Editorial

Editorial: Joy cometh in the morning

Sounds good and maybe that is enough, but what does it mean? The phrase “joy cometh in the morning” is found in Psalm 30:5 which says, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” It all signifies the transient nature of sorrow. No matter how deep the sorrow, joy will ultimately return.

Now may be just the moment to remember that. We have been through a jarring two years – all of us – regardless of political affiliation, religious affiliation, national origin, or ethnicity. Immigrants and American citizens have been rounded up and deported; antisemitism is on the rise; women have lost rights they thought were established; the sanctity and security of our privilege of voting is under pressure and threat.

At a time like this it is important to remember two things: change is the one constant, and, in a democracy, we have the power to guide the change. This verse is often interpreted as a metaphor for hope and renewal, suggesting that difficult times are temporary. Vote carefully and thoughtfully and know that is a beginning not an end. No matter who wins, stay involved, and be part of those who guide us back to safety and sanity.

AI tells us that the Hebrew word used for joy in this context is “rinnah.” However, rinnah means more than joy; it means a ringing cry of joy and praise. Want to see and hear what that looks like? Go to You Tube, search for Louis Armstrong (Satchmo) and Danny Kaye singing “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

Sit back and watch mutual respect, real talent, and unadulterated joy, play out for 4 minutes (select the long version).

by Carole Owens, Executive Editor

Watch Now!

Stockbridge Updates on Air: Lionel Delevingne – The Intersection of Art and Politics

News

SU FYI

1. Field is open: it was opening night at Field that an appreciative audience roared and applauded when Satchmo and Danny Kaye ripped up the screen. It was Maira Kalman, in her inimitable style introducing utter joy – not overlooking regret, remorse, fear, and death.

Over the three days, it was where an entire audience of approximately 180 gasped in surprise when Annette Gordon Reed and Brent Staples told them Martha Wayles Jefferson, the wife of Thomas Jefferson, and Sally Hemmings, his mistress, were half-sisters. A new way of looking at American history, slavery, and demographics, opened at their feet.

It was where Kai Bird and Susan Goldmark told us about their book: American Scoundrel: Roy Cohn’s Dark Journey from Joe McCarthy to Donald Trump. The behaviors of a narcissist were laid bare – their unique nature, destructiveness, and longterm impact. Suggesting that, from the Rosenberg trial to McCarthy to Donald Trump, we are still living in Roy Cohen’s America.

There was so much more. Jonathan Alter and Shaniqua Mc Clendon tackling the maze of modern American politics with the bifurcated Republican and Democratic parties and the ever-growing independents or politically homeless.

To picture it, Field is not unlike the Author’s Guild annual WIT program – WIT stands for “Words, Ideas, and Thinkers.” WIT begun in 2022, aimed “to foster discussions around critical issues and celebrate literary culture.” It may be that Field picked up where WIT dropped off as there were WIT programs from 2022- 2025 but not in 2026. Field promised to open again in 2027.

2. Trustees of Reservations announces a position available – Major Gift Officer – full time, 40 hours per week, Salary Rate: $122,500-$143,500 (Senior Major Gift Officer), $96,250-$123,750 (Major Gift Officer) $96,250-$110,000 serving Boston, Stockbridge, Ipswich, and Dover. Founded in 1891, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is Massachusetts’ premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees pre serves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 85,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more at www.thetrustees.org
3. STOCKBRIDGE 250 REVISES ELIGIBILITY TO WIN PASSPORT 250 PRIZES

Stockbridge 250 participants who have attended a minimum of FIVE of the eight events listed in the PASSPORT 250 are now eligible to win one of the prizes. The five events replace the eight events previously required to win. The prizes are:

1st place – A statue of the Standing Lincoln donated by Chesterwood. This replica of an American Hero is valued at $400.

2nd place – Tickets to admit two adults donated by the Norman Rockwell Museum. (Tickets have no cash value and cannot be exchanged for a refund, credit or cash equivalent).

Runners Up – A copy of the “Stockbridge Story 1739-1989”. This history of the town was written by town residents. (There will be multiple prizes in this category.)

Stockbridge Updates will announce the winners when they are selected.

4. For Love of T is a suicide prevention program. For Love of T. If you are feeling sad, hopeless, trapped, or having no reason to live – reach out. The people at For Love of T understand and know how to help. Click here to learn more: www.lveoft.org

Events

Events

1. Berkshire Botanical Garden Announces Arborist Day at River Walk in Great Barrington, November 4, 8am to 3pm. The event invites area arborists to take part in this day of pruning, removals and plantings in the peaceful and sensitive stretches of Riverwalk and Riverfront. Arborists will convene near the W.E.B. DuBois rain garden/kiosk off River Street at about 8 a.m.

