Pittsfield Events to Raise Awareness of Overdose Danger

Mayor Peter Marchetti reads a proclamation declaring August International Overdose Awareness Month (the Day is Aug. 31) in this screenshot from PCTV.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city will remember those lost to overdose with events in August and September.

Last week, Mayor Peter Marchetti delivered a proclamation for International Overdose Awareness Month to local mental health leaders in council chambers. All are members of the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Advisory Committee.

"As many of you know, my mental health substance use disorder task force are an important part of one of our new initiatives in the administration," he said.

Another proclamation will be read in front of City Hall on Aug. 29 at 11:45 a.m. and a flag will be raised for overdose awareness. On Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m., there will be a memorial service at the Common followed by a procession to Park Square to read the names of the lives lost in Berkshire County.  

A Revel in Recovery celebration with family entertainment will be held at the Common from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 7.

"I would encourage all that can to go," Marchetti said.

Last year, it was reported there were 48 fatal overdoses in Berkshire County in 2022 — 29 just in Pittsfield. Since 2012, there had been a staggering 418 deaths from overdose in the county.

Marchetti's proclamation recognized that the month raises awareness of substance use disorder so that communities can end overdose, remember those who have died without stigma, promote treatment, support harm reduction, celebrate recovery, and strengthen collective efforts to prevent future overdoses.

Fitch-Hoose House Names August 'George Hoose Art Month'

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
12:25PM / Monday, August 19, 2024

The exhibit is being extended into September to display more of Hoose's fall and winter scenes. 

DALTON, Mass. — The Historical Commission has designated August as George Hoose Art Month at the Fitch-Hoose House and is showcasing some of the painter's work. 

 

The 1846 house is the last remaining home of Dalton's early Black residential neighborhood. A wide range of information has been gathered surrounding the Hoose family that is also on display. 

 

The small two-story building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is believed to have been active on the Underground Railroad.

 

George Hoose died in 1977 at age 80. He was a prolific painter and was known for the "Indian Head" painting on Gulf Road that has long since been painted over and weathered away.

 

"We're celebrating his artistic abilities through his paintings," co-Chair Louisa Horth said. 

 

The paintings showcase how hard-working and successful Hoose and his family were. The self-taught artist was successful and was commissioned to paint a number of pieces, co-Chair Deborah Kovacs said.

 

The Fitch-Hoose House has a collection of about 15 paintings by Hoose, which have been donated to the museum over the years.