Berkshire Bach Society Hosts Exploration of Bach's Spirituality

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Berkshire Bach Society (BBS) will present the third event in its quarterly BBS Portals series, Bach and God: Troubling Voices, featuring musicologist Michael Marissen.

The program will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24, at the Kellogg Music Center on the campus of Bard College at Simon's Rock in Great Barrington, and at 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, at The Koussevitsky Arts Center at Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield.

Marissen, an expert on the music and religious beliefs of Johann Sebastian Bach, will explore the foundations of the composer's spirituality and the social norms of Lutheran Germany. Drawing on his books "Bach & God and Bach Against Modernity," he will discuss revelations that shaped his understanding of Bach, with musical examples illustrating his findings. The event includes a discussion and audience Q&A hosted by BBS Artistic Director Eugene Drucker.

Tickets for Bach and God are $35 for nonmembers and $30 for BBS members. For more information, visit www.berkshirebach.org/events.

Work Underway On Blighted Dalton Home But Issues Persist

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
11:59AM / Monday, June 22, 2026

The first phase of remediating the property includes cleanup and exterior work. The property is in receivership through the Attorney General's Office. 

DALTON, Mass. — For over a decade, neighbors have called 27 Mountain View Terrace an eyesore and a safety risk, and now, after a year in court, work is being done to address the blighted condition. 

 

The single-family home was condemned by the town's Board of Health in October 2025 following little progress to address the code violations despite multiple months. 

 

The property was cited for several safety issues, including clutter blocking egresses, a collapsing roof and porch, mold throughout the house, especially in the basement where there is water damage, and the lack of water, electricity, and gas. 

 

Neighbors also attended Board of Health meetings to complain about the rats that have infested their homes coming from the "abandoned" property and the unkept grass in the back yard. According to court documents, there is evidence of pests. 

 

Kathryn Kohlenberger, who lives right next to the property, said she has been dealing with the decaying conditions for 12 years and had to put mouse boxes and cayenne pepper around her house to prevent mice from entering her property. 

 

On March 11, 2026, the Attorney General's Office approved the appointment of a receiver, TM Properties Inc., which has a four-phase plan to rehabilitate the home. The anticipated cost of the project is estimated at $160,714.00 inclusive of all fees.

 

According to court documents, the property has been vacant since 2004. It was appraised, in May 2026, at about $250,000 after rehabilitation and about $50,000 in its current condition.