Bob Salerno
has been president of the West Stockbridge Historical Society since 2009 and was instrumental in the Society purchasing the Old Town Hall for $ 1 to keep it from being demolished. Under his leadership, the Historical Society has raised over $ 950,000 for the restoration of the building through grants and private donations. The Old Town Hall sees over 2,800 visitors every year enjoying concerts, art shows, lectures, and summer camps. Bob is a past member of the Berkshire County Historical Society, a Trustee of the Edith Wharton Restoration, Chair of the West Stockbridge Finance Committee, and also the town historian.
Lauren Stevens—
environmentalist, advocate, and author— has profoundly shaped regional culture, media, and environmental conservation. His books, The Berkshire Book and Hikes & Walks in the Berkshire Hills, celebrate and preserve the local landscape. In 1981, Lauren founded The Advocate newspaper and continues to write extensively on community issues. He is also a founding Board Member of the Hoosic River Watershed Association( HooRWA). Lauren received the Alan Silverstein and Laura Dubestor Award for Community Environment Leadership. HooRWA Executive Director Arianna Alexsandra Collins praises his impact, stating,“ Lauren is entirely dedicated to attending to the Hoosic River Watershed’ s health and wellbeing. He is a gem!”
Dubois Thomas
is president of the Blackshires Community Empowerment Foundation, advancing economic justice, cultural equity, and leadership development for BIPOC communities in Berkshire County. Under Thomas’ stewardship, the Blackshires Leadership Accelerator Program has graduated over 40 students in four years. Dubois serves on Great Barrington’ s W. E. B. Du Bois Legacy Committee, supporting local tributes including the life-size sculpture at Mason Public Library. He also sits on the 1Berkshire board of directors.“ Dubois strives to develop sustainable change for the disadvantaged in our Berkshire community,” says Lauren Clark, member of the W. E. B. Du Bois Sculpture Project. n
COVERING THE BERKSHIRES IN STYLE
Sustainable Design for Modern Living
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Fall 2026 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // 63