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Saturday November 7, 2009
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Sports


High School Football
11-07-09 - Hoosac Valley beats Drury.
More photo's on Monday
Thursday, Nov. 06

Boys' Soccer: State Vocational Championship Game
McCann Tech 3, Keefe Tech 2

Girls' Soccer: State Vocational Championship Game
Blackstone Valley 8, McCann Tech 0
Fall Basketball Clinics

Election

Barrett Reflects on Accomplishments with Capital News 9
Alcombright's Victory Speech

Which election's more important?
Pittsfield
North Adams
Neither, nothing will change
  
pollcode.com free polls

Trying to remember who won what and why? All the information is right here.

Daily Digest


This is Jake
He's been lost in Pittsfield for weeks but frequently sited. He was last seen heading toward the fire station on Peck's Road. He's tired, dirty and needs seizure medication. He's chipped. If you see him, call Julie at 413-537-5616, the vet 24/7 at 413-499-2820 or animal control at 413-448-9700.
How Much is Heating Oil this Week?
It's breaking $2.50 but still cheaper than gas.
Thanks to Gabriella Bond for sharing her memories of the Quincy Street house torn down last week.
Send press releases and announcements to info@iberkshires.com. Need to contact someone at iBerkshires? Here's how.

What's Playing


The popular anime character "Astro Boy" searches for acceptance on the big screen.


'Serious Man':
The Unbearable Lightness of Being Confounded
Movie schedules and times

Obituaries

Alice R. Filiault, 87
Lucille Burt, 92
More obituaries
Mary M. Hanlon, 82
George F. Sarrouf, 73

Sales Fliers

 
 

 

Bazaars

Nov. 7:

VNA & Hospice, Community Room, North Adams

North Adams Elks
10-4; Nov. 8, 9-2
Crafters, Chinese auction, bake sale
For vendor information, Melanie at 413-743-5562.

Nov. 14

Berkshire Community Church, Richmond
10-4; Crafters, bake sale. Contact Evelyn Goggia at 413-445-5747

Lanesborough Elementary School annual Fall Craft Fair from 10 to 4. Free admission, huge variety of arts and crafts, raffles, food and more. Proceeds go to sixth-grade trip to Cape Cod.

Vendors can contact Deb at 413-738-5349 or debhutton@aol.com or Lori at 413-499-0065 or lorittod@yahoo.com to secure a spot.

Dec. 12-13

North Adams Country Club, crafts 9-4; food from That's a Wrap from 11-2. Contact Sheryl Morehouse at 413-822-3329.

Planning a bazaar this season? Submit information to info@iberkshires.com to have it listed here.

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Granddaughter Rebuilds Family Home Through Habitat For Humanity

09:48AM / Friday, August 31, 2007

PITTSFIELD - Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity and the Berkshire chapter of the Western Massachusetts Homebuilders Association is inviting the public to a dedication ceremony Sept. 9 for a rehabilitated home on Jubilee Hill.

The house will be sold to Courtney Hamilton, the granddaughter of longtime owners Shirley and Randolph Hamilton. The ceremony will begin at the Christian Center, 193 Robbins Ave., at 1 p.m. and tours of the house at 31 Division St. will follow.

Shirley and Randolph Hamilton raised their seven children and numerous foster children at the house. According to one of those children, Cheryl Nolan-Wallah, the house sat vacant for a couple of years before the Hamilton children realized that none of them was in a position to take responsibility for the needed repairs. They remembered that their mother had spoken of giving the building to Habitat for Humanity, and made contact with the local affiliate, which accepted the property in about 2002.

At about the same time, Courtney Hamilton had begun her required "sweat equity" hours as the head of a Habitat Partner Family. While she helped to renovate and build Habitat houses for other partner families, she began to wonder about the Division Street property, where she had often visited her grandparents and celebrated holidays as a child. She wrote a letter to the Habitat board, explaining the memories and family tradition associated with the house, and asking whether she could purchase that house when she finished her sweat equity requirements. The board, which had not been aware of the connection, soon replied that the house would be sold to her when it was completed.

Hamilton grew up in her mother's home, but would often visit her father's parents. "I know growing up, I didn't always feel like a Hamilton," she said. "I went to family functions but I never felt as close as the other cousins. Having the Hamilton house, keeping it in the family, makes me feel more like a Hamilton.

"My mother and I would go up to visit at least once a week when I was growing up," she continued. "I still see my grandfather sitting outside in his car. When I turn the corner, I still see my grandmother sitting in her dining room. My grandmother would read my mother's tea leaves. When I walk in the house, I still see the old floor plan; I still remember the way it was."

The Division Street house is the 16th home built or rehabilitated by Habitat in Pittsfield since the local chapter began in 1993. Significant work on this property, including a new roof, was provided by the Berkshire Chapter of the Western Mass. Homebuilders Association. The interior of the home was gutted, and rebuilt according to a design by Ben Szalewicz, when he was associated with Blueline Design. (He now works at Centerline Architects in Bennington, VT.)
Your Comments
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My most heartfelt congratulations to the new homeowner. She has worked so vey hard for this and should be incredibly proud, just as I am of her. She would be most wise to remember to never let anyone take that away from her, no matter what. No one dseserves this more than Ms. Hamilton.
from: Friendon: 01-26-2008

Congratulations on a job well done! When I was in high school I knew a Hamilton family in that area. All of my memories of then are happy ones. I think what you are doing is wonderful! Congratulations again, for the happy story!!
from: Lynn Shakeron: 09-09-2007



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