Winter Woodcraft Program during February School Break

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SOUTH EGREMONT, Mass. — Flying Cloud Institute will hold an all-new science and art exploration program during the February school break for children aged 7 to 13 years. 
 
It runs February 16 - 19, 2026, Monday to Thursday, from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm (with early drop-off at 8:30 am), at the April Hill Education and Conservation Center in South Egremont. Participants will engage in science investigations, art projects, engineering challenges, and nature explorations.
 
The theme this year is "Winter Woodcraft." There are two meanings to the word "woodcraft:" to work with wood, and to know the forest and the skills you need to survive and explore it. The program will explore both meanings, with science activities that focus on trees and forests, skills sessions that teach how to stay warm in the winter wilderness, and art projects using wood and inspired by our relationship to the forest.
 
The February Break program will be located at April Hill Education and Conservation Center, which serves as the headquarters for Greenagers, as well as a resource for community gatherings and education. The nearly 100-acre property has nature trails, vegetable gardens, orchards, pastures and hayfields, and abuts the Appalachian Trail. 
 
The cost is $270 for the four-day program and financial aid is available. To register, visit flyingcloudinstitute.org or call (413) 645-3058 with questions.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

OSHA: Jacob's Pillow Won't Be Cited for 2025 Employee Death

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

BECKET, Mass.— The Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined that Jacob's Pillow is not responsible for the fatal workplace accident that occurred one year ago

OSHA found no violation of workplace safety and health standards related to the incident, and no citations or penalties were issued. 

On Aug. 1, 2025, 40-year-old Kathryn "Kat" Sirico of Rochester, N.Y., and another employee were moving staging platforms across the property on a dolly when it began to lose control on a sloped area.  Sirico attempted to regain control of the dolly but tripped and fell.  The dolly ran over Sirico, and the platforms fell, landing on them. 

Bystanders attempted life-saving measures, which were unsuccessful. 

OSHA issued an inspection report on Aug. 3 absolving the organization of fault.  The Berkshire Edge obtained and posted the report

On March 6, the determination was communicated in a letter, presumably addressed to Sirico's family, but the addressee is redacted. 

"OSHA has completed its inspection of Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival Inc. and determined that no violation of safety and health standards occurred related to the incident; therefore, no citations or proposed penalties were issued," Acting Area Director Stephanie Smulligan-Maldanis wrote. 

The OSHA report explains that employees were moving Masonite staging on a rolling cart down an incline near the Doris Duke Theatre; the cart began speeding away, and the two employees tried to slow it down by grabbing the cart; it then turned sideways and flipped over. 

Sirico was crushed by the heavy rolling cart. 

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