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The annual Buddy Walk in Dalton is the largest fundraiser for the Down Syndrome Family Group.
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The walk includes games and activities at Craneville Elementary School.
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Hundreds Turn Out for 18th Annual Berkshire Buddy Walk

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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The annual Buddy Walk is an outgrowth of the Down Syndrome Family Group which was started by local families seeking support and guidance. Berkshire County Arc provides training, support and community awareness. 
DALTON, Mass. — A sea of blue took over parts of Dalton on Saturday as more than 600 people marched to raise awareness for Down syndrome in the 18th annual Buddy Walk. 
 
Onlookers waved at the people decked out in light blue Buddy Walk T-shirts as they marched down Main Street and some side streets. 
 
Prior to and following the event, people gathered at Craneville Elementary School for festivities that included music, raffles, food, lawn games, and more. 
 
Children, families, and community members laughed and played, whether they were having their faces painted, getting balloon animals from BTC Entertainment's balloon artist Andrew, or being lifted in a pyramid by Wahconah Regional High School's cheerleaders, playing with bubblies, or using the school's park equipment. 
 
The goals of the walk are three-fold: to celebrate Down syndrome awareness, to educate the general public and to advocate on behalf of the thousands of Americans born with Down syndrome each year.
 
The Down Syndrome Family Group started as a small group of families that came to Berkshire County Arc urging the need for support, said Berkshire County Arc President and CEO Maryann Hyatt. 
 
"It has grown to this kind of event for 18 years in a row. We provide education, we provide training, we provide community awareness when a family member has a children that's born with a disability," Hyatt said. 
 
"This group, the Down Syndrome Family Group, along with Berkshire County Arc, we are there for them, to help and support them throughout their life. So it has huge, phenomenal impact." 
 
The organization is family driven, BCArc's family advocate Chris Ferrari said.  
 
The Down Syndrome Family Group was started by a small group of families, and it has grown incredibly; however, the goal remains the same: providing support for families and raising awareness. 
 
The Buddy Walk is the organization's biggest fundraising event of the year, Ferrari said. 
 
"Every year they look forward to it. They can't wait," she said. 
 
"There is nothing else like it in Berkshire County," Hyatt added. 
 
The funds raised from the event go toward the Down Syndrome Family Group's programming, which includes stipends, events, training, and any other needs the community expresses. 
 
Photos from the event here

Tags: benefit walk,   down syndrome,   fundraiser,   

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Lanesborough Select Board Decreases Bailey Road Speed Limit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Traveling 40 mph down a section of Bailey Road is no longer permitted.

The Select Board on Monday voted to change the "questionable" 40 mph zone to a 35 mph speed limit.

Police Chief Robert Derksen came to the panel with the request, as there are currently three speed limits on the road.

It was hard to tell where the 35 mph and 40 mph speed zones were, he said, and there's a section that's 25 mph.

"From Route 7, there's a 25 mph zone and it also depends on what direction you're traveling so if you're traveling, I guess westbound towards Brody Mountain Road, it's 25, 35, and 40. At about Noppet Road is when it changes to 40," he explained.

"Now, the thing I did notice is traveling it from Brodie Mountain towards Route 7, it's not marked until that first sign, and if you're eastbound, right around where it changes from 40. If you're westbound, it's 35 so it's two different speed limits depending on the direction you're traveling."

The Police Department placed radar in the area hoping to gather data but the file was corrupted and unable to be used, Derksen said.

Select Board member Timothy Sorrell was ready to make a recommendation without the data, motioning to change the 40 zones to 35.

"I think keeping it 25 is going to be unrealistic for that road," he said.

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