The Mount, Straw Dog Writers Guild 2025 Emerging Writers Residency

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LENOX, Mass. — The Mount and Western Massachusetts' Straw Dog Writers Guild announced the nine writers selected for the 2025 Residency for Emerging Writers.
 
The 2025 residents will be working on developing their respective works at The Mount for one week each, between March 3 and March 21.
 
Submissions were reviewed anonymously and ranked based on quality of writing, originality of voice, and the potential for growth as a writer.
 
"It was here at The Mount that Edith Wharton hit her stride as a novelist, writing The House of Mirth, the novel that launched her to new heights of literary success. We are honored to welcome these nine writers to The Mount to work on bringing their own unique voices and stories to the world," said Susan Wissler, The Mount's Executive Director.
 
Patricia Pin, Straw Dog Writers Guild's Executive Consulting Director added.
 
"I am struck by the creative diversity of the residents in the fourth year of the program and the partnership between The Mount and Straw Dog Writers Guild. This year's residents are multi-disciplined, and their writing speaks to their lived experiences in varied careers," she said. "I look forward to reading more of their work."
 
This is the eleventh year The Mount has offered writers an opportunity to create at The Mount and its fourth year partnering with Straw Dog Writers Guild. The revamped residency now focuses on writers who are developing their craft. Applications open in September each year onedithwharton.org.

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Show-Cause Hearing for Pittsfield Bar Continued Again

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Bei Tempi will have a show-cause hearing for its liquor license in May after police brought forward pictures that appear to show underage patrons drinking.  

On Monday, the Licensing Board continued a hearing for Zuke's Soups and Variety LLC, doing business as Bei Tempi, to May 18. This is the second month it was continued. In the last year, the bar has been accused of underage service by two different parents.  

Earlier this year, Police Capt. Matthew Hill received a call from an upset parent about her 19-year-old daughter patronizing Iztac Mexican Restaurant at night and being served. 

Those photos resulted in a two-week liquor license suspension for Iztac, and the same mother submitted an almost identical complaint about Bei Tempi with photos, one of them with the owner "clearly visible" in the background, Hill said. 

The owners, Richard and Elizabeth Zucco, did not show up in March, and the hearing was continued again this month. 

"This show-cause hearing was scheduled for March 23 of 2026 and the licensee did not appear at that hearing, although I understand that notice went out by way of email," Chair Thomas Campoli reported after the bar's second no-show, adding that the Zuccos' lawyer communicated they had a "planned prepaid trip" that conflicted with the meeting. 

Last year, a different mother approached the Licensing Board asking for accountability after her underage child was allegedly served at Bei Tempi. After drinking at a graduation party, she said her 18-year-old son became further intoxicated at the establishment before returning home late and becoming combative, resulting in an arrest by police. 

In March, the pictures of alleged underage drinking at Iztac were printed and presented to the Licensing Board with faces blurred; the reporting party wished to remain anonymous along with her daughter and friend, and she was unable to attend the hearing. 

Hill ran the patrons' names through police records to confirm they were not 21. This is the same underage daughter who is said to have drunk at Bei Tempi, and her mother has provided photos. 

The Health Department ordered Iztac to close on March 13 after finding "pests" in the establishment.  On Monday, a notice stating that it was closed to the public to protect public health and safety was no longer on the door but the Health Department confirmed that the closure was still in effect. 

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