MCLA junior Lindsay Brillon holds a carved bear. Bears are significant to the Navajo people. View Slide Show
North Adams - Lindsay Brillon considered spending her spring break enjoying a frolic with pals. But the 21-year-old Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts junior from Bennington, Vt. ultimately chose "alternative spring break:" an 11-day junket to the Navajo Nation in Arizona.
"I did think about going away with friends, but then I thought 'why go away and spend all that money on something that I won't get anything out of?'," Brillon said. "This spoke to me."
Brillon plans to accompany seven MCLA students and two college staff members to Tsaile, Az., where the Tsaile/Wheatfields Chapter of the Nation is located. The chapter, a geographic area somewhat similar to a "county," is also home to Dine [pronounced din-eh] College, the first college established for Native Americans by Native Americans. The school offers education to those living within the 26,000-square-mile Nation located in Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico.
On March 5, participating students hosted an MCLA Arts and Crafts Tag Sale Extravaganza at the Venable Hall gymnasium. The five-hour fundraising event drew over a dozen regional artisans and lured a steady stream of browsers and buyers. MCLA students operated booths as well.
Jewelry designer Donald Raymond of Adams toted cases of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and leather items to the show. The trip to the Nation piqued his interest, Raymond said.
"That is actually why I came out here, to support these kids," he said."I really think this is a very good cause."
The students and staff members Sumi Colligan and Spencer Moser are scheduled to arrive in New Mexico on March 12, and travel to the home of the Campbell family in Tsaile. The arrival agenda includes a Navajo Taco Welcoming Dinner with host families and a cedar prayer for protection and harmony during the trip. The plans include learning about the Navajo culture, building a Navajo mud oven, providing literacy program assistance, and working at a Navajo ranch. Scheduled visits include traveling to Window Rock, Az., the Navajo Nation capitol. Visits to Canyon de Chelly, pronounced Canyon "day shay," the Hubble Trading Post, and a dinner at Dine College are part of the trip's itinerary. Students are expected to leave the Nation on March 21.
MCLA senior Amanda Derosier of Northboro, and sophomore Jessica Sokol of Enfield, Conn., are among the students who selected the alternative break.
"I'm going to remember this 10 years down the road," said Derosier. "I'm part Native American and I've always been interested in the culture."
"I'm part Native American, too," said Sokol. "I think it's great to see a place that I wouldn't ordinarily get to see. And this trip is better than spending a lot of money for a lot of nothing."
Moser is the director of the MCLA Center for Service and Citizenship. The trip and the crafts show fundraiser are evidence that the college community and the community-at-large can work in unity, he said.
"I think this event [the crafts show] is a testimony to the community supporting and benefiting from an MCLA venture," Moser said."The students knew that there would be fundraising initiatives, and they've worked very hard. The community is here supporting them. And now, the community feels involved with the mission."
The students plan to discuss their experiences when they return, Moser said.
"They feel it is very important to bring the experience back to the MCLA community and the larger community," he said.
John and Louise McClay of Bennington, Vt. rented vendor space and sold hand-crocheted and hand-painted items.
"We try to use our crafts to support community-based organizations as opposed to commercial events," Louise McClay said. "I think this will be very good for these students, much better than going off to Florida or someplace and partying. We home-school and we love to see people doing something with their education."
She noted that several beaded items being displayed were made by her eight-year-old daughter as part of a home-school curriculum. The task not only taught math and conceptual skills but delivered a community service component to the lesson as well, she added.
Jesse Schlichting, 15, of Ellington, Conn., assisted at a photograph sales booth operated by North Adams-based nature photographer Ian Grey.
"I think the trip is a very good idea, and I'd like to incorporate community service into my own life," he said.
College students Amber Haley of Palmer and Alyssa Weisblatt of Charlton are not making the trip. The duo said they set up a tarot card booth to help friends who are traveling to Arizona.
"I admire people who give up their vacation to do something worthwhile," said Weisblatt.
"I'm here to support my friend who is going," said Haley. "I really think it's wonderful."
And the alternative break crew might not forgo all the pleasures of basking on a sunny beach, Haley said, and noted the southwestern destination.
"They could still get a suntan," she said.
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Dalton Day Returns This Saturday
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The town's popular Dalton Day festival is returning this weekend after a year's hiatus.
The event will kick off this Saturday at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. in the field in front of the Senior Center.
The community celebration was established in 2023 by the Cultural Council in an effort to increase resident participation at town meetings while also showcasing the area's welcoming, diverse, artistic and sporty atmosphere. In 2024, the event brought together 300 residents.
"The primary mission of Dalton Day is to foster a strong sense of community, build civic pride, and bring residents together through a shared celebration of local culture, music, and food," said Jeannie Ingram, Select Board member and cultural council chair, and Lori Venezia, executive assistant to the town manager.
The event provides an accessible and free platform for "civic education, community bonding, and supporting local businesses, artisans, makers, and culture more broadly," they said.
The festival strengthens the fabric of the town both civically and economically by connecting grassroots organizations with residents, fostering a shared sense of belonging, and providing free, family-friendly entertainment.
It also serves as an opportunity for community members to meet with local officials and a couple of state officials. State Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Leigh Davis will be coming from Beacon Hill to speak at the event.
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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
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