Longest Running Girl Scout Camp Celebrates 95th Anniversary

EAST OTIS, Mass. — Camp Bonnie Brae in East Otis,  the longest, most continuously-run Girl Scout camp in the United States, will celebrate its 95th anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 2.

Past, present and future campers, staff, and their families are invited to join this lakeside celebration in the Berkshires, hosted by Bonnie Brae alumnae. Guests can reminisce about their camping days by participating in camp activities such as hiking, boating and swimming. A special guest will share a unique perspective of the long-lasting impact of the camp experience as well as camp history. No camp experience would be complete without a campfire, wishboat ceremony, and s'mores.

Guests can register just the day, stay for dinner, or stay overnight. Check in begins at 9 a.m., with a flag ceremony at 10 a.m. For more information and registration visit the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts website at www.gscwm.org.

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 

 

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

 

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

 

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 

 

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 

 

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 

 

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.