NBCC's Spring Neighborlies Honors Community Members

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Northern Berkshire Neighbors program of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition held its Spring Neighborlies Community Recognition Award Ceremony at Congregation Beth Israel on May 4.

Friends, family and many supporters gathered to honor and congratulate individuals and groups in the Northern Berkshire communities whose acts of kindness and volunteer efforts have made a significant difference in the lives of their neighbors and the community.

"One of the most wonderful things about living in Northern Berkshire is that we recognize the importance of saying thank you. We say thank you for small acts of kindness, as well as large feats of bravery. And we do it publicly, and say it loudly. We do so because all these kindnesses are what makes Northern Berkshire such a great place to live," said Annie Rodgers, coordinator of Northern Berkshire Neighbors.

Northern Berkshire Community Coalition staff and Mayor Richard Alcombright presented Neighborlies to the following recipients:

Community Health and Wellness: True North, The Motta Family, Steve Meranti, Sergeant Jason Wood, Scott Manship, Sarah Emerson, Sandy Lamb and Mary Spitzer Center staff and volunteers, Patricia Duteau, Misha Amaral, Michael Cozzaglio, Lindsey Piantoni, Kyle Cahoon, Keith Bona, John Meaney, Jim Holmes, Jesse Lee Egan Poirier, Jennifer Munoz, Jake Snow, Heaven Mazza, Hannah Baker, Faith Christian, Emily Cooper, E3 Students, David Lemieux, Dave Sherman, Courtney Randall, Colleen Mazza, Cathleen King, Brenda Piantoni, Ben Austin, Becky and Caleb Miner, Barbara Meczywor, Anthony Beverly, Amy Christian, Abby Reifsnyder.

Business/Agency Support: Ron Sheldon, North Adams Movieplex, Lisa Donavon, Jen Crowell, Diane Scott, Corinne Case, Captain Katherine Corno.



Groups Pulling Together: Wendy Krom, The Motta Family, Sophie Lane, Shirley Davis, Samantha White, Ryan Walters, Robin Lenz, Philip Smith, Perri Bernstein, Pastor Larry Jones Jr., Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative, Nate Massari, Misa Chappell, Michael Daunis, Mayor Richard Alcombright, Matthew Shiebler, Lynda Field, Lois Daunis, Kim Murphy, Kim Dilego, Kathryn Remillard, Kathryn Remillard, Katherine Hrach, Joe Aidonidis, Jess Sweeney, Jennifer Thompson, Jennifer Mattern, Jen Munoz, Hannah Lane, Enid Shields, Elaine Mattern, Dolores Lovegreen, David Lane, David Horton, David De Marsico, Dan Archambeau, Courtney Randall, Christopher Read, Chris St. John, Charlie Blaisdell, Carrie Crews, Brayton Hill Maintenance Department, Beth Jones, Barbara Kourajian, Aubrey Armstrong, Anne Goodwin, Ann Clark, Angelica Peredes, Amanda Beckwith.

Youth Taking the Lead: Tylar Martin, Travis Rice, Steven Burdick, Shannon Charbonneau, Sapphire Holland, Robert Foster,  Mitch Poirier, Lakeria Darkins, Keylon Sheppard, Jacob Bartlett, Instructor John Kline and Metal Fabrication Students at McCann Tech, Hannah Witter, Gabe Barry, Epiphany Thomas, Elijah Archer, Derek Torres, Derek Koffi-Ziter, Courtney Munson, Caitlin Mayes, , Brianna Martin, Brandi Labelle, Aaron Brooks.

Neighborly Acts: Virginia Boucher, Shirley Davis, Rick LaCosse and Family, Peter Belouin, Peg Labombard, Paul Marino, Nathan Rodgers, Mr. & Mrs. Larry Jones Sr., Michelle Poirier, Mary Redstone, Lyn Wilson, Joselyn Barrett, Jennifer Jones Blair, Jenn Downs, Herb Wilkinson, Gail Oberst, Gail LaCosse, Francesca Shanks, Eric Wilson, Edward LaCosse, Dick Farnham, Crystal Ogert, Carla Schultz, Ann Wilton.

The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people in Northern Berkshire County by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community.


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North Adams Regional Reopens With Ribbon-Cutting Celebration

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

BHS President and CEO Darlene Rodowicz welcomes the gathering to the celebration of the hospital's reopening 10 years to the day it closed. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The joyful celebration on Thursday at North Adams Regional Hospital was a far cry from the scene 10 years ago when protests and tears marked the facility's closing
 
Hospital officials, local leaders, medical staff, residents and elected officials gathered under a tent on the campus to mark the efforts over the past decade to restore NARH and cut the ribbon officially reopening the 136-year-old medical center. 
 
"This hospital under previous ownership closed its doors. It was a day that was full of tears, anger and fear in the Northern Berkshire community about where and how residents would be able to receive what should be a fundamental right for everyone — access to health care," said Darlene Rodowicz, president and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems. 
 
"Today the historic opportunity to enhance the health and wellness of Northern Berkshire community is here. And we've been waiting for this moment for 10 years. It is the key to keeping in line with our strategic plan which is to increase access and support coordinated county wide system of care." 
 
Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, under the BHS umbrella, purchased the campus and affiliated systems when Northern Berkshire Healthcare declared bankruptcy and closed on March 28, 2014. NBH had been beset by falling admissions, reductions in Medicare and Medicaid payments, and investments that had gone sour leaving it more than $30 million in debt. 
 
BMC was able to reopen the ER as an emergency satellite facility and slowly restored and enhanced medical services including outpatient surgery, imaging, dialysis, pharmacy and physician services. 
 
But it would take a slight tweak in the U.S. Health and Human Services' regulations — thank to U.S. Rep. Richie Neal — to bring back inpatient beds and resurrect North Adams Regional Hospital 
 
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