John S. Watson Fund Sets 2023 Fundraising Goal
Great Barrington— The 86th annual John S. Watson Fund has set its fundraising goal at $40,000 this year due to the increased need in Southern Berkshire County.
Founded in 1936 by local newsman John S. Watson, the Watson Fund has grown considerably over the years. In 2021, the Watson Fund served a total of 901 people by providing 282 families with food certificates and 411 children with clothing certificates. Both food and clothing certificates are mailed out in early December to accommodate each family’s needs in time for the holidays.
Donations to the Watson Fund can be made in person at any Berkshire Bank branch in South County, by mail to The Watson Fund at P.O. Box 284, Great Barrington, or by using our new secure PayPal link at https://thewatsonfund.org/. Checks should be payable to the Watson Fund.
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“Roots to Renewal” Podcast features Cornelius Pietzner
Ghent— The latest episode of Hawthorne Valley’s Roots to Renewal podcast features Cornelius Pietzner, CEO of Alterra Impact Finance, an impact investment, management, and advisory firm in Switzerland with private equity investments in a number of European companies. Pietzner has local ties to the area as his father was a founder of Camphill Copake.
Listen to Roots to Renewal wherever you get your podcasts, or online here.
Roots to Renewal wishes a special thanks to Tierra Farm, a family-owned manufacturer and distributor of organic dried fruits and nuts that puts the people they serve and the planet we share before all else, for their support of the podcast.
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Center for Independent Living Appoints New CEO
Pittsfield— Ad Lib Inc., Berkshire’s Center for Independent Living’s Board of Directors has announced Marco D. Ingoglia as the new CEO of the organization. An experienced business leader, Marco was appointed the role of Chief Executive Officer in late February of 2022.
Ad Lib, Inc., founded in 1983, is a private, non-profit, community based, consumer controlled Independent Living Center. The Center provides independent living and specialized services for people with disabilities in Berkshire County. Ad Lib Inc. empowers people with disabilities to live more independently and have control of their own lives. Marco and his new administrative team believe deeply in progressive and proactive advocacy, enhanced community engagement, and taking a larger role in the Berkshire’s civic involvement and philanthropic endeavors.
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Berkshire Museum Receives Grant for Mobile Museum Units
Pittsfield— Berkshire Museum has received a grant from Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation to continue bringing Mobile Museum Units into the community. MoMUs bring Museum quality pieces to the community, paired with bold graphics, and informative text allowing anyone in the community to experience the wonder of art, history, and natural science regardless of their ability to go into the Museum itself.
Mobile Museum Units can be found in banks, apartment complexes, schools, and other locations in greater Berkshire County where the community gathers. MoMUs are already brought to many area schools including Richmond Consolidated School, Allendale Elementary, Stearns Elementary, Lenox Elementary, among others. Berkshire Museum plans to use this grant money to continue bringing Mobile Museum Units to area schools.
This project has been supported by a grant from the Berkshire Hills Fund for Excellence of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
Berkshire Museum combines art, science, and history to create thought-provoking experiences for the whole family through interactive programs and interdisciplinary exhibitions. The Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. A full list of upcoming programming can be found at berkshiremuseum.org/events.
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The Pass Dispensary Announces Limited-Edition Hats
Sheffield— The Pass Dispensary in Sheffield has announced a recent collaboration with local fashion designer and hat maker Karema Deodato. The Pass believes in supporting the creative culture of the Berkshires and they’re excited to offer limited-edition handmade hats to their customers made by Karema. These waterproof hats are hand-blocked on antique hat blocks, made using old-world millinery techniques, and are branded with a custom Pass logo patch on the front.
Berkshire-based Karema sources most of her materials from the tri-state area and works with a group of local sewers to produce some orders of her hats. She is also a part of the Railroad St. Collective in Great Barrington that features the work of local artists.
The Pass was recently voted ‘Number One Cannabis Dispensary’ in the region by Rural Intelligence readers.
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Public Health Collaborative to Offer Southern Berkshire County Vaccine Clinic
Great Barrington— The Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative will be hosting a Pfizer Bivalent Booster clinic for 5–11-year-old and 12+ years old at W.E.B DuBois (313 Monument Valley Road) in Great Barrington on Tuesday, December 13 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Regular dose flu vaccines will also be available. Those eligible for a booster shot must have completed their primary series of the one dose Johnson & Johnson or the two dose Moderna or Pfizer vaccines. Pre-registration is required, walk-ins will not be accepted. If you need assistance registering, call Jill Sweet at (413) 717-7209 or Jayne Smith (413) 717-8922.
Please bring your insurance card and COVID card to the clinic, and wear a short-sleeved shirt. Pizza will be provided for those that are vaccinated. Please register here: https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/tritown
