Berkshire County Historical Society Holiday Tea

08:00AM / Wednesday, November 29, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Celebrate the season at Herman Melville's historic Arrowhead with holiday-inspired readings by local author Kevin O'Hara and a traditional Holiday Tea provided by caterer Kate Baldwin.

The event takes place on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 3 pm. Use the BOOK NOW button at berkshirehistory.org to reserve your tickets; $25 for BCHS members, $30 for non-members.

This event is sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

About Kevin O'Hara

O'Hara is the author of "Last of The Donkey Pilgrims," about his travels with Missie the donkey around Ireland; "A Lucky Irish Lad," about his boyhood; "Ins and Outs of a Locked Ward," which chronicles O'Hara's three decades as a nurse in Berkshire Medical Center's psychiatric ward; and "A Christmas Journey" which includes sixteen of his annual Christmas columns published in The Berkshire Eagle.

In addition to an assortment of teas, the menu includes traditional egg salad and cucumber and dill tea sandwiches; buttery scones with clotted cream served with preserves and marmalade; and Cherry Bakewell tarts.

Tags: arrowhead,

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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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