OLLI at BCC Announces Winter 2026 Semester

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College (OLLI at BCC) announced its Winter 2026 class catalogue, offering hundreds of courses, lectures, and events — online and in person — for adults seeking enrichment, connection, and community. 
 
Online registration is open at berkshireolli.org/winter2026.
 
Each winter, OLLI brings together a learning community from across the Berkshires. In Winter 2026, members may choose from a variety of classes, spanning literature, history, science, arts, current events and even practical topics such as self-defense and hiking.
 
Some highlights of the Winter 2026 offerings:
  • Whose Declaration?: Reflecting on the Meaning and Significance of the Declaration of Independence — a six-session online course exploring the creation, motives, and lasting meaning of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, part of OLLI’s Rev250 commemoration of the American Revolution.
  • A diverse array of courses including literature classics, modern political issues, creative arts, fitness & self-defense, theatre, music, and more — 40+ course titles listed for Winter 2026.
  • Outdoor-learning opportunities like Winter Hiking in the Berkshires, offered on Thursdays and Fridays in January–February for small, member-only groups.

Flexibility for busy schedules: many online courses are recorded, allowing members to access sessions at their convenience.

Winter semester fees are structured to encourage participation: $60 for a single course, $110 for two, and $150 for three or more courses. As always, membership in OLLI at BCC is required to register — a full-year membership is $75. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
 
 

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Taconic High Speaker Booted for Passing Out 'Political Material'

Staff Reports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A guest speaker at Taconic High School was escorted out of the building after school officials said they passed around unapproved political material.
 
Principal Matthew Bishop sent out an email and voice message to the school community explaining some of what happened. 
 
The event was an approved community outreach activity to write letters to veterans. The principal said the guest speaker had provided officials with the materials to be used for the activity, which were reviewed and approved. 
 
"However, the guest speaker began distributing politically motivated materials that were not previously approved," Bishop said. "As soon as staff became aware of this, we immediately asked that guest speaker to leave. ...
 
"The unauthorized materials distributed today were not part of what was shared with us beforehand.  This was a breach of trust and we wanted to be clear. The distribution of these materials is not endorsed by our school in any way."
 
Bishop did not identify who the speaker or what the unauthorized materials were. Some parents have pointed to a Turning Point USA representative and that the political material was a red wristband that says "We are Charlie Kirk."
 
An image posted to Facebook shows a group of male students showing off the bracelets with a woman wearing a shirt with a "Club America" logo on it. Club America is high school chapter of Turning Point, a conservative nonprofit founded Kirk. 
 
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