Amy Krzanik reports from Pittsfield. The Berkshire Awards, started three years ago to honor those who have significantly advanced the arts, historic preservation and environmental conservation in the Berkshires, held its 2015 awards ceremony at the Berkshire Museum on Friday, March 13. This year’s three recipients were preservationist, conservationist and agricultural leader Lila Berle; community leader, Pittsfield City Councilor and president of the Samuel Harrison Society Churchill Cotton; and Mary Rentz, a community organizer, promoter of public arts and culture and president of the Berkshire Art Association. After a humorous and moving short film tribute to each of the award winners, directed by Richard Sands, the party moved upstairs to the Museum’s Crane Room. Chef Brian Alberg of the Red Lion Inn, along with Chef Dan Smith of John Andrews and Allium’s Daire Rooney, supplied hors d’oeuvres as the honorees were congratulated for their inspiring work by their families and a community of supporters. Shown left, honoree Lila Berle with Allium chef Daire Rooney.

Lenora Gallo and Tim Burns flank honoree Churchill Cotton; Joanne Quattrochi and honoree Mary Rentz.

Ethan Klepetar and Julia Dixon; Michelle Petricca, Michael McDonald, Nancy Fitzpatrick and Perri Petricca.

Berkshire Athenaeum Director Ron Latham, Kay Latham, reading coordinator at Pittsfield Public Schools, and Ellen Kelly, a teacher at Egremont Elementary; Samuel VanSant, Gwendolyn VanSant and Marietta Rapetti Cawse.

Lawrence Yerdon and Jody Nelson; John Moore with honoree Mary Rentz's daughters Debbie Rentz-Moore and Sarah Rentz, and Andy Kelly.

Berkshire Museum's Executive Director Van Shields, who was celebrating his birthday, with artist Peggy Rivers, Carolyn Butler and Richard Seltzer, president of the Stockbridge Bowl Association; A crane presides over the hors d'oeuvres in the Crane Room.

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