Times have changed, but the formula remains stuck in 1949. The wealth disparities between neighboring towns simply did not exist at anything like their current scale. The founders of the regional school system could not have foreseen the inequity their formula has imposed on most towns today.
"The six New England states never, as the article stated, made “a decision to impose a charge of dubious legality on all New England ratepayers in order to support the funding of a natural gas pipeline that is planned to traverse Massachusetts."
-- Heather Hunt, executive director of New England States Committee on Electricity
On that frigid morning with flames the only light, the citizens of Pittsfield did not stand idly by...They manned the hoses and produced a steady stream of water for no less than four hours.
In 1899, a letter written to the editor of the Pittsfield Evening Eagle: “It is a reign of summer people. These patronizing pleasure seekers fence off our mountains and valleys and forbid natives to place a foot on them.”
EDGE WISE: A new weekly column that moves women’s voices to center stage. Women of the Berkshire region, you are hereby invited to make this space your own! EDGE WISE will appear weekly, and my hope is that you will take full advantage of this opportunity to share your views and visions with readers of The Berkshire Edge.
The whole community was responsible to feed the hungry, house the homeless, pay damages on behalf of the law-breaker, and answer for the behavior of the sinner.
We could share common knowledge./ We could ask our children to design their own schools./ Perhaps reevaluate the idea/
All things that hurt are truths.
Polio is something I never talked to anyone about. Since the age of 10 I’ve not had this conversation with another person who’s had polio.
-- Karen Chase, author of "Polio Boulevard."
"It’s hard for voters to feel that students are in such a desperate state, which is a credit to the school board. The output is so successful here that crying wolf really doesn’t work in this town."
-- The Rev. Charles van Ausdall of the First Congregational Church
Monument Mountain Regional High School junior Jacob Robbins was in preschool when al-Qaeda terrorists flew two commandeered aircraft into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, toppling the towers and killing more than 3,000. He recently visited the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City to find connections to a day he doesn't remember.
The Harvest Supper represents community and strengthens the bonds between chefs and farmers who have just finished a hard and rewarding season together.
-- Daire Rooney, chef at Allium in Great Barrington
There was a telescope in front of the Mason Library: I thought: 'I’ll look into space to put local politics in perspective. Earth is so disheartening right now.'
When we use herbs and spices in food, they are an excellent tonic for promoting good health -- and a source of great pleasure by adding amazing flavor.
Over the past decade or so, Great Barrington has emerged as a mini-culinary capital in New England. Michael Ballon has been at the forefront of our growing culinary awareness, appreciation and practices.
