The Advocate offers this free service for schools, churches, hospitals, libraries and nonprofit groups, as a way to assist organizations that help people throughout Berkshire County, southern Vermont and our coverage area. Organizations may write a “wish†each week asking for whatever they need, and readers in the community are encouraged to give what they can. The Advocate will print as many wishes as space allows every Thursday.This week’s wishes are as follows:
The Mount Greylock Cross Country Ski Team is seeking a donation of a snowmobile to help groom and monitor the ski trails at Mount Greylock Regional High School. The snowmobile would preferably be small and reliable. When there is snow, the Cross Country Ski Team maintains approximately 10 kilometers of groomed trails at the high school for practicing, racing and community enjoyment. Call Coach Greene, 413-739-5294.
Tapestry Health in North Adams, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing health services and advocacy to communities across Western Massachusetts, seeks a desk, small bookshelf, floor lamp, desk lamp, area rugs or carpet remnants, and arm chair. Call 663-8846 or e-mail emonyahan@tapestryhealh.org.
Animals D.R.E.A.M.S. (Dignified Rescues, Education, Adoptions, Medical Services) is in need of a location in South County to house its foster cats, equipment and office. Also needed is a newer vehicle with cargo area or hatchback to transport cages, traps and cats. Animal D.R.E.A.M.S. is a not-for-profit organization specializing in the compassionate, non-lethal trap-neuter-return of feral cats and the rescue of homeless and abandoned cats throughout Berkshire County. Call 528-1328.
The Northern Berkshire YMCA in North Adams seeks donations for a Ping-Pong table and a bumper pool table. Will pick-up. Call the Y, 663-6529.
The Williamstown Youth Center will gladly accept ice skates. Call 458-5925. The center also seeks anyone who is certified to teach babysitting and would like to teach in January or February. Also needed are volunteers to teach or supervise hip-hop dance, street dance, step or other contemporary forms of dance to children one afternoon a week in January and February. The Youth Center appreciates the donations of an air-hockey table, ice skates, Legos, a picnic table, games and other items received through The Wish List, as well as three volunteer art teachers. Thank you!
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic in Williamstown is looking for one or two new computers, which must be the Dell brand to interact with other Dell computers in the studio. Models could be a Dimension 3000 or an Optiplex 170L. Call Jeff Owens, 458-3641.
The First United Methodist Church in Williamstown wishes for a spinet-size piano, used, but not abused, for use in the sanctuary. We also hope to find a new home for a Steelcase office desk in good condition. (The color is light brown.) We can help with transportation, if necessary. Call the church office, 458-3183.
The Western Massachusetts Council for Learning Disabilities, a nonprofit dedicated to the welfare and education of individuals with learning disabilities, seeks volunteers to help with fundraising and a membership drive. E-mail wmcld@earthlink.net or call 448-8474.
Berkshire Talking Chronicle in Dalton seeks volunteer readers, office help, outreach assistance, office cleaning and handyperson. The Chronicle offers free radio reading services for visual-and-print-impaired individuals in the Berkshires with newspapers, magazines, books and other printed materials seven days a week, 24 hours a day. To volunteer or borrow a free radio receiver, call Jeanette Thomas, 684-0880.
Berkshire Dance Theatre, a nonprofit dance in Adams, seeks an IBM-compatible PC with the following minimum requirements: 256 MB RAM, 30 G HD, 1.0 MHz processor with at least 1 USB connection. A flat-screen monitor is needed as well. Call David Krol, 743-1118.
Berkshire Share is in need of a donation of a small copier, a display board and a folding table. Berkshire Share is a nonprofit volunteer program that builds community by requiring participants to volunteer a minimum of two hours per month while also providing nutritious food to its volunteers at deeply discounted prices. Share can be contacted at 664-7400 or P.O. Box 814, North Adams, MA 01247.
Barrington Stage Company, a nonprofit theater company in Southern Berkshire County, seeks donations of the following: laser printers, camcorder, display cases, drafting table, paper cutter, music stands, "fake book" of music, scores of music, summer housing for interns/actors, donated landscaping service, driveway gravel, and working automobiles (especially 4-wheel drive). Letters verifying tax-deductible in-kind donations are available. Pick-ups are available. Call Mitch, 229-2076, ext. 104.
Northern Berkshire Family Net, 210 State St., North Adams, wishes for children's clothing (gently used or like new) in sizes birth to size 7 for our free clothing exchange. For the fall/winter season, any donations of children's coats and warm clothing in those sizes would also be appreciated. Call Family Net, 664-4821.
Shakespeare & Company seeks sturdy furniture — chests of drawers, bureaus and nightstands. Call Alyssa Bradac, 637-1199, ext. 108.
The Institute for International Cooperation & Development, a nonprofit organization that trains international volunteers for development and community work at projects in Africa, Central America and Brazil, seeks a washer, a new or slightly used television or a refrigerator for our facility to help keep costs down. Call Andrea, 413-884-4271 or e-mail andrea@iicd-volunteer.org.
The Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum seeks volunteers for train crews and the gift shop, flat files for maps, display cases for artifacts and county railroad and trolley memorabilia. Call Jack Trowill, 637-2210.
