Berkshire County Writers Recognized On The 2025 Mass Book Awards Longlists

07:30AM / Tuesday, May 13, 2025Print Story | Email Story

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — The longlisted titles for the 25th Annual Massachusetts Book Awards, announced by the Massachusetts Center for the Book (MCB), include recognition for authors from Berkshire County.

The MCB, a nonprofit established in 2000, is dedicated to fostering a love of reading, celebrating the Commonwealth's literary heritage, ensuring open access to books and libraries, and promoting literacy and learning across Massachusetts.

Among the recognized authors are:

Eden Robins of North Adams, longlisted in Fiction for "Remember You Will Die."

Elizabeth Kolbert of Williamstown, longlisted in Nonfiction for "H is for Hope."

Harriet Ziefert of Great Barrington, longlisted in the Picture Book / Early Reader category for "Is a Book a Box for Words?"

The longlisted books will be featured in the coming months, and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Massachusetts State House this October.

As the Commonwealth's affiliate of the Library of Congress, the Massachusetts Center for the Book supports various literary initiatives, including youth and family literacy programs like the Reading Challenge and Letters About Literature. The Center also represents Massachusetts at the National Book Festival, organizes the Massachusetts Book Awards and Mass Kids Lit Fest, and collaborates with community organizations on literary events statewide. The recognition of these Berkshire County authors underscores the vibrant literary landscape within the Commonwealth, which the MCB actively supports and promotes.

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Crane Drops Challenge to Dalton Land Sale

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:43AM / Thursday, January 22, 2026

DALTON, Mass. — The sale of the land known as the Bardin property is no longer being challenged.

Dicken Crane of Holiday Farm, the highest bidder on the property, withdrew his lawsuit and a citizen petition requesting the board award him the sale, recognizing that a reversal was unlikely after the deed had already been signed.

The Select Board's decision in December to sell the last 9.15 acres of land to Thomas and Esther Balardini, the third highest bidder, sparked outrage from several residents resulting in a heated meeting to sign the quitclaim deed. Crane was the highest bidder by $20,000.

The board swiftly had the deed signed on Dec. 22, following its initial vote on Nov. 10 to award the parcel to the Balardinis, despite citizen outcry against the decision during a meeting on Nov. 23.

Crane claimed he wrote a letter to the board of his intention to appeal its decision. However, once the deed was signed a month later, it was too late for him to do anything.

"My question is, why were they in such a hurry to push this through, even though there were many people asking, 'explain to us why this is in the best interest in the town,' when they really had no explanation," Crane said on Wednesday.

Litigation is expensive and the likelihood of success to get it changed once the deed was signed is minimal, he said.

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