HomeViewpointsDIGBY: From 'Great... DIGBY: From ‘Great Battles in American History’ Digby reflects on the Great Barrington hotel war, a momentous struggle for dominance between two hoteliers. Written by Digby December 14, 2015 “Days after the final battle of the Mahidas-Toole Hotel War in the Massachusetts village of Great Barrington, the smoke rose to reveal a beautiful meadow on the former battlefield. Not a single hotel was to be seen.” FacebookBlueskyEmailPrintCopy Link Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Explore tags ⟶American historyBerkshire CountyBridge StreetGreat BarringtonhotelMahidasMassachusettsSearles SchoolToole Viewpoints How Trump’s economic policies deepened the divide: The K-shaped recovery hits rural America hardest Edward Lane - Viewpoints Marty Baron was right about everything Sarah Wright - Viewpoints BRIGHT SPOTS: Week of February 11, 2026 Barbara Zheutlin - Viewpoints LEONARD QUART: Coping with these times Leonard Quart - Viewpoints I WITNESS: Bozo does Davos Vickie Shufton - Viewpoints I WITNESS: Oh, Minnesota Vickie Shufton - Viewpoints LEONARD QUART: As Sen. Raphael Warnock reminds us, ‘the soul of our nation is at stake’ Leonard Quart - Viewpoints BRIGHT SPOTS: Week of January 28, 2026 Barbara Zheutlin - Viewpoints STEPHEN COHEN: When your ox is gored… Stephen Cohen - Viewpoints HEATHER CAMPBELL: If you see something… Heather Campbell - Viewpoints I WITNESS: A very important message from the new President of Venezuela who is also Your Vengeance! Vickie Shufton - Viewpoints MITCH GURFIELD: AI and the writer’s burden—a response to Sonia Pilcer Mitchell Gurfield - Load more Get FREE Daily Updates From The Berkshire Edge! CAPTCHA Feb 15 Featured 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Close Encounters With Music Presents: “Endings” – Piano Trios by Shostakovich and Schubert Feb 16 Featured February 16 - February 22 PS21 presents “The Dark”—a fearless new winter festival of live performances Feb 26 Featured 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm 3rd GEN – A Survivor’s Story View Calendar The Edge Is Free To Read. But Not To Produce. Support The Edge Today ⟶ Continue reading ViewpointsHow Trump’s economic policies deepened the divide: The K-shaped recovery hits rural America hardestA data-driven analysis of how tax cuts, tariffs, and healthcare policies created winners and losers in America's heartland. ViewpointsMarty Baron was right about everythingThe Washington Post's implosion was totally preventable. ViewpointsBRIGHT SPOTS: Week of February 11, 2026Standing up for justice and accountability, for nuclear arms control, and for limits on the consolidation of big tech. The Edge Is Free To Read. But Not To Produce. Support The Edge ⟶Enjoy the benefits of exclusive reading
Featured 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Close Encounters With Music Presents: “Endings” – Piano Trios by Shostakovich and Schubert
Featured February 16 - February 22 PS21 presents “The Dark”—a fearless new winter festival of live performances