This annual event is sponsored by the Berkshire Botanical Garden. For over 21 years, arborists from around the Berkshire community come together to provide a day of professional service to care for a host location’s trees. Tree planting, pruning and removal will be conducted for the host site. This year’s speaker will be Dr. Brian Kane, professor in the Department of Environmental Conservation at the University of Massachusetts, who will talk about tie-in points for climbing and rigging, ropes and the strength of wood species. This presentation is eligible for continuing education credits.

The co-founder of the event, BBG Trustee Tom Ingersoll of Ingersoll Land Care in Sheffield, describes this day as “a great opportunity for different teams of professional arborists to mix it up, collaborate and give back to our community.”

Arborist Day was the brainchild of BBG’s former Director of Horticulture Dorthe Hviid, along with arborists Ron Yaple, Ken Gooch and Tom Ingersoll.

“In recognizing the Berkshire Botanical Garden’s need for professional attention, we reached out to our industry peers and created a tradition,” said Ingersoll. “After the first Arborist Day on the BBG campus, the group then reached out to other area non-profits, schools and museum properties to offer the services of as many as 25 professionals and their equipment.”

Over the years, Arborist Day has visited — and provided free tree service to — The Mount, Construct’s Pine Woods Condominiums, The Bidwell House, Monument Mountain High School, Gould Farm, Brookside Manor, Hebert Arboretum, and Norman Rockwell Museum. stationery

2. The Berkshire Natural Resources Council presents upcoming hikes and happenings: November 4, 9:30am – 11:30am, Mahanna Cobbe, Pittsfield Click here for more information

Joint hike with OLLI, Old Mill Trail, Hinsdale, November 18 9:30am – 11:30am Click here for more information

3. Norman Rockwell Museum presents Krazy Kat and Calvin & Hobbes: Classic Comics Family Day, November 14, 10am to 3pm.

https://www.nrm.org/events/krazy-kat-and-calvin-hobbes-classic-comics-family-day

Free with Museum admission – Free Admission for Kids on Opening Weekend is offered thanks to funding from the Art Bridges Cohort Program *

Join us for a day of family fun as we celebrate the opening of two special exhibits featuring Krazy Kat and Calvin & Hobbes. Join our team of educators and special guest artist, Leonardo Quiles, for comic strip-themed artmaking & more. All ages are welcome. Drop-in, no reservations required.

This multi-year, multi-institutional art sharing partnership formed by the Delaware Art Museum, in collaboration with the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, the Brandywine River Museum of Art, the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, the New Britain Museum of American Art, and the Norman Rockwell Museum, is made possible by the Art Bridges Cohort Program.

About Art Bridges

Art Bridges Foundation is the vision of philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton. Founded in 2017, Art Bridges creates and supports projects that share works of American art with communities across the United States and its territories. Art Bridges partners with a growing network of over 300 museums—impacting 25 million people nationwide—to provide financial and strategic support for exhibitions, collection loans, and programs designed to educate, inspire, and deepen engagement with local communities. The Art Bridges Collection represents an expanding vision of American art from the 19th century to present day and encompasses multiple media and voices. For more information, visit artbridgesfoundation.org

Notes

From the Desk of Berkshire Hills School District Superintendent Peter Dillon Around Our Schools: Taking Stock and Goal Setting

Each year, our District, schools, and staff take time to set goals. We look at measurable indicators, including test scores, attendance, chronic absenteeism, and MassCore completion, as well as survey results. As we settle into the school year, we’re grateful for the many ways our community supports our schools and students. Your questions, ideas, and engagement help shape our priorities and keep us moving forward together. With that shared commitment in mind, I’d like to share three goals guiding our collective work this year:

GOAL 1: Improving District and Professional Culture

Build trust, transparency, and shared accountability among all stakeholders through consistent communication, visible leadership, and collaborative decision-making.

GOAL 2: High Quality Instructional Materials & Collective Effort Toward Student Mastery

Ensure all classrooms use coherent, standards-aligned curriculum with shared assessments, supported by professional learning cycles and authentic data use.

