Lenox Jazz Stroll Begins Sept. 15

LENOX-- The third Lenox Jazz Stroll will kick off at the Lenox Library this week, running from Sept. 15 to 17.

The event is a collaboration with the Milltown Foundation, Berkshire Jazz Collective and the Lenox Chamber of Commerce. The festival will begin Thursday with a screening of a documentary film by George Schuller, The Modern Jazz Quartet: From Residency to Legacy.

Friday Night launches the musical performances at The Gateways Inn at 6:00 p.m. with a performance by the Ted Rosenthal Trio. The actual stroll is on Saturday, Sept. 17, with performances throughout the day in various locations in downtown Lenox. 

The Lenox Jazz Stroll started in 2020, organized by Andy Wrba, Founder, Berkshire Jazz Collective and Program Manager, Milltown Foundation, also a local musician and music teacher.

“The Lenox Jazz Stroll continues to evolve from its inception in 2020. In that first year, we were restricted to gathering in small groups in outdoor settings so the idea of having several jazz performances in walkable locations was a welcomed idea by both musicians and listeners alike. Now in its third year, the Jazz Stroll has quickly become a staple of the regional music scene with performances from top musicians from the Berkshires, Boston, and New York.” -Andy Wrba 

The Lenox Cultural District is a supporter and sponsor of the event.

Performance Schedule - Saturday, September 17

Gateways Inn         12:00-1:00 pm     Richard Stanmeyer Quartet

Lilac Park                1:00-2:00 pm      Don Mikkelsen Quartet

Campfire                 2:00-3:00  pm     Dave Bartley Trio

Lilac Park                3:00-4:00  pm     Dominique Eade with The Armen Donelian Trio

Campfire                 4:00-5:00  pm     Suzi Stern

Gateways Inn         5:00-6:00 pm      Jeanne Laurin, John Sauer, Bob Ferrier

Lilac Park                6:00-7:00 pm     Mukana

Gateways Inn         7:00-9:00  pm     Green Street Trio

Firefly                     8:00-11:00 pm    Wanda Houston Band

For more information: Jenn Nacht at jenn@lenox.org or (413) 637-3646. For more general information please go to https://lenox.org/jazzstroll

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.