Lenox Library Planning 'Party of the Century'

10:21AM / Friday, February 10, 2012Print Story | Email Story

LENOX, Mass. — A Black and White Masquerade Ball to benefit the Lenox Library will be held on Saturday, March 10, beginning at 6 p.m. at Blantyre. A cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, and a silent auction are planned.

The Black and White Ball is modeled after Truman Capote's 1966 masquerade ball at The Plaza in New York, following the release of his book, "In Cold Blood." The exclusive guest list at Capote's event included a mix of New York socialites, Hollywood stars, artists, authors and politicians. Among the guests were Norman Mailer, Candice Bergen, Frank Sinatra, Mia Farrow and Walter Cronkite. Like the original Black and White Ball, the library’s event is being billed as the "Party of the Century."

Lisa Nelson, who is on the board of managers of the Lenox Library and is chairing the gala, said, "We wanted to do something different and thought it would be fun to recreate the elegance and mystique of Truman Capote’s ball."

Berkshire Bank is the premier sponsor for the Black and White Ball. Blantyre is hosting the event.

Tickets are $250 per person, with proceeds benefitting the library, a non-profit organization providing public library services to the greater Lenox community. Overnight stay options are also available. For more information, contact Sharon Hawkes, library director, at 413-637-2630, gala@lenoxlib.org.

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Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:30AM / Thursday, August 06, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back over 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

"I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference," committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

"The city could have use for that difference over the next three years."

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has been vocally in favor of the independent audit for years, said the city doesn't have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, "We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional, and a looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is."

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have equitable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

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