Friday Front Porch Feature: Katydid Cottage in Lee

LEE, Mass. — Are you looking for a home with enough space for a big family? Then this is the house for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing a house at 850 Summer St.

We spoke to Katie Williams from Stone House Properties, which has the listing.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market? 

From the central air-conditioning to a renovated kitchen, this property is truly move-in ready!

What was your first impression when you walked into the home? 

Bright! There is a ton of natural light coming through the 42 replacement windows throughout the house.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history? 

The Fox Hollow campus has a rich history dating back to the Gilded Age, when the property was once home to George Westinghouse of the Westinghouse Electric Co., and later the Vanderbilt family.

What kind of buyer do you see this home being perfect for? 

This home is perfect for someone who wants modern convenience alongside historic charm. 

Are there any standout design features or recent renovations?

The home was renovated top to bottom in 2012, including a new two-car garage and large sunny kitchen.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space? 

The space is cozy yet spacious. There is plenty of room for guests, while still being comfortable for everyday living.

You can find out more about this house on its listing. 

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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.