Berkshire Daily: Grain Festival, a New Chef & Connector Service

New & growing businesses

Belden House & Mews has appointed Chef Vincent ‘Vinny’ Gilberti as culinary director. The announcement highlights his work reshaping the property’s menu around unfussy, abundant dishes.

The Berkshire Edge is also introducing FOOD Wednesday, a weekly feature devoted to food and cooking.

• BERKSHIRE FOOD NEWS: Belden House & Mews announces the appointment of Chef Vincent ‘Vinny’ Gilberti as Culinary Director · The Berkshire Edge
• Welcome to FOOD Wednesday! · The Berkshire Edge

Local events

The second annual Monterey Grain Festival brings a food-minded question to the table: Which came first, bread or beer? Today’s food-events roundup also includes announcements from Talbott & Arding, Stockbridge Library, and Images Cinema.

For more local happenings, the latest Bits & Bytes includes announcements from The Foundry, The Mahaiwe, MASS MoCA, and Berkshire Bach Society. Check the individual announcements for schedules and participation details.

• BERKSHIRE FOOD EVENTS: Second annual Monterey Grain Festival · The Berkshire Edge
• BERKSHIRE FOOD EVENTS October 7, 2026: Culinary happenings in the Berkshires and beyond! · The Berkshire Edge
• BITS & BYTES October 7, 2026: What’s happening in the Berkshires and beyond! · The Berkshire Edge

Notable local news

Berkshire Hills Regional School District is offering a glimpse into the new Monument Mountain Regional High School, highlighting bright, airy spaces, improved facilities, and efficient building systems. Meanwhile, a Berkshire Environmental Action Team-led project is mapping undocumented “ghost dams” to help reduce environmental risks to surrounding habitats.

South County Connector service is moving toward its regular schedule. With all full-time operator positions filled, Great Barrington expects seven-day service to return by early November.

Housatonic Water Works customers continued raising concerns at a Great Barrington Selectboard meeting. The report describes an unpaid $100,000 bill and a requested rate increase, with residents expressing fears about a shutoff and some discussing withholding payment.

• ‘Bright and airy’ spaces, improved facilities, and efficient building systems: BHRSD offers a glimpse into the new Monument Mountain Regional High School · The Berkshire Edge
• Berkshire environmental group is on the hunt for ghost dams, and their search has nothing to do with Halloween · The Berkshire Edge
• Great Barrington Town Manager Hartsgrove: South County Connector to soon return to regular service · The Berkshire Edge
• Residents continue to voice frustrations with Housatonic Water Works at Great Barrington Selectboard meeting · The Berkshire Edge

Relocation tip from the team

Before moving to or from the Berkshires, ask which utility providers serve your exact address and confirm how to transfer or establish service. Keep those arrangements alongside your moving checklist, and review transportation options against your everyday routine.