Confusing things: meet- Community:

Hello Gorgeous Friends,

There are many things that are confusing. I do not feel the need to list them. It is a multiple choice quiz each of us would ace.

However,I want to speak about the thing that is not confusing:Community.

I am a relatively new arrival to The Berkshires,so it has taken me some time to find my community. Last year in June,Pride Month,I participated in 2 fabulous Markets in real life.

Berkshire Pride at Pittsfield Common (in the rain) North Adams Pride (in the wind)

Now that June-Pride is almost here: I have been thinking about my journey to find a community thus far in 2026.

(June 20-11-4pm,Pittsfield Pride;June 21,-Juneteenth Celebration,Pittsfield-upcoming Festivals)

Looking back I popped up at a local bookstore, Indie Readery and Records, in Pittsfield,Massachusetts on a Saturday.

It was so lovely to be there in person with a curated selection of magnets,greeting cards,notepads,and other gift items. Laurie (1 of the bookshop owners) welcomed me to her excellent bookshop & we enjoyed a nice chat.

As people came in to shop at Indie,they also stopped to peruse treasures from Hello Gorgeous. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet new people,welcome new friends and bonus! My kids and grandkids came to visit and shop as well. I left there feeling like I was home. This is a good feeling.

Yesterday,in the 45 degree & rainy weather,I was outside,under the tent with our mini Hello Gorgeous set up. It looked good. But I forgot to take a picture...I realize now,I forgot, because I was talking with people who were out shopping on a cold rainy Saturday. People who I actually recognized from prior Markets. People who brought their friends and family to my booth,"Because they liked the vibe,the energy,the humor that resonated with them" People who came back to shop for the 3rd or 4th time. People who came to browse in the rain. (for the 3rd or 4th time) I left there yesterday,tired,but so happy because I felt again like I was home.

I realized yesterday,that I have found my Community. I have found my community in each person who visits our booth at Markets and PopUps. I have found my community in the Common Folk Art Collective that I have joined,thank you Katie,Jen,Danny,Jess,and Leo. I have found my community in the Green Gargoyle thrift shop where I volunteer. I have found my community in the Pittsfield Senior Center. I have found my community in the Berkshire Democratic Brigades,and Dalton Democratic Town Committee,and Indivisible Groups in The Berkshires. I have also found my community at Wander in Pittsfield,where I recently celebrated my birthday with my kids & grandkids. It feels like home too.

Thank you also to online Gorgeous Friends for supporting my small business,but also for being my community out there in the world.

I am so grateful to my Community here. I am so glad to know you. Thank you for welcoming me to The Berkshires and beyond.

Thank you to Y'All.

Kim