In spite of all of the bad news in the media, 2025 gave us a lot to smile about. Here's a look back at the 10 stories that made us smile this year:

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In under a week, a campaign surpassed its goal of raising $20,000 to pay for surgeries for Maci, a young standard poodle suffering a congenital disorder called "bilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture." Without the intervention, she was at risk of being put down. "You have helped not just a dog, but a family, a school, and a community," said guidance counselor Shannon Clark.

In under a week, a campaign to fund two surgeries for one of Lee Public Schools' comfort dogs has surpassed its goal. Maci's first surgery is scheduled for next month, according to her handler.

TG’s Clubhouse, a free art enrichment program founded by Pittsfield natives Talya Taliaferro and Genesis Rivera, empowers children and teens to explore their creativity, build confidence and develop leadership skills.

“We want to show kids who normally don't get access to that that they can do whatever they want, and there's many forms of art that they can do,” Rivera said.

TG’s Clubhouse, a free art enrichment program founded by Pittsfield natives Talya Taliaferro and Genesis Rivera, empowers children and teens to explore their creativity, build confidence, and develop leadership skills. By offering a range of artistic activities, from digital art to photography, and partnering with local organizations, the program fosters a sense of community while inspiring participants of all ages to embrace their artistic potential.

This spring, Murty the donkey escaped a bear in his stall at Cobble Hill Farm in Lanesborough. A two-day search by the owners, friends, neighbors, Lanesborough Animal Control, Lanesborough Police, state Environmental Police and Pittsfield Police Officer Darren Derby ultimately ended happily when Murty the donkey was located and brought home safe.

Deirdre Carter dreamed that her beloved mini donkey Murty had been attacked. When she awoke on Sunday morning, she found that dream had been all too real — or so she thought.

There’s energy you can feel, and there’s the kind of energy that gets the mayor to say yes to a footrace challenge from an irrepressible third-grader. Students and staff started the 2025-26 school year full of anticipation and excitement.

There’s energy you can feel, and there’s the kind of energy that gets the mayor to say yes to a footrace challenge from an irrepressible third-grader.

“Have a great day.” “Think positive.” “You got this.”

Cheerful, handwritten messages like these fill a red box mounted outside Tom’s Toys on Main Street as a community exchange of positivity, refreshed by anyone passing by and cared for by its 13-year-old creator, Zoe Hoffman.

A “kindness box” outside Tom’s Toys overflows with handwritten notes, refreshed by the community and cared for by its 13-year-old creator, Zoe Hoffman.

As handler Chris Ferrero tells reluctant readers, Brody the black Labrador has a secret: He doesn’t know how to read. The stakes are low, she tells them — Ferrero even encourages the kids to go off-script from time to time. It’s okay for them to just make something up — Brody just wants to hear their voice.

As part of the Stockbridge Library's "Read To Brody" youth literacy program, young readers get the chance to tell stories to Brody the black Labrador, a therapy dog trained to be a great listener.

Instead of handing out candy, Jessie Dawson and her mother, Brigitte, give out refurbished stuffed animals donated by people from across Berkshire County.

The tradition was first started 20 years ago by Dawson’s grandmother and Jessie has carried on the tradition herself since 2013.

The most interesting part of giving out stuffed animals for Jessie? No matter what they look like, someone is going to love them.

Instead of handing out candy on Halloween, Jessie Dawson and her mother, Brigitte, give children new little best friends — refurbished stuffed animals donated by people from across Berkshire County.

Before accepting that she might have to close or take out loans to save Savvy Hive, Jess Sweeney asked the community for help. In less than a week, it came through.

"It is very clear that this community wants businesses like Savvy Hive to exist and the downtown to thrive," she said.

Before accepting that she might have to close or take out loans to save Savvy Hive, Jess Sweeney fundraised to keep the business afloat. Less than a week later, she's met her goal.

Evio Menia remembers almost everything of his century of living. To what does he attribute his longevity?

His answer: “Never got married.”

One day short of his hundredth birthday, the Pittsfield native remembers the name of the ship he and his mother took to her native Italy in 1937: the Rex; where it stopped after sailing from New York City: the Azores and Genoa; and the silly game he played aboard that won him a small metal replica of the ship.

When 13-year-old Brielle Blessing, founder of BB's Book Nook in Pittsfield, asked for help expanding her Little Free Library this summer, she never expected the wave of generosity — and kindness — that would follow.

A Pittsfield teen’s call for help expanding her Little Free Library sparked more than $1,000 in donations and a handcrafted new book box, providing a neighboring Dalton family the opportunity to open their own community library.