The word "estate" conjures images of great wealth, which may be one of the reasons so many people don't develop estate plans. After all, they're not rich, so why make the effort? In reality, though, if you have a family, you can probably benefit from estate planning, whatever your asset level. And you may well find that a comprehensive estate plan can help you answer some questions you may find unsettling – or even worrisome.

Here are a few of these questions:

* What will happen to my children? With luck, you (and your co-parent, if you have one) will be alive and well at least until your children reach the age of majority (either 18 or 21, depending on where you

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Dr. Len Radin has been selected as grand marshal for the upcoming 64th annual Fall Foliage parade presented by 1Berkshire.

The parade will be held in downtown North Adams on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m. This year's parade theme is "The Wizard of Oz," both in celebration of the 80th anniversary of its Hollywood premiere, and in the promotion of the message that "there's no place like home in the Berkshires."

Dr. Radin was selected for this honor not only because of all he has done for the community, but for his enduring love for "The Wizard of Oz." He has spent more than 60 years in the theater business, including founding the

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Across the nation, unequal access to health care raises urgent, pressing problems for individual and community health. For rural and underserved communities, the most urgent challenge for patients is our shrinking supply of primary care physicians.

Data show that by 2030, the United States will face a primary care physician shortfall as high as 49,300. Only 25 percent of medical school graduates enter the primary care field; many head straight to higher-paid medical specialties.

In rural regions, this looming physician shortage is already hurting patients. A new poll by Harvard, NPR, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that one-quarter of those surveyed had trouble accessing

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Images Cinema once again will present Family Flicks Under the Stars, its annual free outdoor film series.

On three consecutive Sundays, starting with July 14, all-ages movies will be presented in the Science Quad on Williams College campus. The Science Quad is adjacent to Spring Street. Films will start at sundown, at approximately 8:15 p.m. The movies are free to attend.

Concessions items will be available for sale onsite. People are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and bug spray.

The series kicks off July 14 with "The Princess Bride," (1987, rated PG; 1 hour 38 minutes). Buttercup loves Wesley, but Wesley is taken prisoner by the Dread Pirate

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — After conducting an eight-month-long, nationwide search for a new general manager, the board of directors of Berkshire Food Co-op has tapped Troy Bond to helm the newly expanded cooperative grocery store.

"We are thrilled to welcome Troy to the Berkshires to lead our co-op as we grow into our new store. He brings not only an extensive background successfully managing natural foods stores, but also superior communication skills and a history of community building," said Erica Spizz, president of the board of directors.

Bond started his career in natural foods by opening The Market in his hometown of Cedar Falls, Iowa, in 1998. The Market was the

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Barrington Stage Company has appointed Caroline Holland and Debra Jo Rupp to the Board of Trustees.

"Caroline Holland and Debra Jo Rupp are exciting new additions to the board. Caroline's knowledge of the Berkshire community and what it needs to make it even more vibrant is extraordinary. Debra Jo's voice as a working theater artist is important as we move ahead developing new work and community projects. We look forward to working side by side with them furthering Barrington Stage's mission," said ​Artistic Director Julianne Boyd.

Holland is the managing director of Mill Town Capital, overseeing operations, strategy and project

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Blanca Durant has been promoted to vice president of finance at Berkshire County Arc.

In that role, she will oversee the accounting and finance functions of BCArc's $36 million-plus annual budget. She will also manage a complex information technology system that involves numerous state contracts, confidential client data and a network that extends beyond 40 properties across Berkshire and Hampden Counties.

"At BCArc we work hard to create opportunity for all our employees to develop," said Kenneth W. Singer, president & CEO. "Blanca started with us as a petty cash manager 21 years ago, learned everything she could, took advantage of every

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Brien Center has appointed Craig Smith as the organization's director of development.

Smith comes to the Brien Center from the Hancock Shaker Village, where he was director of advancement. Smith will have primary responsibility for the agency's fundraising and development efforts, as well as enhancing the Brien Center's external relations in the community.

"Craig brings extensive knowledge of nonprofit organizations, fundraising and the Berkshire community," said M. Christine Macbeth, the Brien Center's president and CEO. "As the Brien Center continues to address an opioid epidemic in our community and a dramatically increased

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