Indie Readery & Records, a new brick and mortar book, record, and gift store opens on North Street in Pittsfield
Pittsfield— Indie Readery & Records, located at 314 North Street celebrated their Grand Opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, October 23rd at 10 a.m.
Indie Readery & Records is a unique, independent bookstore that combines a curated selection of books, vinyl records, and a variety of humorous and progressive gifts. The store’s focus on offering literature that promotes social justice, equity, and freedom places a strong emphasis on liberal and progressive viewpoints. Their store will serve as a community space for like-minded individuals to engage with new ideas, music, and humor, while providing a space for cultural and community events.
“With a strong focus on community engagement, intellectual freedom, and social justice, our business is poised to serve as a hub for those who value inclusivity and individualism,” said Emma Lenski, owner of Indie Readery & Records. More information can be found online.
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Clark Art Institute appoints Lara Yeager-Crasselt as the first Aso O. Tavitian Curator of Early Modern European Painting and Sculpture
Williamstown— The Clark Art Institute appoints Lara Yeager-Crasselt as the first Aso O. Tavitian Curator of Early Modern European Painting and Sculpture.
Yeager-Crasselt is currently the Curator and Department Head of European Painting and Sculpture at the Baltimore Museum of Art, where she oversees the museum’s collection of fifteenth through eighteenth century painting and sculpture, including its research, exhibition, loans, acquisitions, and publication. Prior to her current role at the Baltimore Museum of Art, she held prestigious curatorial and research positions at The Leiden Collection in New York and at KU Leuven, Belgium, among others. From 2015–2017, Yeager-Crasselt served as the Clark’s Interim Curator of Painting and Sculpture.
“We are delighted to welcome Lara Yeager-Crasselt back to the Clark and we feel incredibly fortunate to be able to entrust the Aso O. Tavitian Collection to her stewardship,” said Olivier Meslay, Hardymon Director of the Clark. “She is an ideal person to manage this collection, and we feel confident that Lara will play a major role in shaping the many ways in which we share these remarkable works of art with our visitors in the years ahead.”
Yeager-Crasselt’s first major project at The Clark will be the first public exhibition of the collection, “An Exquisite Eye: Introducing the Aso O. Tavitian Collection,” which opens in June 2026. The collection was gifted to The Clark in 2024 from the foundation of the late collector, philanthropist, and connoisseur, Aso O. Tavitian. Between 2004 and 2020, Mr. Tavitian assembled the most significant private collection of European art assembled in North America in the twenty-first century. Representing one of the largest gifts in the Clark’s history, the Tavitian gift includes 331 works of art from Mr. Tavitian’s personal collection and more than $45 million to endow two new positions on the Clark’s curatorial staff to oversee the collection; provide necessary support for its long-term care; and fund construction of the Aso O. Tavitian Wing at the Clark, which is slated to open in 2028.
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Adams Community Bank welcomes new vice presidents Amanda Belanger and Shannon Park
Adams— Adams Community Bank (ACB) is pleased to announce the addition of two experienced individuals to its leadership team. Amanda Belanger has joined as Vice President of Human Resources, and Shannon Park has joined as Vice President of Retail and Deposit Operations.
In her role as VP of Human Resources, Belanger is joining the Bank’s established HR department. She will be instrumental in overseeing employee engagement and development, as well as workforce planning across all levels of the organization.
With nearly two decades of experience in human resources and organizational leadership, Belanger brings a proven record of success in building high-performing teams and fostering inclusive workplace cultures. Throughout her career, she has served in HR leadership and consulting roles across the non-profit and health services sectors in Berkshire County. She is dual-certified in human resources as an SPHR and SHRM-SCP and holds a dual MBA in Human Resources and Healthcare Management from Fitchburg State University.
As Vice President of Retail and Deposit Operations, Park will lead efforts to enhance the day-to-day customer experience, streamline operational processes, and support branch teams across Berkshire County. She will play a key role in continuing to align retail and deposit operations with the Bank’s mission of delivering community-focused, relationship-driven banking.
Park brings over 19 years of experience in retail banking and operations management, with expertise in streamlining processes and enhancing customer experience. She obtained a BS in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.
