image description — Andrew Garcia at his store Berkshirecat Records. He's organizing his fourth record show at the Stationery Factory on Sunday.

Central Berkshire Record Show Spins Back on May 4

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
12:36PM / Tuesday, April 29, 2025Print Story | Email Story

DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Record Show is returning on Sunday, May 4, for its fourth consecutive year.

Hours are 10 to 4 at The Stationery Factory with VIP entry beginning at 8:30.

This popular event has attracted music and vinyl record enthusiasts from all over the Northeast, with previous shows drawing in large crowds of music lovers looking for records, CDs and more. Food and drink including craft beverages will be available on site from Shire Tavern.

"People should think of it like a craft fair except that the vendors are all selling records, CDs, or music paraphernalia," organizer Andrew Garcia said.

Garcia, owner of Berkshirecat Records, is looking forward to this year's event and has been pleased with the growth each year.

"We're creating a space where vinyl collectors of all ages can connect each year, share their love of music, and potentially discover new music. The vendors and DJs are top-notch and we're grateful that the Shire Tavern led by Matt Mottor and his team will be serving up food and drinks downstairs," he said in a press release.

Garcia modeled the annual event after the Northampton record show.

"It's one of the biggest in the area but it's in Pioneer Valley not in Berkshire County, so there wasn't really anything here in Berkshire County of that scale," he said. "So the goal was to start something and build it over time."

A lineup of DJs will spin music throughout the day. They include Pup Daddy Productions (Tim Dupree), DJ Ketchabone (Michael Keleher), Wes Nelson of Belltower Records, Ed Martuscello, and Ed Pelkey.

"The Central Berkshire Record Show really was an 'if you build it they will come' venture. It's always fun watching the community come together for a common purpose- the pursuit of music," Garcia said in an email. "While I organize and produce the show, it really is a team effort. Without all of the excellent vendors, DJs and the Shire Tavern, the show wouldn't be as successful."

The Stationery Factory is located at 63 Flansburg Ave. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $4, with VIP entry for $10 beginning at 8:30 a.m.

For more information, visit the Central Berkshire Record Show's Facebook page.

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Devanny-Condron Funeral Home Ending Over 100-Year Legacy

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:31PM / Monday, May 19, 2025

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Devanny-Condron Funeral Home will close next week after more than 100 years of serving mourning local families.

On Friday, the announcement that the Maplewood Avenue funeral home will close on May 26 was made on the funeral home's website and in a press statement.

A call to the funeral home was directed to a spokesperson, who said the business was closing for economic reasons.

The closure is said to mark "the end of an era deeply rooted in the community's history."

"Devanny-Condron has been a pillar of compassionate care and professionalism, helping generations of families commemorate their loved ones with dignity and grace. The decision to close the funeral home was made with deep reflection and is accompanied by gratitude for the trust and support extended by the community for more than 100 years," the press statement reads.

"Devanny-Condron is honored to have walked beside so many families through some of life's most tender moments, and Carriage Services is profoundly thankful for the relationships built over the years. As the chapter closes, the legacy of both the Devanny and Condron families will live on — not only in the history books of Pittsfield, but in the memories of the countless lives they have touched."

The funeral home's origins date to the early 1900s, and two families merged business in the late 1970s.

The Devanny Funeral Home was founded in 1915 by James J. Devanny, and in 1921, the neighboring Condron Funeral Home was established by Joseph W. Condron and Joseph Harwood. Both being respected institutions, the two funeral parlors joined forces in 1978 to form the Devanny-Condron Funeral Home, "a partnership built on shared values and community dedication."

Three generations of Devannys operated the business until John Bresnahan, a cousin, purchased it in 1993.

In 1998, Devanny-Condron became an affiliate of Carriage Services, a consolidator and provider of "death care" services and merchandise. Bresnahan served as a funeral service inspector for the state Division of Professional Licensure for at time before returning as a managing partner.

Responding to questions from iBerkshires, Carriage Services' Director of Operations Jerelyn Serra said the Devanny-Condron operators are not planning a new business venture.

"The feedback from the community has been kind and recognizes Devanny-Condron's historical impact to the Pittsfield community," Serra wrote via email.

"We've been honored to care for generations of Pittsfield families over the past 100 years."

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