1 week Ago By Monica Bliss
Berkshire Botanical Garden announces completion of new solar project Stockbridge— Berkshire Botanical Garden (BBG) has taken a significant step toward sustainability with the installation of a state-of-the-art solar panel array. The new system, which includes 102 solar panels on the roof of BBG’s Education Building, will go online in the coming weeks.The $121,000 project was paid for through a generous $45,132 matching grant from Tern Foundation’s TernSOLAR Challenge Grant Program.
BBG raised $45,132 from individual donations. The remainder of the project costs will be offset through a 30 percent IRS credit. A utility interconnection agreement with utility provider National Grid will allow any excess electrical production to offset electrical use throughout BBG’s grounds and buildings.
Once the panels go online, they will generate power to offset more than 67 percent of BBG’s current electricity use, in a carbon neutral way. BBG will realize about $13,000 in annual savings, at current electricity prices.In celebration of its newly installed solar panels, BBG has partnered with the Berkshire International Film Festival to present the 2025 Solar Film Forum on Sunday, April 13, at BBG at 11 a.
m. It kicks off with a selection of short documentary films centered on agrivoltaics. Following a lunch, there will be a screening of “Common Ground,” a documentary that emphasizes regenerative farming practices, followed by a panel discussion exploring the relationship between agrivoltaics and regenerative farming in promoting sustainable agricultural methods.
The day will conclude with a biodynamic wine and cheese reception at 3:30 p.m. More information can be found online.
***Hancock Shaker Village announces plans for new Visitor Center & Center for Shaker StudiesHancock— Hancock Shaker Village will break ground in June of 2025 on a newly designed Visitor Center & Center for Shaker Studies. Hancock Shaker Village will soon have a space with newly activated galleries, community event rooms, collection storage, and research areas to display, interpret, and study over 22,000 objects ranging from furniture to textiles to watercolors from Hancock Shaker Village’s impressive collection of Shaker buildings, objects, and ephemera.The building, designed by renowned architects TSKP x IDK, will introduce the history of Hancock through its objects, imparting Shaker narratives, highlighting works of artistic importance and cultural complexity, and foregrounding the hard-working community who crafted and used them.
This collection-driven experience will inform the visitor’s journey prior to entering the grounds where they will be immersed in the physical context: the twenty historic buildings comprising the Village, where many of the objects functioned and were made.The design includes a two-story gallery with improved environmental controls, visitor flow, and new opportunities for interpretive story-telling using the collection objects as guides. Courtesy Hancock Shaker Village.
The decision to break ground this summer came after the Village embarked on a comprehensive fundraising campaign – the Shaker Legacy Campaign – that, while not yet complete, has raised enough money to begin construction. Elissa Haskins-Vaughan, the museum’s newly appointed Director of Development and Special Projects says, “To date, we have received $8 million in commitments to the $10 million Campaign goal, so the need to continue to raise additional money remains. We’ll be seeking funds throughout the year from both foundations and individuals who care about this incredible collection and the history that’s preserved here.
”Although construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2025, Hancock Shaker Village willremain open and operational for the entire season. The Visitor Center will be closed during construction, but the operating team has prepared plans to ensure visitors to the Village will have positive, immersive, and fulfilling experiences throughout the period of construction, which will be isolated to just one corner of the campus.***Berkshire LGBTQ Business, Professional & Community Leaders Networking EventPittsfield— Berkshire LGBTQ+ business owners, professionals, and community leaders are coming together on the 3rd Wednesdays of each month for the new Berkshire LGBTQ Business, Professional & Community Leaders Networking Event to foster connection, collaboration, and creative dialogue, to get to know one another and increase the community’s capacity to respond to rapidly increasing political, economic, demographic, and public health challenges that are especially impacting our rural LGBTQ community.
In partnership with the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Q-MoB, Wander Berkshires, and media sponsor Berkshire Magazine, the networking events offer a platform to reflect on the rich history, vibrant present, and promising future of LGBTQ+ business in the Berkshires, as well as to support one another and find ways to meet the challenges that the LGBTQ community now faces.Pittsfield At- Large City Council Member Alisa Costa. Courtesy Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
Each gathering will feature insights from esteemed LGBTQ & allied leaders in the region. The April 16th gathering will have the theme of “Exploring How the Berkshire’s Long-Standing Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion is bringing business innovation and opportunities to the region. Pittsfield At- Large City Council Member Alisa Costa will speak about why the City of Pittsfield has become a Sanctuary City for Trans/Non-Binary People, and how its long-standing commitment to DEI is helping bring business innovation and opportunities to the city.
