the Local Life

Meet the people and places that make the Berkshires thrive—community stories, local businesses, and culture with heart.

Off Duty

Summer is the loveliest—and also hands-down busiest—season, especially for those whose jobs are in the culture sector.

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Finding My Flock

In the Berkshires, keeping chickens is practically a rite of passage. I never thought I’d join in—or have these hens matter so much to me.

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PICKLEMANIA!

Pickleball gets under your skin in the best possible way. Inside the Berkshires’ fastest-growing, good-for-you obsession.

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The Church of Crewdson

Renowned photographer Gregory Crewdson and his partner, Juliane Hiam, have deep roots in the Berkshires. Welcome to the sanctuary they call home.

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Robert Hartwell stands in his beautifully designed kitchen wearing a bright pink suit of shirt and slacks.
Home Is Where the Hart Is

When former Broadway performer Robert Hartwell moved to Great Barrington, he brought his talents, style, and joy—and learned about his past while planning his future.

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Monumental Moments

Our region is rich in history that’s captured in statues, memorials, and markers. Don’t just drive or walk by—pause and learn from them. Here’s a look at nine to get you started.

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Room to Grow

Roots Rising has empowered local teens for a decade—and the organization itself is flourishing with a new farm of its own in Pittsfield.

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Building Bridges

Meet Gwendolyn VanSant—local leader in the continued quest to advance equity and justice. Her life’s work is improving the lives of others.

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The Ultimate Creator

Since putting down roots in Williamstown a decade ago, Tu Le has taken on many roles: farmer, chef, florist, designer. Everything he does is about creativity and community—and this summer, he’s everywhere.

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Off Duty

We asked some of our talented local leaders what they’re hoping to see, do, and eat this season when they’re not at work. You’ll want to use their recs to inspire your own beautiful Berkshires summer.

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The Parade Marches On

A Pittsfield tradition since 1801, the city’s Fourth of July Parade continues to unite generations. Once marked by veterans’ marches and civic pride, today it shines with music, floats, and community spirit. This year’s theme: Red, White, Blue and You.

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Ali Louis Bourzgui: From the Berkshires to Broadway

Back on March 28, Ali Louis Bourzgui, a shy, heart-throbby, 24-year-old crowned with a whirlwind of dark, curly locks, stepped out from the subway and onto one of the world’s most iconic crossroads—42nd and Broadway, in Manhattan. Within a few hours, he would yield to the inevitable: his dreams coming true. That evening, he debuted in the title role in “The Who’s Tommy,” at the Nederlander Theatre in the heart of the Times Square theater district.

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All in the Family

Like her sister Eileen, Annie Herrick has warm memories of cold Berkshire winters and growing up with siblings that loved to ski.

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Local Love

Eileen Shiffrin—herself a masters ski racer, not to mention the celebrated longtime coach of her daughter, Mikaela Shiffrin—developed her passion for the sport and outdoor adventure right here in the Berkshires.

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Always Be Faster Than The Boys

A native of Pittsfield, Heidi Voelker joined the U.S. Ski Team at 15 and competed in the 1988, 1992, and 1994 Olympics. After 27 years as a ski ambassador for Deer Valley, she’s still in Park City, Utah, with her family, and is now the western region manager for the U.S. Ski team. Voelker also played a pivotal role in Mikaela Shiffrin’s story—and she shares it here.

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