Berkshire Access Realty Merges with Bishop West Real Estate

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Access Realty has merged with Bishop West Real Estate, a move that is expected to expand Bishop West Real Estate's operations across Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont.

Berkshire Access Realty, founded and led by Mary Jane Dunlop, has served clients in the Berkshires for over two decades.

"We're thrilled to welcome Berkshire Access Realty into the Bishop West family," said Peter West, co-owner and broker of Bishop West Real Estate. "Mary Jane and her team bring a wealth of experience and an impeccable reputation. Together, we'll continue to raise the bar for client service in the Berkshires and beyond."

Corey Bishop, co-owner and broker, added: "This partnership is built on shared values—personalized service, local expertise, and a dedication to community. With this expansion, we're even better positioned to serve buyers and sellers across the region."

Mary Jane Dunlop, former broker-owner of Berkshire Access Realty, expressed her enthusiasm for the transition. "Joining Bishop West Real Estate is an exciting new chapter. I've always admired their professionalism and forward-thinking approach. This move allows me to continue doing what I love—serving my clients—with the backing of a dynamic, growth-oriented team."

With the merger, Bishop West Real Estate strengthens its position as a leading independent brokerage across the Northeast, offering residential, commercial, and investment real estate services with offices strategically located in Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont.

WWII Veteran Reflects on D-Day at VFW Post Induction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
12:25PM / Saturday, June 06, 2026

The members in the picture are Bret Miller, Coast Guard, Desert Storm; Hank Morris, Army, Vietnam; Brad Havill, Navy, Global War on Terror; VFW Post 448 Vice Cmdr. Mark Pompi, Army, Global War on Terrorism, Afghanistan; Post Cmdr. Arnold Perras, Korea; Joe Difillipo, Army, Vietnam; Teri Billington, Navy, Desert Storm; and Carmen Ostrander, Air Force, Afghanistan.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Anthony Salatino Jr. says his memory is getting a little foggy about his time in the Army. 

But he remembers how terrible D-Day was, and feeling lucky he wasn't among those in the initial invasion force 82 years ago. 

 

"One of the most horrible things was in Normandy. We went shortly after D-Day. I got lucky, very lucky on D-Day. We went to a staging area the night before … and at the very end, somebody called, I was in headquarters, they called all the headquarters personnel at the center," the 103-year-old said. "We did not go. There's about 30 of us. The rest of the battalion was gone, and the reason for that was because there was another battalion coming from the States, and they had no headquarters. 

 

"We stayed back, but we did go to Normandy shortly after that, and when we went to Normandy, it was all over."

 

Salatino was attending an induction ceremony on Thursday at the Lt. John N. Truden VFW Post 448. Joseph Texidor, who served in the Army for 17 years with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, was sworn in as the post's newest member. 

 

Salatino served in the Medical Corps and wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, a World War I veteran wounded at Verdun. Salatino was in the Army for about three years.

 

"The whole memory is what I just told you, very, very alive to me," he said. "That is, I can never forget, never forget that."

 

D-Day on June 6, 1944, was the start of Operation Overlord, and the largest invading force to cross the English Channel since 1066. Their goal: to liberate Europe from Nazi Germany.