Berkshire Busk! Co-Director Carli Scolforo to speak at conference
Great Barrington— Community Busk, Inc., the nonprofit behind Berkshire Busk!, announced today that Co-Director Carli Scolforo has been invited to speak at the 5th International Placemaking Week, hosted by Project for Public Spaces in Detroit, Michigan, June 24 to 26, bringing together urban planners, civic leaders, and community organizers from around the world to share strategies for transforming public spaces into thriving community assets.
Scolforo will discuss how busking festivals can serve as a cost-effective, community-driven model for downtown activation, drawing on her years of experience producing Berkshire Busk!, with an estimated 25,000 attendees annually and approximately $1,000,000 in local economic impact each summer season. Her session will make the case that a well-run busking festival requires minimal infrastructure while generating outsized civic and economic returns — a compelling argument for BIDs, Main Street programs, and municipalities working under tight budgets.
Community Busk, Inc. also announced that Scolforo has been promoted to Co-Director, reflecting her expanded leadership role across all aspects of the organization. She joined Berkshire Busk! six years ago and has been central to the festival’s growth, overseeing performer recruitment, operations, sponsor relations, and programming. “Carli has been the operational core of this festival for years. The title finally matches the reality,” Eugene Carr Founder, Co-Director of Berkshire Busk!
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BerkChique! Hosts record-breaking fundraiser
Lenox— All previous fundraising records for BerkChique! were broken in this third year of partnership with Ventfort Hall Gilded Age Mansion & Museum.
The event, held on June 5 to 7 this year, raised over $80,000 which will benefit seven Berkshire Cultural and non-profit organizations, including Ventfort Hall Gilded Age Mansion & Museum, Berkshire Art Center, Berkshire Humane Society, Berkshire Immigrant Center, Community Access to the Arts, Elizabeth Freeman Center, and WAM Theatre.
Vicki Bonnington, co-founder of BerkChique! and famous provider of the Bonnington Collection, said, “BerkChique! could not happen without the generous support of our donors, volunteers, sponsors, and shoppers and this year they all turned out in force. We received more donations, had more volunteers, and welcomed more shoppers than any other year since BerkChique! started in 2012. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. And, tremendous thanks to our generous community sponsors: Hideaway Inn Lenox, NeJaimes Wine Cellars, Blue Q, Studio Two, and Your Color Connection. It truly takes a village! Thanks for being part of ours,”
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Berkshire South Opens Toddler Childcare Program to Meet Community Need
Great Barrington— Berkshire South Regional Community Center has officially opened a new EEC-Licensed Toddler Care program, expanding access to early childhood education and care for families in the southern Berkshires.
Across Berkshire County and throughout Massachusetts, families continue to face limited childcare availability, long waitlists, and rising costs. Berkshire South developed the Toddler Care program to help address this urgent community need while supporting working families and strengthening long-term community well-being.
The new state-licensed program serves children ages 15 months to 33 months and was created in response to a growing shortage of infant and toddler childcare options in the region. Before opening, the program quickly established a waitlist. “We knew we needed to respond to the critical need for early childhood care in southern Berkshire County,” said Jenise Lucey, Executive Director at Berkshire South. “It’s one more way we can support families, strengthen connections, and build a healthier, more resilient community.”
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MountainOne Financial appoints Vice President
North Adams— MountainOne Financial has announced the appointment of Edward Alfieri as Senior Vice President, Operations. In this role, Mr. Alfieri will provide executive leadership for operational functions across the organization, supporting strategic initiatives, process improvements, technology integration, and long-term growth.
Alfieri brings nearly three decades of banking experience to the role. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President, Operations and Transformation at HarborOne Bank, where he led enterprise-wide operational and transformation initiatives focused on scalability, efficiency, technology, and regulatory compliance. During his 28-year career with HarborOne, he held progressively senior leadership positions spanning branch operations, retail administration, banking administration, and enterprise operations.
“I am excited to join MountainOne Bank and Mechanics Cooperative Bank during this important chapter in MountainOne Financial’s history,” said Alfieri. “The organizations have a strong reputation for community commitment, customer service, and long-term vision. I look forward to working with colleagues across MountainOne and Mechanics to strengthen operations, support growth, and help position the organization for continued success.
“Ed brings a unique combination of operational expertise, strategic leadership, and community banking experience,” said Joe Baptista, President and Chief Executive Officer of MountainOne Financial, MHC. “Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an ability to lead complex initiatives, develop strong teams, and drive meaningful organizational improvement. As we continue building for the future, his leadership will help strengthen our operational capabilities and support our commitment to delivering exceptional service across both institutions.”
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Berkshire Community Land Trust welcomes board member
Great Barrington— Berkshire Community Land Trust has announced that Samuel Miller has joined its board.
Miller is a lawyer specializing in civil and human rights, with experience litigating individual and class actions cases with the Center for Constitutional Rights and other non-profits in areas of discrimination based on race, religion, and disability; political asylum, environmental justice, prisoners’ rights, and international human rights.
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Barrington Stage receives Shubert grant
Pittsfield— Barrington Stage Company is the recipient of a $125,000 grant from The Shubert Foundation. Granted in the category of Theatre, the award will support key programming in BSC’s 2026 season. The award represents a $5,000 increase over last year’s grant.
A leader in funding for the arts, last year The Shubert Foundation announced $45 million in unrestricted grants to 701 not-for-profit theaters, dance companies, academic theater training programs, and related service agencies.
“We are tremendously appreciative of The Shubert Foundation’s confidence in Barrington Stage Company and our future,” said Barrington Stage Company Executive Director Greg Reiner. “Support of this magnitude strengthens every aspect of our organization — from production and education programs to community engagement and long-term sustainability. We are proud to be among the organizations receiving this important national support.”
