Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires seeks Nominations for Berkshire Nonprofit Awards

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.—The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires, in partnership with The Berkshire Eagle, will present the ninth annual Berkshire Nonprofit Awards breakfast on Tuesday, May 19, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Country Club of Pittsfield.

The awards recognize individuals who work in the nonprofit sector to serve the Berkshire community.

"In the midst of some challenging years for the nonprofit sector, it's imperative that we make space to honor those in our community who are doing incredible work day in and day out," said McCaela Donovan, Associate Director of the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires. "This event creates space for joy and recognition, which is essential in this moment. If you know someone making a difference, please take the time to nominate them."

Nominations are being solicited from across the Berkshires in seven categories: Executive Leadership, Board Leadership, Unsung Hero, Volunteer, Rock Star, Lifetime Achievement, and the Samya Rose Stumo Youth Leadership Award. 

Honorees—one in each category—will be selected by a committee of business and nonprofit leaders. Nomination forms are available at npcberkshires.org/nominate. The deadline for submissions is March 13.

The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires is an infrastructure and support organization for the Berkshire nonprofit sector- which employs one in four people in Berkshire County. Now in its tenth year, NPC is currently seeking sponsors for this celebratory event. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact McCaela Donovan at mccaela@npcberkshires.org.

Great Barrington Fire, Police Respond to Chimney Fire

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
02:48PM / Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Fire Chief Scott Turner called for mutual aid as soon as he saw flames. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Firefighters made quick work of a chimney fire on Tuesday afternoon and two police officers aided the occupant in escaping the building. 

 

Fire Chief Scott Turner said the blaze at 205 North St. was reported about 12:38 p.m.

 

"When I arrived on scene, we had a small amount of flames coming out of the eaves of the roof over by the chimney for the wood stove, and then we had light smoke conditions on the second floor," he said. 

 

Police Officers Andres Huertas and Elias Casey were first on the scene and immediately entered the single-family home to find the occupant was on the second floor. 

 

They helped her out of the building, Turner said, "they did a great job."

 

The chimney is a metal chimney and burn marks could been seen where it meets the eaves on the side of the building. 

 

North Street is a narrow residential way and firetrucks from Alford, Egremont, Monterey, Richmond, Stockbridge and West Stockbridge were parked along nearby streets. Scene support was provided by police, Southern Berkshire Ambulance, and National Grid.