BECKET — When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with their President, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the … more

GREAT BARRINGTON — Our favorite nation to the north, Canada, celebrates its 150th anniversary of independence today. I'm often surprised that more of my neighbors haven't visited Quebec, Ontario, PEI or any of the other provinces, as there's … more

PITTSFIELD — I deeply love my country. Over the generations, the United States has been a source of innovation and inspiration. As Independence Day draws near, however, it pains me that this legacy is marred by deep divisions among our … more

GREAT BARRINGTON — It's summertime, and there is a certain segment of the population that wants to kick back and have a beer or two or three or four. And then try to drive home.The reason this topic appeared on my journalistic radar screen is … more

PITTSFIELD — Monday night, Dalton joined Great Barrington, Williamstown, Lee, Lenox, Adams and Stockbridge in banning single use plastic bags at a special town meeting. There were a handful of loud complaints, but the yeas had it by about a … more

WILLIAMSTOWN — Niko White was in a good place, literally and figuratively, when I visited his store, Purple Dragon Games, on June 14. It was Niko's 35th birthday, he was pleased with the reaction to the store since he opened it on April 5, and … more

from the overgrown fence row,his three notes so laden with gravityI wonder is this song or his lamentone wing among the green going going?" Arts of Joy, Kevin Stein 2008EAST CHATHAM, N.Y. — As we ease towards July, the morning chorus, still … more

from the overgrown fence row,his three notes so laden with gravityI wonder is this song or his lamentone wing among the green going going?" Arts of Joy, Kevin Stein 2008EAST CHATHAM, N.Y. — As we ease towards July, the morning chorus, still … more

BOSTON —"[M]y task is to paint the whole earth, the entire world, in novel form, by imagining adventures " wrote the renowned, late-19th-century French novelist, Jules Verne.As vacation begins, decades of K-12 education research tells us that … more

STOCKBRIDGE — In 2009 a bundle of letters written by Edith Wharton to her governess was discovered. In a certain community that was headline news. Why? It helps illuminate the past; it is one more piece in the puzzle, and one more clue to … more