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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.” 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.
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Lanesborough Fifth-Graders Win Snowplow Name Contest

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — One of the snowplows for Highway District 1 has a new name: "The Blizzard Boss."
 
The name comes from teacher Gina Wagner's fifth-grade class at Lanesborough Elementary School. 
 
The state Department of Transportation announced the winners of the fourth annual "Name A Snowplow" contest on Monday. 
 
The department received entries from public elementary and middle school classrooms across the commonwealth to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during the 2025/2026 winter season. 
 
The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during winter operations. 
 
"Thank you to all of the students who participated. Your creativity allows us to highlight to all, the importance of the work performed by our workforce," said  interim MassDOT Secretary Phil Eng.  
 
"Our workforce takes pride as they clear snow and ice, keeping our roads safe during adverse weather events for all that need to travel. ?To our contest winners and participants, know that you have added some fun to the serious take of operating plows. ?I'm proud of the skill and dedication from our crews and thank the public of the shared responsibility to slow down, give plows space and put safety first every time there is a winter weather event."
 
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