Dr. Radin Named Grand Marshal of 64th Annual Fall Foliage Parade

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Dr. Len Radin has been selected as grand marshal for the upcoming 64th annual Fall Foliage parade presented by 1Berkshire.

The parade will be held in downtown North Adams on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m. This year's parade theme is "The Wizard of Oz," both in celebration of the 80th anniversary of its Hollywood premiere, and in the promotion of the message that "there's no place like home in the Berkshires."

Dr. Radin was selected for this honor not only because of all he has done for the community, but for his enduring love for "The Wizard of Oz." He has spent more than 60 years in the theater business, including founding the nationally award-winning Drury Drama Team and serving as its volunteer director for more than 25 years.


Beloved by the community and his students alike for his volunteer service to the North Adams Public Schools, Radin led four productions of "The Wizard of Oz" in his time at theater director. He always loved this production because it was very inclusive, allowing for a large cast of more than 100 people of all ages and portions of the community. He also feels very strongly about the messaging of Frank Baum's books, like "The Wizard of Oz" series, because the most powerful characters, good or bad, are all women.

In addition to all this, Dr. Radin serves the community as a successful dentist.

Dr. Radin plans to come to the parade in costume along with a few Drury Drama Club alumni.

 


Tags: Fall Foliage,   parade,   

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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