St. George Greek Fest

04:00PM / Wednesday, August 14, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The St. George Greek Orthodox Church of the Berkshires will host its annual Greek Fest on Aug. 17 and 18.

This year's festival will be held indoors at the Hillcrest Academy, located at 400 Columbus Avenue Extension in Pittsfield.

The event will run from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free, and the festival will feature Greek music, dancers, and a variety of traditional Greek foods including pastitsio, souvlaki, gyros, spanakopita, and Greek pastries.

The festival will proceed rain or shine, with all activities taking place indoors. Free parking is available. For more information contact Pauline Zervas at 413-841-2629 or via email at pollyz1950@gmail.com.

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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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