Hello Berkshire County! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Free Wi-Fi expansion, sheep story time, and airport grand opening + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Digital access expands: North Adams Housing Authority implemented free high-speed Wi-Fi across four properties using an $813,000 state grant, improving service for over 300 units and helping offset rising operating costs -- check the Wi-Fi rollout.
Budget decision ahead: Five Southern Berkshire towns will vote this week on FY27 school budget with a June 30 deadline, as passage could restore at least 10 positions while failure triggers month-to-month funding -- see the budget stakes.
Local projects move forward: State Rep. Leigh Davis secured $700,000 in the environmental bond bill for Lee, Great Barrington, and Dalton, backing a bike path, road repairs, and an emergency generator. Final approval pending -- see the funding details.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Lake day, solved: When you need a quick nature fix without leaving Pittsfield, Burbank Park delivers with a public swimming beach, fishing pier, trails, picnic areas, a playground, and a pavilion. Use the public boat launch, then let Onota Lake do its stress melting thing.
Leafy local reset: Solarium is downtown Pittsfield’s cozy plant shop and mini gallery, stocked with healthy houseplants, pretty pots, and homey bits that make your shelves happier. Expect rotating local art and occasional hands-on workshops, a quick stop that turns your sad windowsill into a vibe.
Arcade night, anyone? When screen time needs to be way more fun, Tyler St Arcade delivers quarter-worthy games and friendly, low-stress competition that make for an easy after-work escape. Bring a buddy, rack up bragging rights, and pretend it counts as cardio if your thumbs are moving fast.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
Wish you had someone to talk to right now? The quiet hours are the hardest, especially when you just want someone to talk to. That's exactly what this is built for: real conversations, real matches, real people. Not endless swiping, but actual chats with singles who want to connect as much as you do. Someone to talk to could be a message away. *Join now and start chatting → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🪟 Art Workshop: Fun Fused Glass Pendants and Magnets @ Milne Public Library (Williamstown) | Wednesday (6/24) at 1:00 PM – If your jewelry box, or fridge, could use some sparkle, try your hand at dichroic fused glass pendants and magnets with Massachusetts artist Deenie Pack Giuliano. You get colorful pre-cut pieces, she brings the know-how, and yes, registration is required, as space is limited.
🐑 A Special Sheep Story Time! @ Lenox Library | Thursday (6/25) at 10:30 AM – Craving a little wool with your words? Lenox Library teams up with Le Petit Ranch for sheep-side story time, crafts, gentle feeding and petting, plus wool and farm life basics, all with the flock close enough to chew approvingly. All ages and abilities, zero pretense.
✈ Hewison Aviation Harriman-and-West Airport Grand Opening @ Harriman-and-West Airport (North Adams) | Thursday (6/25) at 4:00 PM – Grand opening at Harriman-and-West means cockpit tours, flight simulator shenanigans, meet-the-pilots, light bites, and a raffle for a Discovery Flight. Whether you’ve daydreamed about flying or just want a fresh look at North Adams, it’s a legit way to play pilot, no TSA required.
🎬 Summer Movie Night @ Clapp Park (Pittsfield) | Friday (6/26) at 8:30 PM – Nothing beats a summer movie under the Clapp Park sky, with a monthly lineup from Zootopia 2 to Barbie, and a very Freakier Friday in between. Bring chairs, blankets, and actual cash for Lions Club popcorn and sodas, weather permitting, kids optional.
🚗 Hudpuckers & Team Contraband Car Show @ Wahconah Park (Pittsfield) | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Whether you baby your classic or just like pointing at shiny things, Hudpuckers & Team Contraband are filling Wahconah Park with cars, bikes, and trucks, right behind the restaurant. Expect on-the-spot registration, food and drink specials, and plenty of chrome-fueled reminiscing, no elbow grease required.
🎡 Country Fair @ United Methodist Church of Lenox | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Over at the United Methodist Church of Lenox, it’s an old-school country fair, free food, free fun, and neighbors you know. Bounce house and touch-a-truck for kids, therapy donkeys and a DJ for the rest of us, plus balloon art and local vendors.
🎉 Summer Fest @ McKay's Family Farm Market (Williamstown) | Sunday (6/28) at 10:00 AM – McKay’s Family Farm Market is throwing a summer shindig with artisan crafters, local vendors, food trucks, live music, and a petting zoo. Wholesome chaos in the best way, where you meet makers, tire out the kids, and leave with produce you can actually pronounce.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Berkshire County report Weather forecastToday — High: 76°F — Low: 54°F — Precip: 0%
Patchy fog before 7am. Sunny, with a high near 76. Northwest wind 2 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Northwest wind 0 to 9 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 80°F — Low: 58°F — Precip: 26%
A slight chance of rain showers between 2pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. This house is wildThis custom-built Berkshire home pairs country calm with modern ease, offering 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 2 half baths, and a spacious primary suite. Formal and casual living spaces, a sun-splashed eat-in kitchen, screened porch, and two fireplaces keep things inviting. A home office, 3-car garage, mudroom, and prime Pittsfield location seal the deal.
Take a peek inside → |
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