Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire Welcomes Two New Board Members

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Community Development Corporation South Berkshire (CDCSB) announced the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors: Mark Blumkin and Timothy Prinz. 
 
Both bring professional expertise and a shared commitment to strengthening communities through expanded opportunity, economic vitality, and access to affordable housing.
 
"Mark and Tim each bring deep experience that will help guide the CDCSB's work as we expand affordable housing opportunities and strengthen the small business ecosystem across South Berkshire County," said Jim Harwood, Board Chair. "Their insight will help ensure our projects are both impactful and sustainable for the long term."
 
Mark Blumkin brings more than four decades of experience advising on capital construction projects, with particular expertise in project planning, delivery strategies, and cost-effective implementation. As Principal of MSB Advisors LLC, he supports organizations in delivering complex projects on time and within budget. His career includes more than 30 years with leading professional services firms, as well as roles with the City of New York and an engineering consulting firm. A Berkshires resident for nearly a decade, Blumkin is committed to advancing affordable housing solutions that support the region's workforce and long-term economic health.
 
Timothy Prinz is a public health and health policy expert with nearly 20 years of experience translating research into effective policy and programs that improve outcomes for underserved populations. His work has spanned national health reform efforts, nonprofit leadership, and academic research. Dr. Prinz has held senior roles with organizations including The Children's Health Fund, the United Hospital Fund, and the Blue Sky Health Initiative at UCLA, where he contributed to policy ideas incorporated into the Affordable Care Act. He holds a Ph.D. in political science from Harvard University and has taught American politics at the University of Virginia.
 
The CDCSB works to strengthen South Berkshire communities by developing affordable and workforce housing, supporting small businesses, and advancing initiatives that promote economic opportunity and community stability. 
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Lee Library Hosts 'Jacob's Pillow in Lee, Mass.' Exhibit

LEE, Mass. — A new public history exhibit, "Jacob's Pillow in Lee, Mass.," will open Monday, June 1, in the Scolforo Gallery at the Lee Library.
 
The exhibit traces the long and often overlooked relationship between the internationally renowned dance hub in Becket and the neighboring town of Lee from the early 1930s to today.
 
Researched and curated by Lee resident Joshua D. Bloom, a member of the Lee Historical Society and a former academic researcher, the exhibit will be on display through June 30. It will be open to the public during the library's regular hours when the gallery is not hosting other programming.
 
The exhibit tells the story of relationships between  Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and the town as they developed alongside one another through business, civic engagement, and personal connections.
 
Pamela Tatge, executive and artistic director of Jacob's Pillow, praised the project for highlighting the Pillow's community roots.
 
"This exhibit shines a light on the longstanding connections between Jacob's Pillow and the town of Lee," Tatge said. "The Pillow's history is deeply intertwined with the people and communities that have supported it for generations."
 
Several public programs will accompany the exhibit throughout June:
  • Tuesday, June 2, 4-5:45 p.m.: Opening reception with Pamela Tatge at the Lee Library
  • Saturday, June 6, 12:30-1:30 p.m.: Family Dance Party with dance educator Sarah Daunt (sponsored by the Lee Youth Commission)
  • Thursday, June 11, 11-noon: History of Lee seniors dancing at Jacob's Pillow (sponsored by the Lee Council on Aging, at 21 Crossway St.)
  • 4:30-5:45 p.m.: "Secret" gay history of Jacob's Pillow with historian Norton Owen (sponsored by Lee Pride, a project of Berkshire Pride, and Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition)
  • Saturday, June 13, 12:30-2 p.m.: "Secret" LGBTQ-plus history of Lee walking tour led by Bloom (beginning and ending at Park Square during Lee Pride; tour sponsored by Lee Pride, a project of Berkshire Pride, and Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition)
  • Monday, June 22, 4:30–5:45 p.m. — History of the Cantarella School of Dance in Lee with Madeline Cantarella Culpo and her Lee dancers (sponsored by the Lee Historical Society)
  • Monday, June 29, 4:30–5:45 p.m.: Closing reception on marketing, tourism, and business relations between Jacob's Pillow and the Town of Lee (sponsored by the Lee Chamber of Commerce)
This exhibit is made possible, in part, through a grant from the Lee Cultural Council, a local agency funded by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
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