Jeff Lowenstein launches Lionstone Language Consulting
Pittsfield— Lionstone Language Consulting LLC, a new Berkshire‑based firm dedicated to strengthening language access across public, nonprofit, and private organizations, has officially launched under the leadership of founder and CEO Jeff Lowenstein.
Lionstone Language Consulting helps organizations design and implement sustainable, efficient language access systems that integrate people, tools, technology, and training. The company’s approach focuses on building long‑term infrastructure rather than one‑off solutions—ensuring that multilingual communities can access information, services, and opportunities equitably.
Lowenstein brings more than 15 years of experience in language access leadership, including work in language access systems design, translation and interpretation, instruction and training, and community organizing for language and immigrant justice.
“Language access is not just a compliance requirement—it’s a cornerstone of community trust, service quality, and organizational effectiveness, and one of the critical factors in the long-term success of our communities,” said Lowenstein. “Lionstone exists to help organizations build systems that last, so they can serve their communities with clarity, dignity, and respect.”
The company works with municipalities, school districts, health systems, nonprofits, and mission‑driven businesses seeking to strengthen communication with multilingual communities.
More information can be found online.
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Tanglewood solar installation
Lenox— Tanglewood is advancing its sustainability efforts with the installation of a new low-profile rooftop solar energy system on the iconic Koussevitzky Music Shed.
The 253.44 kW DC solar installation was developed and installed by Solect Energy through the PowerOptions Solar and Energy Storage Program. The system is expected to generate enough electricity annually to offset approximately 122% of the Shed’s electrical consumption, with excess generation providing bill credits to other buildings across the Tanglewood campus. The estimated carbon offset for the project is 298,000 pounds annually.
The project is expected to generate approximately $105,000 annually through a combination of avoided electricity costs, bill credits, and SMART 3.0 solar incentive revenue. Over time, the system is projected to provide significant long-term financial and environmental benefits for the Tanglewood campus.
“In planning this project, we were careful to ensure that it would not impact the historic structure or its prized acoustics,” said Bobby Lahart, Tanglewood’s Director of Facilities. “The installation is not visible from grade level, so it won’t affect the visual experience of our patrons in any way. We are excited to get the system up and running this summer and to further reduce our carbon footprint.”
The installation follows a previous collaboration between Tanglewood, PowerOptions, and Solect Energy at the Linde Center for Music and Learning, where a 62-kW rooftop solar project was completed in 2019.
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Railroad Street Youth Project raises record amount
Great Barrington— Railroad Street Youth Project (RSYP) is thrilled to announce that its annual Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Dinner, held on May 20th at Barrington Hall, was a resounding success, welcoming a packed house of supporters and community members. The evening was a historic milestone for the organization, raising nearly $190,000 to support RSYP’s vital youth led programming and advocacy.
The centerpiece of the evening was the extraordinary meal prepared and served by RSYP’s Culinary Apprentice Chefs – Justus Berressem, Kira Campbell, Miles DeBruicker, Anna van Düllen, Lindsey Markham, Noah Minkoff, Romiah Morales, Riley Orth, Alexis Peck, and Lou Stokes. Under the guidance of the professional culinary team, including Chef Zee Vassos and Laura Rodriguez, the apprentices displayed their skills, providing an incredible dining experience.
The gala also served as a stage to celebrate individual youth triumph with the awarding of the Railroad Street Youth Student Empowerment Scholarship. This year’s recipient, Berdy Cheramy, soon-to-be graduate of Monument Mountain Regional High School, embodies the spirit of resilience and community support. In addition to celebrating student success, the evening featured a heartfelt tribute to Melissa Mae, who is stepping down as President of the RSYP Board after nine years of dedicated service. Melissa’s leadership has been instrumental in the growth and stability of RSYP.
The $190,000 raised will go directly toward ensuring that RSYP continues to provide a safe space where Berkshire County youth can explore their passions, find mentorship, and take lead roles in their community.
