Longest Running Girl Scout Camp Celebrates 95th Anniversary

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EAST OTIS, Mass. — Camp Bonnie Brae in East Otis,  the longest, most continuously-run Girl Scout camp in the United States, will celebrate its 95th anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 2.

Past, present and future campers, staff, and their families are invited to join this lakeside celebration in the Berkshires, hosted by Bonnie Brae alumnae. Guests can reminisce about their camping days by participating in camp activities such as hiking, boating and swimming. A special guest will share a unique perspective of the long-lasting impact of the camp experience as well as camp history. No camp experience would be complete without a campfire, wishboat ceremony, and s'mores.

Guests can register just the day, stay for dinner, or stay overnight. Check in begins at 9 a.m., with a flag ceremony at 10 a.m. For more information and registration visit the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts website at www.gscwm.org.

 

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Pittsfield Cannabis Cultivator Plans Dispensary

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD. Mass. — A cannabis cultivator and manufacturer has opted to sell its products on site in Downing Parkway. 

The Zoning Board of Appeals this month approved a special permit for J-B.A.M. Inc. to operate a dispensary out of its existing grow facility. There will only be changes to the interior of 71 Downing Parkway, as there will be less than 500 square feet of retail space in the 20,000-square-foot building. 

"My only concern would be the impact, and really would be traffic, which I don't think is excessive, the odor, if there was one, but that doesn't seem to be an issue, and I think it's a good location for a marijuana facility," board member Thomas Goggins said. 

The company's indoor cultivation site plan was approved in 2019, an amendment to add manufacturing and processing in 2021, and on the prior day, a new site plan to add a retail dispensary was approved by the Community Development Board. 

J-B.A.M. cannabis products are available in local dispensaries. 

The interior of the facility will be divided to accommodate an enclosed check-in area, front entrance, retail lobby, secure storage room, offices, and two bathrooms. There are 27 parking spaces for the facility, which is sufficient for the use. 

No medical or recreational cannabis uses are permitted within 500 feet of a school or daycare, a setback that is met, and the space is within an industrial park at the end of a cul-de-sac. 

"The applicant desires the restructuring of the business to be more competitive in the industry with the ability to grow and sell their own cannabis products so they have more financial stability," Chair Albert Ingegni III, read from the application. 

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