2004: a look back and a look ahead

By Glenn DrohanPrint Story | Email Story
2004 was the year of going back to the elements in the Berkshire region: water, wind, earth and fire. We had the waterline opus in Williamstown, the wastewater saga in Lee, massive reservoir repairs in Lenox, the continuing Housatonic River cleanup and the ongoing battle against milfoil in ponds and lakes everywhere. We had the Hancock windmills, the Florida and Monroe windmills, the ill-fated-for-now Michael Deep windmills in North Adams, the proposed Searsburg, Vt., windmill expansion — and Lenox got into the act with the first of what could be many potential “community windmills.” Meanwhile Gov. Mitt Romney said it was just fine to build scores, if not hundreds, of windmills in the Berkshires but in the ocean off Nantucket, they’d be ugly and unacceptable. He’s running again in 2006. Back on land, thousands here and millions across the world celebrated Earth Day, preaching and sometimes practicing recycling, reducing emissions, living clean lives and greening up. Then the next day most everybody went about their business, guzzling gas, tossing cans and bottles into the trash, burning oil and praying coal plants and other factories wouldn’t bring us more acid rain. One hope: Lenox launched an “idle free” campaign that could make a difference — if Boston and New York and Los Angeles and everybody else join the party. Also on land, development at the Greylock Glen in Adams, a perennial top story (or, for the past several decades, top non-story) appeared finally headed for success, as environmentalists joined town officials in submitting the most promising proposal yet — combining nature, culture, education and recreation in a master plan supported by such heavy hitters as Mass MoCA, the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Mass Audubon. The state, as always, wants more specifics and more time to study the idea. But this one should happen — the optimistic guess, by 2007. Fire inevitably gutted apartments and homes, burning valuables and memories and sometimes worse. Close to home at The Advocate, a fire in Williamstown destroyed the family home of longtime Streettalk columnist Ralph Renzi and his wife, Helen, retired educator and former superintendent of Williamstown Elementary School. Friends stepped forward with amazing support, finding them temporary quarters and then a permanent home. Renzi, who had written his column since the Advocate began in 1981 turned in his pen this year, but not because of the fire. What were the top stories of the year? Everyone has his or her own favorites, but few could argue against the Number One story here and throughout New England: In a miracle comeback, the Red Sox beat the Yankees to take the pennant and then won the World Series for the first time since 1918. The “Curse of the Bambino” ended at last, bringing joy to Mudville, alias the Red Sox Nation. Forget Nomar and now forget Pedro. They can’t take the 2004 season away. Even those few among us who aren’t fans had to love this storybook tale. Oh yes, also in the sports world was a team called the Patriots (also world champions), but who remembers? Baseball continued to make news on the local front, as well. The Dukes in Hinsdale (which, speaking of top stories, celebrated its bicentennial in grand style this year) and the SteepleCats in North Adams brought us what Pittsfield, alas, could not. Maybe next year. Number 2 in this book would have to be the election of George W. Bush as president, in a nation divided by “red and blue states,” Iraq, Afghanistan, the emerging “moral majority,” how to best fight terrorism and issues too numerous to list. The Berkshire Brigade pitched its own battles for John Kerry, traveling to New Hampshire, Ohio and beyond, but ultimately, with other Democrats, lost the war. Number three: Massachusetts became the first state and up to now the only state in the republic to legalize gay marriage, much to the dismay of Romney and other conservatives, who will continue to fight it — possibly through the state Constitution possibly as an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. But gays and lesbians throughout the Berkshires, the state and beyond legally became husband and husband, wife and wife. Number 4 (and many would argue Number 1): The war in Iraq. More than 1,000 American troops dead — thousands more Iraqis dead — hope for elections and democracy amid daily slaughter and the fear of terrorism throughout the world. It has hit home here in the Berkshires, just as in every other part of this nation. Regardless of anyone’s personal beliefs about the wisdom or justice of the war, everyone prays or hopes for the safe return of our troops. Number 5 (added too late for our print edition): The end-of-the-year horror of the tsunami that brought death, destruction and now potentially disease to as many as 11 Asian countries. As of today, the death toll had climbed to more than 116,000. Mother Nature showed her impossible strength (and her indifference) to the human species. The world is still reeling and trying to coordinate