Author David Guenette to Discuss Climate Change in Berkshire County

11:28AM / Wednesday, May 14, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. Mass. — Author David Guenette, writer of "The Steep Climes Quartet," a literary climate fiction series, will discuss the impact of climate change on daily life in Berkshire County at three upcoming events.

The presentations will explore the costs of climate change at the household level and the challenges of transitioning to clean energy. Guenette will use excerpts from his novels, "Kill Well" (2026 setting) and "Dear Josephine" (2029 setting), to illustrate key points. He will also reference his forthcoming Book Three, "Over Brooklyn Hills" (2035 setting, expected December 2025 publication), and the final book in the series, "Farm to Me" (2049 setting, expected 2026 publication).

The schedule of events is as follows:

Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 6:00 p.m. at Griswold Memorial Library, 12 Main Rd., Colrain, MA.
Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 6:30 p.m. at Berkshire Athenaeum, One Wendall Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Friday, May 23, 2025, 4:00 p.m. at Mason Library, 231 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230.

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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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