The Clark Family Singers to come to MCLA

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North Adams - The Clark Family Singers from Norwalk, CT, will be the headliners for The Margaret A. Hart Gospel Fest to be held on Friday, October 21, 2005, at 7:00 p.m., at the MCLA Church Street Center in North Adams. The Margaret A. Hart Gospel Fest is sponsored and presented by the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Patrons of the Arts Series. The Gospel Fest will also feature The Price Memorial AME Zion Church Gospel Choir and The Williams College Gospel Choir, both of which have performed at each Gospel Fest. Miss Margaret A. Hart was the first student of color to graduate in 1935 from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (then known as North Adams State Teachers College). She was a consummate educator for more than five decades and was a Civil Rights activist. Dr. Hart's dedication and community service spanned a lifetime. She died at the age of 92 on February 20, 2004. In 1996, MCLA awarded her an Honorary Doctor of Pedagogy in acknowledgment of her distinguished lifetime achievements. In 2000 a scholarship fund was established in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the College and to Berkshire County. The scholarship award is offered to a junior or senior MCLA student who has demonstrated academic excellence and service to the community. Preference is given to students of color and to Berkshire County residents. The first Gospel Fest was held in 2001 to raise funds for the scholarship. Mr. Mathew Clark, the father of The Clark Family Singers, is the organist and choir director for the Seventh Day Adventist Church and the St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Norwalk and the Community Baptist Church in New Canaan, CT. The family includes Mrs. Clark (Deanean) and their daughters, Tammara, 16, Charlene, 14, Shelly, 13, and their son Darchell, 15. Mr. Clark is a former Norwalk City Council Member. Tammara is a High Honors student at J. M. Wright Technical School in Stamford, CT. Darchell, an artist and basketball player (Unbeaten City Champs!), attends Norwalk High School. Charlene's interest is in the culinary arts, and her dream is to be a Master Chef. Shelly is also a basketball player on the Girls Basketball Team (City Champs!) in Norwalk. In addition to their home church, the family has performed in Bridgeport, CT., at the Golden Hill United Methodist Church, Brooklawn Seventh Day Adventist Church, Messiah Baptist Church, East End Baptist Church and Calvary Seventh Day Adventist Church. On January 17, 2005, the Clark Family Singers performed at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Birthday Celebration in New Canaan, CT, with the great Civil Rights activist, singer and composer, Mr. Pete Seeger. The Clark Family Singers have also performed in New York, Long Island, Delaware and Baltimore, Maryland. Each concertgoer can expect an evening of awesome inspiration from Gospel music to fill one's soul. General Admission tickets are $10. Tickets for MCLA Faculty and Staff are $3, and Patrons of the Arts Contributors and Students are free. Please call 413-662-5543 for further information.
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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



 

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