Gun safety
The Williamstown Police Department is offering free cable-style gun locks to all residents, through a partnership with Project Childsafe of the National Shooting Sports Foundation and as part of the “A Safer Williamstown†program.
Acting Police Chief Kyle Johnson said in a news release that the department is trying to raise awareness about the requirement to secure unattended firearms, while promoting responsible gun ownership.
“Our community is home to a number of men and women who participate in firearms-related sports,†Johnson said. “While the department is not endorsing gun control or gun ownership, we realize that there are legally possessed firearms in our community and seek to raise awareness about the laws mandating all unattended firearms be secured as a way to promote enhanced firearms safety.â€
During the licensing process, distribution of an informational pamphlet and a firearms locking device are issued. To receive the free gun locks, simply stop by the police station in the municipal building, 31 North St., and request the number of locks needed. Information: Officer David Lemieux, 458-5733. Information on Project Childsafe, www.projectchildsafe.org.
Prescription Advantage
Margie Ware, regional director for SHINE (Serving Health Informtion Needs of Elders) and Gail Rothwell, SHINE counselor for the Council on Aging and a social worker with Berkshire Housing, will present information on the Prescription Advantage program Friday, Aug. 27, at 9 a.m. at the Harper Center.
The Massachusetts program, a prescription-drug program for seniors 65 and older — and younger low-income individuals with disabilities — will offer an open enrollment period from Sept. 1 through Sept. 30. The program is designed to offer comprehensive prescription-drug coverage, when combined with out-of-pocket expenses. The September enrollment period will be the only opportunity for those who will pass their 66th birthday once it ends, according to the Council on Aging.
Ware and Rothwell will take questions. The Council will provide donuts, muffins, coffee and other assorted breakfast items at 8:30. Information: 458-8250.
Toastmasters meeting
The recently formed Williamstown-based Toastmasters club will meet on Thursday, Sept. 2, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. in the Rogers Room, fourth floor of Hopkins Hall at Williams College. Visitors interested in improving their speaking and leadership abilities are welcome.
“Voices of the Mountains,†the Green Mountains/Northern Berkshire Toastmasters chapter forming here, recently elected officers for the fiscal year (July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005). They are: president, Steve Love; vice president of public relations, Ron Gallagher; vice president of membership, Dave Gorson; secretary/treasurer, Laura Nesbit. Club mentors are Will Ryan and Marilyn Jess.
The stated goals of the elected officials are to promote the new chapter, expanding the number of participants in the Southern Vermont/Northern Berkshire area; to infuse each meeting with positive energy by bringing enthusiastic new ideas to the chapter; and to develop new leaders.
Berkshire County has two established Toastmasters chapters in Pittsfield and Great Barrington. “Voices of the Mountains,†once chartered, will be in District 53, which consists of six divisions in Connecticut, Western Massachusetts and Eastern New York and has more than 2,000 toastmasters organized into 117 clubs. Toastmasters International is an 80-year-old organization with more than 200,000 members in over 10,000 clubs in 80 countries.
Hopkins Hall is the administration building across Route 2 from Spring Street on the Williams College campus.
Public meetings
A schedule of public meetings in or about Williamstown, as provided by Town Clerk Mary C. Kennedy, 458-9341, from official postings. Meetings are held at the municipal building, 31 North St., unless otherwise indicated:
Thursday, Aug. 26, Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m., Harper Center.
Harper Center
Elder Services Nutrition Program serves hot meals. Call 458-8250 or 458-5156; 48-hour notice is appreciated. Voluntary donations for van transportation are 50 cents one-way from Williamstown and $1 one-way from North Adams. Service is available 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Thursday, Aug. 26, 10 a.m., tai chi; 11 a.m., van to Wal-Mart; 11:30 a.m., lunch; 1 p.m., crafts; 3:30 p.m., knitting group. Friday, Aug. 27, 10:30 a.m., exercise; 11:30 a.m., lunch; 1 p.m., bingo. Sunday, Aug. 29, 11:30 a.m., lunch. Monday, Aug. 30., 10:30 a.m., exercise; 11:30 a.m., lunch; 1 p.m., line dancing. Tuesday, Aug. 31, 9 a.m., oil painting; 9:45 and 10:45 a.m., van to Stop & Shop; 1 p.m., Harper Center bingo. Wednesday, Sept. 1, 9 a.m., van to Price Chopper; 10:30 a.m., exercise; 11:30 a.m., lunch; 1 p.m., bridge.
