Bruce Conroy, Marie Harpin, and Michael Chapline at a EC4WD Region D sponsored food drive held Nov. 4.
North Adams - Needy Northern Berkshire children may find more on their plates over the coming weeks thanks to over an estimated 200 pounds of food delivered to the Berkshire Community Action agency's Northern Berkshire office on Nov. 4.
NBCA office coordinator and City Councilor Marie Harpin stood outside at the rear of the 85 Main St. building that hosts the NBCA food pantry. She shivered in the Saturday morning cold but smiled as bags of canned goods and other non-perishable goods piled up.
"Look at these guys, coming up here to do this," she said. "It's unbelievable."
"These guys" included a few gals as well and the entire entourage belong to various four-wheel drive vehicle, off road riding organizations that comprise the East Coast 4-Wheel Drive Association. About 25 members traveled from parts of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and New York to participate in the food drive. Clubs affiliated with the EC4WDA include Rock Attitude 4-Wheelers, CTJEEP.org, Adirondack jeeps, Hudson Valley 4-Wheelers, Underground Jeepers, UCONN Off Road Club, 4ROC-NE, Eastern 4-Wheelers, TTORA-NE,Long Island Off Road, and Berkshire 4-Wheelers.
The event marked the second consecutive year that EC4WDA members hosted the food drive to benefit the NBCA. In 2005, an off-road ride charged an "entry fee" of non-perishable items. Ride participants donated a $168 check as well as a $26 cash donation.
During the Nov. 4 food drive, Eastern 4-Wheelers member and drive organizer Michael Chapline won a 50/50 raffle and immediately donated his $83 winnings to the NBCA.
Clubs affiliated with the EC4WDA are dedicated to offering thanks to communities that support their off road activities, Chapline said.
Club members believe that verbal thanks are not enough, he said. Food drives, trail clean-ups, and toy drives are among the mechanisms for delivering tangible benefits to communities, he said.
"A lot of us who are involved in organized four-wheeling spend a lot of time up here and we appreciate the local support," he said. "We want to do things for the communities that continue to support us."
Chapline's daughters Ashley,11, and Rachael, 10, volunteered their services as well, and helped Harpin transport bags of groceries to a fifth-floor storage area. The sisters then unloaded the bags from carts.
Two organized rides were planned to follow the food drive. One group planned to tackle Old Florida Road and two groups planned to navigate along County Road in Bennington County, Vermont.
The contributions that come from the off-road riders are a great help to the food pantry, she said. The food pantry serves those who reside in the Northern Berkshire region. Food is given free to those who are income-eligible and who need help feeding their families.
"This is the second year that these people have come together and come up here to help us out," she said. "This has been a great asset to the agency."
Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or at 802-823-9367.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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