MMRHS Teacher to Present Talk on the Enduring Value of Humanities Education

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Michael Rosenthal invites community members to consider the role of the humanities during a public presentation on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 3:00 p.m. at the Stockbridge Library.

Moral Technology and Cultural Memory: Humanities Education as the Framework for a Democratic Society explores how literature, storytelling, and reflective inquiry cultivate the critical thinking, moral imagination, and civic responsibility essential to a healthy democracy. 

"I am on a mission to revitalize the humanities in a culture of ever-shrinking attention spans and instantly generated AI," said Rosenthal.  

Drawing on the work of philosopher Martha C. Nussbaum and other scholars, Rosenthal will explore how the humanities help young people develop the critical thinking, moral imagination, and civic awareness essential to a democratic society. The presentation, grounded in his experience as a public high school educator, will be followed by a community discussion. 

Rosenthal has taught English at Monument Mountain Regional High School since 2009. A playwright and former theater professor, he is also the author of The Eclectic Estate, a Substack publication exploring literature, culture, and education.

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.