Barbara Viniar To Speak About Writing Historical Fiction

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Author Barbara Viniar will speak about her book "Little Bird" at Arrowhead, Herman Melville's historic home and farm, on May 27, 5:30 pm.  
 
The former President of Berkshire Community College will discuss how after a career in higher education she turned to creative writing, and how her unexpected path to writing historical fiction was inspired by an old photograph of her grandmother. 
 
She will talk about combining research and imagination to create the compelling story of a young immigrant who defies societal expectations to lead a fulfilling life, stated a press release.
 
Tickets are $5 for BCHS members, $10 for non-members and can be purchased by using the BOOK NOW at berkshirehistory.org. This event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Housatonic Heritage.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

15 People Displaced in Pittsfield Home Fires

Staff Reports

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fifteen people were displaced after 2-alarm home fires this weekend on Springside Avenue and Elaine Drive. 

On Friday evening, the Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 209 Springside Ave., which took a four-hour battle to extinguish and resulted in a partial roof collapse. The next day, on Saturday evening, crews knocked down a fire at 121 Elaine Drive in about an hour. 

The garage and part of the single-family home on Elaine Drive were gutted to the frame, along with a vehicle parked in the driveway. On Springside Avenue, the top level and porch of the multifamily were burned through.  

A GoFundMe has been started for the family of the Elaine Drive home, which includes several young children.  The fundraiser, with a $5,500 goal, explains they lost their home and all of their belongings. (iBerkshires.com does not confirm or endorse fundraisers; they are provided as information only.)

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries, and both incidents are under investigation.  One dog was rescued on Springside Avenue. 

On Oct. 10, around 6:15 p.m., PFD responded to the Springside Avenue home for a reported structure fire and saw a 2 1/2-story wood frame multifamily with a heavy blaze showing from the second-floor front porch, extending out. 

The building suffered a partial roof collapse, which prolonged extinguishment. The fire was brought under control after about four hours.

“An aggressive offensive attack was mounted by first arriving crews stretching hose lines into the building as well as primary searches that proved negative. Ladders were placed around the structure to provide access as well as escape if needed. An off-duty Fire Captain had also been on scene early in the incident to help evacuate the structure and rescue a dog,” PFD wrote in a press release. 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories