'Poetry in Motion' Event to Celebrate Hoosic River Watershed

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.— A poetry event titled "Poetry in Motion," celebrating the Hoosic River Watershed, will take place on Thursday, May 22, at 4:30 p.m. Participants will meet at the Natural Bridge State Park parking area, outside the gate.

The event will involve a walk from the Hudson Brook - North Branch confluence, where attendees can find inspiration for poetry. Writing prompts will be provided. There will be an opportunity for participants to share their poems, phrases, or other creative expressions inspired by the rivers. The program is scheduled to last for 1.5 hours.

This workshop is free and open to the public, supported by a grant from the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, a local agency funded by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Participation is limited to 16 individuals, and registration is required HERE.

The facilitator for the event is Arianna Alexsandra Collins, Executive Director of the Hoosic River Watershed Association, who also has experience as a naturalist educator and poet. Samples of her poetry can be found at https://hearkentoavalon.com/earthvoice-poetry/.

Barrett Holds off Fitch in State House Race

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
11:20PM / Tuesday, September 01, 2026

Candidate Andrew Fitch thanks his supporters for their work on the campaign and promised 'we're going to get him next time.'

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — State Rep. John Barrett III showed Tuesday that it is still his time to serve.

 

In an election night cliffhanger that had supporters of each candidate anxiously checking their cell phone screens two hours after the polls closed, Barrett defeated challenger Andrew Fitch in the First Berkshire Democratic primary for the State House of Representatives.

 

With one town, Peru, missing from the vote total, Fitch called Barrett to concede the race at about 10 p.m. with Barrett holding a 3,597-3,476 lead, a margin of 121 votes.

 

With no Republican on the ballot, Tuesday's winner will be unopposed in the November general election.

 

After receiving well wishes from his supporters at the GOAT Sports Bar and Grill, Barrett talked about his win and shared part of his motivation for seeking another two years in the post he has held since 2017.

 

"When [Fitch] called me up and said that he was going to be running against me and said, 'I want to announce I'm going to run in two weeks,' and then he says, 'This is my time and your time to retire,'" Barrett said. "Well, that's when I decided I was going to run."

 

On Tuesday, Barrett congratulated Fitch, a North Adams city councilor, on a well-run campaign after accepting his concession.