Berkshire Green Drinks: From Pretzel Slime to Carnival Candy

08:18AM / Thursday, February 06, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Shelby Perry of Northeast Wilderness Trust will speak at the February Berkshire Green Drinks event, covering the life cycle of slime molds.

This free virtual event will take place online via Zoom on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 6:00 PM.

According to a press release:

Animal, vegetable, mineral…or none of the above? Learn about the unexpected lives of slime molds (myxomycetes) in this naturalist presentation by Shelby Perry, Wildlands Ecology Director at Northeast Wilderness Trust. During this talk, Shelby will explain the life cycle of the slime mold and some of its surprising habits. Attendees will learn where and when to find them in the forest and see a variety of impressive species that live in the Northeast. Resources will be compiled at the end of the presentation for those psyched on slime molds who want to learn more!

Registration is required to attend this virtual event. Register at https://tinyurl.com/Feb2025-Berks-Green-Drinks.

Berkshire Green Drinks is an informal gathering on the second Wednesday of the month that is free and open to everyone with any environmental interest. A guest speaker talks about an environmentally related topic for approximately 30 minutes beginning at 6 PM; the presentation is followed by a discussion and Q&A.

Berkshire Green Drinks is sponsored and organized by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT).

Tags: BEAT,

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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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