthly Silent Book Club event, a special tasting in their taproom with Berkshire Cider Project, and BB’s Hot Spot food truck. Following the program launch, they will be opening Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. for coffee service and re-opening at 3 p.m. for full bar service. Weekend service will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and they will be open throughout the whole day. To learn more, visit https://www.hotplatebeer.com/.
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Berkshire Lightscapes lights up the Masonic Hall and the United Church of Christ building
Pittsfield— Berkshire Lightscapes has recently lit up the Masonic Hall at 116 South Street and the United Church of Christ building at 110 South Street with funding from a Commonwealth Places Grant, the Berkshire Bank Foundation, The Feigenbaum Foundation, and the Downtown Pittsfield Cultural Association. Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. secured the grant funding and local company Chris Burkee Electric completed the lighting installations.
Berkshire Lightscapes lights up the exteriors of downtown buildings and public spaces to help illuminate and energize downtown Pittsfield. The artistic, energy efficient LED lighting is coordinated between buildings and allows for exciting light shows with colors that can honor and promote special events.
Check out the following buildings after dark which all have lights:
- City Hall – 70 Allen Street
- Dunham Mall – between City Hall and North Street
- Persip Plaza – corner of North St. and Columbus Avenue
- Sottile Plaza – corner of North St. and Eagle Street
- The Colonial Theatre – 111 South Street
- Barrington Stage Company’s Wolfson Center – 122 North Street
- Crawford Square – 137 North Street
- The Shipton Building – 146-156 North Street
- United Church of Christ building – 110 South Street
- Masonic Hall – 116 South Street
For more information on Berkshire Lightscapes, call 413-443-6501 or visit berkshirelightscapes.com.
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Norman Rockwell Museum welcomes new board members and colleagues
Stockbridge— Norman Rockwell Museum (NRM) is pleased to announce several key appointments to its staff and Board of Directors, enhancing the Museum’s commitment to illuminating the power of American illustration art.
NRM welcomes Katherine Bergeron to the Board. An award-winning author and educator, Katherine has more than 35 years of experience in higher education, including her role as the 11th President of Connecticut College. Her leadership in academic innovation and fundraising will be instrumental in advancing the Museum’s strategic initiatives. Katherine holds a BA in music from Wesleyan University and an MA and PhD in Music History from Cornell University.
Also joining the Board is Randy Grimmett, the CEO and co-founder of Global Music Rights. With a robust background in music rights management, Randy has played a pivotal role in the industry and has extensive experience in client acquisition and advocacy. His previous leadership at the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) showcased his commitment to expanding access to music and supporting creators and creatives.
Russell Lord has been appointed as the Chief of Curatorial Affairs. An accomplished art historian and curator, Russell brings more than two decades of experience from prestigious institutions including the American Federation of Arts in New York and the New Orleans Museum of Art. He has written or edited more than a dozen publications. He has also taught undergraduate and graduate courses, and served as a guest lecturer in universities across the country. Much of Russell’s research focuses on visual literacy and the relationships between different visual media. His expertise in narrative art and exhibition management will guide NRM’s curatorial direction, overseeing exhibitions, collections, acquisitions, and creating innovative programming for diverse audiences.
Cody Baffuto joins NRM as Development Communications Manager. Previously the Marketing and Communications Director at the Berkshire Museum, Cody brings a wealth of experience in marketing and fundraising strategies for nonprofit organizations. His expertise in marketing, coupled with his background in fundraising and community development for nonprofits in the Berkshires and Columbia County, will enhance the Development team’s communications at NRM. His experience is poised to strengthen our outreach efforts and foster deeper community connections. Cody holds a Fine Arts degree from the University at Albany.
Riley Andersen has been promoted to a full time position as the Museum’s Marketing & Communications Coordinator. A graduate of Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee. Riley began her journey at NRM as a marketing intern and has since demonstrated exceptional skills and dedication. Her role will focus on leveraging social media to enhance engagement and digital growth for the Museum. Prior to joining the Museum team, Riley was the marketing assistant at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington.
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Pittsfield Cooperative Bank hires vice president and branch officer
Pittsfield— Pittsfield Cooperative Bank (Coop Bank) announced the hiring of Gina Vallone to its retail banking team as a Vice President and Branch Manager of its Dalton Avenue location. She has significant experience in branch management, financial advising, personal insurance sales and management, relationship management and customer service.
Ms. Vallone joins Coop Bank after working for the previous fifteen years at Lee Bank in their retail and community banking departments. For the last five years, Vallone has been managing Lee Bank’s Pittsfield and Lenox branches. Prior to banking, she worked in personal insurance line sales and customer relations with Minkler Insurance Agency.
“Coop Bank is excited to add Gina to our growing team,” said CEO J. Jay Anderson. “She has significant experience in branch and relationship management, customer service, and consumer banking and insurance product sales and development.”
Vallone has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. She currently serves on the board of directors of the Elizabeth Freeman Center. She was born and raised in Berkshire County and currently resides in Pittsfield with her family.