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Great Barrington’s After Hours expands globally
Great Barrington— After Hours, the innovative nomadic restaurant located in Great Barrington, is going global.
Acknowledging the challenges of opening a traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant amid economic shifts, labor shortages, and seasonal fluctuations in The Berkshires, After Hours has reimagined what dining can be. In two years, the nomadic restaurant partnered with over 150 local businesses and hosted more than 250 events across the region.
Starting in January 2026, After Hours GB will evolve into After Hours Global, bringing its collaborative dining experiences to international audiences including Puerto Rico, Spain, France, Portugal, and Morocco, as well as Boston and New York City.
A nomadic dining group dedicated to creating memorable culinary experiences through collaboration, creativity, and celebration of local food systems, After Hours Global blends storytelling, culture, and gastronomy to connect people through the universal language of food.
“Our human desire for connection and collaboration through food is stronger than ever,” said Kevin Kelly, Founder and CEO of After Hours. “With this in mind, we’re excited to take After Hours to the world, creating experiences that honor local food systems, foster human connection, and put collaboration at the heart of every event.” More information can be found online.
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Shakespeare & Company retires mortgage, marking its first debt-free era
Lenox— Shakespeare & Company has achieved a milestone more than four decades in the making: for the first time since its founding in 1978, the Berkshires-based nonprofit theater is completely debt-free.
The company has paid off the remaining $1.7 million on its $4 million mortgage on its campus, thanks to contributions from its Board of Trustees and a combination of successful property transactions, community support, and a strong box office season.
Gathered following the formal announcement at a recent meeting of the Board of Trustees are Director of Development Sunie Gorey; Trustee Greg Lipper; Artistic Director Allyn Burrows; Chair of the Board of Trustees Beverly Hyman, Ph.D, and Board of Trustees Clerk Michael A. Miller. Courtesy Shakespeare & Company.
Freeing the organization from mortgage payments opens the door to more artistic and community-focused programming. Chair of Shakespeare & Company’s Board of Trustees said, “We now have the opportunity to expand education programs – including our nationally recognized Shakespeare in the Courts program – and to focus on our Center for Actor Training, which requires highly skilled faculty.”
Artistic Director Allyn Burrows agreed, adding that ensuring Shakespeare & Company’s long-term financial stability is also a move toward more creative expansiveness. “We are extremely grateful to the members of our Board of Trustees who made this advancement in the company’s journey possible. The payments on the mortgage were fairly crushing, and now we can breathe a little. We’re very thankful for all the support.”
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Co-op Bank partners with Brown & Brown, one of the nation’s leading insurance brokerages
Pittsfield— Pittsfield Cooperative Bank (Co-op Bank) announces a new partnership with Brown & Brown, one of the nation’s leading insurance brokerages. Together, the two organizations will offer customers and community members throughout the Berkshires access to a wide range of insurance products backed by trusted, local service.
Through this partnership, customers can access comprehensive insurance coverage— including auto, home, umbrella, life, recreational vehicles, commercial property, liability, and organizational employee benefits—delivered with the same personal touch and community commitment that define both organizations.
Unlike national call centers or impersonal online platforms, this partnership brings together two organizations with deep ties to Berkshire County. Brown & Brown’s regional team of insurance professionals live and work in the community, offering local personal attention, and providing responsive support.
Gregg Levante, President of Pittsfield Cooperative Bank said, “Partnering with Brown & Brown means our customers can access top-tier insurance solutions while working with people who understand their needs and live right here in the Berkshires.”
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Berkshire Conservation District to hold Annual Meeting
Berkshire— The Berkshire Conservation District will be holding their annual public meeting on Thursday, November 13th at 4 p.m.
The business meeting will include a presentation on the status of the Spotted Lanternfly in Massachusetts by Elizabeth Barnes, Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator at the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR).
Spotted Lanternflies are not a threat to people or pets, as they do not sting or bite, but they have the potential to negatively impact a broad range of agricultural commodities, primarily grapes and wine, apples, peaches, and maple syrup. Residents are encouraged to watch for these insects, especially in areas with grapevines, tree-of-heaven, bittersweet, maple, or black walnut.
The public is invited to join the meeting via Zoom. Registration can be found online.
