Happy weekend, Berkshire County! In today’s happening-today edition: AlertWilliamstown launch, Berkshire pride festival, and summer solstice sound bath + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around Berkshire County protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Enrollment turns a corner: MCLA reported a 20 percent jump in deposits, projecting 961 students this fall, its strongest enrollment in five years, crediting new recruitment and social media amid national declines -- read how MCLA rebounded.
Stay informed locally: Williamstown launched AlertWilliamstown, a Regroup-powered notification system replacing CodeRED, for emergency, severe weather, and town updates, and former subscribers can review their contact preferences to stay informed -- review your notification settings.
New support for families: Facing a childcare shortage, Berkshire South Regional Community Center recently opened a toddler childcare program for ages 15 to 33 months, with high costs but membership perks and discounts -- see the childcare details.
Thoughtful Father's Day gifts, ready by Sunday. Father's Day is tomorrow, which makes shipping anything now a gamble you'll probably lose. Skip it entirely. A whole range of Father's Day gifts is ready for same-day pickup in hours, so something personal is well within reach by tomorrow. -- get it today.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold just posted its strongest run in decades...And the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, GoldCo has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Staycation with s'mores: Skip the long haul, set up a low-stress weekend at Bonnie Brae Campground right here in Pittsfield. Shaded sites, a pool, clean restrooms, and a handy campstore make it an easy reset, plus it’s dog-friendly so the real boss of the house can come too.
Dial in your swing: Members at Country Club of Pittsfield get a double-ended range, short-game area, and a two-tiered putting green that actually makes practice fun, with a classic Berkshires setting that tempts you to stick around for nine. Perfect for sneaking in a focused bucket before dinner or a Sunday tune-up that earns bragging rights.
Steak night, upgraded: Berkshire friends, when you want a real sit-down splurge, RARE 297 Steakhouse nails the classics with tender cuts, a legit raw bar, and cocktails that actually match the meal. Pro tip, their signature Filet mignon Oscar is a flex. Treat yourself, you earned it.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🐦 Greylock Glen, “Birding By Ear” @ Greylock Glen Outdoor Center (Adams) | Saturday (6/20) at 7:00 AM – Give your eyes a rest and your ears a workout on a birding-by-ear walk at Greylock Glen, with the Merlin app as your sidekick. Stroll an even, gravel trail on Mount Greylock’s slopes, listen for breeding birds, and feel smug identifying a warbler without binoculars.
🌱 Soil Testing & Gardening Advice @ Great Barrington Farmers' Market | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – The farmers market is offering soil testing and real-deal gardening advice, so you can finally learn why your tomatoes keep holding grudges. Expect straight answers, local know-how, and fewer mysterious yellow leaves. It is delightfully nerdy, totally useful, and very Berkshire.
🔔 Summer Solstice Sound Bath @ Lake Mansfield (Great Barrington) | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – Pack a blanket, wander to Lake Mansfield for the third annual Summer Solstice sound bath, a donation-based fundraiser for Greenagers and the Great Barrington Land Conservancy. Let native flute, handpans, and singing bowls do the lifting while you stretch, nap, or call lying down yoga.
🧚 9th Annual Berkshire Mountains Faerie Festival @ Bowe Field (Adams) | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Summer in the Berkshires gets a touch more magical at the 9th Annual Faerie Festival, a solstice celebration for kids, parents, and anyone who appreciates whimsy. Expect costumes, crafty makers, and gentle mischief, with the veil to the Faerie realm feeling suspiciously thin, wings optional.
🏳 Tenth Annual Berkshire Pride Festival & Parade @ The Common Park (Pittsfield) | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Turning ten, Berkshire Pride is strutting through downtown, then taking over Pittsfield Common with live entertainment, local bites, artisans, and all-ages fun. Big, bold, and very us. Bring your crew, your sunscreen, and your best parade wave, because subtlety took the day off.
🃏 Annual UNO Block Party @ UNO Community Center (North Adams) | Saturday (6/20) at 4:00 PM – Your classic neighborhood block party, the kind where you actually talk to people you recognize. At UNO Community Center and UNO Park at River and Houghton, expect food, basketball and bocce, face painting, and easy small-town vibes, all free.
🏛 Library Field Trip: Berkshire County Abolitionist Sites @ Milne Public Library (Williamstown) | Sunday (6/21) at 12:00 PM – Upgrade errands to a library-led history field trip tracing Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Du Bois, Elizabeth Freeman, and the 54th Massachusetts across Pittsfield and South County. We caravan to sites and stories, then eat Momma Lo's BBQ in Great Barrington. Yes, gas money is a thing. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Berkshire County report Weather forecastToday — High: 72°F — Low: 53°F — Precip: 29%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3pm and 4pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. West wind 2 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tomorrow — High: 76°F — Low: 54°F — Precip: 19%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Northwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 20%. This house is wildThis fully renovated 5-bed, 2-bath Victorian in North Adams offers 2,551 square feet of classic Berkshires character with modern polish. A slate roof, refreshed front porch, and restored black India ink hardwood floors set the tone, while designer paint, new lighting, and updated baths keep things crisp. Furnishings are included, and Mass MoCA, the Mohawk Trail, and proven Airbnb income are close behind.
Take a peek inside → |
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