HEARD OR SEEN: AddAWA (Add a Word a Week) — Groping, adj.,gerund: Feeling about, searching about blindly or uncertainly. …The cost-saving plan without cutting any teacher's job, is heartening, but district-wide reorganization of our two one-school districts, proposed by Superintendent Mark Piechota (and at least one of his predeccessors) is more key ...Pleased to learn that Jessy Park's rendition of “Brooklyn Bride #2 With Horizontal Rainbow†will be represented in the 11th Pure Vision Arts Fair being held in New York City Jan. 23 to 25. The event embraces works of self-taught/Outsider artists.
BURNED OUT: Usually, beginning this column is relatively easy, since I can choose from many ideas that I have jotted down from time to time. But this week they all were crowded out by one topic: SWNMNBUITC (She Whose Name Must Never Be Mentioned in This Column) and I are homeless! Our Berkshire Drive home for the past 20 years is a charred hulk, waiting to be demolished. ...It was 10:10 am. We were returning from a two-week visit with our son Mark in Prescott, Ariz. Halfway down Colonial Avenue, our way was blocked by vehicles, including fire trucks from Williamstown, Clarksburg, Pownal and Pownal Valley. Despite the terrible cold, the firefighters were tireless. They wrapped us in blankets. They did a great job, but the fire was too far advanced
It seems that our heating system had failed on Monday and was restarted that day by repairmen. On Thursday, our housekeeper Carolyn Mullen reported lack of heat. The repairmen returned and diagnosed frozen pipes. They used a thawing unit that apparently started a fire in the second-floor eaves. During the early stages of the fire, one of the repairmen applogized sorrowfully to me. I wish I had consoled him more kindly. Chris Casey from our insurance company, Gallup-Dickey, was extremely responsive and clear with us.
Here's where Williamstown comes in. The home of John and Judy Madden became our HQ that day and the next. While the fire was still raging, Bridget and Steve Hannock, neighbors from Colonial Village, offered us a condominium that is vacant till May. Since then, friends have offered us their home for the summer. Countless calls have come offering help, really too many to mention. Our friends have cooked for us, some really gourmet meals. Carl Faulkner called to say we are welcome to eat and stay at the Williams Inn. The Jericho Inn called with a similar offer. We have been warmed by the gifts of plants and winter clothes, lots of fleece and even Ernie Brundage's fur hat!
Not long ago someone heard me extolling the virtues of Williamstown, and interrupted to say, "You'll never leave Williamstown, will you?" My answer was "Why should I?" The generous outpouring of support is a touching reminder of why we live here. We are already sketching plans to rebuild our house in the town we have been lucky to call home for over 50 years and with the people who make Williamstown a special community.
Thank you, everyone.
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Two Pittsfield Homes Struck by Gunfire on Memorial Drive
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Sunday May 31 at approximately 1:19am, Pittsfield Police Department (PPD) officers responded to the intersection of Memorial Drive and Doyle Drive for a 13- round ShotSpotter Activation.
At least two residences were struck by gunfire and investigators located 17 shell casings on scene.
No injuries were reported.
This incident is currently under investigation and anyone who wishes to report information is asked to contact PPD at 413-448-9700. Information can also be provided anonymously by texting PITTIP and your message to TIP411 (847411.)
Jason Codey struck out 13, walked two and allowed just an infield single as the Generals earned a 7-1 win over Wahconah to claim their third straight regional title. click for more
Gracelyn Wright struck out eight, and Genevieve Lagess went 3-for-5 with four runs batted in as the Hurricanes beat Monson, 17-3, to claim their first Western Mass title in four years. click for more
For the boys, Ward Bianchi helped lead the way with a win in the shot put and a second place in the javelin as the Mounties finished 16 points ahead of runner-up Pittsfield (pending the results of the pole vault, which were unavailable at 11 p.m. Friday night). click for more
Brady Auger Friday scored five goals to lead the Mount Greylock boys Lacrosse team to a 16-14 win over Hoosac Valley in the title game of the Western Massachusetts Class C Tournament. click for more
Brooke Harrington scored four goals, and Abigail Rodhouse had a hat trick as Wahconah won its second straight Western Mass title and the rubber match against the Mounties in the third one-goal game between the teams this spring. click for more