The Lenox Community Center is still seeking games for more than two players for PlayStation2 and controllers. Donations of ice skates are always welcome, as well as DVD or VCR movies for children. The center also seeks a small TV, board games, books, and, as always, volunteers to monitor its after-school homework center and to drive our elders to various appointments. Lunch volunteers, especially on Fridays, are also needed to help with lunches provided by Elder Services. Contact Kim Garner-King, 637-5530 or e-mail communitycenter@townoflenox.com
The Berkshire Historical Society at Herman Melville's Arrowhead in Pittsfield wishes for a speaker's lectern, a new or slightly used television with a screen at least 27 inches wide, a stand on which to put the TV, a microphone with speakers and a retractable movie screen on a stand. All of the items would be put to use in public programs. The society will pick up the items. Letters to verify tax deductions are available. Call 443-1793 or e-mail melville@berkshire.net
The Guthrie Center in Great Barrington is looking for living room furniture: couches, chairs, coffee tables, lamps, etc. Call George, 528-1955.
Inkberry, a literary arts nonprofit based in North Adams, seeks volunteers to distribute calendars and posters in towns around the county. Inkberry will provide a free Inkberry Chapbook membership — and an Inkberry T-shirt, while supplies last — to anyone willing to claim a town for a year. Contact Executive Director Rachel Barenblat at rachel@inkberry.org or 664-0775.
The Berkshire County Chapter of the American Red Cross seeks volunteer drivers who are willing to give a few hours of their time to help people get to and from much-needed medical appointments. To be a volunteer medical transportation drive for the Red Cross, one must possess a valid driver’s license and have CPR and First Aid training that will be provided. Drivers have the option of local trips in Berkshire County or longer trips to Boston, Worcester, Springfield or Albany, weekly or monthly, whichever fits their schedules. The chapter has six vans that it provides for the trips, so there is no wear and tear on personal vehicles. Call Dick Stockwell, 442-1506, ext. 16, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Clarksburg Council on Aging has the following wishes for the Clarksburg Senior Center: an outdoor utility shed, a flagpole and a good-sized grill. Call 663-8253.
Recording for the Blind is again seeking volunteers to monitor and read at its Williamstown studio. Volunteers record textbooks for students with visual disabilities. The organization relies on local support for its programs, which serve students in Berkshire County and nationwide. In most cases, readers spend 90 minutes to 2 1/2 hours a week at the studio. It is located on Water Street. Call Jeff Owens, 458-3641.
Girl Scouts of Western Massachusetts seeks volunteers throughout the county, including Pittsfield, Richmond, Lee, Lenox, Otis, Adams, North Adams, Savoy, Cheshire, Florida, Clarksburg, Williamstown and Hancock. Volunteers opportunities include mentoring, leading a troop, serving on boards, planning activities, training adults and sharing expertise. Any amount of time is welcome, from one hour per week to 10 hours. Call 800-462-9100 or 584-2602.
The Volunteer Care Partner Program at Berkshire Medical Center seeks people who want to make a difference in hospital patients’ lives by spending time with them through the Helping Hands program. The purpose of the program is to provide caring support for patients who do not have family or friends available. The goal is to prevent loneliness and isolation, and reduce the anxiety of illness and hospitalization. Potential activities include reading newspapers, helping with meal trays, taking patients for wheelchair walks and playing cards or assembling puzzles. Call Katie Currier, 395-7983.
Main Street Stage in North Adams, a nonprofit live theater company, wishes for a color copier, computer, printer, flat-black paint, volunteers to run concessions, Source Four Lekos, black gaff tape, castors, two PA speakers, and a headset intercom system. Contact: Alexia Trova, 663-3240
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic in Lenox seeks two copy machines in decent working order. Will pick up. Call the organization at 637-0889.
Northern Berkshire Creative Arts, a nonprofit studio arts center, is looking for four keyboards for music class, chairs or stools, work tables and window-style air conditioners in working order. Call 663-8338.
The Greylock Green Group in Pittsfield seeks anything garden related, such as plant identifier spikes, row covers, seeds, soil test kits, etc. It also seeks anything office related, such as computer supplies, paper, envelopes, pens, pencils, staples, etc. Call Stacey Elin Rossi, director, 448-8474.
The Harbor Masters Middle School Lego club is seeking donations of used Lego and Lego Mindstorm pieces for the club. RCX, motors, sensors and spare parts would be greatly appreciated. Contact Peter Gutmann, 743-2106, or e-mail him at neat@adelphia.net.
The North Adams Public Library still seeks donations of local high school yearbooks, photographs of the community prior to 20th-century "urban renewal" projects and other materials of local historical interest to add to its local history collections. Contact Kacy Westwood or Robin Martin at the library, 662-3133 or kwestwoo@cwmars.org
Berkshire County Head Start is still in need of a newer personal computer in good working order, as well as word-processing software for its Great Barrington site. Call Linda Gates, 528-8689.
The Claire Teague Senior Center, 909 Main St., Great Barrington, wishes for an easel with white board for informational presentations, a portable oven for the kitchen and three or four carafes for the kitchen. Call the center, 528-1881.
Project AIM, a human service agency and a division of Community Enterprises Inc., seeks volunteer companions and mentors to spend a few flexible hours per week pursuing social, supportive and leisure activities with a diverse population of individuals in the community. A car is necessary. A monthly stipend, support, training and supervision is provided. Call John or Susan weekdays from 9 to 5, 499-1248.
Send your wishes to “The Wish List,†The Advocate, 100 Main St., North Adams, MA 01247, or to The Advocate South County Office, 71 Church St., Second Floor, Lenox MA 01240. E-mail requests to news@advocateweekly.com or fax them to 413-664-7900: Attention Wish List. When wishes have been fulfilled, please contact The Advocate so they can be removed from the list.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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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
