Letter: Thank You for Supporting 'Get BArT Smart'

To the Editor:

On Saturday, April 6, Berkshire Arts & Technology (BART) Charter Public School hosted our annual "Get BART Smart" fundraiser — and raised $29,769 (net) for the school's college preparatory and extra-curricular programs! Over 110 people attended and participated in our signature team trivia game. A huge "thank you" to all who attended and made it a great evening!

This night would not have been possible without the support of over a hundred local organizations and businesses.

We are extremely thankful to our Salutation Sponsor, Adams Community Bank! Thank you for being the Head of the Class.

Our High Honor Roll sponsors: MountainOne Bank, Aladco Linen Services, Cord Master Engineering, Haddad Auto Group, and Nocher Realty all played an important part in the evening's success.

The list above doesn't include 90-plus additional local businesses that generously donated goods and services to the event for auction items and prizes, or supported the event at the "Sponsor" level.

BART serves over 365 students in Grades 6-12 from all over Berkshire County. Businesses from all corners of the Berkshires helped support our students through their generous sponsorships and donations.

Finally, many thanks to the trustees, faculty, staff, volunteers and others who contributed their time, money, and effort to make this event happen. Their dedication to the BART community, most importantly our students, is truly inspiring.

Sincerely,

Catherine McKeen
Williamstown, Mass. 

McKeen is a member of the school's board of trustees. 

Adams Housing Authority Rededicates McAndrews Community Center

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:30PM / Saturday, May 18, 2024

The new dedication sign includes the names of the first director and board chair of the Housing Authority. 

ADAMS, Mass. — It started with changing out the old box lights in the community room at Columbia Valley.

 

It ended with fully refurbished room along with a refreshed kitchen and ladies room. 

 

Residents of the senior living facility gathered in the new community room on Wednesday to rededicate it to James McAndrew and welcome Housing Secretary Edward Augustus.

 

"This room hadn't been touched since the 1980s," said Adams Housing Authority Executive Director William Schrade, describing it as a place to gather that "wasn't friendly, wasn't smiling." 

 

So first came the box lights, and then in consultation with maintenance chief Matthew Puricelli. Then it was replacing the old leaky windows, and why not take off the old wallpaper and paint, and if you're doing that, might as well pull up the old carpet and put down a new one. 

 

"We thought we were done. I said kitchen really needed to be done because they has a 1970s look," said Schrade. "[Puricelli] took charge of that, too, and got creative and with the tools that were given to him.

 

"He knocked it out and then made the worst mistake and said, 'I've done all this I might as well finish and do the women's bathroom.' I said I think that's a great idea. [Secretary Augustus] is coming in three weeks, so you're gonna have to jump on this."