hill country observerThe independent newspaper of eastern New York, southwestern Vermont and the Berkshires

July 2023Facebook linkHill Country Observer TwitterHill Country Instagram page NEWS ARCHIVE

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Postal Service’s consolidation effort stirs local fears

The U.S. Postal Service is two years into a 10-year effort to reinvent itself, and put its finances onto a more sustainable footing. But while the agency touts its push for better logistics and efficiency, critics, including some local members of Congress, say the mail is too often moving at a snail’s pace -- and that the reorganization could lead to the closing of rural post offices as the Postal Service consolidates mail handling at regional sorting and delivery centers

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Local group organizes to save Great Barrington cinema

The Triplex Cinema, an independent movie theater that shut its doors in early June, appears to be headed for a rebirth under the ownership of a newly formed nonprofit organization.
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Giving voice to songs of pain and hope

The classical soprano Julia Bullock began working with the composer Jessie Montgomery seven years ago on a cycle of songs inspired by Black spirituals. On July 8 and 9, she’ll perform Montgomery’s “Freedom Songs” with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood. The performance is one of a series of events on Tanglewood’s opening weekend that explore music as a reflection and agent of social change.
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A Greek tragedy adapted to the 21st century

Inspired by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, Randolyn Zinn wrote her new one-act play, “Her Name Means Memory,” as a reimagining of “The Trojan Women,” Euripides’ classic meditation on the human costs of war. Now the play will be presented by Living Room Theatre in performances July 26 through Aug. 6 in North Bennington
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