We take our inspiration from the Red Crow, endangered, eccentric, rarely seen. But known throughout the world of wild life as a truthteller, soulseeing, royal pain in the ass.
Darwin couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the Red Crow; and so doubting his vision, he refused to tell others. But we believe the Red Crow is ever-present, everywhere.
Mickey,
I disagree. Congress is loaded with a mixture of fools and idiots combined with a few cunning bastards. Few true intellects. Bill's presence there would be a refreshing change.
Warren Wetherbee
Goodnight, Al Schwartz, and Goodbye
Thank you for posting such a nice tribute to Al. He had been helping us at the Crandell Theatre in Chatham for the past year and we will forever owe him a huge debt of gratitude. Al was truly a one-of-a-kind guy, and I am glad someone is acknowledging his passing. I especially appreciated the pictures! Just wanted to say thank you.
Mary Gail Biebel
I'm sure I speak on behalf of Al's entire family when I say thank you for such a heartfelt piece.
Rick Bowman
This is a wonderful piece on a wonderfully unique and terrific guy. I will never forgive the Mahaiwe Theater for treating him with such a lack of respect. I believe it took a lot of the air out of Al.
Best,
Ira Transport
Great tribute to one of the many but one of the few unique characters of GB. Al was a part of entire different era of GB, one of strange stuff but plenty of great memories. On to the next feature film, Al!!!!
Frank ‘The Deli’ T
Thank you so much for this beautiful tribute. I worked with Al at the Mahaiwe many many years ago, during those cold winters with popcorn on the floors, during the wonderful film festivals, and was there to help organize and celebrate the Mahaiwe's 75th. Al was my mentor, my colleague, my friend and, for a little while, my love. My heart is breaking today.
Leslie Haywood Ceanga
This is a heart-breaker. There are so many Al Schwartz stories to be told and shared. How much we all loved that theater no matter how cold and down at heel. Al made us believe it belonged to us when not much else did. Such a loss.
Linda Small
To Captain Al:
We called each "captain" for years, years we shared with each other in a most special way. I remember my dear friend Al as tears come to my eyes. How i loved his wit, his special way of "getting to the point" with me. Calling him a reincarnation of P. T. Barnum, he would laugh but i knew that he knew what i meant. Cold nights at the Mahaiwe were always special. In the upstairs, in his haven, the projection room, we talked about everything. Our conversations, often "lively",were about baseball, the wars of this earth, life's many challenges, and food. He loved good food and drink, children, and just about anything that stirred our interests. My heart pulses as I remember watching him show my son how to throw a baseball the right way... Yes Al was a very good baseball player in his early years and he loved the game. Enjoying sumptuous meals together with my family was always a special treat. Al, you touched me and my family's life in such a profound way. I cannot thank you enough for being who you were on this earth. I and so many others will dearly miss you. This is written with great love to you. Thank you, my dear friend, for sharing your life with me.
Captain Peter
I want to thank David Scribner for the fabulous photo that accompanies Mickey's article. Merry's boots, bag and hair perfectly match Gypsy Joynt's facade, and she & Bear are just the pair to make Mickey's point. Bravo!
Judi Kales
I think if people were given tickets for not stopping for pedestrians and pedestrians were given tickets for jaywalking, it might help alleviate the problem. I only know of one person who actually got a $100 ticket for jaywalking in GB and that was many years ago. I work on Main St. and cross it several times a day, very carefully.
Kate Kane Naylor
I find it curious that most of us are at times pedestrian and at times (often within minutes) driver, so wouldn't be mutual consideration stand to reason? Or maybe it represents our collective identity crisis?"
Lynnette Lucy Najimy
Sounds as if it has only gotten worse in GB. I was astonished to see in Berkeley, CA, that crosswalks are almost sacred and everyone slows down and stops. I say bring back the crossing guards. They knew what they were doing and with a pair of white gloves could get folks to stop. Stay safe, you pedestrians.
Linda Small
So true. You truly take your life into your own hands every time you attempt to cross the street. And the number of people that GLARE at you for using the cross walk when ITS YOUR TURN to use the street, is really appalling. And people think I'm lazy for driving from one end of the street to the other. Frankly, it's for my own personal safety!
Gretchen Ball
The Berkshire Eagle reports that Berkshire Hills Bancorp, the parent company of Berkshire Bank – one of the strongest supporters of 1Berkshire and The Smart Cleanup Coalition – has recently been given permission by the United States Justice Department to go ahead with plans to purchase Legacy Bancorp.
In the meantime Legacy Banks has plans to sell four branches in Berkshire County: in Great Barrington, Lee, Pittsfield and North Adams.
An online newsmagazine based in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts, Red Crow News covers what's happening and what we hope will happen.
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