Tuesday, October 8, 2024

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Viewpoints

PETER MOST: Lies, damn lies, and Housatonic Water Works’ valuation

In HWW management, we have true visionaries who chose an unconventional path to personal prosperity. HWW management said, when no one else would consider thinking it, “let’s run HWW into the ground for profit.”

Letter from Paris

How many of the discerning sophisticates reading this month's Letter From Paris know the interesting history of Jeanne Louise Calment?

The grand dames of Berkshire music

Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge built a concert hall on her property with 500 seats and outstanding fine acoustics. It was 1918 and the Berkshire Music Festival at South Mountain, Pittsfield, was born.

Unresolved ‘resolves’ and other Berkshire conflicts

The battle is not couched as in the 18th century: the merchant class versus the farmers. Today, it is Main Street versus Wall Street.

Grossman endorsed for governor

Other candidates are "fighting," while Steve Grossman is actually working to create positive change for all of us.

Connections: Protests are as American as apple pie

In 1774, a successful act of civil disobedience resulted in the forceful closing of the court at Great Barrington and in the raising of a Berkshire militia. When the shot was fired at Lexington in 1775, Berkshire was ready.

Back to the future of Berkshire food

The Berkshires Agricultural Society was founded in 1811 for the purpose of experimentation and improvement of all things edible — on the hoof, off the stalk, or out of the ground.

Lincoln and Shakespeare: Together in Berkshire

Lincoln reflected upon how often, too often, the deaths of kings were violent. A leader reflected upon murdered leaders before he was murdered.

Connections: When a drugstore was really a drug store

America in 1905 was a different world: Morphine, cocaine, and even heroin were seen as miracle cures.

Don Berwick best Democratic candidate for Massachusetts governor

Don Berwick is the only gubernatorial candidate 'with a resume of such great executive experience and accomplishment.' -- Fred and Elaine Panitz, Sheffield

The ‘News,’ then as now

It took 200 years for American media and public relations to discover the power of hypocrisy: simultaneously lying and denying it.

Connections: What goes around comes around

The earning capacity of many people makes it impossible for them to afford health care. Millions do not have protection against the economic effects of sickness.

Connections: Waiting for a train

The first time around, from concept to completion, it took 44 years to establish passenger train service in Berkshire and there is no reason to believe it will take less time to restore it.

Connections: Circus circus

The elephant arrived in Lenox exhausted and suffering – apparently – from internal injuries. Residents came from all over Berkshire, stood in the barn door, and watched Columbus die.

Monument Mountain’s ‘Independent Project’: Risk and opportunity

It is far easier to have a teaching disability than a learning disability. Kids who are both intelligent and a bit rebellious are usually the kids who end up struggling in school.

Connections: Summer storm at Tanglewood led to Shed

Eighty years ago, Tanglewood concerts were outdoors -- in a tent. At one performance, an all-Wagner concert, with Koussevitsky conducting, a storm rendered the music inaudible.

Connections: Elm Court epitomized the (past) Gilded Age

'Elm Court…has become famous…as an example of what the progressive modern spirit, backed up by abundant capital, can accomplish.' -- Berkshire Resort Topics, 1904