Issue: December 2015-January 2016
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Pride or oppression?
By THOMAS DIMOPOULOSContributing writerGREENWICH, N.Y. Photo by Joan K. Lentini: Ann Townsend displays a sign she created in August to protest the sale of Confederate flags at the Washington County Fair. When Ann Townsend saw the Confederate battle flag prominently displayed at some of the vendor booths at the Washington County Fair this read more
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Fruits of summer, all year long
Jam maker grows home business through farmers market sales By STACEY MORRISContributing writer BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. Anna Mae Clark started selling her homemade fruit jams at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market 15 years ago and now ships them to customers around the country. With the exception of oranges and cranberries, she uses only fruit grown read more
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In Mass., a hot debate over saving bees
Farm lobby’s plan prompts pushback from beekeepers By TRACY FRISCHContributing writer Beekeepers in Massachusetts have been organizing in recent months to challenge regulatory and legislative proposals they say would not do enough to protect bees from pesticides — and might actually put them in greater jeopardy. The changes are aimed at curbing recent mass read more
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Foam-free zone expands to Pittsfield
By EVAN LAWRENCEContributing writer PITTSFIELD, Mass. Polystyrene foam cups like these will be prohibited in Pittsfield, Mass., beginning in July under a local law adopted in October. The city joins Great Barrington, Williamstown and six other Massachusetts towns in restricting the use of foam coffee cups and clamshell takeout containers. Susan Sabino photo There read more
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Amid virtual shopping, real stores find a way
Region’s downtowns tap into growth of buy-local movement By KATE ABBOTTContributing writer In the shadow of ever-expanding online and big-box commerce, locally owned businesses are still finding ways to draw customers downtown this year as the holidays draw near. The attractions vary widely: scrabble lights or Haiku poetry games, fresh arugula in midwinter, the read more
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Choreographing a night of stargazing
Artist guides massive quilt-making project in northern Berkshires By JOHN SEVENContributing writer WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. The choreographer Emily Johnson, an artist in residence at Williams College, conducts a visioning session with students at Williamstown Elementary School in preparation for “Stargazing,” a nightlong community event planned for the spring of 2017. Courtesy photo/Maggie Thompson Some artists read more
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Election 2015: Final tallies from Mass. and N.Y.
Here are the results from major local races in the Nov. 3 general elections in New York and Massachusetts. A short summary follows the vote tallies from each county. MASSACHUSETTS BERKSHIRE COUNTY North Adams mayor* Richard Alcombright ………………….. 2,430 (54.2%)John Barrett III ……………………………… 2,054 (45.8%) Pittsfield mayor* Daniel Bianchi …………………………… 4,502 (40.3%)Linda read more
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Confederate battle flag has no place at the fair
At first blush, New York’s Washington County seems about the most unlikely place for anyone to be flying the Confederate battle flag. After all, this is the North. In the Civil War, hundreds of men from Washington County (along with hundreds more from every neighboring county) fought to preserve the Union and end the institution read more