Berkshire Museum Wine Auction Raises $242K at Record Breaking Auction

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Scott Wurcer of Cambridge, Mass., bids at the live auction. (Photo by Gregory Cherin)
The Berkshire Museum raised $242,000 Saturday at its biennial wine auction, “The Art of Wine: Past, Present, and Futures,” beating the record set at the previous auction in 2005. Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit year-round educational programs at the Berkshire Museum. “We are thrilled with the show of support from this weekend’s event,” said Stuart A. Chase, executive director of the Berkshire Museum. “Not only are the funds raised essential to our year-round operation, but the event itself was great fun. We are very grateful to the volunteer committee, to the many businesses and individuals who donated lots to the live and silent auctions, to the event sponsors, to the ticket buyers, and to the bidders.” Saturday's total represents an increase of nearly $51,000 over the gross of the 2005 auction. Nearly 300 people attended Saturday’s event and sipped Taittinger champagne as Jamie Ritchie of Sotheby’s, Inc., auctioned 42 live lots. The top live lot was “A Philanthropist for One Year, which was a “bid to fund” lot for a total of $20,000. Multiple bidders joined together to give in amounts ranging from $250 to $2500 each for the lot, an opportunity to underwrite “Connected for Success,” the Berkshire Museum’s educational program for at-risk students. An additional 143 lots were sold at silent auction. In his opening remarks, Chase thanked sponsors Lyon Aviation, Country Dining Room Antiques, Nejaime’s Wine Cellars, Alan’s Wine Cellar, and Excelsior Printing. He also thanked wine gala co-chairs, Sheila and Mike Chefetz and Heidi and Jim Nejaime, silent auction chairs Judy and Manny Yvars, gift bag chairs Katherine and Lee Abraham, catering chairs Suzanne and Kenneth Nash, and the entire volunteer committee. “The wine auction is a moment to celebrate the illustrious past, remarkable present, and exciting future of the Berkshire Museum, said Sheila Chefetz, event co-chair of the wine auction and president of the Berkshire Museum board, telling the crowd: “As we build for the future of the Berkshire Museum, your support for education is more important than ever. The Berkshire Museum is a leader in education in our region, and this event provides crucial support for this leadership.” The wine related festivities continue at the Berkshire Museum into the month of June. The tablescape “The Art of Dining,” featuring rarely seen decorative arts from the Berkshire Museum and 24 place settings inspired by famous artists, is on view through May 26. The exhibition The Art of Wine, on view through June 17, comprises original works of art created for wine labels, including works by Sol Lewitt, Francis Picabia, Jody Hewitt, and others. Also on view through June 17 are The Art of Food, featuring art and decorative arts from ancient Rome to the present, and The Photographers of Berkshire Living featuring non-editorial work by five Berkshire photographers. On Sunday, June 3, at 2 p.m., the Berkshire Museum will present the lecture and wine tasting “Wine Words.” Mary Ewing Mulligan and Ed McCarthy, authors of Wine for Dummies, will give an introduction to wine terms at the Berkshire Museum, followed by a tasting at Brix Wine Bar in Pittsfield. The lecture is free with Berkshire Museum admission; the wine tasting is $25 ($20 members) and includes the lecture. Space is limited and reservations are recommended. To order tickets, call 413-443-7171, extension 10. The Berkshire Museum is located at 39 South Street on Route 7 in Downtown Pittsfield. The galleries are open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. For more information, contact the Berkshire Museum at (413) 443-7171, ext. 10, or visit www.berkshiremuseum.org
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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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