Shakespeare & Company named a top outdoor theater in the U.S. by Newsweek
Lenox— Shakespeare & Company has been recognized as one of the top outdoor theater companies in the country by Newsweek in its 2025 Readers’ Choice list of “Best Outdoor Theater Performances”.
The list celebrates outdoor theater experiences across the United States that merge artistic excellence with striking natural settings. Shakespeare & Company ranked sixth on the list for its work on its outdoor stages, particularly the 540-seat Arthur S. Waldstein Amphitheatre, located on the company’s 33-acre campus in the Berkshires.
Described as a “romantic location for Romeo to fall for Juliet,” — a nod to Shakespeare & Company’s mainstage outdoor show this season — “the Arthur” is bordered by spruce trees and offers a vibrant setting for Shakespearean classics and contemporary works alike. It’s one of three outdoor stages at Shakespeare & Company’s grounds, including the Roman Garden Theatre and the tented Rose Footprint Theatre.
“We’re honored to be included among such inspiring outdoor theaters,” said Artistic Director Allyn Burrows. “Performing under the open sky connects us directly to the roots of classical theater, and we’re proud to share that tradition each summer with our audiences in Lenox.” Learn more at shakespeare.org.
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700 employees volunteer during Berkshire Bank’s ‘Xtraordinary’ week of community service
Berkshire— From June 9th through the 13th, as part of Berkshire’s signature “Xtraordinary” week of community service, 700 Berkshire Bank employees volunteered with 31 nonprofits to help lift up the places they live and work.
Employees participated in more than 35 projects to help address issues like hunger and homelessness and aim to enhance the future well-being of those who live in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, and Rhode Island.
“Giving back is a core part of who we are as a company because we believe that lasting impact starts with local action,” said Lori Kiely, Managing Director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation. “Throughout X Week, our employees helped build stronger, more resilient communities — and stronger connections with one another.”
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Pittsfield Cooperative Bank opens new lending office in Great Barrington
Pittsfield— Pittsfield Cooperative Bank (Co-op Bank) is pleased to announce the opening of its new lending office at 322 Main Street in Great Barrington, expanding its presence and commitment to serving the southern Berkshires.
The new office is home to a dedicated team of experienced lenders ready to assist customers with their borrowing needs. The team includes LouAnn Harvey and Spring Burke, trusted mortgage lending officers known for their personalized service, and Sierra King Watson, a seasoned commercial lender focused on helping local businesses grow and thrive. “We’re excited to deepen our connection to the Great Barrington community and provide convenient access to our expert lending team,” said Michael Daly, president and CEO of Co-op Bank.
The Great Barrington lending office is now open and ready to welcome customers seeking home and personal financing, commercial lending services, and more. For more information about Pittsfield Cooperative Bank’s lending services, visit www.pittsfieldcoop.com.
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Art in the Berkshires celebrates a successful opening reception for inaugural juried art show at the indoor pool turned contemporary art space at Eastover in Lenox
Lenox— On June 7th, Art in the Berkshires celebrated the opening reception of its inaugural Juried Art Show, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of around 300 guests to the Eastover Contemporary Art Space in Lenox. The festive evening featured live music, juror and sponsor remarks, artist awards, and local food and drink, all set against the backdrop of over 65 exceptional works by regional artists and artisans.
The evening was filled with enthusiasm, reflected in both the lively crowd and strong sales—two artworks were purchased as a direct result of the reception. Guests expressed a shared appreciation for the exceptional talent on display, with the exhibition showcasing a wide variety of media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, glass, fiber, wood, video, a handcrafted guitar, jewelry, and more.
There was also notable interest in the unique history of the Contemporary Art Space, which originally served as an indoor pool and has since been transformed into a seasonal art gallery led by Ping Jie Zhang. Guests were equally intrigued by the story of the Eastover Estate, now under the ownership of Ying Wang.
“We are thrilled by the turnout and the overwhelming community support,” said Shany Porras, founder of Art in the Berkshires. “This show demonstrates the incredible breadth and depth of creativity in our region, and we’re honored to celebrate the artists who make it happen. We hope to do this again each year.”
The Juried Art Show is open to the public through July 5th. For more information, visit www.artintheberkshires.com.
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Berkshire Community College and Pittsfield High School have been designated an Early College program by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and Board of Elementary & Secondary Education
Pittsfield— Berkshire Community College (BCC) and Pittsfield High School (PHS) have been officially designated an Early College program by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and Board of Elementary & Secondary Education, part of the statewide initiative to create high-quality early college partnerships.
Early College programs empower high school students—particularly first-generation and underrepresented learners—to begin college-level coursework, earn academic credit, and accelerate toward degree completion at no cost to families. As a designated Early College partnership, eligible PHS students can enroll in BCC courses—either at PHS or on the BCC campus, online, or in hybrid format—earning dual credit that both satisfies high school graduation requirements and counts toward an associate degree starting their sophomore year.
“Early College programs provide students with a meaningful bridge between high school and higher education,” said Adam Klepetar, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at BCC. “This designation reflects our commitment to educational equity—and to ensuring that Pittsfield students can earn college credit, build confidence, and reduce the cost and time to degree. We look forward to supporting them every step of the way.”
