Downing Sponsors Holiday Greeting Card Design Contest

PITTSFIELD, Mass. —  State Sen. Benjamin Downing wants to show off the talents of a local school child through his annual Christmas cards.

The senator mails out some 3,500 greeting cards each year to friends, family, supporters and colleagues across Massachusetts. This year he is asking local youth to design his card for him. The senator will choose the submission he thinks is the best and the artwork will be the cover for all of this year's greeting cards.

“This year I am sponsoring a holiday greeting card contest for students in grades three through eight,” Downing said.  “I thought it would be fun to spread holiday cheer by using a truly unique card designed by a young constituent.”

The winning design will be chosen by Downing. His printed holiday card will credit the student artist by listing their name, age, grade, school and hometown.

Usually he selects an image that relates to his Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden Senate District.  In 2007 and 2008, he used winter scenes captured by local photographer Bill Tague; since 2009, he has chosen holiday images by Norman Rockwell.

But always had the contest idea is his head. State Sen. Steven Brewer had been running a similar contest in his district for years.

While only one student will be selected for the cards, all of the submissions will be on display in his Pittsfield office. Each year he holds a Toys For Tots reception and he'll be coupling the contest with that, when he will announce the winner.

"All of the submissions will be on display," he said.

Students in grades three through eight who live in the senator’s district are encouraged to participate.  Entry forms can be printed from www.SenatorDowning.com or picked up in Downing’s District Office, located at 7 North St., Suite 307 in Pittsfield.

All submissions must be returned to the District Office by 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13. They can be dropped off Monday through Friday during business hours, sent via US Mail or scanned and emailed to Benjamin.Downing@masenate.gov. If entire school classes participate, Downing said he or his staff will pick the submissions up.

"We've started to reach out to the superintendents of schools," Downing said. ""This is just a fun, community event."

The Senator said he isn't sure what to expect in the inaugural year but he hopes to grow this into an annual event.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.