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Lanesborough Winterfest Returns, Work Planned for Route 7

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The town's winter festival will return, and the state plans to repave more than half mile of Route 7. 

Town Administrator Gina Dario delivered several town updates during Monday's Select Board meeting. The second annual Winter Fun Fest hosted by the Community Development Committee is on Sunday, Feb. 1, from noon to 3 p.m. at The Venue at Skyline. 

There will be food, kids' activities, a coffee and hot cocoa bar, a cash bar, and music by Lance Entertainment. The Community Development Committee launched the winter festival last year as a way to get people together the snow season. It is a smaller version of Lanesborough Day, which is held in warm weather. 

"We'd love volunteers," Dario said. 

Residents are asked to email Lanesboroughday@gmail.com with any questions or to volunteer. 

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has advised Lanesborough that a complete resurfacing of the road and sidewalk along 0.682 miles of Route 7 is proposed.  


The project extends from Town Hall north to Bill Laston Memorial Field, and work includes roadway resurfacing, new sidewalks, new guardrails, pavement markings, upgraded utilities and drainage, resurfaced driveway aprons, and erosion control measures. 

There is also movement on the town's effort to craft a new open space and recreation plan. 

The Open Space and Recreation Plan Advisory Committee is working with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission on the town's new plan. Hundreds of people responded to the committee's survey on local priorities, and a community conversation will be held at Town Hall on Jan. 27, where the committee will also discuss next steps. 

"They wanted to thank the community and everyone who responded to the survey. They got about 300 responses, which is a fantastic turnout, especially given other surveys that we've had," Dario said. 

Additionally, all-ages technology training classes will be offered on Tuesdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall. Dario explained that this is part of a grant from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, and the time has been adjusted to capture people who may work during the day. 

In other news, the Select Board voted to have joint meetings with the Finance Committee to review the upcoming budget and meet with department heads. Chair Deborah Maynard explained that this would allow department heads to present their budget to both entities simultaneously over two meetings on March 2 and March 16. 

"One of the agreements, as I understand, was that they would allow some of the standard agenda items for the Select Board and Finance Committee on that joint meeting so that we wouldn't duplicate unless absolutely needed," Dario explained. 


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Pittsfield's Christian Center Rebrands as 'The Center'

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The Christian Center is becoming The Center, and assures the community that while the logo and name have changed, "Our heart has not." 

The rebrand was announced on Tuesday after months of listening sessions, community conversations, and surveys.  It was emphasized that the organization's heart, mission, and commitment to the community are unchanged. 

The Center will host its annual Community Day, including a name change celebration, on Aug. 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"While our name is shifting, our core purpose remains steadfast. Alongside our new name, we are introducing our defining tagline—Nourish. Empower. Connect.—which reflects the three principles guiding everything we do," Executive Director Jessica Jones wrote in a newsletter. 

"Whether through our food pantry, meal program, free clothing boutique, or community events, our work remains focused on helping our neighbors access essential resources, build connections, and thrive."

The new logo features a fork, carrot, heart, and shirt, representing the pillars of The Center's service. 

The Christian Center was incorporated in 1974, but it dates back to the early 1890s, when it was the Epworth Mission, founded by the Methodist Church. 

Today, its main focus is food insecurity, but it also provides clothing, household items, and sanitary supplies to those who need them.  The Center operates a food pantry, upstairs free shop, and serves breakfast and lunch, as well as offering assistance in accessing resources. 

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