WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The League of Women Voters of Williamstown (LWV-W) is seeking nominations for its 2010 Williamstown town employee award.

Nominees should be employees of the Town of Williamstown who have provided outstanding service to the Williamstown community – duty above and beyond what is expected of them. This service can have been performed during the past year or in previous years. It can have been a single exceptional act or have been spread over several years.

To show appreciation for the work required to keep the town running smoothly, in 2001 LWV-W established the award to recognize an outstanding town employee. The award is presented at a League event, and the name of the recipient is announced at the annual Williamstown Town Meeting.

All employees of the Town of Williamstown are eligible, from snowplow drivers to librarians, cemetery workers, policemen and women, town department heads, custodians, teachers, transfer station workers and firefighters to the town manager – anyone on the town payroll.

Nomination forms are available at the Milne Library and at Town Hall, or nominations can be sent to the League of Women Voters of Williamstown, P.O. Box 392, Williamstown, by April 7, 2010. Nominations should include a description of the exceptional service provided and the name and telephone number or email address of the person submitting the nomination. The name of winner will be announced at the annual Williamstown Town Meeting.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire County affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is having a team captain's kick-off luncheon for NAMIWalks for the Mind of America, and it's inviting the public to join.

The luncheon will be held on Wednesday, March 24, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza, to begin planning the affiliate's participation in NAMI's nationwide fundraising and mental health awareness program. The Berkshire County affiliate's walk will take place on Saturday, May 15, at Burbank Park at Onota Lake.

At the luncheon, NAMI will provide supporters with the instructions and materials needed to organize a team to take part in the walk. The organization is seeking local residents to serve as committee members, team captains and volunteers for the event.

According to NAMI, one in four American adults—approximately 57.7 people — experience a mental health disorder in a given year. One in 17 lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, major depression or bipolar disorder, and about one in 10 children have a serious mental or emotional disorder.

Companies, organizations and families are encouraged to organize teams of walkers made up of employees, organization members, relatives and friends. Proceeds of the walk will be used to help NAMI fund support, education and advocacy programs for people whose lives are affected by mental illness in Berkshire County.

If you are interested in participating in the walk, call 413-443-1666, or email namibc@namibc.org

HANCOCK, Mass. — Applications are now being accepted for the Lola Greene Legacy Scholarship. One-time grants of $250 to $500 will be awarded to a graduating high school senior from Berkshire County who is planning to continue to study Latin and/or the Classics in college. The scholarship will be awarded based on scholastic achievement with emphasis on Latin study and related activities, future plans to continue Latin and Classics studies, and demonstrated leadership and good moral character.

Lola Greene worked at Mt. Greylock Regional High School from 1984 through 2000. During this time she developed the school’s Latin program and Junior Classical League into one of the most successful programs in the state. She instituted toga and catapult contests, won numerous teaching awards, and has her place in the school "Hall of Fame." Greene was a dynamic and dedicated educator who inspired her students to achieve to the best of their abilities.

The deadline for submitting a scholarship application is April 15, 2010. For more information and application materials, visit www.lolagreene.com or send an email inquiry to:  scholarship@lolagreene.com.

Donations to the scholarship are welcomed and can be sent to:  Lola Greene Legacy Fund, P.O. Box 1117, Hancock, MA  01237.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Northern Berkshire Community Coalition wants to recognize people or groups who have made a difference to others, and is seeking  your input.

The organization plans to recognize those who have made a "significant difference to benefit others, the neighborhood or the community" during the past six months, in an awards ceremony to be attended by Mayor Richard Alcombright on May 5. Nominees may include volunteers, businesses that provide support for projects, people who perform acts of kindness, or people who work to improve their neighborhoods. Children also are eligible for consideration.

Nominations should be sent to ncain@nbccoalition.org; include the name, addess and phone number or e-mail address of your nominee.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. —  Got the acting bug? Next week, you'll have the chance to cure it. The Berkshire Community College Players will be holding open auditions for Arthur Kipit’s comedy "Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mammas’s Hung You in the Closet and I’m Feelin’ So Sad."

The play tells the story of wealthy, overbearing Madame Rosepettle and her awkward son Jonathan, who arrive at a posh hotel with a man-eating tropical plant, piranha fish and coffin in tow.

Auditions are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday evening, March 8 and 9, at 7 in the small auditorium of the Koussevitzky Arts Center, Room 111, 1350 West St., Pittsfield. Two male leads, two female leads, and many other parts are up for grabs.

The play will be directed by Sam Slack. Performances are scheduled for April 23, 24, and 25.

For more information, contact Ellen Shanahan at 413-236-4703.