Rolling Thunder: Fall Run 2005

By Susan BushPrint Story | Email Story
Fall Run co-founder and Custom City Cycle shop owner Mike Robert
Adams- Leather, chrome, and the deep rumble of motorcycle engines filled Bowe Field on Sept. 25 when hundreds of “iron horses” powered up and thundered into the Fall Run 2005. This year marks the 24th consecutive time that riders from all across the Northeast have ridden –no matter what the weather- to raise money for specific organizations. Since 1989, the run has generated revenues for the Springfield-based Shriners Hospital, including the Shriners Burn Unit. As this year’s run morning dawned, the multi-year total raised for the hospital was at about $196,000; by the end of the run, it was expected that the grand total would be well over $200,000, said run founders and organizers Michael Robert and Chris “Sam” Samson, of the Adams-based Custom City Cycle shop. Past run beneficiaries include the United Way, the Massachusetts Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and organizations dedicated to multiple sclerosis efforts. Shriners hospitals care for children at no cost to families, and the work accomplished at the hospitals is appreciated internationally. “We have supported other groups,” said Samson. “Then we hooked up with the Shriners and we’ve been with them ever since.” Ron Whitney is a Shriner member and said that the fall runs have become a major revenue source for the hospitals. “It helps keep the hospital going,” Whitney said. “This is a major event for the Shriners.” Robert said that the run grows larger just about every year. This year, riders from regions such as Burlington, Vt. and Hoboken, N.J. made hours-long trips to join the 60-mile ride, which ended at Mohawk Park in Charlemont, Mass.. “We’ve raised quite a bit of money for the Shriners,” Robert said. “Staff meetings [run volunteer coordinators] begin in August. Most of the credit for this goes to the senior staff, people who’ve been doing this since the beginning. People are running their own departments and I don’t have to tell anybody what to do. They know, and it gets done.” The Shriners Hospital provides medical care for a host of conditions, including neuromuscular disorders including cerebral palsy, metabolic bone disease, and scoliosis and other spine conditions. Outreach clinics that travel across the Northeast and to regions including the Caribbean and Cyprus provide evaluations and care to children who cannot easily make a trip to the Springfield hospital. Since it opened in 1925, the Shriners Hospital has delivered medical care to over 42,000 children from around the world –for free. A multi-photograph “Fall Run 2005” slideshow will be posted at www.iberkshires.com during the upcoming week. Additional information about the Shriners Hospital is available at the www.shrinershq.org Internet web site. Additional information about Custom City Cycle and next year’s 25th Fall Run anniversary is available at the www.customcitycycle.com Internet web site or by calling the shop at 413-743-4631. Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush123@adelphia.net or at 802-823-9367.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Dalton Announces New Supplier for Energy Program

DALTON, Mass. – The Town of Dalton has signed a thirty-four month contract with a new supplier, First Point Power.
 
Beginning with the January 2026 meter reads, the Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program will have a new rate of $0.13042 per kWh. The Program will also continue to offer an optional 100 percent green product, which is derived from National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), at a rate of $0.13142 per kWh.
 
For Dalton residents and businesses who are enrolled in the Town's Program, the current rate of $0.13849 per kWh will expire with the January 2026 meter reads and the new rate of $0.13042 per kWh will take effect. This represents a decrease of $5 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. Additionally, this new rate is 3 percent lower than Eversource's Residential Basic Service rate of $0.13493 per kWh. Residents can expect to see an
average savings of $3 per month for the month of January 2026. Eversource's Basic Service rates
will change on Feb. 1, 2026.
 
Dalton launched its electricity program in January 2015 in an effort to develop an energy program that would be stable and affordable. From inception through June 2025, the Program has saved residents and small businesses over $1.7 million in electricity costs as compared to Eversource Basic Service.
 
It is important to note that no action is required by current participants. This change will be seen on the February 2026 bills. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will remain with their current product offering and see the new rate and First Point Power printed under the "Supplier Services" section of their monthly bill.
 
The Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program has no fees or charges. However, anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching.
 
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