relief efforts. This will continue to be a top story for days and probably weeks to come. Beyond that, the list becomes a jumble. We had cancer-causing pain killers, not enough flu vaccine, spam and never-ending spam, I-pods and smaller and smaller cell phones, more promises, higher bills and generally rotten television from cable companies. We had all too much news coverage of celebrity trials and the daily onslaught of other grim stories the media seems hell-bent to deliver — murder, death, child abuse, scandal. We also had stories of joy and hope: parades and celebrations, a record-setting season at Jacob’s Pillow, a $23 million expansion of Interprint Inc. and a new business park in Pittsfield, the promise of revitalized performing arts centers in that city, Great Barrington and North Adams. Mass MoCA had a ball. The stars came out at Tanglewood. Stamford Elementary’s middle school was named the only Gold Medalion School in Vermont. Bennington completed the first leg of its bypass. Pownal got hope for its racetrack. Restaurants started to boom in North Adams, which kept its River Street park and playground despite a lawsuit from Michael Deep over an eminent-domain taking and heard plans for “destination” shopping to end blight on Curran Highway. Next stop: the dormant Kmart and Brooks downtown? Adams and Florida got new town administrators. Berkshire County got a new district attorney. North County got a new register of deeds. Williamstown and Lenox got new police chiefs, both locally grown. North Adams continued to be served by its “mayor for life” while Pittsfield started to come around and end the political bickering, jump-started by James Ruberto in his first-year as mayor. Pittsfield got a new music hall. The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail thrived, and a new visitors center opened in Adams, where plans are also afoot for a revitalized theater downtown. Artists flocked to North Adams and Eric Rudd’s renovated Eclipse Mill, and the city had its annual beach party and its massive Fall Foliage Parade, with retired newscaster Ron Plock as grand marshal. Lenox heard plans for new housing and new retail, and its first official town flag, designed by young Peggy Steurwald, now hangs in the Statehouse. The American Orient Express made the town a pit stop, bringing hope — and customers — to business owners. Schools continued to improve, for the most part, even as educators continued to rail against teaching to the MCAS. A charter school, once feared and hated, started to take hold and show its promise. The business outlook finally began to look brighter, as the region emerged from recession. At The Advocate, it was a year of change, as we strived to become a true “community newspaper,” reaching out into new territory, launching new editorial pages and putting an emphasis on positive news, good photography and special sections. We said goodbye to dear friends in Ralph Renzi, Kate Abbott and Anthony Fyden. We welcomed new friends, among them publisher Osmin Alvarez, General Manager Carol Corrigan, columnists David Fehr, Ralph Lieberman and Howie Levitz, writers Jeanne Feder and Claire Cox, our sales team of Bernadette Lupo, Maria Thomas and Shauna Gilardi, our designers Lisa Peck, Stephen Belliveau, Tom Lumbis and Becky Drees and administrative stalwarts Laura Borowski and Lisa Raymond. Steadfast reporter Linda Carman and sales veteran Linda Collyer remain old friends. All of them and many more help make this newspaper the best it can be. We hope that 2005 will be the year, that you and your community join The Advocate fold (if you haven’t already). We welcome your opinion. We treasure your stories. We value your constructive criticism. We are proud to be a part of the Berkshire and Southern Vermont family. A very happy New Year to you all. Glenn Drohan looks forward to at least another 16 months as Advocate editor. You may reach him at gdrohan@advocateweekly.com or 413-664-6900, ext. 27.
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Friends of Great Barrington Libraries Holiday Book Sale

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Friends of Great Barrington Libraries invite the community to shop their annual Holiday Good-as-New Book Sale, happening now through the end of the year at the Mason Library, 231 Main Street. 
 
With hundreds of curated gently used books to choose from—fiction, nonfiction, children's favorites, gift-quality selections, cookbooks, and more—it's the perfect local stop for holiday gifting.
 
This year's sale is an addition to the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce's Holiday Stroll on this Saturday, Dec. 13, 3–8 PM. Visitors can swing by the Mason Library for early parking, browse the sale until 3:00 PM, then meet Pete the Cat on the front lawn before heading downtown for the Stroll's shopping, music, and festive eats.
 
Can't make the Holiday Stroll? The book sale is open during regular Mason Library hours throughout December.
 
Proceeds support free library programming and events for all ages.
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