Triplex Cinema Announces 2026-2027 Slate of Officers

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — At its annual meeting last week, The Triplex Cinema announced its slate of officers for the coming year. 
 
Gail Lansky will retain her role as President, John Valente will stay on as Co-Vice President sharing the role with newly appointed Co-Vice President Matthew Penn, now serving his second year on the Board. 
 
Penn is an Emmy nominated director who has worked extensively in both theater and television. He has directed shows such as Law and Order, The Sopranos, NYPD Blue and many others.  He will serve as Co-Vice President along with founding Board Member John Valente.  
 
"Our estimable Board functions as a team of remarkable individuals who are devoted to seeing the Triplex thrive. The importance of seeing films as filmmakers intended them to be seen and the importance of The Triplex Cinema to the economic and cultural life of South Berkshire County cannot be overstated," said Penn.
 
Mitch Smilowitz and Stephen Goodman, each current Board Members, will serve as Treasurer and Secretary, respectively. Leslie Chesloff and founding member Sam Handel will each be serving another term on the Board.
 
In addition, Peter Tarshis, who splits his time between New York City, Los Angeles and the Berkshires, will join the Board. Tarshis has served multiple executive roles in programming and production capacities for A+E Global Media and was a founding producer in its documentary unit.  Tarshis, who has earned multiple industry accolades and Emmy nominations, received an Emmy for "Biography: The Google Boys."  
 
He said, "I'm really excited to help advance our mission of using movies to entertain and educate the community."
 
Board President Lansky is thrilled to welcome Tarshis to the Triplex Board: "We will continue to work together to fulfill our mission of movies for all with an eye to continued growth and sustainability for the Triplex." 
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Reps. Leigh Davis, Bud Williams Filing Legislation Honoring Freeman

SHEFFIELD, Mass. — State Reps. Leigh Davis of the 3rd Berkshire District and Bud L. Williams, of the 11th Hampden District, are filing legislation establishing Aug. 22 as Elizabeth Freeman Day of Equality, Healing, and Remembrance in the commonwealth.
 
The legislation would direct the governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the courageous contributions of Elizabeth Freeman, an enslaved Black woman known as Mum Bett, whose landmark freedom suit helped spark the legal end of slavery in Massachusetts.
 
"Elizabeth Freeman's story began here in the Berkshires, but its impact reached every corner of the commonwealth," said Davis. "More than two centuries later, her legacy continues to inspire us. Establishing Elizabeth Freeman Day will ensure that future generations learn not only about her extraordinary bravery, but also about the power of one person to change the course of history."
 
In 1781, Freeman, of Sheffield at the time, challenged the institution of slavery by filing suit against her enslaver, Col. John Ashley. In the landmark case Brom and Bett v. Ashley, a Berkshire County jury ruled in favor of Freeman and her fellow plaintiff, Brom, granting them their freedom. The case demonstrated the power of the Massachusetts Constitution's declaration that all people are born free and equal and helped pave the way for the Quock Walker decisions that ultimately ended slavery in the commonwealth. 
 
"Freeman's courage changed the course of history in Massachusetts," said Williams. "At a time when the odds were stacked against her, she stood up and demanded that the promises of liberty and equality contained in our Constitution apply to her as well. She risked everything to challenge an unjust system, and her victory helped lay the foundation for the end of slavery in our commonwealth. Her legacy deserves to be recognized and remembered by every resident of Massachusetts."
 
Although unable to read or write, Freeman understood the meaning of freedom and equality and took extraordinary action to secure those rights for herself and others. Her story remains one of the most powerful examples of individual courage in the face of injustice. 
 
Elizabeth Freeman Day will provide an opportunity for reflection, education, healing, and remembrance, said Williams. 
 
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