Parese, Sabin, Smith & Gold Welcomes New Senior Associate

Parese, Sabin, Smith & Gold, LLP, has welcomed Ethan S. Klepetar as a new senior associate attorney to the firm.

Klepetar joined the firm in December 2014. He concentrates his practice in the areas of business and commercial law, commercial financing, nonprofit law, employment law, and real estate.

Taking pride in his role as both a zealous advocate and counselor, Klepetar enjoys using his skills to gather and understand facts, analyze complex issues, and provide his clients with insight and advice to help them avoid potential pitfalls and effectively reach their goals.

Klepetar graduated magna cum laude from Brandeis University in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in economics. He received his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2007 and has been admitted to practice law in Massachusetts since 2007.

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.