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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Head of the Class

Hats off to Karema Almeida of Karema Deodato Millinery—or, rather, hats on. She combines old-world craftsmanship with a modern sensibility for handmade hats that are effortlessly wearable.

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Prints Charming

Bon Dimanche may mean “Good Sunday” in French, but any day’s a good one to stop by this eclectic new gem on Railroad Street in Great Barrington. Calling it a store doesn’t begin to capture the je ne sais quoi of the place, which is equal parts retail establishment, art installation, and studio.

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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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