Annual Father-Daughter Dance Comes Full Circle

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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The Northern Berkshire Father and Daughter Dance was held at the Eagles on Sunday night. The semi-formal included music, refreshments and drawings, all to benefit the Gabriel Abbott playground. See more photos here.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The annual Father-Daughter Valentine's Day Dance came full circle this year.

The sold-out affair held at the Eagles Hall on Sunday night offered a chance for fathers and other guardians to spend quality time with the little girls in their lives.

The event also raised money for a project that 21 years ago prompted the idea of the dance: The playground at Gabriel Abbott Memorial School.

Jennifer Bean, co-coordinator of the event, said the dance has become a tradition in the area with a long history of creating memories and helping organizations.

"The Father and Daughter Dance has become a tradition in the community," Bean said. "It brings people together for a night of dancing, prizes and fun, all while helping an organization in need."

Bean said the dance was established in 1995 by Terri and Jay Cooper to raise money for the Florida Playground Project. The dance started out very small for the first few years and each year the proceeds helped further construction of the playground.

After the playground was completed, the dance was firmly placed into the community and over the past 21 years has raised more than $40,000 donated to local organizations in Berkshire County. Last year, the proceeds helped fund a new playground to replace Wacky World in Adams.

After 20 years of organizing, planning and working the dance, the Coopers handed the reins over to their niece and daughters this year.

Bean said along with the dance shifting hands, the dance's proceeds are going toward a not so foreign subject.

"After 21 years, the [Florida] playground is in desperate need of repairs and safety upgrades," Bean said.

Bean said the dance has always had the support of the community. Many local businesses have sold tickets throughout the dance's history, supplied flowers, refreshments, music, and even limos.  

The support that the dance has had over the past 21 years has been overwhelming. We truly, have an amazing community," she said. "This event could not be held without the businesses that help us out."

Bean said the dance is a wonderful event for fathers and daughters that will continue to return to the Eagles Hall every year.

"Our hope is that this dance gives back to the community in many ways and especially in the memories that it provides for dads and daughters," she said. "We are so grateful to everyone who has helped make the Northern Berkshire Father & Daughter Dance a tradition and success for 21 years."


Tags: dance,   fundraiser,   valentines day,   

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McCann and Taconic Awarded CTI Grants

Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $525,482 in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) implementation grants awarded to two organizations in the Berkshires to train 80 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors in the region. 
 
In North Adams, McCann Technical School was awarded $344,871 to provide training to 60 participants for Automotive Technician, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding positions. They will partner with T&M Auto Sales Inc., Berkshire Bridge & Iron Co. Inc., Haddad GMC, Haddad Subaru, Bedard Brothers Auto Sales Inc., Lenco Armored Vehicles, TOG Manufacturing, Sinicon Plastics, Adams Plumbing & Heating Inc., and Gills Point S Tire.
 
"We are excited to be working with our MassHire team to continue to address our workforce needs and build talent pipelines and career pathways in Advanced Manufacturing, Welding and Automotive Technician," McCann Superintendent James Brosnan said. "This CTI award will provide hands-on training and support as we continue to expand our skilled talent pool for employers in the Berkshires."
 
In Pittsfield Taconic High School was awarded $180,610 to provide training to 20 participants for Metal Fabrication and Auto Technology positions. They will partner with O.W. Landergren Inc., Lenco Industries Inc., Bedard Brothers, Haddad's Auto Group, and RW's Auto Inc.
 
"Pittsfield Public Schools is incredibly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Commonwealth Corporation for the CTI award to Taconic High School. This grant will have a significant and lasting impact on our community by providing skilled technicians to address critical shortages in Berkshire County," said Superintendent Joseph Curtis. "We are excited to partner with Lenco Industries, Haddads, Bedards, RW Auto, O.W. Landergren, Northeast Fabricators, and the MassHire Berkshire Career Center. These partnerships will serve as a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that our trainees are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century workforce, while simultaneously strengthening our local economy."
 
The CTI grant program, a state-funded workforce initiative, partners with career and technical education schools to provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers. The program transforms career and technical education schools across the state to become "Career Technical Institutes" that run after dark programs in the construction/trades, manufacturing, and skilled trades career pathways. 
 
"Addressing our workforce needs and building talent pipelines and career pathways in construction, trades and manufacturing sectors is a priority for this administration," said Governor Maura Healey. "CTI offers hands-on training that will support our jobseekers, workers and employers. We're proud to expand the CTI awards to these two schools in the Berkshires to strengthen our workforce and grow our economy throughout the state."  
 
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