Lenox Library to Screen Documentary 'Hear Me: Gun Violence in Berkshire County'

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LENOX, Mass. — Lenox Library presents a screening of "Hear Me,"" a documentary film featuring seven young people from Berkshire County who have been impacted by gun violence. 
 
The film explores root causes, stories of impact, and a way forward—through the voices of experts: those who have lived it.
 
The free screening will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the Lenox Town Hall Auditorium, located at 6 Walker Street, Lenox. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion and audience Q & A. The panelists will introduce public health models that have been effective at reducing shootings and homicides in other cities, and how they might be implemented in Berkshire County.
 
Panelists include:
 
Sherwood Guernsey served four terms in the Massachusetts State Legislature. Early in his career, he joined the Peace Corps in Panama; he went on to be a senior staff of the Peace Corps in Washington. After law school, Sherwood opened a private practice in Pittsfield. In the 1980s, he ran for elective office and won, serving four terms in the State Legislature. He continued his political involvement by supporting local, state, and national candidates, culminating in the creation of the Berkshire Brigades, the County Democratic Organization. His work in politics has always focused on grassroots organizing and education.
 
Jenny Herzog is an artist working on gun violence prevention and criminal justice reform. She produced Hear Me, a documentary featuring seven young people from Berkshire County who have been impacted by gun violence. Her project, Chaos Theory, uses the arts as a platform for community members impacted by the cycle of violence. Jenny received her Masters from New England Conservatory, and is a jazz singer and tap dancer. She was an Educator with Roca Boston, serving young men at the heart of urban violence; arts teacher at a therapeutic residential school serving teenage girls with a history of complex trauma; and currently works with teenagers involved with the juvenile justice system. Jenny teaches music and theatre in the Massachusetts Department of Corrections.
 
Eulises Rosado is an entrepreneur and mentor from Pittsfield. He is a father and grandfather who is passionate about breaking the cycle of intergenerational incarceration and trauma. Rosado spent his teenage years in and out of the juvenile system, and went to New York State Prison at the age of 16. His lived experience makes him an expert on the criminal justice system and community violence intervention. He received his CDL License, and currently works in transport. Rosado hopes that his story can help to raise awareness, educate, and inspire others.
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Pittsfield Celebrates Arbor Day at Taconic

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Mayor Peter Marchetti presented the framed original cover art for the day's program. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Generations of Taconic students will pass the tree planted on Arbor Day 2026 as they enter school. 

Pittsfield's decades-long annual celebration was held at a city school for the first time. Different vocational trades at Taconic High School worked together to plant the Amelanchier, or flowering serviceberry, mark it with a plaque, record the ceremony, create artwork for the program's cover, and feed guests. 

Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath said the students' participation reflects the spirit of Arbor Day perfectly: learning by doing, serving the community, and helping Pittsfield grow greener for generations to come.

"It's not unknown that trees help shade our homes, help clean our air and water, they support wildlife, and make our neighborhoods and public spaces more beautiful and resilient," he said. 

"And Arbor Day is our chance annually to honor that gift and to remember that when we plant something today, we are investing in the future of our green world."

The holiday was established 154 years ago by J. Sterling Morton and was first observed in Nebraska with the planting of more than a million trees.

CTE environmental science and technology teacher Morgan Lindemayer-Finck detailed the many skilled students who worked on the event: the sign commemorating this Arbor Day was made by the carpentry and advanced manufacturing program, specifically students Ronan MacDonald and Patrick Winn; the multimedia production program recorded the event, and the culinary department provided refreshments. 

The program's cover art was created by students Brigitte Quintana-Tenorio and Austin Sayers. The framed original was presented to Mayor Peter Marchetti. 

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