image description — Hundreds of athletes from around the county competed in running, jumping and throwing events in Spartan Stadium at Monument Mountain Regional High School.

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Special Olympians Converge at Monument Mountain High School

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:16AM / Thursday, May 15, 2025Print Story | Email Story

Special Olympics is marking its 44 years in Berkshire County.

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — A big piece of the Berkshire County Special Olympics was missing as it marked 44 years on Wednesday at Monument Mountain Regional High School.

But her spirit lives on in the games.

"The Monument Mountain Special Olympics Games were Anne Marie [Comerford's] pride and joy," Nancy Duryea said in dedicating the event in Comerford's honor during Wednesday's opening ceremony. "As one of the event directors, Anne Marie was responsible for getting the track at Monument, the high school band, the banners parade, the high school volunteers and the opening and closing ceremonies."

Comerford also was responsible for making sure the weather cooperated.

"Anne Marie would step on the field every year and point to the sky and say, 'Well, kids, let the sun shine," Duryea continued. "Where is she now?"

The sun did poke through the overcast skies on occasion Wednesday morning as hundreds of athletes from around the county, including teams from several local high schools, competed in running, jumping and throwing events in Spartan Stadium.

Comerford, who died on April 26, was unfortunately not there to provide protection from the rain, but her legacy and that of countless coaches, volunteers, parents and athletes ensured that the decades long tradition continues.

Monument Mountain Principal Christopher Barnes addressed the crowd and noted that the Special Olympics movement allows people with disabilities to "participate in sports, build confidence, develop leadership ability and foster a sense of inclusion and belonging within their communities."

"Like many of you, I am a parent of a child with disabilities, and he is here today to compete," Barnes said. "Also like many of you, Special Olympics has had a direct and positive impact on myself, my family and our community. I want to thank you all for your part in putting this event together, and I want to thank all the athletes for their courage and participation."

One of people who helped put Wednesday's event together, Berkshire Hills Regional School District Special Education Director Kate Burdsall, served as the emcee for program, directing teams of athletes to rotate through event venues, getting the banner parade of athletes going around the track and introducing speakers for various awards bestowed during the opening ceremony.

"The Special Olympics has me riding high for the first two weeks of May every year," Burdsall said in a news release for the competition. "It fills my heart."

Photos from this event here.

Tags: Special Olympics,

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Greenagers Founder Will Conklin Honored as Business Person of the Year

By Breanna Steele12:17PM / Saturday, October 03, 2026

Casey Pease of state Sen. Paul Mark's office presents William Conklin, right, with a state Senate proclamation.

EGREMONT, Mass. — The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce honored a local businessman and nonprofit leader on Sept. 24 at Catamount Mountain Resort.

William Conklin was this year's Business Person of the Year, recognizing his work as founder and executive director of Greenagers, a nonprofit that helps youth and children engage in work in environmental conservation, sustainable farming, natural resource management, and vocational skills building.

Conklin and his family also run Sky View Farm and he is a managing partner of Konkapot Tree and Timber, a small-scale forest products business.

"If you spent any amount of time in Southern Berkshire, chances are you've heard his name, whether you realize the connection at the time or not," said board member Sierra King Watson, who emceed the event. "You might be having a conversation about farming, a new barn or structure that was built, students learning hands-on skills in sustainable agriculture, or a family that receives donated firewood to help keep their home warm through a cold Berkshire winter, or maybe you're simply talking about one of those community leaders who somehow manages to show up, support everyone, and seemingly be everywhere all at once.

"Well, one name has a way of continuously popping up, and that is Will Conklin."

Board President Mark Rulison said the region has more than 1,200 nonprofits. One in four jobs in the county is in the nonprofit sector, which ranks 27th nationally for nonprofit employment. He said the economic impact on the community is huge, thanking those who help.

For the event on Thursday, Conklin requested that as much of the food as possible was sourced locally. Most of it came from Greenagers, Sky View Farm, Indian Line Farm and Fancy Feast Supper Club, creative dinner series.

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