BERKSHIRE RECORD

It hasn’t been very interesting recently to write about our President since he has had a remarkable and well-dissected month or so of incredible activity. The details of his escapades have been spread over the media from right to left. From his belief that the virus will go away to his insistence that he was unaware of Russia paying a bounty to the Taliban for the death of American soldiers, he has displayed his incompetence to be President. His disinterest and lies concerning the Russian situation particularly display a lack of concern for America, it’s armed forces, our standing...

Now that the COVID 19 remote learning school year has officially ended, students are receiving their report cards. As an experienced teacher, I realize that although these reports are necessary to provide insights into a student’s academic growth, they do not convey the entirety of an individual’s personality, intellect, creativity, and knowledge base, especially in the trying times we’ve had to live through these past months. With this in mind, I dug out my old middle school report cards to see what memories I could recall, and what I could glean from the information they provided from forty years...

PITTSFIELD — A brand-new exhibition showcasing the work of talented student artists has arrived at the Berkshire Museum. Visual Voice: Portfolios from Pittsfield High School opened to the community Monday, June 15, as part of Berkshire Museum@Home. This exciting partnership between Pittsfield High School and the museum will remain on view through July 31, 2020. Visual Voice: Portfolios from Pittsfield High School showcases the senior portfolios of ten skillful artists in Pittsfield High School’s 2020 AP Art class. The virtual show includes glimpses into the lives of local youth, insightful commentaries on the world through their eyes, and depictions of friends, strangers, idols,...

Lucy Ann Wuori Britton, 62, of Mill River died peacefully Wednesday June 17, 2020 surrounded by her family at Berkshire Medical Center after a strong fought battle with cancer. Lucy leaves behind her loving husband Michael Britton of 37 years, daughter Laurie Britton and her fiancé Sean Whitney, daughter Janet Britton and her pets Dudley and Zee. She also leaves behind her half sister Janet Wuori of Arizona, sister in laws Sheila Bouquet, Barbara Britton, Pat Boulais and Ruth Wuori. She also leaves a nephew Bob Bouquet.  Lucy was widely known and loved through the healthcare, emergency services and emergency preparedness...

Americans are suspicious of expertise. The right believes it is elitist, the province of those pointy-headed liberals who look down their noses at the rest of us. Those on the left remember that the “best and brightest” gave us the ten year slog in Vietnam with 58,000 American deaths and total fatalities of over two million. We laud “good old commonsense”, which many believe is both an antidote for professional knowledge and a solution to any problem. Climate change? How many times do we have be told that a chilly day in summer is proof that the planet is not...

Edward H. Kollmer, died late Thursday night at Fairview Hospital surrounded by his loving family and the amazing and empathetic staff and first responders. He was born in 1946 at Mercy Hospital Rockville Center, Long Island NY., son to Henry (Harry) and Agnes Kollmer and pre-deceased by his parents and sister, Sr. Patricia Kollmer O.P. Edward is survived by Jean, his wife of 46 years, sisters; Carol O’Brien and her husband John, Mary Horton and her husband John, children Stephanie Fallavollita and her husband John, Matthew Kollmer and his wife Dawn, grandchildren Caleb Kollmer, Maya Kollmer, Mia Fallavollita, Nora Fallavollita,...

BECKET —Jacob’s Pillow announced Ronald K. Brown as the recipient of the 2020 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award. A master choreographer and visionary storyteller, Brown’s distinct blend of West African, Caribbean, and contemporary genres is embedded with an unmatched sense of musicality, spiritual traditions, and humanity. An advocate for the growth of the African American dance community for over thirty years, Brown creates works that show audiences “the evidence of themselves and the evidence of our human condition,” and tells stories of human struggles, tragedies, and triumphs. Brown will be honored at Dance We Must: A Virtual Event Supporting Jacob’s...

PITTSFIELD - After seven Virtual Town Halls, 1Berkshire has announced its eighth conversation, which will held on Friday, June 19 at 8:30 AM, with a focus on New Updates to Paid Family Medical Leave. The live event, moderated by 1Berkshire President and CEO, Jonathan Butler, will include experts at the state and local level who have deep insight into the workings of the Paid Family Medical Leave Act, and how it could impact businesses here in the Berkshires during this challenging time. Learn more about how these changes could play a role for you and/or your business, and some...

MEDFORD — The American Red Cross of Massachusetts is launching a Virtual Family Assistance Center to support families struggling with loss and grief due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Families and organizations in need can use this link to access a support hub with special virtual programs, information, referrals and support services. The hub will also connect people to other community resources provided by the Red Cross of Massachusetts and other partners. Those without internet access can call 833-492-0094 for help. “Losing a loved one due to COVID-19 is devastating,” said Holly Grant, Massachusetts Regional Chief Executive Officer. “Not only have these...

Nell Ezequelle, 82, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2020 at Fairview Commons in Great Barrington, MA.  Nell lived in the Berkshires most of her life. She was born on December 28, 1937 in New York City and was the daughter of Benjamin and Kathleen Rueyer.  The family moved to Stockbridge when she was a young girl where she attended Stockbridge Plain School.  She later attended Goucher College.   Nell loved animals and was a veterinarian technician for many years.  Later, she was a Library Assistant at the Berkshire Hills Regional School District. Nell was a faithful member of the First Congregational Church in...

for the excellent infection-control protocol they have in place for the general public who have to use the hospital in these times. It’s very reassuring!

GREAT BARRINGTON — In an effort to streamline periodic celebratory “wave parades,” the town has created an application process to ensure police, fire and other resources are in place for the events. The application asks for organizer information, number of vehicles expected in the parade, route maps, dates and times. The town fire and police departments, public works department and town manager will review and approve or disapprove requests. “The recent wave parades in town — with school district teachers and high school graduates riding through town for sidewalk audiences — have boosted spirits and brought joy to our neighbors, and...

Jane R. Shanklin, of Sandisfield, Massachusetts, passed away on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. Jane was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA on December 12, 1946 to the late Robert D. and Ruth J. (Mulvaney) Freeman of Sandisfield. She was a third generation and life-long resident of Sandisfield, having visited during the summers as a child and choosing to make it her permanent home with her two children in 1973.   Jane is survived by her sons Thomas A. (Melissa) Shanklin of Upper Arlington, OH and Jeffery H. Shanklin of Sandisfield, MA.  She leaves behind siblings Robert T. (Marianna E.) Freeman of Ocean City, MD,...

This may fall under the category of too dumb to live. I understand people who live on faith, wishful thinking and plain greed. I understand that some people don’t believe in facts and science. But it seems that even Fox News and other right-wing “news” media acknowledge the amount of infections and deaths from the highly contagious coronavirus. That said, how can the demonstrators screaming about lifting the stay at home orders believe that the virus is a hoax, a mild case of the flu, or a Democratic plot to oust the president.So the next question is why are...

BOSTON - The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), through the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program, today conducted its annual Massachusetts Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Awards Ceremony virtually to recognize SRTS partner schools and community champions in their efforts in administering programs for students to safely walk and bike to school. “I would like to thank our school and community partners for their collaboration in providing safe routes to schools across the Commonwealth,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “The Safe Routes to School Program is even more important than ever in our world today, because due...