Press

A calling from a loving community played a part in finding Dolce Rose a space on North Street as well. The new beauty supply, located at 305 North St. is the product of the love and passion of mother-daughter team Gloria and Destiny Saunders.

Jocelyn Guelce is one of the other recipients of the Vibe North Street grants. With support from the Berkshire Black Economic Council, Guelce is launching The Collab, “a dynamic blend of a recording studio, art gallery and collaborative workspace” that’s “an extension” of The Collab’s digital marketing agency, at 163 North St.

Guelce said her mission — and the mission of the studio’s resident engineer Mark Messina — is to “nurture and promote our local arts community while also serving as a catalyst for professional development.”

The response to that drive has been overwhelming, Guelce said, adding that the first youth workshop the Collab hosted nearly sold out. On March 1, the organization plans to host its grand opening showcase event.

PITTSFIELD — When it comes to making the most of February break in the Berkshires, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better expert than the region’s youngest residents.

Released from the routines of school and extracurriculars for eight glorious days, local kids and their families are making the most of their school vacation days. It’s a time for visits with grandparents and cousins, trips to sights and activities just off the beaten path and an opportunity to just slow down and enjoy the freedom of a completely open schedule.

The Berkshire Eagle caught up with some of the foremost leaders on school break for a look at the tips and tricks to a fun-filled week. Here’s what they had to say:

LENOX — Shakespeare & Company Artistic Director Allyn Burrows is determined to shake things up this summer with two world premieres; one regional premiere; two major outdoor productions — one of which is described as “an enhanced staged reading” — and a Shakespeare cabaret.

The cabaret, “Shake It Up: A Shakespeare Cabaret,” is set for July 2-7 in the Tina Packer Playhouse, which will be transformed into a full cabaret setting. The show is being put together by Burrows and stage and film actor Jacob Ming-Trent, who played Bottom in last summer’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

LENOX — Shakespeare & Company Artistic Director Allyn Burrows is determined to shake things up this summer with two world premieres; one regional premiere; two major outdoor productions — one of which is described as “an enhanced staged reading” — and a Shakespeare cabaret.

The cabaret, “Shake It Up: A Shakespeare Cabaret,” is set for July 2-7 in the Tina Packer Playhouse, which will be transformed into a full cabaret setting. The show is being put together by Burrows and stage and film actor Jacob Ming-Trent, who played Bottom in last summer’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Greylock Federal Credit Union’s Pittsfield roots date back to the establishment of the credit union in 1935. Since then, the credit union has sought enriching partnerships to enhance the well-being of community members in its home city. Its collaboration with the Westside Legends, Inc., is one such example. The Westside Legends formed with the mission to improve the quality of life for residents living in the Westside, a purpose for which Greylock has fully supported.

Great Barrington— Rachel Melendez-Mabee has been named to the board of CHP Berkshires.

As vice president of culture and brand and DEI officer at Greylock Federal Credit Union, Melendez-Mabee brings to CHP her skills in corporate workplace diversity issues, training and initiatives. She has previously worked for the PGA of America, as PGA WORKS’ workforce development and lead manager, DEI. She has also worked as social and digital brand manager for Berkshire Bank, and as a senior account executive for Roberts Communications, a public relations firm. Earlier, she worked as a sales and marketing specialist for PGA of America.

The Freedom Center chose Whitaker to lead it after a seven-month national search. She is a former White House senior adviser and professor at New York University. She has held leadership positions for more than two decades in the corporate, nonprofit and public sectors — among other things, she knows how to raise a lot of money.

PITTSFIELD — Greylock Federal Credit Union has appointed Brett Random to its volunteer board of directors. A Pittsfield resident, Random is the executive director for Berkshire County Head Start and a certified parent educator. She earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies: children, families and society from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts; a master’s degree in social work from Westfield State University; and a certificate in organizational leadership from Harvard Business School. Random also is a 2018 recipient of the 40 Under Forty Award from Berkshire Community College.

After Berkshire Nursing Families identified that there were no Black doulas working in Berkshire County, Health New England made a $50,000 grant to Springfield Family Doulas to help train and support Black people in Berkshire County to become doulas and lactation counselors.

The W.E.B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy hires an executive director, elects emeritus and executive officers, and announces theme for 2024 season.

BOSTON — On January 15, 2024, during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast, Governor Maura Healey, in partnership with the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO), announced additional efforts to increase state contracts with diverse and small businesses by assessing and reopening contracts that can provide such opportunities. This effort also includes swearing in the state’s first Diverse and Small Business Advisory Board for the Supplier Diversity Office. 

Volunteers donated their time to various organizations in North County on Monday as part of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday.

The Rev. Mary Frances Curns of All Saints Berkshire Episcopal Church in North Adams was the recipient of the Peacemaker Award.

Andrew Ritter (pictured left) and Shivon Robinson of Williamstown sew fleece mittens at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts’ Church Street Center on Monday morning as part of the annual Day of Service in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Gladys Allen Brigham Center in Pittsfield. The community center, along with Berkshire United Way and Greylock Federal Credit Union, accepted donations on Saturday for an MLK Day Community Clothing Drive, which will be held on Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Coloring books aren’t just for kids anymore. Most recently, coloring has been recognized as a helpful tool for those practicing good mental health. According to the Mayo Clinic, coloring is good for your health — it promotes mindfulness, relieves stress and helps us “embrace the imperfect.”

For Desiree Addy and her family, a jam-packed afternoon of sledding and snowball fights was about far more than enjoying the winter’s first real snow.

Pine Cobble School has appointed longtime educator Alana Harte as head of school as of Jan. 1,  according to a December announcement sent to the school community by its board of trustees.

Makai Shepardson paints Christmas ornaments in Colleen Quinn’s art class at Pittsfield High School. 

In a Pittsfield courtroom on Tuesday afternoon, a different kind of case was heard: a fictional one.

The attorneys, on either side, were middle schoolers.

For the second straight year, students at Reid Middle School participated in a proceeding through the Discovering Justice Mock Trial Program. The program provided volunteer attorneys to 34 middle schools across the commonwealth, accounting for more than 400 students statewide.

(Pictured left: Romelo Holley)

Devante Owens hold scripts while fully costumed in “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley” in 2021, a skill they’ll both bring to “Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley.”