Alexandria Eberhardt, Executive Director of the Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, will discuss how businesses across Massachusetts are reaffirming their dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Kevin Pink, 1Berkshire Deputy Director of Economic Development, who will be speaking about how the business community in the Berkshires is continuing its long-time commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and why the businesses that re-affirm this strategy are seeing improvements in customer, staff, and supplier support and engagement.The meeting is on Wednesday.
April 16th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.
m. at Brazzucas Market, located at 75 North Street in Pittsfield. Free registration and more information can be found online.
***MountainOne welcomes Brenda Petell as Vice President, Community Engagement OfficerNorth Adams— MountainOne has welcomed Brenda Petell as Vice President, Community Engagement Officer. In this role, Petell leads MountainOne’s community engagement efforts across the Berkshires and South Shore, strengthening partnerships, advancing philanthropic initiatives, and furthering MountainOne’s long-standing commitment to the communities it serves.Brenda Petell.
Courtesy MountainOne.Petell brings a wealth of experience to MountainOne. Most recently, she served as Director of Volunteer Engagement at Berkshire United Way.
Well-respected across Berkshire County, Brenda will soon be named the 2025 recipient of the Girls Inc. of the Berkshires “She Knows Where She’s Going” award. This recognition honors her ongoing work as an outstanding local female leader who serves as a role model for young women.
Included in her responsibilities, Brenda will oversee MountainOne’s Community Dividend Program, coordinate corporate giving, and ensure that MountainOne’s support aligns with initiatives that reflect the company’s mission. She will also lead employee volunteer efforts, financial literacy programs, and MountainOne’s storybook programming.“We’re thrilled Brenda has joined MountainOne and her enthusiasm for this role is welcomed and appreciated,” said Robert Fraser, President and CEO.
“Her experience, leadership, and commitment to community make her an excellent fit and a valuable addition to our team.”***LitNet welcomes Susan Harding as new Development & Operations AssociateLee— The Literacy Network (LitNet) welcomes Susan Harding to the role of Development and Operations Associate. Harding joins LitNet with five years of experience managing fundraising databases and working with small nonprofits to increase community engagement.
In her previous roles at Shaker Museum in Old Chatham, New York, and Stockbridge Library Museum & Archives, Harding worked with staff, board, and varied committees to implement annual appeals, execute galas and concerts, and develop creative community events.Susan Harding. Courtesy LitNet.
Harding has been hired to fill the vacancy that will be left by the retirement of LitNet’s outgoing Development & Operations Manager, Amy Chin, who joined LitNet in 2021. Chin, who has spent 30 years doing database design and data analysis for local organizations, will stay on as a consultant to LitNet via her personal business, Berkshire Net Results.“Amy has done a tremendous job of shaping LitNet’s internal systems.
Because of her, we have much more ease in using both our educational and donor databases,” says LitNet Executive Director Leigh Doherty. “I’m grateful she’ll be passing off the baton into Susie’s very capable hands. Susie’s experience in fundraising, events, and managing memberships combined with her incredibly bright and can-do attitude are important assets that will help shape LitNet’s future.
I’m very excited to be welcoming Susie to the LitNet team!”***Orion announces Neal Thompson as new PublisherGreat Barrington— Orion announces Neal Thompson as new Publisher. Thompson brings to Orion a breadth of experience across the literary and nonprofit worlds.Neal Thompson.
Courtesy Orion. Photo by Beowulf SheehanAs an author, journalist, editor, and literary arts funder, he has worked across nearly every facet of the publishing arena. His sixth nonfiction book, “The First Kennedys,” adds to a body of work that explores the American narrative with depth and insight.
His books have been named to “best of” lists by NPR, the Wall Street Journal, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more. A former newspaper reporter, he has written for the New York Times, the Washington Post, Outside, Esquire, Men’s Health, and others. He has appeared on numerous TV and radio programs, including NPR, PBS, The Daily Show, CNN, The History Channel, Fox, and ESPN.
Currently a resident of Seattle, Thompson will be relocating to the New England area. His past accomplishments include adjunct faculty at the University of North Carolina’s Great Smokies Writing Program, Seattle Arts and Lectures board member, and Director of the Amazon Literary Partnership philanthropic program.Donovan Arthen, who has been serving as Interim Executive Director for the last year, will remain on staff and return to his previous role as Chief of Finance, Operations, People and Culture.
Arthen remarks, “Neal Thompson brings with him a network of allies and advisors from across the country, and a sincere curiosity and commitment to the mission and future of Orion. Combined with the talents and strengths of our recently appointed Editor in Chief Tajja Isen, Orion’s now complete leadership team will be a blend of editorial excellence, creative vision, organizational integrity, and steady leadership.”.
