October 2025 Newsletter
October 2025 Berkshire Community Rowing Newsletter
President’s Message:
We’ve had some beautiful rowing this last month!
Because of the lack of rain, water level on Onota is going down. I hit an oar on a rock as I went over the sunken causeway on the west side of the lake the morning of September 22nd, so be careful out there. The city told us they will start lowering the lake on October 15th, which is earlier than previous years. We may be issuing a few emails on this topic in the coming weeks, but for now we’re planning on staying open for all of October. Combined air/water temp was 103° on September 22nd, so we’re getting close to the 100 degree rule. Loren will keep us informed.
Harriet Cuyler 1944-2025
Harriet Cuyler, a long-time resident of Berkshire County, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2025, in Hood River, Oregon, at the age of 81.
Harriet was married to Lewis Cuyler (1933 – 2017) for 50 years. He described her as “beautiful, talented, delightful, and imbued with uncommon measures of sensibility and steadiness.” She will be missed by her step-children, grandchildren, and all who knew her.
Harriet was an excellent athlete, particularly well-known for her competitive accomplishments as a female rower. In 1999, she and Lewis co-founded the Berkshire Rowing and Sculling Society (now Community Rowing), which is celebrating its 30th year of operations on Onota Lake. She regularly participated in regional and international regattas and won the Head of the Charles in 2014 in the Women’s Senior Veteran class. In their reporting on this event, the Boston Globe referred to Harriet as “the one to watch,” due to her winning reputation across the region.
Read the full obituary at: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/berkshire/name/harriet-cuyler-obituary?id=59475728
What a Party!
The dinner gala celebrating 30 years of Berkshire Community Rowing was a lot of fun and you couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful evening on Onota! Great jazz music by TNT+ – Chris Ferrone on sax, Steve Dietemann on bass, Rich Hommel on guitar and Sam Earnshaw on drums. Great food by KJ Nosh, Great cake from La Patisserie. We raised $12,625 which includes an anonymous donation of $5,000.
The event was attended by 34 club members and friends including juniors and masters. In total, 57 people donated to the fundraiser. We owe a huge debt to Ellen Spear for organizing and getting the word out about the event, with assists from the Marketing and Communications team, as well as Linda Dulye and Connell McGrath.
Regatta Updates:
- Head of the Hudson September 21st
Adrian Shoobs rowed Albany Rowing Center’s regatta on Sunday, September 21st. There are some very fast masters scullers out there, and this is a fun regatta regardless of whether you’re among them. Adrian writes about the “friendly and knowledgeable bunch of people who deal with some of the same issues (primarily weeds and motor boat traffic) as we do” at BCR. Adrian ran into former BCR coach, Becca Cadoff, who was competing in the women’s masters event.
- Holyoke Paper City Regatta September 27th
It was an absolutely beautiful day to be rowing on the Connecticut River. Our scrappy little team consisted of a (very) junior double, a (young novice) high school mixed quad, and a mixed masters quad featuring one first time racer, one first time racing in a quad (and second time ever in a quad) and one in his second race, captained by Randy who’s job was to keep all crews focused, chill and determined to win pie. Ten rowers, ten took home pie. That’s a good day!
Paul St Germain: it was a very exhilarating 4k up the river! My thanks to teammates Stephanie, Matt, and Randy. We held together all the way.
Stephanie Boyd: My first experience rowing in a quad was so much better than expected. This team was supportive, encouraging and enthusiastic. But most of all, we had a lot of fun! And we won a pie!
Matt Vella: This was my first rowing racing experience. The weather and camaraderie (of our own team of Juniors and Masters, and all the other teams) before and after our Masters’ race was great. On top of what Stephanie said, she also did an amazing job steering the boat. Captain Randy called out the cadence and Paul in the stern reinforced it so well. I did the best I could with Randy’s verbal encouragement from “behind” and Paul showing me the stroke from the “front”. We stayed together and won – and the Juniors did too!
Future Regatta: Next Race, October 25, again at Holyoke.
Join us…it’s fun! Contact Randy Oberle or Ted Humphrey at programs@berkshirerowing.com
BCR Committee Updates
Many of you signed up to be a member of a committee at the Annual Meeting back in April. Please contact us at info@berkshirerowing.com to tell us what committee you want to serve on, or to see a list of committee names and functions. We’re finally ready to activate more committees! Thank you.
Volunteer Coaches’ Corner:
- While the meat of the volunteer coaching falls to Ted Humphrey and Randy Oberle, they have been super-supported by Jon Hunt (with juniors); Paul St. Germain, Michele Willmott, Chuck Cutler, and of course, Connell McGrath. We thank all of the volunteer coaches; they really help the club meet its mission: spreading the love of rowing. It is a wonderful social (and mental) exercise for coaches and students. Consider becoming a volunteer coach yourself; it’s easier than you might think! Even though there are only five weeks left, afternoon juniors (4 pm to 6 pm) could surely use one more back-up assistant. If you can make the time work, it could be a way for you to get your feet wet without a big commitment. If you’d like more information, please contact Randy Oberle at programs@berkshirerowing.com.
- Per state and federal mandates, please row with a life vest in the boat. You don’t have to wear it, just make sure you bring it along.
Masters Fall Coaching:
September 1 – October 31,
Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Please sign up on regattacentral.com, Programs and Classes
Juniors Fall Season:
September 8 – October 31,
Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Please sign up on regattacentral.com, Programs and Classes
BRASS Merchandise:
Have you been looking for BCR merchandise? You’re in luck, we’re selling BCR items at a discounted price as we head into the Fall Regatta season. Click on this link to see the sale pricing of the inventory available.
Contact Tina Whitmore (freiafibers@gmail.com) to receive the items you’d like to purchase.Check payable to BRASS, PO Box 787, Pittsfield MA 01202 or make your payment by Venmo to @BerkshireRowing.
Best Resource Ever!
You can always find the most up-to-date information on the club’s activities by visiting BCR’s website, berkshirecommunityrowing.org
Photo Contest:
Submit your best pictures or videos or a quick story of what happened on your row celebrating BCR, and you’ll win a prize. Submissions due by September 20th news@berkshirerowing.com
Come Row with Us! info@berkshirerowing.com
Editors: The Marketing & Communications Committee