Family Storytelling at the Berkshire Athenaeum

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's Public Library, is hosting an opportunity to record one or more family stories on Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
 
Grandparents, elders, parents, and children are invited to share family stories, which will be recorded and archived.
 
Participants will receive a copy of the recording to keep.
 
Herman Melville's novella "Billy Budd" was discovered and published by his granddaughter, Eleanor.
 
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of "Billy Budd's" publication, the Berkshire County Historical Society and Berkshire
Athenaeum are hosting this oral history event, encouraging intergenerational sharing of family stories.
 
The program is free and open to the public. No registration is required. Light snacks will be offered.
 
This opportunity is offered in collaboration with the Berkshire County Historical Society at Herman Melville's Arrowhead; the Housatonic Heritage Oral History Center at Berkshire Community College; and Festive Frolic in Downtown Pittsfield. The program is funded in part by Mass Humanities, which receives support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and is an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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Parks Commission OKs Lessons at Pittsfield Pickleball Facility

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city's pickleball culture is ramping up with classes at the Benedict Road courts.  

On Tuesday, the Parks Commission approved Michael Latini's request to offer pickleball lessons at the facility, which opened a couple of years ago

Certified instructor Michael Latini plans to offer one-hour lessons to beginner-to-advanced level players from August to November on Tuesdays.  

Latini has been a member of Berkshire Mountain Pickleball for eight years and was on the committee that helped erect the courts. He has seen the organization grow from around 100 people to about 400 people, and lives nearby, playing up to five times a week. 

"So I'm very passionate about pickleball," he explained. 

He traveled to Nashville, Tenn., to become a certified pickleball teacher, and is Berkshire County's USA Pickleball ambassador, which entails getting pickleball to grow and teaching people how to play. 

The sport has also positively impacted his health. 

"One of the benefits that I've had out of pickleball is I'm a Type 2 diabetic, and through pickleball, I've been able to get off insulin, which my doctor was thrilled about," Latini said. 

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