Berkshire Athenaeum Launches Reader Leaders Program for Teens and Kids

03:30PM / Monday, January 20, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Athenaeum has announced its new "Reader Leaders" program, inviting teens aged 14-18 to volunteer as reading mentors for children aged 5-8. This initiative pairs youth to read together, fostering literacy and leadership skills.

A mandatory training session for teen mentors will take place on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. Following the training, monthly reading sessions are scheduled for Feb. 28, March 21, and April 11, from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. Participants will read together, enjoy crafts, and share snacks during these sessions.

Interested teens can register by picking up a form at the library's Young Adult or Children's Departments or by emailing Young Adult Librarian Vanessa Justice at vanessa@pittsfieldlibrary.org. Forms must be signed by a legal guardian.

For additional information, contact the Children's Library at (413) 499-9480, ext. 5.

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Reign Goes Unbeaten in 17U Division at Home Tourney

By Stephen Dravis and Ben McDonoughiBerkshires.com Sports
09:40PM / Saturday, August 15, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – The Berkshire Reign exploded for seven runs in the top of the fourth and held off the Berkshire Bananas down the stretch to earn a 12-11 win in the 17-and-under Division of the 1791 Classic at Joe Wolfe Field on Saturday.

Darius Taliferro hit a three-run double, and Robby Bazinet hit a two-run double in the winning rally as the Reign finished pool play with a record of 3-0 and the top seed in Sunday morning’s semi-finals.

Scott Hoffman went 2-for-3 with a triple for the Reign in a wild game filled with momentum swings.

The Bananas jumped on top with four runs in the bottom of the first to take a 4-2 lead only to see the Reign take a slim, 5-4 advantage after three.

Then, after the Reign scored seven times in the fourth to take a 12-4 lead, the run-rule was on the table, and all looked lost for the Bananas.

But they got off the mat with a five-run rally in the bottom of the fourth and scored twice in the fifth and had the tying run at third and the go-ahead run at second in what was sure to be the game’s final inning due to the tournament’s time rule.

But Reign reliever Trevor Leonard delivered his only strikeout in an inning and a third on the mound when he needed it most to close the door and secure the win.

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