Children's Etiquette Classes Scheduled

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The Berkshire School of Etiquette brings the popular Children’s Dining Etiquette & Social Skills Lesson Program back to Lenox and Monterey this fall for its six-week certification program for children in grades K through 5.

In Lenox, classes will be held at 69 Church St., home of the Berkshire School of Etiquette. Lessons will be held every Saturday from Oct. 4 through Nov. 8 from 11 a.m. to noon.

In Monterey, classes will be held at the Monterey General Store. Lessons will be held every Monday from Oct. 6 through Nov. 10 from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.

Attendance is limited to 12 children and includes a five-course fine dining experience as part of the program.  


Diane Massey, director and founder of the Berkshire School, is a certified Corporate, Business and Children’s Etiquette educator, receiving her training from the prestigious American School of Protocol in Atlanta. Her training for children, preschool through post secondary, focuses on modern etiquette awareness, social skills, dining etiquette, communication skills, dining decorum, and confidence building self-esteem programs.

The Berkshire School of Etiquette creates an engaging and encouraging atmosphere for children where learning is anticipated, fun, hands-on, and interactive. Emphasis is placed on positive first impressions, firm handshakes, rules of introduction, direct eye contact, dining skills, manners, and self-presentation all delivered at age appropriate levels for kindergarten through high school and college-aged young adults.

For more information on fees and how to register, visit www.berkshireschoolofetiquette.com or call 845-325-2247.

 

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Council Takes Up $243M Fiscal 2027 Budget

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Peter Marchetti detailed the city's $243 million spending plan during the first budget hearing of the season on Tuesday. 

The proposed operating budget for Pittsfield in fiscal year 2027 is $232,782,090, a 2.9 percent increase from this year. Marchetti compared that to hikes in fixed costs: a 9 percent increase in health insurance, a 7 percent increase in debt service, and more than a 5 percent increase in retirement contributions. 

"We needed to make reductions in other places," he explained. 

The total proposed budget is $243,234,868. It breaks down into $145,927,029 for the municipal operating budget, $86,855,061 for the schools, and $10,452,778 for proposed state assessments and overlay. 

To balance the budget, the administration will not fill several vacant positions, is funding police social workers and co-responders through opioid settlement funds, and reduces the library's Thursday hours. 

"Probably one of our most painful cuts that we have produced: The overall [Department of Public Services] budget has been reduced by $738,000 from fiscal year 26 to 27, with a reduction of five positions that are currently vacant, have been vacant for some time, and we believe the reason that those positions are vacant is based on our salaries," Marchetti explained. 

"So once we are able to successfully negotiate a contract with the teamsters, we will be back looking to be able to fund these positions from a later appropriation. It is not our intent to let them go vacant all year, but it's impossible to budget when we know we can't fill them, and we don't know what salary at this current stage to use." 

The budget includes $2 million in free cash to offset the tax rate, $19,791,219 from water & sewer enterprise funds, $81,959,322 from state aid ($68,855,061 in Chapter 70 School Aid), and $15,388,750 in local receipts. 

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