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People can continue to bring their returnable cans and bottles to the redemption center at 1000 Massachusetts Ave. to redeem them for themselves, or they can donate the proceeds of their returnables to BFAIR.

BFAIR Purchases Redemption Center in North Adams

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Berkshire Family and Individual Resources has purchased the bottle and can redemption center at 1000 Massachusetts Ave.

The center was acquired from David Moresi of Moresi & Associates, with whom BFAIR had been working for several years while the agency managed the customer service portion of the business.

"When the redemption center became available for sale, he approached BFAIR," BFAIR CEO Rich Weisenflue said. "We are grateful for this opportunity to continue to provide employment for individuals with disabilities while also playing an important role in north Berkshire."


Theresa Gelinas, BFAIR's senior vice president of Day Services, said the center has been an integral part in offering employement opportunities to the agency's clients.

"The employees acquire customer services skills with the support of BFAIR's Employment Program staff, assisting the general public redeeming cans and bottles, as well as playing a positive role in our community with respect to the environment by reducing waste and promoting reuse of containers," she said. "Our redemption center also serves as a great stepping stone for people with disabilities acquiring work skills moving on to competitive employment."

People can continue to bring their returnable cans and bottles to the redemption center at 1000 Massachusetts Ave. to redeem them for themselves, or they can donate the proceeds of their returnables to BFAIR, a nonprofit agency that provides adult family care, residential, in-home clinical services, employment and day services for adults and children with developmental disabilities, and acquired brain injury, autism and homecare services for older adults.

 


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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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