WBCR-lp Temporarily Moved Upstairs in Mahaiwe Building

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Berkshire Radio Community Alliance (BCRA) operating WBCR-lp 97.7FM Great Barrington, has temporarily moved its studio from 320 Main Street to a space upstairs in the same building, the historic Mahaiwe Block building located at the corner of Main and Castle Streets in Great Barrington.
 
The move was predicated on the significant renovation of the historic three-story building (built in 1905) that has been underway since late 2022, when Ian Rasch of Alander Construction bought it. WBCR-lp's studio has been operating throughout the renovations, but now its storefront location will get its much-needed reovation.
 
"We are thrilled with our Main Street location and look forward to our return to that space. The opportunity provided to us by our landlord to move upstairs to a temporary office is greatly appreciated," said John Prusinski, President of WBCR-lp's board of directors. "The move itself was physically and technically challenging, since the FCC requires that we broadcast 24/7."
 
A group of volunteers from the all-volunteer community radio station provided the muscle and the technical expertise to move the entire studio and disconnect and reconnect the staggering number of wires in record time.
 
"To quote a childhood hero, 'I love it when a plan comes together,'" said Asa Steady Hardcastle, board member and long-time volunteer. "Our team pulled off an impressively complex move in a very short time. The temporary space is beautiful, and the Alander team has been nothing short of amazing."
 
WBCR-lp continues to grow its on-air lineup of local programmers and welcomes new programmers to submit their application at www.berkshireradio.org. Broadcasting continues around the clock at 97.7FM and streams at www.berkshireradio.org.
 
 
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Great Barrington Unveils 9/11 Memorial Featuring World Trade Center Steel

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — A piece of history will now stand in front of the Great Barrington Fire Department, serving as a lasting reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and heroism of those who rushed in, stepped forward, and answered the call on Sept. 11, 2001.
 
Hundreds of community members gathered outside the Fire Department for the unveiling of a 9/11 memorial featuring a steel I-beam salvaged from the wreckage of the World Trade Center.
 
The monument marks the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, and its effect reached far and wide beyond New York, said Deputy Fire Chief James Mead.
 
"There are moments in our lives that become markers of time. Moments when we remember not only what happened, but where we were, who was beside us, and how the world somehow felt different afterwards," Town Manager Liz Hartsgrove said. 
 
"For those of us who experienced September 11, 2001 — it is one of those moments for us to share."
 
The acquisition of the beam was a multi-year effort initiated by the late Andy Moro, former commander of American Legion Post 298 in Housatonic, and was carried on by the Legion's second vice commander, John Morris. 
 
Morris said he was able to obtain the warped steel I-beam through connections he made during his time as a New York City firefighter.
 
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