1. Continuation of the Public Hearing on the development of 35-37 Interlaken (formerly the DeSisto School) is scheduled for April 17, 6pm, Town Offices. Please watch for schedule changes as the applicant has the right to postpone, and in light of the Perr Review, they may wish more time. 
   1. In celebration of its newly installed solar panels, Berkshire Botanical Garden (BBG) has partnered with the Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) to present the 2025 Solar Film Forum on Sunday, April 13, at BBG.
      
      The festival will kick off at 11 a.m. with a selection of short documentary films centered on agrivoltaics, including “Pastures and Panels,” “Harvesting the Sun,” and “Sunshine Synergy: Agrivoltaics with BlueWave.” Attendees will enjoy a complimentary lunch followed by the screening of “Common Ground,” a documentary that emphasizes regenerative farming practices. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion exploring the relationship between agrivoltaics and regenerative farming in promoting sustainable agricultural methods. The day will include a biodynamic wine and cheese reception at 3:30 p.m. sponsored by Dare Bottleshop & Provisions. Visit BerkshireBotanical.org/FilmFestival for more information.
      BBG will Celebrate Earth Day in Stockbridge with a Free Tree Giveaway on Friday April 25, at 11am. BBG’s Ron Kujawski will be on site to answer questions about selection and planting. White Oak, Eastern Pine, Silky Dogwood, and Sugar Maple trees, all native to our region, will be available for you to take home and plant.
   1. Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) presents the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge at The Boulders, Pittsfield, Tuesday, April 22, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm. Learn how to use the iNaturalist app on your phone and practice on the variety of beautiful spring wildflowers found at The Boulders reserve, all while participating in a global bioblitz! You’ll come away from this program as a community scientist ready to participate.
      For more information about this and many more springtime programs go to www.bnrc.org
   1. Norman Rockwell Museum presents a Portraiture Workshop: Capturing a Likeness
      May 10 @ 11:00 am EDT – 12:30 pm EDT
      $20 plus admission; $20 for Members.
      Join in an artist-led workshop about portraiture with Anita Kunz, whose work is on view in Original Sisters: Portraits of Courage and Tenacity. Learn how to draw a portrait by using a photograph as source material. Participants will be introduced to Kunz’s step-by-step process of careful observation and visual analysis. All drawing skill levels are welcome; art technical guidance will be provided.
      Participants should bring a photograph or other source material that they want to use as the basis of their drawing. Drawing materials will be provided. Class size is limited; please register in advance.
      ANITA KUNZ is an artist and illustrator living in Toronto. Her art has been published widely and shown in galleries and museums all over the world. She has also been featured regularly in Time, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, GQ, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Newsweek, The Atlantic, and The New York Times Magazine, and she has done work for Sony Music. Kunz has also illustrated more than fifty book covers. From 1988 to 1990 she was one of two artists chosen by Rolling Stone to produce a monthly illustrated history of rock ‘n’ roll endpaper. In 2017, she was inducted into the Society of Illustrators’ Museum of American Illustration Hall of Fame.
   1. Stockbridge Library in cooperation with the Stockbridge Agricultural and Forestry Commission will hold an Earth Day/Arbor Day Children’s Craft event at the Town Library on April 22, 2025, from 11am-12:30pm.
      Save the Date – Tuesday June 10, 2025: Stockbridge Library Fund Raiser – Golf and Racket Challenge – New Format – Afternoon play followed by Cocktail Party

Our Candidates 2025

Jamie Minacci:

My candidacy for re-election on Stockbridge Select Board

My first three years on the Stockbridge Select Board have gone quickly. There has been a tremendous amount of time spent learning about governance, the mechanisms of decision making, as well as the content of the various topics, projects and our current legislative decisions. Still, our Select Board has gotten a great deal of work done.

In addition, I have chaired the Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission concerned with very important issues such as dredging and controlling Cyanobacteria Blooms. I have served on the Conservation Commission protecting our wetlands.

I want to express my appreciation and gratitude for the citizens of the Town of Stockbridge who believed in my ability to roll up my sleeves and work for the residents. It has been an honor and privilege to work with my colleagues on the Select Board and the capable, hard working Town Hall employees.

I look forward to the next three more years to work for our Town on its many ongoing and important projects. I believe my work ethic, dedication and professionalism provide the necessary skills to continue working for our community. I would like to see our projects through to completion and contribute to a stronger future together.

I would like to ask for your vote on Tuesday, May 20th. Thank you very much for your support. I would also thank Carole Owens for her dedication to her reporting in Stockbridge Updates.

Warmly,

Jamie Minacci
Select Board ChairEditor’s note: Even those who are not challenged and challenger Lisa Sauer please submit to SU so voters will get to know you. positions, and what encouraged you to run. One of the joys of small-town living is knowing our representatives so introduce yourselves. Thank you