Red Lion Inn Hosts Local Authors' Reception

The Red Lion Inn hosted a group of local writers on Saturday, including Kevin Larkin, right, and Kevin O'Hara.

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Local authors from around Berkshire County gathered in the cozy, quaint Red Lion Inn's Side Parlor on Saturday to showcase and discuss their recent publications, and to read selections from their varied works.

While they all shared the common thread of being residents of the Berkshires, each author brought his or her unique talents and a wide range of literature to the lightly catered reception.

From Kevin Larkin's second baseball-themed novel showcasing the life and games of Lou Gehrig, to Diane Kavanaugh's essay on the wellness benefits of yoga chanting, to Stephanie Abrams' first novel in a whirlwind who-dunit series – each writer had something to contribute.

Erin McHugh, a former publishing executive and award-winning author of more than 25 books, read from her latest feel-good collection of quotes she calls "What My Father Always Said" (a followup from the popular "What My Mother Always Said").

From the book:

"'If I had to make a sweeping generalization, I'd say mothers were more often watching out that you don't run with scissors, eat too much candy, or fall off the roof – while all that's going on, your dad is busy thinking about your firm handshake, your 401(k), and the worthiness of your future spouse."

Jana Laiz is the first writer-in-residence at Herman Melville's Arrowhead in Pittsfield, and is the author of the award-winning "Weeping Under This Same Moon," Moonbeam Children's Book Awards Silver Medal winner for "The Twelfth Stone," and co-author of a biography of Elizabeth "Mumbet” Freeman entitled "A Free Woman On God's Earth."

She and gift shop manager Jayne Church each read a selection of their upcoming tribute to the 200-year-old inn and its history and individuality as seen through the eyes of Simon, the Red Lion Inn's beloved cat, affectionately called Simon Says:

Jana Laiz reads from the Writing Fire anthology.

"Sixty-seven percent of [Amazon.com] reviews were 5-star; 19 percent were four stars," she says of her book, which is on the shelves at the Red Lion's Gift Shop, the Book Loft in Great Barrington, and is published as an ebook on Amazon.com and through Barnes and Noble.

"You're gonna love it, I promise you – you're gonna love it. Everybody does."

Jan Hutchinson shared a selection of six poems from her contribution to the anthology "Writing Fire – An Anthology Celebrating the Power of Women's Words." The whimsical poems centered around the narrator's imaginary friend, Grace, who quoted Einstein while knitting.  

Also contributing to "Writing Fire" was Kripalu-trained Diane Kavanaugh Black, who eloquently read her essay titled "Why I Chant" – a moving, lyrical piece detailing how centering oneself physically translates into the emotional realm as well.

Kevin Larkin read from "Gehrig," his newest publication that he dedicated to all those suffering with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease; and Kevin O'Hara read an excerpt from his latest book set in a psychiatric ward – a tip of the hat, he says, to his many years working a "locked psych ward."

The authors were all welcoming to guests and supportive of each other, and each reading intrigued a few passers-by who stopped just outside the red velvet drape that enclosed the room – though Simon, unfortunately, was occupied elsewhere.

Pittsfield Celebrates Robert 'Bob' Presutti on Arbor Day

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:33PM / Friday, April 26, 2024

Bob Presutti, right, is presented the Hebert Award in 2017 for his volunteer efforts at Springside Park. He died in 2023 at age 88.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A tree has been planted next to the Berkshire Athenaeum in honor of local "giant" Robert Presutti.

Officials celebrated Arbor Day on Friday by installing a commemorative plaque next to the American elm sapling. This is a tree that James McGrath, the city's park program manager, said Presutti would have been particularly proud of.

"Today is a day where we yes, celebrate trees, but today is also a day where here in the city we intentionally try to acknowledge the good work of folks in our community who spend their time and their efforts and their talents to make Pittsfield a more beautiful place," he said to a crowd of about 20 people.

"Today we are honoring a longtime community volunteer named Bob Presutti. I'm sure a lot of you here know Bob and know his contributions to the city, not only when it comes to trees and parks but also to the Retired Senior Volunteer Program."

The longtime volunteer passed away last year at the age of 88. He contributed more than 10,600 hours to RSVP and had great impacts on the Parks Department over the years from sharing his knowledge and talents to ensuring that workers were safe when working on trees.

"This morning I went through my emails to see how many emails Bob Presutti sent me since the year 2001 when I started with the city. Bob Presutti sent me 14,000 emails and nearly every single one of those was about trees," McGrath said, prompting laughter and smiles from attendees.

One thread struck him as particularly important because it showed Presutti's empathy when it comes to the safety of city workers while caring for trees.

"There were multiple emails from Bob about the need to get the Parks Department maintenance guys into a program learning about chainsaw safety and learning about ladder safety. He was really into making certain that our city workers were well cared for and had all of the instruction that they needed and in fact, he even offered his own time and services after he became certified to teach our city workers," McGrath said.