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Berkshire Athenaeum Recognizes Short Story Winners

The Berkshire Athenaeum and publisher Ty Allen Jackson recognized the writing efforts of local youngsters on Friday.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The winners of the 35th annual Short Story Contest were awarded their prizes in a reception held on Friday at the Berkshire Athenaeum.

Ty Allan Jackson, local author and founder of local publishing company Big Head Books, was speaker at the event that is sponsored by the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum.

The contest is open to children and youth ages 5 to 18. Stories were judged on originality, appeal and writing style. The winning entries, honorable mentions and works of merit will be bound and added to the collection of the Berkshire Athenaeum, so community members may read and enjoy them. The full list of winners is also posted in the Children's Library.

Children's Division

Age Group 5-6
First: Sandhya Ganesh, "A Week of Specialists at School"
Second: Simma Krantz, "Squrrl and Dog"

Age Group 7-8
First: Ian Corbett, "Letters from the War"
Second: Holden Loverin, "The Kidnapper"
Honorable Mention: Sydney Lalime, "Finding a Friend"

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.