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Community partnerships at Muddy Brook
Great Barrington— Partnerships with three Berkshire-based nonprofits have helped to bring hands-on learning to life in Muddy Brook Elementary’s third-grade classrooms.
“It has been a year of incredible growth for our students, and we have been fortunate to leverage several community partnerships that have deeply enriched our curriculum,” says classroom teacher Stephanie Kluka. “Throughout the school year, we have been honored to work with educators from The Mount, Norman Rockwell Museum, and Mass Audubon. Experts have visited our classrooms multiple times, bringing history and science to life.”
Each partnership will culminate in a meaningful milestone: end-of-year field trips to The Mount, The Norman Rockwell Museum, and Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary – all hosted free of charge – a powerful example of what’s possible when schools and community partners come together.
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PCTV and WTBR-FM programs win national awards
Pittsfield— Four programs broadcast on Pittsfield Community Television (PCTV) and community radio station WTBR-FM received 2026 Hometown Media Awards from the Alliance for Community Media Foundation. The awards program was established to honor and promote community media, community radio, and local cable programs that are distributed on Public, Educational and Governmental (PEG) access cable television channels.
“Pittsfield Proud – Coaching Life with Jerome Edgerton,” a short video feature produced by PCTV staffer Tom Ciaburri, won the award for “Educational Profile: Access Center Professional.” The video profiled Pittsfield High School basketball coach Jerome Edgerton’s coaching style and personal history.
WTBR’s coverage of the MIAA Final Four girls’ basketball semifinal from March 10th, 2025 won the award for “Sports Coverage, Live Competition: Community Radio.” WTBR’s Bob Heck traveled to Worcester State University to cover the game on a live radio broadcast, as the MIAA does not permit live television coverage of Final Four games. It was Heck’s call of the game that garnered the award.
PCTV’s production services group, ParkSquare Productions, created videos for Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires. The winning video, “NPC: Building Better Nonprofits,” co-directed by PCTV staffer Tom Ciaburri and McCaela Donovan, Associate Director of NPC Berkshires, won the award in the category of “Fundraising: Access Center Professional.” The video focuses on the efforts made by the Nonprofit Center to support the sustainability of nonprofit organizations in Berkshire County.
Taconic High School’s vocational Multimedia Production & Broadcast program, through which students create video and audio content which is then broadcast on the channels of PCTV and WTBR-FM, won the award for “Taconic High School’s School of Rock,” in the category of “Educational Activities: Community Radio.” The series, broadcast on WTBR-FM, features episodes devoted to music that follow certain themes. The winning episode, from April 14th, 2025, focused on the themes: taking a vacation, abandonment, love, and “in motion.” The show was produced by Taconic High School students under the supervision of CTE Teacher Jamie Choquette.
Each year, nearly one thousand entries are submitted. These entries, or programs, are submitted and evaluated on several factors resulting in over 100 award winners. A panel of over 100 judges from the industry evaluate the entries. Awards are presented to the most creative programs that address community needs, develop diverse community involvement, challenge conventional commercial television formats, and move viewers to experience television in a different way.
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Greylock shreds five tons of paper
Pittsfield— A total of 47 bins of paper – equaling five tons – were shredded as part of Greylock Federal Credit Union’s annual Shred Day on Saturday, May 16th. The event, hosted in collaboration with Berkshire United Way, raised $3,028 dollars toward local initiatives, and saved approximately 35 mature trees.
“On behalf of Berkshire United Way, I want to extend our sincere thanks to Greylock Federal Credit Union for organizing this year’s Shred Day. Offering this free service provides accessibility and meets a huge need in our community,” said Katherine von Haefen, president and CEO of Berkshire United Way. “We are especially grateful to Greylock for directing donations to us and to all the community members who gave generously.”
Partnerships such as Shred Day are integral to the credit union’s mission and commitment to supporting the community. “We look forward to this event every year. It’s an opportunity to provide our community with a safe and secure way to dispose of personal documents and support our friends at Berkshire United Way,” said Christina Walker, Marketing Project Officer at Greylock who helped facilitate the event.
