Dan Valenti, will discuss his career as a baseball writer

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OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) presents local sports broadcaster, Dan Valenti, at its Distinguished Speakers Series on Saturday, May 3, from 10:00 to 11:30 am. His talk Tales From Baseball’s Grapefruit League” will be held at BCC, Room K III.

Valenti will discuss his career as a baseball writer during the 1980’s focusing on how the Major League experience has changed in the past 25 years. He will also address the controversy around steroid-taking and share anecdotal stories about famous players, including his personal friendship with Ted Williams.

Valenti is the author of 12 books, numerous articles and essays as well as poetry and short fiction. He has hosted a daily radio talk show for 14 years.  He has taught writing, communication, and journalism. His latest book is Under the Grapefruit Sun, Red Sox Spring Training a Quarter Century Ago. The book explores baseball's spring training ritual in the era before superstar salaries, big endorsement deals, and ballparks named after corporations. The book will be available after the lecture at a special publisher’s discount. Mr. Valenti will autograph copies of the book upon request,

Valenti is currently an adjunct professor of English at BCC. He has been a member of its English department since 1992.

The cost to attend this lecture is $10.00 for OLLI members; $15.00 for non-members. For information on this program and to register, call the OLLI office at 413-236-2190 or visit www.BerkshireOLLI.org. You may pay at the door.
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Taconic High Names Top Students of the Class of 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Taconic High School Principal Matthew Bishop has announced the valedictorian and salutatorian of the class of 2026. 
 
They will speak during the graduation ceremony on Friday, June 12, at 4 p.m at Tanglewood in Lenox. 
 
Gavin O'Donnell, son of Kevin and Colleen O'Donnell of Pittsfield, has been named valedictorian with a grade average of 103. Hunter Bentz, son of Heidi Bentz of Pittsfield, has been named salutatorian with a grade average of 102.4.
 
Throughout his high school career, O'Donnell has exemplified the values of leadership, commitment, and excellence that define the Taconic community. He achieved high honors all four years and made significant contributions to both the school and the wider community. He was an active member of the Link Crew, Green and Gold, and Class Council, just to name a few of his activities. 
 
A dedicated athlete, O'Donnell played soccer and baseball all four years and was named captain of the varsity soccer and baseball teams both junior and senior years. His commitment to service extended beyond athletics, as he volunteered with Unified Games and was a math tutor at Taconic. He has also been an active part of Pittsfield Soccer Club, where he has helped
referee youth soccer games and assisted in getting the fields ready for game days.
 
He has earned several awards, including being a member of the National Honor Society,  the John and Abigail Adams Award, and being an AP Scholar and an AP Capstone Graduate. 
 
O'Donnell plans to pursue a degree in finance at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where he will continue to play baseball and hopes to excel as a student. 
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