The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

1. In spite of the COVID19 pandemic, the instruments of New England government survive. In Sheffield, for example, the Annual Town Meeting — the town’s actual government — passed its budget and contribution to the school district, though not without a bit of conflict:
https://theberkshireedge.com/after-impassioned-pleas-sheffielders-approve-their-share-of-school-spending-proposal/

2.  There won’t be any fireworks over Stockbridge Bowl on the fourth of July this year,  since Tanglewood will be dark because of the COVID19 pandemic, but there is a Boston Pops “Salute to our Heroes” concert to be broadcast online:
https://theberkshireedge.com/exclusive-interview-keith-lockhart-talks-about-the-july-4-boston-pops-salute-to-our-heroes-broadcast/

3.  The Southern Berkshires seem to be evolving into the marijuana capital of the region. A second pot store is in the works for the little village of Egremont (to get those New Yorkers just over the border as they drive to Tanglewood?):https://theberkshireedge.com/second-cannabis-store-planned-for-egremont-outreach-meeting-slated-for-thursday-via-zoom/
Meanwhile in Great Barrington, another marijuana emporium is opening up across the street from an established pot shop — Theory Wellness — north of town on Route 7. With all the tax revenues from sales, the town is going to make out handsomely:
https://theberkshireedge.com/a-stones-throw-from-theory-second-pot-shop-planned-for-stockbridge-road/

4.  Carolyn Newberger, an artist and child psychologist, writes of the confluence of the pandemic and racism:https://theberkshireedge.com/contagion/

5. At Part II of Great Barrington’s Annual Town Meeting, held in the parking lot of Monument Mountain High School, the citizens rejected a proposal to keep access to Lake Mansfield open as a two-way road:
https://theberkshireedge.com/citizens-reject-proposal-to-keep-lake-mansfield-road-open-to-two-way-traffic-forever/

6.  And in Part I of Great Barrington’s Annual Town Meeting, you may recall, the voters rejected a proposal to “defund” the police;https://theberkshireedge.com/police-defunding-effort-fails-town-and-school-budgets-pass-but-great-barrington-annual-town-meeting-to-continue-thursday/

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