Thursday, March 19, 2026

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THE LAZY BERKSHIRE GARDENER: Week of March 19, 2026

Since everything is ready to get growing all at once, be lazy and choose the issues you care about the most.

Martha Bressette, 93, of Middlefield, formerly of North Adams

A prolific lifelong artist, she shared the joy of art with multiple generations of friends.

News Briefs: Dalton woman charged with motor vehicle offenses; RMV reopens seven locations

The RMV facilities that are being reopened prioritize regional availability, accessibility and facility size and capacity.

Business Briefs: Emergency loans for small businesses; Heddinger joins CATA; CHP hires Moro; Bisaccio joins Lee Bank

The $10 million Small Business Recovery Loan Fund will provide emergency capital up to $75,000 to Massachusetts-based businesses impacted by COVID-19.

State invokes emergency actions to address COVID-19 epidemic

There will be a 3-week suspension of school operations for educational purposes at all public and private elementary and secondary (K-12) schools in the Commonwealth beginning Tuesday, March 17

A very stable Leap Day proposal

I’m proposing to the man whom Michelle Obama will not name that he plan “executive time” all day this Saturday - the whole 24 hours - without tweeting once.

Horse racing should not return to Great Barrington

In a letter to the editor, Wendy Hollis writes, "Issues of concern include traffic increases and environmental concerns as well as animal welfare neglect and abuse."

John Downie, 96, of Canaan, Conn., formerly of Great Barrington and Sheffield

John began his insurance career with companies in Newark, New Jersey, and in Boston and later joined the Wheeler & Taylor agency in Great Barrington. He served as its president from 1976 until his retirement in 1985.

Raymond Wells, 74, of Sheffield

Later in life Raymond went on to continue his education. He received a degree from the Gemological Institute of America in 1980 and Berkshire Community College in 2001.

REFLECTIONS: Haunted by a will

Like individuals, countries want to stretch and develop, yet it's not to the advantage of autocratic governments to encourage ambition and education among their people.

‘Adult Prom’ to raise money for Lee woman injured in auto accident

After myriad challenges in the six months since the 19-year-old Lee resident was struck by a car in Great Barrington, another new normal looms on the horizon: Khali is going to prom Saturday night.

Sticker shock: Options for upgraded East-West passenger rail link between Berkshires and Boston range from $2 billion to $25 billion

A penny on each dollar collected by the state's 6.26 percent sales tax (excluding meals) goes to fund the MBTA. That means Berkshire County residents fund the MBTA with every purchase, even though the MBTA's services do not extend beyond Worcester County.

Supporters for home rule on Great Barrington horse racing take their fight to Boston

Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli, D-Lenox, said he is "personally very optimistic" about the chances of the petition passing in one form or another.

Mark Volpe to retire from the BSO February 2021

Mark Volpe personifies a family spirit at the BSO, and it's something you can see for yourself if you are sitting anywhere in the Koussevitzky Music Shed in July or August a few moments before a concert begins.

Sheldon Rothberg, 81, of Great Barrington, formerly of Sheffield

Sheldon was professor of English and humanities at Berkshire Community College from 1970 to 2002, and founded and led Project Outreach Seniors beginning in 1978.

VIEWPOINT: Residents organizing written, oral testimony to support home rule on horseracing

Senate Bill 101 provides that horse racing licenses in locations that previously were granted commercial racing licenses would need no further approval from the municipality. In Great Barrington, that would mean neither the selectboard nor the citizens would ever have a vote.

AMPLIFICATIONS: Poking the hornet’s nest

According to reports from members of Congress, the briefing regarding what appears to be an illegal act of war on a foreign government was full of holes.
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