William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty Taps Brokerage Manager

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty has announced that Tim Donnelly will assume the role of brokerage manager for the firm's two Berkshire County brokerages in Great Barrington and Lenox, Mass.

Donnelly previously served for nearly three years in the position of assistant brokerage manager for the Berkshires as well as Litchfield County in Connecticut.

During those three years, Donnelly helped to facilitate William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty's significant growth in the region, including nearly tripling its sales force. The firm became the Berkshires' No. 1 residential real estate company in dollar volume for 2017, according to the FlexMLS, and also led the market in sales over $1 million. The company was involved in the highest residential sales of 2017 in five towns county-wide, including Chesterfield, Lenox, Richmond, Tyringham and Washington.

This year William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty continues to rank No. 1 in dollar volume year to date according to the FlexMLS. The company's successes in 2018 also include overseeing the sale of several new condominium offerings at the luxury spa and wellness resort Canyon Ranch in Lenox.

In addition to his involvement in the firm's sales growth, Donnelly has also played a key role in strategic expansion efforts, including the opening of a second Berkshires brokerage in Lenox and relocating to a larger office in Great Barrington in 2017. In Litchfield County, Donnelly helped with the recent move of the firm's Lakeville office to a more prominent location in Salisbury. He will remain involved in this region as co-manager in Salisbury alongside Litchfield County brokerage manager Kristine Newell, who manages four offices county-wide.

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 

 

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

 

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

 

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

 

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

 

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

 

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.