The winner of the 2026 Subaru raffle, Lynn Whittaker of Pittsfield, is announced last Saturday at the Berkshire Humane Society. The raffle is a major fundraiser for the animal shelter.
Berkshire Humane Sells Record Number of Subaru Tickets
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Humane Society raised a record amount of funds from its 13th annual Subaru Car Raffle day this past Saturday.
The Humane Society was able to raise $81,500 from the raffle; last year, the raffle raised $70,000.
"The one thing I look at most is the money we raised is so much more this year. That's just so many more animals that we know are in need that we're going to be able to help out now," Executive Director John Perrault said.
This is the first year the society was able to sell all 2,400 raffle tickets of $100 to win a 2026 Subaru from Haddad Subaru.
"I don't think I've ever seen it as busy, as popular, and as long as I've been working and volunteering with the Berkshire Humane Society, this is the first year we've sold out of the tickets, which is exciting," said board President Laura Bykowski.
The daylong event for the raffle drawing started with a free rabies and microchip clinic, during which 67 rabies vaccines were administered and 55 microchips inserted.
"We had a very, very good turnout. And historically, when you get closer to the fall in this time of year, we don't see many and it's our fourth free one we've done this year, but they were still coming in strong," Perrault said. "So I'm very excited that we're able to help that many animals."
The shelter also waived adoption fees for the day. Two cats were able to be adopted through the event.
The collaboration for the event with Haddad Subaru started with the shelter's friend Chris Kramek, general manager at the dealership, who wanted to do something for the shelter. Their collaboration has helped the shelter raise funds and even get pets adopted, through their weekly animal sponsorship.
"Many, many years ago, my good friend Chris Kramek became the general manager at Haddad Subaru, invited me down and said 'I want to do something for your shelter, what do you want to do?’ I'm like, let's give away a car. He said, sure, let's figure out how to do that," Perrault said.
The prize was a 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Limited, Forester Premium or Outback Premium with an extended warranty and three years of free maintenance.
Perrault announced the winner, who was Lynn Whittaker of Pittsfield.
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Friday Front Porch Feature: This Luxury Home Has Plenty of Amenities
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LENOX, Mass. — Are you looking for a big house to enjoy your days with a big movie theater, a sauna, and more? Then this is the house for you.
Built in 2004, this seven-bedroom, and nine-bathroom home is 7,073 square feet on more than an acre. The home comes with an elevator to the lower level to access a theater, sauna, gym, wine cellar, massage room, and its very own soda fountain.
The home also has a guest house with a saltwater pool. A multi-car garage greets you with heated floors.
The this home is listed for $4,950,000 and is located in the 125-acre, gated Pinecroft compound.
We spoke to Leslie Chesloff, the listing agent with William Pitt Sotheby's.
What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?
Chesloff: This gated Berkshire stone estate truly redefines luxury living in the Berkshires. What sets it apart is the rare combination of resort-style amenities and complete privacy. The property offers Canyon Ranch-level wellness living with a full spa experience at home — including a sauna, massage room, and gym — plus an eight-seat hi-def theater with wine cellar for entertaining. The heated, gunite saltwater pool and spa are complemented by a fully equipped pool house with a guest suite and complete kitchen, perfect for extended family or guests.
What was your first impression when you walked into the home?
The moment you step inside, you're struck by the quality and craftsmanship — those 300-year-old reclaimed timber floors set an immediate tone of authenticity and warmth. The scale is impressive but never overwhelming; this is a home designed for gracious living, not just show. The natural light, cathedral ceilings, and thoughtful flow between spaces create an inviting atmosphere that balances grandeur with genuine comfort.
How would you describe the feel or atmosphere of this home?
This home feels like a private wellness retreat meets sophisticated family estate. There's a serene, spa-like quality throughout — enhanced by features like the sauna, steam shower, and massage room — but it never feels clinical or cold. The Berkshire stone exterior and reclaimed timber floors ground the home in a sense of place and permanence. It's designed for people who appreciate the finer things but want to actually live well — whether that's screening a film in the eight-seat theater with wine from your own cellar, hosting poolside gatherings, or simply unwinding in your own spa sanctuary.
What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?
This is perfect for the discerning buyer who values wellness, privacy, and culture in equal measure. I envision someone who spends their days hiking or exploring the Berkshires, then comes home to unwind in the sauna or pool. They might entertain guests in the theater wine room, host multi-generational gatherings with family staying in the pool house guest suite (which has a full kitchen), and appreciate being minutes from Tanglewood, world-class dining, and Berkshire arts.
This could be an executive looking for a primary residence with work-from-home flexibility (there's an office/bedroom suite), a wellness-focused family, or empty nesters who want to host adult children and grandchildren in style and comfort.
What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?
Picture Saturday morning: you're sipping coffee on the terrace overlooking your heated saltwater pool, planning a day at Tanglewood. Your guests are making breakfast in the pool house kitchen — they have their own private retreat but are steps away when you're ready to gather. Evening arrives, and you screen a favorite film in your eight-seat theater, selecting a perfect bottle from your wine cellar. This isn't just a home; it's a lifestyle that brings resort-level wellness, entertainment, and hospitality to your doorstep — all within a secure, maintenance-free compound where nature meets luxury.
Are there any standout design features or recent renovations?
Absolutely. The home includes an elevator for multilevel accessibility, which is both practical and forward-thinking. The lower level is exceptionally well-conceived — a true entertainment and wellness wing featuring the eight-seat hi-def theater, wine cellar, sauna, gym, massage room, and even a charming soda fountain. The gourmet kitchen has been recently updated, customized wet bar, while outdoor living is elevated with the heated gunite saltwater pool/spa, firepit, and that incredible pool house with guest suite and full kitchen. Also, new HVAC system and heated driveway.
Thoughtful details like cedar closets, steam showers, central vacuum, and backup generator show this home was built to the highest standards.
You can find out more about this house on its listing here.
*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.
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