Hoffmann Bird Club Explores the Peruvian Amazon

03:28PM / Friday, March 29, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Hoffmann Bird Club (HBC) will host a live and virtual presentation on a photographic adventure to the Peruvian Amazon on April 1, 2024.

The presentation, titled "A Peru Travelogue," will be presented by Jonathan Pierce and Rene Wendell, past presidents and trip leaders of the HBC.

The presentation will take attendees on a journey along the Amazon River, showcasing the region's abundant biodiversity, including birds, butterflies, and bromeliads. Pierce and Wendell will share their experiences and photographs from their expedition, offering insights into the unique flora and fauna of the Peruvian Amazon.

The presentation will be held live at the Guardian Life Insurance Co. building in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, starting at 7:00 PM. Attendees can also join the presentation virtually via Zoom. To obtain more information and the Zoom link, email hoffmannbirdclub@gmail.com.

Tags: birds,

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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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