Snow, sleet, freezing rain. Delays, more delays, cancellations. What would the holidays be without them? Countless Americans travel during this season, to visit loved ones and friends and to hopefully end the year on a joyous, positive note. But stress can build faster than newly-fallen snow, especially when it comes to holiday traveling.
“So often during the holidays, people have too ambitious of an agenda and try to cram too much into their agendas,†says Dr. Steve O’Brien, psychology faculty at Argosy University/Tampa.
Whether flying, driving, or taking a one-horse open sleigh, travelers should plan logistics in advance. Activities such as bad weather and plane delays might temporarily spoil plans, but it is important to focus. “It is so easy to get over-stimulated and impatient in terminals and jammed highways. Try planning the best you can, and then hone in on the true spirit of the travels and the end destination,†advises O’Brien.
Besides the obvious transportation travel woes, there are key psychological preparations holiday travelers can develop to assuage stress. “Use the holidays to keep things light. Sometimes we have to see family members with which we have strained relationships. Pressure can mount,†says O’Brien.
In addition to caring for the well-being of children during holiday travels, parents can help reduce stress by talking about limitations – helping kids understand consumerism and the true meaning behind the holidays. “Community service and gestures of goodwill should trump the notion that consumerism equals happiness,†says Dr. O’Brien.
As families gear up to visit friends and loved ones this holiday season, it is not impossible to reduce emotional stress during such a traditionally hectic time of the year. Regardless of any adversity that may come our way, the best attitude to truly enjoy the season is three-fold: keep it light, keep it focused, and keep it merry.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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