Last night, Oct. 22, at the Masonic Temple in North Adams, the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition once again gave out Community Recognition Awards to recognize individuals or groups who have made positive contributions to the community.
• Neighborly Acts, to thank people in the community who have helped to make life easier for others through acts of kindness: Don Freeman, Judy McConnell, Red Alcombright, Amanda Love, Polly Finn, Beverly Luscier, Marilyn Boesse, Norma Scott, Josh Pisano, Tony Pisano, Lauri Vanuni, Teresa Rivera, Adam Garrison, Pam Goewey, Richard LaCosse, Rickie LaCosse Jr., Norman Haskins, Laurie and David Babcock, Rod Bunt, Erica Cruz, Stan Owczarski, Sarah Ritcher, Rose Bryce, Ross McBee, John Ritcher, Kay Allard, Jeanette Dillon, Ellen Reyome, Linda Palmer, Dawn Jakes, Christopher Kalicki, Deborah Sherman, Linda Burdick, Whitney Suters, Ann Kremers, Susan Fierro, Dave Fierro, Judy Lane, Marilyn Cavallari, Nancy Sacco, Karen Friedman, Jerry McBee, Chris Cain, Bill Blackmer, Jackie Morin, Erica Samuel, Deano Lattanzi, and Satya Ferrera.
• Business/Agency Support, to recognize the support given for community projects by agencies or businesses: North Adams Masonic Association, Wal-Mart, Mt. Williams Greenhouse, St. John’s Episcopal Church, First Baptist Church, First Congregational Church, North Adams Public Schools, Northern Berkshire United Way, Little’s HSC Pharmacy, Village Pizza, Boston Seafood Restaurant, Subway, CVS Pharmacy, St. Anthony Church, Northern Berkshire Juvenile Court (North Adams) Community Service Program, Pittsfield K-9 Unit, Pizza Hut, and the North Adams Police Department.
• Pulling Together, to honor the groups of people who have worked together on a community betterment project: Drury After Prom Party Committee (Lisa Cunningham, Amy Cozzaglio, Emily Tremblay, Michele LaPine, Amanda Miller), Flying Garbanzos (Eric Buddington, Elena Traister, Tony Pisano, Dale Ott, Josh Pisano), Clarksburg Council on Aging (Joan Falco, Lily Kuzia), Briggsville Women’s Club (Mary Walden, Elaine Hewitt), and Alpha Chi Rho Fraternity.
• Beautification, to honor those who have worked to beautify our community: David Carver/Scarafoni Associates.
• Special Award: Mayor John Barrett and the City of North Adams for sponsoring the Downtown Celebration for many years.
The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Community Band will perform a Halloween concert on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m. in the Church Street Center (the former Beth Israel Synagogue). For more information, call 662-5525.
The MCLA Student Government Association will hold its 25th Annual Sam Gomez Classic road race on Sunday, Oct. 27 beginning at 11:30 a.m. The USA Track & Field certified race, named for the late Dr. Samuel Gomez, former College philosophy professor and cross-country coach, is open to everyone.
Awards will be presented to individuals in various age categories, including Junior (18 and under), Intermediate (19-29), Sub-Masters (30-39), Masters (40-49), Sub-Seniors (50-59) and Seniors (60 and older). Race proceeds will benefit the KID's PLACE and the Children's Advocacy Center. There will be two race routes, a 5k (3.1 miles) and a 10k (6.2 miles). Both are wheeled-measured courses, which will begin at Church and Pleasant Streets and end at Church and Davenport Streets.
The entry fee is $10 for preregistration and $15 for entries on the day of the race. Applications are available in the Student Government Association Office in the Campus Center or by calling 662-5401. Sign-up will also be held from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. on race day. T-shirts will be given to the first 100 preregistered entrants. In addition, complimentary refreshments will be served for racers and family following the race.
First organized in 1978 by the College Student Government Association, this annual benefit race is an avenue for student leaders to help charitable organizations in the Berkshire County area.
Residents of Holy Family Terrace, on State Road in North Adams, celebrated Harvest time and Columbus Day with a traditional Italian Dinner. Old fashion sauce was made by the residents who first went to Grandma Moses’ Farm and picked the tomatoes. “We learned that commercial growers do not stake the tomatoes but instead let the plants grow on the ground. You can pick a bushel in no time,†said Lucy Bassi one of the organizers for the dinner.
Joe Greco, a first generation Italian-American with roots in Calabria, supervised the making of the homemade sauce and meat balls.
“This dinner was true Italian cuisine with the emphasis on fresh local ingredients,†said Greco. Prizes were awarded to Mabel Williams, Barbara Dupes, Marion Duprey, Susan Lopez, and Millie Morehouse.
The Aladdins, a local band led by Tommy Leonesio provided the music and Father Daniel O’Hear said grace before dinner. Ed Bassi of the Holiday Inn provided help for the event and many of the residents contributed time, ideas, and cooking skills to make this event possible. You may obtain recipes by contacting Shirley Barry, president of the Holy Family Terrace.
Thirty-seven junior volunteers completed nine weeks of service at North Adams Regional Hospital during the past summer. Aged 13 and a half to 17 years old, the volunteers donated a total of 1,338 hours of their free summer vacation time to the hospital. They performed many of the same functions as their adult counterparts including transporting patients, delivering mail and flowers, discharging and admitting patients, directing visitors, and assisting in offices, among other duties.
The junior volunteers were honored at a party on August 28 at the hospital. Thanking the volunteers for their commitment and service were Ronald B. "Skip" Durning, Jr., M.D., and Volunteer Coordinator Lucy Green. Certificates were awarded to all the junior volunteers. Adams Gwozdz volunteered the most hours (79), followed by Nick Hopkins (72) and Krystal Barton (67). Gifts were generously donated by area businesses including Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, Dunkin Donuts, Lickety Split, Hoyts Cinema - North Adams, Papa Gino's, Pizza Hut, Valley Park Bowling, Berkshire Broadcasting, and Baker's Golf.
The junior volunteers were: Krystal Barton, Sarah Biros, Alison Collins, Robert DeSanty, Kristin Gajda, Mary Girard, Robin Girard, Adam Gwozdz, Erin Halton, Katie Hopkins, Nicholas Hopkins, Jessica Jennings, Amanda Krutiak, Sarah LaFrance, Katie Law, Amanda Love, Kari Lyden-Fortier, Meghann Macek, Sara Martel, Sarah Milazzo, Ember Oparowski, Danielle Paczosa, Lara Pagan, Kyle Pero, Kelsey Romaniak, Sarah Russett, Corinne Sadlowski, Evan Sadlowski, Christopher St. Cyr, Natalie Steuer, Nicole Tetreault, Christopher Therrien, Caitlyn Thompson, Vanessa Torchia, Amber Tulloch, Griffin Willette, and Jolene Wood.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
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.
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.
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.
click for more
