'Poetry in Motion' Event to Celebrate Hoosic River Watershed

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.— A poetry event titled "Poetry in Motion," celebrating the Hoosic River Watershed, will take place on Thursday, May 22, at 4:30 p.m. Participants will meet at the Natural Bridge State Park parking area, outside the gate.

The event will involve a walk from the Hudson Brook - North Branch confluence, where attendees can find inspiration for poetry. Writing prompts will be provided. There will be an opportunity for participants to share their poems, phrases, or other creative expressions inspired by the rivers. The program is scheduled to last for 1.5 hours.

This workshop is free and open to the public, supported by a grant from the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, a local agency funded by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Participation is limited to 16 individuals, and registration is required HERE.

The facilitator for the event is Arianna Alexsandra Collins, Executive Director of the Hoosic River Watershed Association, who also has experience as a naturalist educator and poet. Samples of her poetry can be found at https://hearkentoavalon.com/earthvoice-poetry/.

Berkshires Remember First Responders, Military Personnel Lost at 9/11 and Aftermath

By Jack Guerino & Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:30PM / Friday, September 11, 2026

North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey, with Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre speaks at Friday's memorial. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The county's two cities held memorials on Friday morning to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks. 

Great Barrington was scheduled to hold a dedication of piece of steel from the World Trade Center at 6 p.m.

North Adams held its ceremony in the fire station's side garden starting at exactly 8:46 a.m., the time Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower.

 

The small square of grass was packed with police officers, firefighters, wire and alarm personnel, dispatchers, and Northern Berkshire EMS employees, and city employees, officials and community members. 

 

After the ceremonial tolling of the bell, an honor guard presented the colors.

 

Mayor Jennifer Macksey said it felt odd welcoming people to a very solemn event.

 

"What happened 25 years ago put a mark on emergency services. It put additional pressure on police, fire, EMS, and dispatchers," Macksey said. "While we remember those who lost their lives during 9/11, and those who ran to help as many as they could during 9/11, we have to pause and appreciate those who continue to serve despite that awful threat that occurred 25 years ago."

 

She said it was a direct attack on the United States and all of its people.

 

"It was a question of our freedoms and our ability to be safe in our communities," the mayor said. "I can say today that here in North Adams, it could happen to us, but I know with the professionalism of our Fire Department, Police Department, EMS, and our dispatch team, we are a better community; we are a safer community than we were 25 years ago."