GOAL 3: Structured Vertical Alignment and Coherent Systems of Support

Create intentional, facilitated vertical conversations across grades and buildings; establish clear MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) intervention structures which emphasize providing different levels of academic and behavioral support based on students’ individual needs ; and amplify student voice district-wide.

Throughout the year, these goals help guide our work and take stock of the progress we’re making and where we may need to do more.

Updates on how we are doing in each school are integral to this process. We recently shared this report at the October 8th School Committee meeting; among the FY27 Assessment Data, highlights include the following: sustained high achievement and growth at Muddy Brook; rising ELA performance levels at Du Bois that now surpass the Massachusetts average; and a bump in English scores at Monument. We’re proud that 93.5% of students earned a 3, 4, or 5 on AP exams (following 95% the previous year), while participation continues to grow over time. Our graduates also continue to find success in their postsecondary pursuits, whether in college, the workforce, or the military.

Earlier this month, 24 high school students were inducted into the National Honor Society. What was most striking were the introductions, written by senior peers, about each honoree. These individuals excelled in academics, arts, music and athletics. Perhaps more importantly, they excelled in both character and service—volunteering on campus at our own Muddy Brook Elementary; in the community at Fairview Hospital, local churches and synagogues; and dozens of other places beyond. With our young people learning, growing, and impacting our community in such meaningful ways, we have much to be hopeful about.

As the year progresses, we encourage you to join us in the work of meeting our goals— by raising questions and concerns, helping us track our successes and identify areas for growth. Thanks for your partnership.

News

News from the Statehouse

By Christine Rasmussen

Last week, the Massachusetts House of Representatives approved a $2.354 billion fiscal 2026 Supplemental budget (H 5700) with a unanimous 152-0 vote thus closing out the state’s financial books for the year. The supplemental budget addresses structural shortfalls across several critical state sectors. The largest funding package allocates $1.8 billion to MassHealth, the state’s primary Medicaid program supporting disabled and low-income individuals. Additional target spending allocations include:

• $159 million to cover statewide snow and ice removal costs. 
• $54.5 million designated for Department of Transitional Assistance caseworkers. 
• $22.5 million to provide no-cost phone calls for state prisoners.
• $5.6 million dedicated to implementing existing cannabis-related legislation.
• $4 million allocated directly to rest homes.

In addition, the House voted to defeat the Gas Tax Holiday Amendment (H 5699):

The House decisively voted 30-132 to reject a proposed amendment that would have suspended the state’s 24-cents-per-gallon gas tax for a period of two months. Supporters advocated for the 60-day gas tax holiday as immediate financial relief for families and small businesses combating high costs. While opponents questioned the amount of savings for consumers and if the industry would use the money for lowering costs directly for consumers.

Retention of Offshore Wind Funding:

Lawmakers also voted 25-129 to strike down an amendment aimed at removing green energy subsidies from the supplemental budget. The defeated amendment sought to cancel a planned $35 million transfer from the General Fund to the Massachusetts Offshore Wind Industry Investment Trust Fund across fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Supporters defended the proposal by emphasizing the sector supports 3700 construction jobs and underpins the region’s expanding climate-tech market. Other Non-monetary Policy Adjustments:

• Prohibit constitutional officers from utilizing public funds for self-promotional advertisements, though keeping permissions intact to promote active state programs.
• Establishes strict guardrails on artificial intelligence (AI) in political advertising including disclosure of AI usage in political materials and bans deceptive media related to electoral processes or active candidates within three months of an election.
• Directs online state lottery revenues to the Early Education Grant Fund.
• Completely abolishes the standard $10 rental surcharge applied to car-sharing organization rentals.

Both House Committee on Ways and Means Chair Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading) supported the legislation as a necessary fix for critical program deficits, while opponents like the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance asserted that the passage of a secondary closeout budget immediately following the implementation of the primary state budget on July 1 signaled fiscal mismanagement.

The Next Phases Required for the Supplemental Budget Enactment into Law include: Senate Review and Re-drafting; Senate Floor Vote; Reconciliation; Enactment, and Governor’s Action – days to sign it into law, veto the entire bill, or exercise her line-item veto power to strike down or reduce specific spending amounts and policy provisions while signing the remainder of the budget.

by By Christine Rasmussen

News from Stockbridge and Our Neighbors

News from Great Barrington

Special Town Meeting, October 19, 2026. There were six articles on the Warrant, however, it was decided to take no action on Article Five because the Planning Board had not yet completed its deliberations. Article Five would have increased the number of rooms allowed in a GB motel or hotel.

