CATA Adds New Staff and Board Members

12:43PM / Friday, May 17, 2024Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Community Access to the Arts (CATA) announced the hiring of Kelly Rybczyk as its new Development Director and Bailey Girvan as Associate Director of Development.

CATA also welcomes new board members Will Osborne, Bryan House, and Terry Coughlin.

CATA has expanded programs serving people with disabilities in recent years, with a community-based model rooted in strong partnerships with disability agencies, day-habilitation programs, residences, and schools. CATA currently provides more than 2,200 arts workshops annually for 1,000 children, teens, and adults with disabilities in painting, dance, acting, songwriting, drumming, creative writing, juggling, yoga, and more.

These new staff and board appointments will help CATA deepen community partnerships and expand financial support for the organization, giving people with disabilities across the Berkshires and Columbia county more opportunities to explore their talents and express themselves creatively. Each year, CATA must fundraise 85 percent of its annual budget to deliver inclusive arts programs to a low-income, historically marginalized population.

Kelly Rybczyk (she/her) has over 20 years experience in nonprofit leadership, operations, and fundraising. She comes to CATA from Project SAGE, a domestic violence prevention agency in Lakeville, CT, where she served as Interim Executive Director and previously as Director of Operations and Director of Special Gifts and Events. Kelly has a master's in Strategic Fundraising & Philanthropy from Bay Path University and a Certificate in Governing for Nonprofit Excellence from Harvard Business School.

Bailey Girvan (she/her) comes to CATA from Norman Rockwell Museum where she has served in a variety of roles, most recently as Senior Development Officer. Bailey has a master's in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor's in American Studies and Classical Civilizations from Colby College, as well as a Certificate in Fundraising from Philanthropy Massachusetts and a Certificate in Grant Writing from the University of Southern Maine.

In their new roles at CATA, Kelly and Bailey will work with Executive Director Margaret Keller to expand CATA's fundraising activities and oversee the organization's donor relations program, furthering its mission to enhance the lives of people with disabilities through the arts. They will also work closely with Kate Harding, CATA's Development Coordinator, and David Dashiell, CATA's Development Associate.

Will Osborne (he/him) is an internationally published and produced playwright, lyricist, and book author and a respected director, teacher and actor. He has enjoyed a career in professional theatre that spans five decades. His play Smoke & Mirrors, a comic murder mystery, has been produced in theaters throughout the United States, as well as in South Africa and Korea. He has provided book and lyrics for Magic Tree House: The Musical, a full-scale Broadway-style family musical which traveled to 54 cities around the country and subsequently toured Germany. Will also created A Night in New Orleans, a Magic Tree House musical celebrating the childhood of Louis Armstrong that has been performed in dozens of theaters around the United States. Will has authored more than a dozen books for children and young adults, many co-written with his wife, Mary Pope Osborne. A graduate of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Will is a member of the Dramatists Guild, the Writers Guild, SAG, AFTRA, Actors equity and is currently vocalist and lead guitarist for the popular New England rock band Lucky Bucket.

Bryan House (he/him) is currently the Vice President of Youth & Community Development at 18 Degrees. He oversees the agency's youth development and violence prevention strategies and provides leadership and direction on inclusive strategic community relations and engagement opportunities. He previously served as the Director of Community Engagement for the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. After being drafted out of Illinois State University by the Chicago Cubs Baseball organization in 1984, Bryan played seven years as a professional baseball player in the Cubs and Texas Ranger organizations. Bryan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Massachusetts.

Terry Couglin (he/him) has been involved in hospitality since his very first job at age 16. For 23 years, he worked for Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group, ultimately as Managing Partner and Director of Operations. During his time with the group, he helped conceptualize and open 4 restaurants, oversaw 7 different businesses and mentored hundreds of young leaders. As the head of USHG's Community Council, he helped to raise over $4 million dollars for various charitable organizations. Since 2015, he has served as a board member of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, founded by the late Paul Newman. In 2019, Terry and his family moved up to Great Barrington, where they own and operate Granville House, a five guest room Bed & Breakfast.

