BNRC Welcomes Three New Members to the Board of Directors

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LENOX, Mass. — Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) announced the appointment of Grace Enchill, Chuck Leach, and Victoria Mills to its Board of Directors. 
 
In addition, local leader and previous member Timothy T. Crane returns to the Board. 
 
Grace Enchill brings a specialized legal perspective to the board. An attorney with Heller & Robbins PC in Lenox, Enchill focuses her practice on real estate, land use, and zoning. Her professional path in law and land conservation began twelve years ago when she first moved to the Berkshires, working for longtime board member and lawyer, F. Sydney Smithers. 
 
"My practice has given me a unique appreciation of how closely our community is connected to the land, its history, and its resources," Enchill said. "I am thrilled and honored to have this opportunity to support BNRC's work to conserve the landscapes that define and sustain this region."
 
Joining the board from the regional financial sector, Chuck Leach brings extensive experience in mission-driven growth. As President and CEO of Lee Bank, Leach oversaw the formation of the Lee Bank Foundation and launched the bank's financial wellness and wealth management platforms. A frequent hiker on BNRC's trail network, Leach is deeply involved in the Berkshire community. 
 
"My family and I have long enjoyed the incredible trail network and natural spaces that BNRC helps protect and steward. Having free and open access to such a high-quality network of trails is an invaluable resource for people across our community, and it's something that makes this area truly special," said Leach. "I'm honored to join the board and support an organization that plays such a critical role in preserving and expanding these opportunities for everyone."
 
Victoria Mills rounds out the new appointments with a career steeped in environmental advocacy. Mills spent 26 years at the Environmental Defense Fund and continues her public service today as a member of the Canaan, NY Town Council and co-chair of the Climate Smart Task Force. An avid hiker, Mills advocates for making the outdoors accessible to everyone.
 
"BNRC has done extraordinary work to conserve critical landscapes in the Berkshires," said Mills. "I'm excited to join the board and help carry that legacy forward – protecting lands that sustain biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience and keep the natural beauty of this area accessible to all."
 
In addition to the new appointments, BNRC welcomes Timothy T. Crane back to the Board. He previously served on the Board for 22 years, including 10 as Board Chair. Tim is now retired after a career at Crane & Co. He and his wife, the poet Patty Crane, live in Windsor and have linked conservation easements on their property into the vast state-owned wildlife management properties on the Berkshire plateau. He first joined the Board of Directors in 2000.
 
"It is great to be back on the BNRC board after my one-year mandatory hiatus," said Crane. "Now, having attended my first board meeting of 2026, I am reminded of the commitment to BNRC's mission, displayed by staff, board, volunteers, and donors."
 
"BNRC is delighted to welcome Victoria, Chuck, and Grace to their new roles, and to welcome Tim back to the board," said BNRC President Jenny Hansell. "Each brings valuable expertise and a deep commitment to BNRC's mission of caring for the Berkshires' natural spaces. Their leadership will strengthen BNRC's ability to serve our community and conserve land for years to come."
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

The Classical Beat: Spectacular Music and Celebrations at Tanglewood, Sevenars

By Stephen DanknerSpecial to iBerkshires

With the arrival of August, we are at the midpoint – the emerging height of the classical music festival season. Programs at Tanglewood this week offer an enthralling and diverse mix of orchestral works by Beethoven, Schumann, Wagner, Sibelius, Debussy, Ravel, Bartok and Stravinsky performed by the Boston Symphony, the Tanglewood Music Festival Orchestra and, for the delight of chamber music lovers, the Danish String Quartet playing late Beethoven. The week's other prominent highlights includes Maestro Nelsons leading the BSO in a concert version of  Mozart's iconic comic opera "The Marriage of Figaro." Also scheduled: Yo-Yo Ma's curated concerts, conversations and events under the rubric "We The People," and the activities that comprise the all-day 'Tanglewood on Parade' celebration, always a Tanglewood patron favorite. Read below for more detailed information about these and other performances and related celebratory activities, covering the week of July 30-Aug. 4.

Tanglewood

• Thursday, July 30, 8:00 p.m., Ozawa Hall: The polished Danish String Quartet performs Stravinsky's "Suite italienne," Beethoven's String Quartet No. 16 in F, Op. 135 and a medley of arrangements of Danish folksongs.

• Friday, July 31. 8:00 p.m., in the Shed: Maestro Esa-Pekka Salonen leads the BSO in a compelling program of Wagner (the 'Prelude and Liebestod' from "Tristan und Isolde"); Sibelius (Symphony No. 7) and Beethoven (the magisterial Piano Concerto No. 5) with Yefim Bronfman the stupendous soloist.

• Saturday, Aug. 1, 8:00 p.m. in the Shed: Mozart's uproarious comic operatic masterpiece, "The Marriage of Figaro" is performed in concert with English supertitles by a stellar cast of TMC Vocal Fellows - the Boston Symphony led by Andris Nelsons. The production is directed by James Darrah Black.

Tanglewood on Parade Events - Tuesday Aug. 4

The gates open with a fanfare, followed by events during the afternoon and into the evening; each celebrate Tanglewood's ensembles and performers, including Yo-Yo Ma, Keith Lockhart, Samy Rachid and The Boston Pops, the Tanglewood Festival Orchestra and the Boston Symphony. "Making Music In Community" is the over-arching theme. Visit Tanglewood's website for full program and personnel information, specific events, repertoire and locations. Events throughout the day will occur in Ozawa Hall, the Shed and in the Linde Center. The festivities conclude with the traditional performance of Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" by The Pops, accompanied by spectacular fireworks lighting up the Berkshire skies.

For tickets for all Tanglewood/BSO concerts (lawn and Shed seating) and for special events call (617) 266-1200 or (413) 637-5180; online: tanglewood.org or customerservice@bso.org. In Lenox, visit the Tanglewood box office at the Main Gate located at 297 West Street.

Sevenars Music Festival


Pianist Paul-Andre? Bempe?chat in All-Beethoven Program at Sevenars

Founded in 1968, Sevenars Concerts, Inc. is presenting its 58th anniversary season of six summer concerts, held at the Academy in the historic village of South Worthington, MA, located at 15 Ireland Street, just off MA Route 112.

• Sunday, Aug. 2, 4:00 p.m.: Pianist Paul-André Bempechat will present a solo recital. Renowned for his interpretations of the First Viennese School, Brahms, Schumann, and Chopin - Bempechat - a French-Canadian - is a disciple of the artistic legacies of the Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School. Decorated as Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture, he has toured widely throughout Europe.

He will perform four of Beethoven's Sonatas - Op. 22, Op. 27 No 2 ('Moonlight'), Op. 90 and Op. 57 ('Appassionata'.} Currently recording all 32 Beethoven sonatas, Mr. Bempéchat offers the Sevenars audience the thrill of hearing these four stunning masterworks.   

The Sevenars Academy is located at 15 Ireland Street, just off Rt. 112 in South Worthington, Ma. Concerts are presented on six consecutive Sundays at 4:00 p.m., through August 16. Phone: (413) 238-5854 (please leave a message for a return call). Visit online at: www.sevenars.org. Admission is by donation at the door (suggested $20). Refreshments will be available at no cost.

 

 

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