As we acknowledged last year, for people in all walks of life, the approach of a new year always offers a chance to look back at what was. It gives us at The Edge an opportunity to gauge what our audience is interested in and perhaps provide some insight into what worked and what didn’t.
Below is a list of The Edge’s top 25 most-viewed stories of 2021. This year was notable in that only a few top stories were pandemic-related.
The Edge’s most-viewed story of 2021 was a total surprise to yours truly. A piece by Berkshire County chef Bob Luhmann was also one of the first published this year. The column chronicled a trip Luhmann took to Donegal, Ireland, and explained in delicious detail his recipe for roast lemon chicken. Luhmann’s article generated more than four times as many page views as the second-place finisher. It even found its way onto a Pinterest page.
1
It’s a long way to Donegal and the best roast chicken
Author: Bob Luhman
Excerpt: “I decided to roast two chickens, which provided us with most of the main courses for our lunch and dinners over the next three or four days. The other advantage was this savings allowed us to enjoy more pints of Guinness at the local pub.”
2
Life lessons I have learned from pickleball
Author: Jane Jacobs
“We may not know where the name came from but we know what it can teach us.”
3
Arrowhead, the Pittsfield farmhouse that gave birth to ‘Moby-Dick’
Author: Sean Crose
“A suggestion from Berkshires Calendar magazine for an interesting place in the Berkshires to visit, even in the days of COVID.”
4
PBS’ Great Performances from Tanglewood airing Nov. 12, featuring BSO, John Williams, Anne-Sophie Mutter
Author: David Noel Edwards
“Composers and soloists always engage in an odd sort of dance. Mutter knows well that Williams, the kindly grandfather, shows no mercy when he writes a concerto for a virtuoso player.”
5
Recollections of a Pittsfield Kid: Way before Evel Knievel
Author: Bob Connors
“​​There was a very steep, formidable hill, about 500 feet long, at Osceola Park. One day, Tony DePoto announced a challenge.”
6
I Publius: The no-sugar blues
Author: Alan Chartock
“Every day we learn about something else that’s bad for you. That limits our choices and it’s a pain in the you-know-what.”
7
Land to build your dream house on (sponsored content)
Author: Edge staff
“An expanded collection of beautiful building lots for sale in the Berkshires, awaiting your vision.”
8
Business Monday: As goes Brimfield, so goes the regional antiques business
Author: Julia Dixon
“The customers are ready to buy, but the sellers are handicapped by COVID-related cutbacks of live antiques shows like Brimfield.”
9
Foreclosure auction set for iconic Cove Lanes; owner vows to ‘get out of the situation’
Author: Terry Cowgill
“Public records show the current owners of the bowling alley, Hankey O’Rourke Enterprises, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 21, 2019.”
10
Snowbirds: Flock north to Florida
Author: Conrad Hanson
“A fresh new suggestion for spending winter in the Berkshires.”
11
Hurricane Henri: Great Barrington Emergency Team situation report No. 1
Author: Edge staff
“We recommend that everyone test their generators, sump pumps, and battery powered lighting and secure outdoor items such as patio furniture.”
12
All park and no bite: How a screened porch is a timeless solution to an age-old problem
Author: Ritch Holben
“For designer Ritch Holben, a screened porch is the most-requested feature in nearly every home he designs.”
13
Great Barrington couple offers to buy fairgrounds, donate portion back to town
Author: Terry Cowgill
“Pruhenski said Shoval Enterprises Inc. has offered to purchase the historic property at 659 Main Street and donate 15–20 acres at the rear of the property back to the town of Great Barrington.”
14
Two-car crash near Monument Mountain claims life of Great Barrington woman
Author: Terry Cowgill
“A 2008 Toyota Tundra driven by a 28-year-old Monterey woman was traveling north when it collided with a 2008 Subaru Forester attempting to exit Lovers Lane.”
15
The Mahaiwe presents Pink Martini to serve up a whimsical elixir of sweet goofiness to ring in the new year
Author: David Noel Edwards
“Against all odds, there actually is an orchestra both serious and whimsical enough to ring out this wretched year with stylish authority and good humor.”
16
What can we learn from the Petito/Laundrie case?
Author: Carole Owens
“Could this tragic continuum of events have been stopped on August 12? If that policeman had a trained mental health professional available for that hour to correctly diagnose and intercede, could the outcome have been better?”
17
David Grover (1952–2021), a Berkshire troubadour
Author: David Noel Edwards
“Anyone who ever saw him entertain a room full of children will tell you that he had the magic touch with kids. His PBS television show ‘Grover’s Corner’ and innumerable community bookings over the decades attest to that.”
18
Baker expands vaccine access to all eligible residents in Phase One, effective immediately
Author: Terry Cowgill
“Eligible residents can now make appointments to receive vaccines at more than 150 locations across the state.”
19
Maskless New Yorkers pack Lake Mansfield to play hockey
Author: Terry Cowgill
“It appeared the out-of-towners were from Columbia County, New York. None were wearing masks, despite being part of a large gathering during the worst public health crisis in more than 100 years.”
20
Roberto’s Pizza is Sheffield’s next hot spot
Author: Hannah Van Sickle
“Robles makes his own dough, stretches it by hand, and tops it with a simple homemade sauce with sweet, California tomatoes front and center. ‘It doesn’t really need much,’ he said. ‘I want the tomato to do the talking.'”
21
Slowed by pandemic, iconic ‘Flying Church’ in Great Barrington nears completion
Author: Terry Cowgill
“It’s pretty much complete now,” Joffe said in an Edge interview. “I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
22
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: When cannabis causes the pain
Author: Sheela Clary
“CHS is a very unpleasant, potentially very dangerous gastrointestinal illness that, some studies have estimated, might plague as many as 12.5 percent of regular cannabis users”
23
Letter: Rail expert: NYC–Pittsfield Berkshire Line ‘an unattainable fantasy’
Author: Mark Shapp
“Enthusiasm for this needs to be tempered by facing some undeniable realities.”
24
I Publius: Little Great Barrington
Author: Alan Chartock
“Great Barrington is really hot. Not so much the outside temperature, but more in terms of growth and change.”
25
Nick Diller weather summary: December 2020, 7th warmest
Author: Nick Diller
“This winter may end up like last winter, a large amount of snow in December and almost nothing the rest of the season.”
