SU FYI

Magic

Country Living magazine named Stockbridge "one of the most magical Christmas towns."

CPC

The Community Preservation Act (CPA) distributes funds to 189 of the 351 municipalities in Massachusetts each year. Stockbridge is one of the 189.

Passed in September 2000, CPA enables communities to levy a property tax surcharge of up to 3.0 percent on real property for the purpose of creating a local community preservation fund and qualifying for state matching funds.

The Commonwealth matches the amount at a rate of between 21% - 100%. This year the Stockbridge match will be 55% or $123, 890 of a $223,631 local surcharge collected for a total of $347,521. That money will be distributed to applicants in the areas of affordable housing, open space, and recreational programs. The total distributed from the Commonwealth to the 189 municipalities this year will be 49,821,416.

In January 2024, applications will be accepted by the Community Preservation Committees in each of the 189 communities. The Committees read, consider, and vote to award the funds in February. The awards are approved by a vote of the Town Meetings.

In Stockbridge, these funds have repaired the chime tower, stabilized our monuments, helped our nonprofits, had funds available for the purchase of Fenn Farm (although it was not needed), and built, repaired, and maintained affordable housing.

Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives

Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives (SLMA) from Talya Leodari, Ph.D., Curator, Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives

The Museum and Archives held a public reception celebrating its reopening on Friday, November 17. In addition to the installation of a state-of-the-art HVAC system, the curatorial staff has rearranged and updated the space: aisles are wider to provide better access, the displays are spread out, and there is a new section devoted to the repatriation of documents and the continuing importance of their homelands to the Stockbridge-Munsee Community. This section represents a collaboration between the curator of the SLMA and the Cultural Affairs Department of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community.

Some old friends, like Jonathan Edwards' desk, are on permanent display; and the curatorial staff have plans to change the exhibits and rotate the smaller items. Not only does this keep the museum experience fresh for visitors, but it allows the M&A to protect and maintain the collections by giving items a "break" from being on display and exposed to light and air. If there is an item that is not on display that you particularly would like to see, please reach out: the staff will be happy to arrange a time for you to come in and bring the item out of storage for you.

The SLMA's new hours are:
Tuesday: 1:00-8:00PM
Wednesday: 1:00-5:00PM
Thursday: 1:00-5:00PM
Friday: 1:00-5:00PM
Saturday: 9:00AM-2:00PM

Homecoming: The Long and Winding Road

The journey began in the late nineteenth century. Remains of two people were discovered near a river wash-out. The location suggested they could be remains of Native Americans.

1932 the remains went into the collection of the Berkshire Museum.

1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, ordered the return of Native American cultural objects, including human remains.

1995 the University of Massachusetts examined the bones and found they likely belonged to an adult and an adolescent.

2023 the remains are returned to the Stockbridge-Munsee band of the Mohican nation.

What will be their final resting place? Perhaps Stockbridge. In the Indian Burial Ground or elsewhere in the village? It is possible the end of the long and winding road, the final resting place, will be Stockbridge.

Berkshire Health Systems Honored with 2023 Extraordinary Women Advancing Healthcare Award

Darlene Rodowicz, President and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) received the fourth annual award. It recognizes Women Leaders in Massachusetts Demonstrating Impact, Inspiration, and Innovation across Healthcare Industry. Rodowicz, a life-long resident of Berkshire County, dedicated her career to advancing the health and wellbeing of the community she loves.

Rodowicz joined BHS in 1984 and has served on the system's Executive Leadership Team since 2005. Over the decades, BHS has grown into an integrated system of more than 4,000 employees serving rural Berkshire County, and Darlene has played a crucial role in this evolution through her various leadership positions, including ensuring the financial strength of the organization during her 15 years as Chief Financial Officer.

Photo: Lionel Delevingne