Berkshire Athenaeum Hosts an Early Literacy Event

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Athenaeum and Pittsfield Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE), based out of Berkshire County Head Start, invite children ages 6 and under and their families to a free early literacy event celebrating the children's book, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle. 
 
The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, from 10:30 am to noon in the auditorium of the Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's Public Library located at 1 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
 
This event aims to engage young learners and their families through a variety of fun, STEAM- based (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities. Attendees can look forward to a special storytime reading of the book and hands-on activity stations designed to explore themes from the story.
 
"We are so excited to bring this classic book to life for our community's youngest readers," said Sara Russell-Scholl, Youth Services Supervisor. "This event provides a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy a morning of literacy and play together. The STEAM activities and a visit from 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' himself will help inspire a love for reading and learning."
 
Activities will include:
  • Storytime: A dynamic reading of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
  • Activity Stations: Interactive inspired by Eric Carle's book's.
  • Character Meet & Greet: A chance to meet and take pictures with The Very Hungry Caterpillar character.
  • Book Giveaway: Every family will receive a free book to take home while supplies last.
This event is free and open to the public. No registration is required. Families are encouraged to attend and discover the joys of reading and early learning.
 
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Dalton Police Facility Report Complete; Station Future Still Uncertain

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee's final report is complete but the future of the station remains uncertain. 
 
Several members of the committee attended the Select Board meeting last week, as co-Chair Craig Wilbur presented four options delineated in the presentation — build on town-owned land, build on private land, renovate or repurpose the existing buildings, and do nothing. The full report can be found here
 
According to the report, addressing the station's needs coincides with the town facing significant financial challenges, with rising fixed costs and declining state aid straining its budget. 
 
These financial pressures restrict the town's ability to fund major capital projects and a new police station has to compete with a backlog of deferred infrastructure needs like water, sewer, roads, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.
 
In June 2024, Police Chief Deanna Strout informed the board of the station's dire condition — including issues with plumbing, mold, ventilation, mice, water damage, heating, and damaged cells — prompting the board to take action on two fronts. 
 
The board set aside American Rescue Plan Act funds to address the immediately dire issues, including the ventilation, and established the Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee to navigate long-term options
 
Very early on it was determined that the current facility is not adequate enough to meet the needs of a 21st-century Police Facility. This determination was backed up following a space needs assessment by Jacunski Humes Architects LLC
 
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