MONTHLY NEWS   /   MARCH 2019

With support from the Hudson Schools Arts and Humanities Fund, fifth-graders are enhancing their literacy skills through lessons focused on journalism. Read about the project on our new blog. Photo: John Dolan   
Program, Philanthropy & Leadership Highlights 
 
Economic Opportunity: Grantees of Berkshire Taconic's Community Development Collaborations initiative are working on projects and convenings that promote and strengthen the conditions for economic opportunity and town center development in our region. The Foundation for Norfolk Living hosted a conference on affordable housing in Norfolk on March 21, and Hudson River Housing and the North East Community Center will lead a discussion on the housing needs of a rural workforce in Millerton on April 12. The Northwest Hills Council of Governments launched a three-month pop-up hub in Warren on March 23 to engage residents on ways to support their community, with additional hubs planned for North Canaan and Cornwall in the spring. 
 
New Affordable Market: Rolling Grocer 19, a mobile grocery store that launched in Columbia County last year with support from Berkshire Taconic's Fresh and Healthy Food for All initiative, opened a brick-and-mortar shop at 6 South Second St. in Hudson this month. The permanent location gives residents consistent access to wholesome, local food that is made affordable by tiered pricing based on income. The mobile market is scheduled to hit the road again this summer and expand its route to other Columbia County towns.  
 
Save the Date: Regional board members are invited to learn how to make smarter fundraising decisions during Berkshire Taconic's Board Leadership Seminar on Friday, May 10, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Town Grove Senior Community Building in Lakeville. Gayle Gifford, a popular speaker at last year's inaugural Board Leadership Forum and a nationally respected consultant and author, will train board members to be ambassadors for their organizations during this interactive session. Registration details will be announced soon. For information, email Betsy Maury.
Board, Staff & Committee News 
 
Education Enrichment: Webutuck Quest for Excellence Fund committee chair Lynn Buckley attended a recent board of education meeting to highlight the fund's nearly $25,000 in grantmaking over the past five years. Many of this year's grantees were in attendance, and Buckley outlined how their projects will enhance the educational experience of Webutuck Central School District students and teachers. Those projects include partnerships with the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies and the Wassaic Project, the purchase of digital pianos, and the creation of an interactive wall for science, technology, engineering, art and math lessons. 
 
Wynn Engages Community: Pittsfield Police Chief and Berkshire Taconic board member Michael Wynn's interactions with his community have been chronicled on social media. He visited a kindergarten class at Crosby Elementary School in February to read Dr. Seuss classics, and he returned last week to share another story. This month, his department extended its "Coffee with a Cop" series with evening events to give residents the opportunity to meet police officers and discuss a variety of topics, from staffing to safety. 
 
New Committee Members: We are pleased to welcome new members to our area fund advisory committees, which are dedicated to improving their communities. They are: BTCF alumni board member Elisabeth Gill of Norfolk (Northwest Corner Fund); BTCF board member Nancy Hathaway of Millbrook (Northeast Dutchess Fund); and new committee chair Susan Hardman Bohl of Stamford, Vt. (James and Robert Hardman Fund). We thank Didi Barrett and Ralph Weindling for their service on the Northeast Dutchess Fund and Joshua LaPorte for his work as chair of the Hardman Fund.
 
New Staff Member: Miriam L. McKibben has joined our team as administrative manager to support the operations of our office. Email Miriam, call 413.229.0370 x110 or meet her at our front desk at 800 North Main St. in Sheffield, Mass.    
Grants in the News

Clampitt Resident Wins Award: Poet Tyree Daye, the 25th recipient of Berkshire Taconic's Amy Clampitt residency program, is one of 10 emerging writers to win the prestigious $50,000 Whiting Award. Read a profile of Daye in the Raleigh News & Observer and excerpts of the latest work of each Whiting Award winner in the Paris Review. 
 
Students Enjoy Day Full of Art: The Arts Fund for Region One recently held its annual Fourth Grade Arts Day at the Hotchkiss School, giving young students in northwest Litchfield County the opportunity to participate in a variety of workshops to boost their interest in art, music and theater. View a full page of colorful photos in The Lakeville Journal.
 
Scholarship Recipient Serves Community: Marya Makuc of Monterey received $10,150 from three Berkshire Taconic scholarship funds to attend college, as well as a $2,000 grant from Janet's Fund to host a TEDx event at Mt. Everett Regional School. The Berkshire Record highlights Makuc's many accomplishments and her desire to help Berkshire County thrive.   
Coming Up
 
Theater Workshop: Williamstown Theatre Festival will host a free COMMUNITY WORKS theater workshop in the Harper Center at 118 Church St. in Williamstown on April 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Participants of all experience levels will step inside the creative process with simple exercises. The project has been supported by the Fund for Williamstown.  
 
Outdoor Fun: Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center is working with Youth Center Inc. during school vacation from April 15 to 19 to teach youngsters about nature, animals and signs of spring. The event is supported by the William J. & Margery S. Barrett Fund for Adams, Cheshire and Savoy.   
 
Drug Take Back Day: The Northwest Corner Prevention Network will host Drug Take Back events in Kent and North Canaan on Saturday, April 27, to give attendees the opportunity to safely dispose of unused medications. The event is part of a partnership between Berkshire Taconic's Northwest Corner Fund, the Foundation for Community Health and the McCall Center for Behavioral Health to combat the high rate of substance abuse in northwest Connecticut. 
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