Article One: Passed without discussion: the Town appropriated $20,700,000 for construction of a new wastewater treatment and pump station. The expense would not increase the tax rate. It required a 2/3 vote – the vote was 148 – 9.

Article Two: to see if the Town will approve a transfer of $500,000 from the Stabilization Fund for clean-up and remediation of the Cook’s Garage, 426 Park Street. The building would then be sold. Housatonic building became the property of GB in 2018 for nonpayment of taxes.

There was wide ranging discussion about why the building was not stabilized or remediated years ago to avoid demolition by neglect. Why the building cannot be sold as is or why the $114,000 tax lein cannot be sold separately. However, the Article passed.

Article three: to correct a “scrivener’s error” wherein the wrong fiscal year was recorded. Passed without discussion.

Article Four: to authorize payment of invoices owed to Eagle Shoe and Railroad Street Youth project. Passed without comment

Article Six: A Citizen’s Petition to appropriate $47, 838 to fund the Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad. Discussion made clear that SBAS was a beloved private, nonprofit service in GB. Passed.

News from Lee

On October 21, 2026, one year to the day before the 250th Anniversary of the founding of Lee, Massachusetts, there was a kickoff. Lee was founded on October 21, 1777, and named after General Charles Lee. Who was Charles Lee?

Charles Lee (1732–1782) was a British-born American army officer who served in the British Army during the French Indian War 1754 – 1760 and rn 1775, Lee volunteered to serve in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. The town was part of a broader pattern of honoring military leaders of the Revolutionary War. During the early period, Lee was known for its paper production and fine marble quarries.

A year from now, the celebration will include a Block Party, trolley rides on the fine old trolley Lee purchased, and a book about the history of Lee. If you would like to be involved in producing the book, contact the Select Board Chair Bob Jones or the 250 Book subcommittee at lee250book@gmail.com

News from Lenox

Lenox Historical Commission (LHC) Public Hearing: Spring Lawn, 10 Kemble Street, Lenox. The Public Hearing was called to order. The Chair explained there was a sign-up sheet for all members of the public who wished to speak. To allow time for all, speakers should limit themselves to three minutes and address the subject of the hearing. The Hearing was to determine if a permit to demolish Spring Lawn would be granted or if the Demolition Delay Bylaw would be triggered pausing any action for one year allowing another buyer to be found. That would happen if the building were deemed “preferably preserved” – that is – saved because it is Reviewer historically or architecturally significant.

The Chair further explained that the purpose of the Public Hearing was for the applicant to inform the LHC and answer its questions. Therefore, the applicant would be given adequate and longer time.

Jeff Lynch, attorney for the applicant- the owners of Spring Lawn including Hilary Rockett and Robert Coakley. Lynch explained that they purchased Spring Lawn with the intension of restoring it. A representative of Beals Associates (often used as a Peer Reviewer in permit hearings) explained that the building was not salvageable. The architect described the new buildings to be constructed.

Lynch concluded with an explanation of the interaction with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and their conditional approval of demolition as well as repeating that the goal of the owners had been preservation but were now recommending demolition and reconstruction of the main house, demolition of two other structures (possibly not an original part of the Spring Lawn estate), rehabilitation of the carriage house and new builds of a number of houses.

The public comments (12) were uniformly negative. All supported saving and not demolishing Spring Lawn.

LHC announced that there would be a Special Town Meeting on November 5 and an article on the Warrant would ask for money to pay an independent evaluator of the building to determine whether it could be saved. However, LHC postponed their vote and continued the Public Hearing.

News from Stockbridge

Notes from the Select Board (SB) Meeting, October 15, 2026

The SB approved Will Laidlaw to serve the unexpended term of PB member who stepped down.

In public comments, Meg Collier introduced herself as one of 24 Stockbridge residents who receives her water from Then Housatonic Water Works. She was anxious to know the best way to follow what is going on and what might happen next. Apparently tere is a 30-day extension in provision of water and then it is unclear. Great Barrington has declared an emergency.

The American Craftsman is back! A shop in town from 1981 to COVID (2019) as the owner described it set up shop again in the former Stockbridge coffee shop on Elm Street. License approved.

Town Administrator reported on the progress of the Stockbridge Bowl dam, the Shadowbrook culvert, paving Rte. 183 from Lake Drive to the Lenox Town Line, and a small grant for recycling.

