the Local Life

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

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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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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Where Ideas Take Root

With cutting-edge labs, training programs, and a collaborative spirit, the Berkshire Innovation Center ensures that the region’s economy thrives on creativity and discovery.

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Modern Love

Discover the Frelinghuysen Morris House & Studio in Lenox, a rare modernist treasure showcasing art, architecture, and design of the 20th century.

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The Art of Starting Over

Patrick McBride of Tillett Textiles ran the renowned family business in Sheffield for years—and he’s proof that life’s sharp turns can lead to extraordinary new things.

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