Hello Peter Wilde,

Visiting a friend on Ice Glen Road, I noticed your exceptional light posts. I imagine they were originally installed with the house, Villa Virginia. Am I right? What a wonderful detail at the entrance to your magnificent house. 

These treasures are aging. They seemed historic when I wrote The Berkshire Cottages and now so much older. I salute all those who can and do preserve them. We lost a real treasure on Prospect Hill Road this year — a Daniel Chester French gazebo. The whole neighborhood was saddened.

I noticed there were 3 lamp posts and was hoping the 4th is extant somewhere and you know where.

Thank you for preserving and protecting. I was smiling all day after driving past your lamp posts.

Sincerely, Carole Owens

Carole,

I have been speaking to the town and now have the 4th. Restoring them all to put back up and protect but takes forever given on town land so can’t just do it myself. 

Thanks Peter

Hi Carole,

Hope all is well with you! We enjoyed a rousing Halloween party at Riverbrook yesterday and the ladies are now looking forward to Thanksgiving. Most of them will head home for a few days with family.

We so enjoy the Stockbridge Updates Newsletter. I wanted to tell you I am especially delighted with Lionel Delevingne’s photos which are truly magical!

Have a great weekend,

Ruth

Editor’s note: Ruth Tremblay Hanley is ISP & Human Rights Manager at Riverbrook Residence, Inc.

In response to my Berkshire Edge column, part of which is repeated here under Editorial above. Donna Jacobs wrote: Thank you Carole. Yes, it matters. In the aftermath of this election, let any fears or angers fuel resolve to make a difference in the way we live with one another. Lift despair about the future by empowering ourselves to respect each other, support the right to speak and be heard by government. Small actions, big impact.

Steve Smith wrote: When over time, we the people stop fighting to know the Truth and cease demanding to know facts we become a socialistic country. 

John Breasted wrote: This is very interesting history and setting of that history in the current social and political context in Berkshire County. Thank you, Carole Owens and The Berkshire Edge.

Members of the Stockbridge Democratic Town Committee & Friends

Dear fellow Democrats

As Vice-Chair of the SDTC I feel the need to comment on the recent election: 

For the most part, I think the national outcome was disastrous. I don’t really know why the voting was as it was. Certainly, pundits of varying expertise will proffer assessments. In time there will probably be something of a consensus, though that too will likely not be definitive. But we’ll see.

Statewide we did well. And locally we did great. If you haven’t yet seen it, Democrats dominated. A special cheer goes out to Leigh Davis and Paul Mark, our winning Democratic state representatives. 

Moving forward, nationally we will see what transpires and how it affects us – and we will deal with it! Statewide and locally, I see no reason for us to tuck our tail between our legs. Our Stockbridge Democratic values are strong: We put our citizens first, welcome our guests, cherish our history and fight to preserve our environment. And we appreciate all those who serve, at all levels and in all ways. 

There will be upcoming elections – in May we’ll be making decisions that affect us at the most local level. This is not the time to throw in the towel. Or to be divisive. It’s widely held that Stockbridge is a special place. And standing together as Democrats we’ll fight to keep it that way.

Thank you.

Don Chabon 

Editor’s note: Don Chabon is Vice-Chair of the Stockbridge Democratic Town Committee