Norman Rockwell Museum is fabricating a toy fire truck and would like permission to put the Town seal on it. Granted

Rich Bradway reported on progress made on the Revolutionary War monument. 468 names will appear – 93 Mohicans, 12 Blacks, and 363 colonists.

The names of the Mohicans “are so long” it will require 4 plaques. The cost of preparing the plaques is $12,039. Bradway would like approval from the SB so they can proceed. The Munsee band of the Mohican Nation has offered to pay for the plaques and would like to bless the earth in a special ceremony and bring members of the tribe to Stockbridge for the ceremonies. SB approved both. Bradway added that the plaques will go on a large natural stone already selected and the monuments for the other wars will be replaced so they are in chronological order. There will be an inscription says in part: to commemorate Stockbridge residents of Mohican, African, and European ancestry, the esteemed patriots, who fought valiantly to found a new nation.

The South County Connector is now ready to resume. Stockbridge has received a contractual agreement. The SB will read and review and vote on acceptance at the November meeting.

The Cupola on Town offices will be taken down in early November.

Notes from the Conservation Commission (CPC), October 15, 2026

The schedule for this round of grants is as follows: Public meeting October 26, 2026; grants submitted by noon on November 13, 2026, and Consideration and voting by CPC on November 20 and December 4, 2026

Notes from the Board of Assessors (BOA), October 20, 2026

The Overlay Fund has $172,039 in it. Use of that money is restricted to paying for abatements and exemptions, uncollectible taxes, and losses in Appellate Court. Each year the BOA votes to add the Fund. The assessor recommended $20,000

We have commercial, industrial, and personal property. Each year the BOA votes to recommend or not recommend splittin the tax rate. Recommended against as we never have split the rate because we don’t have enough commercial or industrial property to justify it.

Each year the BOA considers the Residential Tax Exemption. They have never approved it, and they recommended against it again. Their reasons were: although it creates more work for the Assessors office, it does not result in any more income efor the Town. Also, as Stockbridge Updates suggested last issue, there has to be enough second homes to ease the burden as it provides relief. (SU suggested a 60/40 split – 60% or more second homeowners and 40% residents).

Notes from the Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission (SBSC), October 22, 2026

The discussion focused on aircraft landing on Stockbridge Bowl. Other Towns have banned the practice. SBSC created a sub-committee to study what is best for Stockbridge. One stumbling block was the inability to speak to Town Counsel. The Chair explained only three Boards can speak to Town Counsel: Select Board, Planning Board, and Conservation Commission. Secondly no sub-committee can contact Town Counsel directly. The Chair suggested they let him know and then will arrange for Town Counsel to attend a meeting and answer questions. The subcommittee met with Town Administrator to find a simple process to get control of the situation. Apparently, they have to meet with Department of Transportation (DOT). That may be a long, difficult process. In addition, it was speculated that since there was no accidents associated with the landings, they may not find a sympathetic ear at DOT. They may be able to write a local bylaw to deal with the issue and ask for Town Meeting to vote on it.

Reader to Reader

Reader to Reader

Carole,

Why has Stockbridge not accepted [the Seasonal Communities designation under the Affordable Homes Act] ?

My best

Caren Lobo

Editor’s note: Caron attached an article, “Grants lift year-round housing efforts in seasonal Mass towns”

Hi Caron,

Accepting the designation requires a vote at Town Meeting. That requires an article on the Warrant. It was never placed on the Warrant. That can be done by Citizen’s Petition or you can request a Select Board member to place it on the Warrant or contact Town Administrator to place it on the Select Board agenda for discussion at a SB meeting.

Nice to hear from you.

Carole

Vote Vote Vote

Hi Carole,

Can you get information out about how to vote early and on Election Day. I’m very concerned about the town’s accommodations for voting, the lack of drop boxes and handicapped accessibility and whether the cupola will be removed successfully on Monday and whether there will actually be access on Tuesday. Here’s the link to the article in today’s Eagle which has information but the article in the Edge does not talk about Election Day.

The delicate maneuver is expected to take most of the day, requiring closure of the building from noon onward, reopening for in-person voting on Tuesday

Anita Schwerner.

Anita,

As you know, on the Secretary of State’s web page it recommends we use drop boxes at this late date as delivery by the post office is not assured. Also as you mentioned, there does not appear to be a plan if the work is not completed by Tuesday. It is the obligation of Town Offices to make a plan so everyone who wishes to vote can vote and knows exactly where and how. The cupola has been an issue for years and this plan to remove it has been known since July. A plan should be in place and communicated to all residents.

Carole