Deaths
A memorial service in gratitude for thelLife of John F. Reichert, who died Aug. 4 at the Prospect Nursing Home in North Bennington,Vt., was held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Williams College Thompson Memorial Chapel, with the Rev. Richard E. Spalding, chaplain to the college, officiating.
The organist was Edwin Lawrence, musicianship skills lab instructor at Williams College. The soloist was Karen Swann, professor of English. The ushers were Peter and Ellen Berek and Robert and Ilona Bell. Lectors were Daniel O‚Connor, professor of philosophy emeritus and Stephen Fix, professor of English.
Words of Reflections were delivered by George Goethals, professor of psychology; Lawrence Graver, visiting professor of English; Lawrence Raad, poet and professor of rhetoric; Nancy Reichert Pelmas, daughter; Daniel Reichert, son; and Emily Reichert Segal, daughter. The Prayer of Thanksgiving was offered by Francis Oakley, professor of history & ideas emeritus and president emeritus. The pianist was George Todd, professor of music emeritus, Middlebury College.
Burial took place in the family plot in the Williams College Cemetery. The Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna funeral home, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, was in charge of arrangements.
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 to Elect DA, Governor, More in Primary Election
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield and beyond will elect a Massachusetts governor, attorney general, district attorney for Berkshire County, and other positions in the 2026 state election.
The City Council OK’d the issuance of the State Primary Election warrant, to be held on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and designated polling locations, hours, and police details.
The early voting period for the state primaries will be Aug. 22-28, while early voting for the Nov. 3 state election will be held Oct. 17-30.
In the primary election, voters choose the candidates they prefer for a political party to nominate in the general election held on Nov. 3.
The following positions will be on the primary ballot:
Senator in Congress for the Commonwealth
Governor for the Commonwealth
Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth
Attorney General for the Commonwealth
Secretary of State for the Commonwealth
Treasurer of State for the Commonwealth
Auditor for the Commonwealth
Representative in Congress for the First District
Governor's Councillor for the Eighth District
Senator in General Court for the Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden Districts
Representative in General Court for the Second Berkshire District
District Attorney for Berkshire County
Register of Probate for the Berkshire Middle District
There are no challengers on the Democratic primary ballot for the re-election of the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer and auditor.
On the Republican primary ballot, Michael Minogue of Hamilton and Brian Shortsleeve or Barnstable are vying for the gubernatorial nomination to take on Maura Healey in November; there are no other GOP primary races involving the Berkshires.
As there are no Republican nominees on the primary ballot for secretary of state or auditor, and no independent running in the general election, meaning the primary will essentially determine the winner in those two elections.
For U.S. senator, Edward Markey is being challenged by Seth Moulton in the Democratic primary; the winner will face off against John Deaton of Bolton, who is running unopposed in the Republican primary.
For the Massachusetts 1st District representative in Congress, Richard Neal is being challenged by Jeromie Whalen of South Hadley; the winner will face off against independent Nadia Milleron of Sheffield.
Closer to home, Paul Mark is unchallenged for state Senate and Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Leigh Davis for state representatives in the Democratic primary, but John Barrett III is being challenged by Andrew Fitch in the 1st Berkshire District.
Tara Jacobs of North Adams is being challenged as District 8 Governor's Councillor by Michael Fenton of Springfield.
There are no Republican or independent candidates for these seats so the winners will essentially be determined by the Democratic primary.
Polling locations for Pittsfield's 7 wards are as usual; polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. during the primaries on Sept. 1.
Pittsfield polling locations:
Ward 1, Precinct A Reid Middle School, 950 North Street
Ward 1, Precinct B Reid Middle School, 950 North Street
Ward 2, Precinct A Morningside Community School, 100 Burbank Street
Ward 2, Precinct B Somerset Fire Station, 9 Somerset Avenue
Ward 3, Precinct A Providence Court, 379 East Street
Ward 3, Precinct B Egremont School, 84 Egremont Avenue
Ward 4, Precinct A Herberg Middle School, 501 Pomeroy Avenue
Ward 4, Precinct B Williams School, 50 Bushey Road
Ward 5, Precinct A Pittsfield Library, One Wendell Avenue
Ward 5, Precinct B Pittsfield Library, One Wendell Avenue
Ward 6, Precinct A Columbus Arms Housing, 65 Columbus Ave.
Ward 6, Precinct B Silvio 0. Conte Community School, 200 West Union St.
Ward 7, Precinct A Pecks Road Fire Station, 54 Pecks Road
Ward 7, Precinct B Capeless Elementary School, 86 Brooks Avenue
Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
