By Susan Bush 12:00AM / Thursday, November 16, 2006
Mary Robert at a Northern Berkshire Relay for Life held in May.
Welcome to iberkshires.com Countdown To Thanksgiving, a daily feature launched Nov. 13. Each day until and including Thanksgiving Day [Nov. 23], iberkshires will highlight a Berkshire/Southern Vermont region individual and a specific review of the things that generate thanks. At the end of each interview will be a "family-style" Thanksgiving dinner recipe. Here's to the holiday that is very much America's own!
Adams - Mary Robert has much to include in her circle of thanks.
Robert works as a project coordinator within a Berkshire Health Systems patient accounting office in Pittsfield, and is very active with the American Caner Society and the ACS-sponsored Relay For Life events held in Pittsfield and North Adams.
Earlier this year, Robert and ACS volunteer Donna Briggs traveled to Washington, D.C. for a candlelighting ceremony held in memory those whose lives were lost to cancer and in honor of those who have survived the illness.
Events such as the relays and memorial ceremonies are very meaningful to Robert; cancer claimed the lives of her mother, a sister, and a step-sister. Her father and another step-sister are cancer survivors and her father walks the traditional survivor lap at area Relay for Life events.
"I am thankful for the abundance of generosity and caring I have been privileged to witness from Berkshire County residents during my involvement with the American Cancer Society and the Relay for Life," Robert said. "Year after year I have witnessed the sharing of strength, fortitude and support offered both to and from cancer survivors and their families. I am thankful for the invaluable friendships I have realized and the greater number of survivors beating cancer everyday. Of course I am thankful for my loving and healthy family I am looking forward to sharing the holidays with."
Garlic Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
6 medium size potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1 head garlic
1 tablespoon oil
1/2 cup butter
8 oz. cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
salt and pepper
Boil potatoes, drain and mash. Saute garlic in butter and add to mashed potatoes, then add cream cheese and sour cream and mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste.