Mill Town to be Honored at Celebrate the Berkshires Event

01:04PM / Friday, August 18, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire announced that Mill Town has been selected to receive the "2023 Putting the Berkshires on the Map" honor in recognition of the contribution that they have made to the Berkshire economy.

This recognition will be presented at the tenth annual Celebrate the Berkshires event on Sept. 14 at Berkshire Theatre Group's Colonial Theatre.

"We are so thrilled to bring our Celebrate the Berkshires event back after a three-year hiatus," Jonathan Butler, CEO of 1Berkshire said. "In deciding between so many worthy organizations and businesses in the region, our Board of Directors felt strongly that Mill Town truly deserves to be honored for Putting the Berkshires on the Map. The impact investments that they have made to key properties like Bousquet, along with strategic investments in housing, downtown redevelopment and also their philanthropic support around the region - they have demonstrated a deep commitment to moving the Berkshires forward. 1Berkshire wanted to shine a light on this work and honor them for all that it's doing for our community."

In 2016, Mill Town was founded by Dave Mixer with a vision of driving positive business development and community impact throughout our region, said a press release. Since then, their focus and activities have evolved into a blend of traditional investment, impact investment, and sustainable philanthropy.

"We are honored by this recognition from 1Berkshire and our Berkshire business community. The Berkshires is a beautiful place to call home and our work at Mill Town is focused on continuing to make this place even better for generations to come," said Mixer said. "The work we do is rewarding enough, but having 1Berkshire acknowledge our team with this honor inspires us to continue supporting and advancing our Berkshire economy."

In addition to honoring Mill Town, 1Berkshire announced its 2023 Berkshire Trendsetter Finalists.

Enhancing Visitor Engagement

Berkshire Busk!

Berkshire Camino LLC

Kripalu

Main Street Hospitality

ProAdams, Inc.

Growing/Advancing the Economy

Berkshire Innovation Center

Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing

Greylock Federal Credit Union

The Pass/Berkshire Mountain Distillers

The Stationery Factory

Nonprofit Collaborator

Adams Theater LLC

Berkshire United Way

Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire

Elizabeth Freeman Center, Inc.

HEALing Communities

Under 40 Changemaker

Ciana Barnaba

Lorena Dus

Andrew Fitch

Michael Obasohan

Entrepreneur/Visionary of the Year

Balderdash Cellars

Colleen Taylor, Bay State Hospitality Group

DEI Outdoors

Shared Estates Asset Fund

Breaking the Mold

Berkshire Cider Project

Blackshires, a program of R3SET Enterprises

Hot Plate Brewing Co.

The Bard Queer Leadership Project (BQLP)

Wild Soul River

Tickets available at https://1berkshire.com/events/celebrate-the-berkshires

Tags: 1Berkshire,

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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.

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