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Rain Slows Growth of Butternut Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:35PM / Thursday, November 21, 2024

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.— Rain has slowed the Butternut Fire's growth but it's estimated at about 1,200 acres at this point.

It's the largest wildfire in the Berkshires since nearly a 1,000 acres burned in Clarksburg State Forest back in 2021.

"We want to start with some good news. Ground patrols are finding minimal new fire activity since this morning's rains began," the Great Barrington Fire Department posted on its Facebook page at 12:45 p.m..

"We want to reiterate that the rain will not extinguish the fire but it is helping to stop the spread. The weather has also delayed some of the drone operations — as a result we do not have an official size. What we do know — the growth has been minimal."

Fire Lt. Brian Mead earlier Thursday morning said the fire had seen some growth overnight but not to extent of Wednesday's surge. Fire was reported within a quarter mile of homes and was "stopped in its tracks." There are now more than 100 personnel on the ground and there has been one injury related to the fire, which he did not elaborate on.

"The rain will help to some extent but it will not extinguish the fire," said Mead. "We will remain on scene for the days and weeks to come but we still need your help. Please, please follow the local and state bans on outdoor fire. The last thing we need is another preventable fire."

At 4 p.m., the department reported that it will continue to operate under unified command with support from local, state, and federal agencies. Friday's operations will be scaled back with smaller crews and focused on monitoring and reporting.

At the last live update of the day, Mead said the fire would continue to be monitored and fire crews dispatched as needed.

"There is a lot of misinformation on out social media and we ask that you please, please rely on local official sites," he said. "Please avoid the areas and allow us to do our work."

The rain and smoke has made drone monitoring difficult so the exact size of the fire is not known; he estimated it grew about 100 acres over the past 24 hours.

Two rumors he dispelled were that the fire did not start at Camp Eisner. Mead said the initial location of the burn has not been identified but it did not start at the camp, which is occupied. Ski Butternut is also not in danger and that fire crews have kept the blaze to a safe distance.

A section of the Appalachian Trail has been affected and that area shut down.

Thursday's rain slowed growth and allowed crews to establish strong fire boundaries meaning that swaths have been cut and cleared to create fire breaks — which are holding.

At this time, no homes or structures are in immediate danger.

The fire near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain was first reported Monday evening. On Tuesday, it spread over 100 acres, and on Wednesday, it covered over 1,100 acres, expanding into Sheffield.

The town remains in a state of emergency, as declared by the Select Board on Tuesday, but first responders assure that Great Barrington is not in danger.

Firefighters were dispatched to three locations for concerns of fire extension into homes and in one instance, the fire was allowed to continue in a controlled state to a driveway and self-extinguished. They are aware of one injury from the fire and urge community members to avoid the area and leave firefighting to the professionals.

"More than 120 personnel are on the ground today fighting this fire," Mead reported on Thursday morning.

He said the day’s rain will help to some extent but will not extinguish the fire, explaining "We will remain on scene for the days and weeks to come."

At this time, the primary focus remains the protection of life and property, as patrols and alert residents identified some encroaching fire and stopped it in its tracks.

"We have strategically placed structural task forces, prepared to protect homes and property. Although they are staged and at the ready — there is NO immediate threat to residents," the department wrote in the 12:45 update.

"At the same time, crews have been working through the rain cutting fire breaks in the forest to further stop any expansion. Those control lines are holding."

Area residents can expect smoke to linger for the next several days. The Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative released guidance for the poor air quality, as it can worsen allergies and cause respiratory infections, especially for those with heart disease asthma, or other lung diseases.

Residents are urged to monitor air quality and symptoms, move outdoor activities inside, wear a KN-95 mask when outdoors, close windows and vents in homes, and use HEPA filters.

Even with recent rains — there is a burn ban in Great Barrington until further notice. Additionally, state officials are evaluating week by week for statewide bans.

"With an immense amount of appreciation, we are not accepting donations at this time. In true New England fashion — neighbors have truly helped neighbors," the department wrote. "We are grateful to the community for once again showing your support."

Mead urged the community to "please please follow the local and state bans on fire, the last thing we need is another preventable fire."