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Springfield Museums appoints Scott Berg as Vice President of Advancement
Springfield— The Springfield Museums announced today that after a comprehensive search, Scott Berg has been appointed Vice President of Advancement. In this leadership role, reporting directly to President and CEO Kay Simpson, Berg will be responsible for strategic development, design, and direction for all philanthropic initiatives and programs in support of the Museums. In addition, Berg will oversee the marketing and communications team, as well as special events and membership activities.
Berg comes to the Springfield Museums from Baystate Health, where he served as the Vice President of Philanthropy and Executive Director of the Baystate Health Foundation. During his tenure at Baystate, he brought vision, direction, and support for the $3.1 billion healthcare system. Among his many accomplishments, he served as staff leader for a $70 million comprehensive campaign that has resulted in $57 million in gifts and pledges to date.
Prior to his work at Baystate Health, Berg served as the President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Springfield and held leadership fundraising positions at Springfield College and Western New England University. With a strong commitment to learning, he has earned several advanced degrees including a MS from Springfield College, MBA from the University of Massachusetts, JD from Western New England University, and a PhD in Leadership from the University of the Cumberlands.
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CRM Home Watch has earned accreditation from the National Home Watch Association
Becket— CRM Home Watch has earned accreditation from the National Home Watch Association for the second year. The NHWA was formed in 2009 in order to establish and maintain the highest industry standards for Home Watch and absentee homeowner services throughout the United States and Canada. Home Watch is a visual inspection of a home or property, looking for obvious issues, which means that it is a service that “keeps an eye on things” at your vacation or primary home while you are not in residence. All principals of NHWA Accredited Member companies are background-checked, insured, and bonded.
Founded by Chris Maccarini, a seasoned professional with a diverse project management and investigation background, CRM Home Watch is dedicated to providing homeowners with the peace of mind they deserve while they’re away. CRM Home Watch serves Southern Berkshire and Western Hampden Counties. You can reach Chris at (617) 816-6152 or info@crmhomewatch.com. Learn more from his website, https://crmhomewatch.com.
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Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art receives Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism grant
Amherst— The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art received a Destination Development Capital grant from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT.) The Carle will use the grant of $166,000 for exterior upgrades that will improve the aesthetic beauty, accessibility, and visibility of the Museum.
“Architect Earl Pope, who designed the museum with founder Eric Carle, described his vision for the building as ‘dignified, serene and elevating for both children and adults,’” said Jennifer Schantz, director of The Carle. “We greatly appreciate MOTT’s support so we can return the building’s exterior to its original beauty, protect the building envelope’s integrity, and improve access and visibility for visitors.”
Funds will support updates including a new roof water diversion system, resurfacing and repainting the building’s exterior walls, accessibility upgrades to sidewalk curbs, and installation of enticing graphic banners.
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Montessori School of the Berkshires expands Land Stewardship Program with new pollinator garden and sustainability initiatives
Lenox— In its ongoing commitment to cultivating environmental responsibility and sustainability, the Montessori School of the Berkshires is pleased to announce the expansion of its Land Stewardship program. This program, which emphasizes practical life skills, sustainability, and community involvement, has become a vital part of MSB’s educational philosophy. MSB recently applied for a grant to establish a pollinator garden thanks to contributions from its student body, faculty, and the local community.
The pollinator garden, set to bloom in 2025, is one of several recent projects highlighting the school’s deepening commitment to environmental education. Additionally, program Coordinator Kim Sinopli, Facilities Manager Mark Losardo, and Head of School, Todd Covert led efforts to secure a forestry management grant. Supported by the state’s environmental initiatives, students will continue with efforts to eradicate invasive species on campus and promote the health of their trees and wetlands.
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1Berkshire announces the winners of the 68th Annual Fall Foliage Parade and theme of the 69th Annual Fall Foliage Parade
North Adams— The 68th Annual Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Parade, brought to you by 1Berkshire and the City of North Adams, took place on Sunday, October 6th. This year’s theme was “Berk du Soleil – The Greatest Show in North Berkshire,” a celebration of wonder and enchantment. Nearly 100 participants took part in this annual festive event and the parade was attended by thousands of spectators from all over Berkshire county and beyond. The float makers did an outstanding job once again, but five of them stood out and received extra recognition.
The five float award winners were:
- Harry S. Orr Award (Best Overall): North Adams Pride with “Cirque Fantastique”
- Hayden Award (2nd place): Very Good Property Management with “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice”
- Mayor’s Award (3rd place): Studio North with “The Greatest Showman”
- Grand Marshal’s Award (4th place): Pine Cobble with the “Pine Cobble Circus”
- Parade Director’s Award (5th place): Berkshire Be-witches with a “Carousel” as a nod to Cirque du Soleil
As the cosmic confetti settled at the parade’s finish line, the parade committee’s spacesuit-clad committee members unveiled next year’s theme and date with galactic flair. Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 5, 2025 at 1 p.m., and embark on a journey “To Northern Berkshire and Beyond” for the 69th Annual Fall Foliage Parade.
To learn more, visit 1berkshire.com/events/fall-foliage-parade.
