Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration: "Together We Can"

By Krystal Grow12:00AM / Monday, January 15, 2007Print Story | Email Story

North Adams Mayor John Barrett III presented Donald and Sally Goodrich with a Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee Peacemaker Award during a Jan. 15 event that honored King's memory and civil rights legacy. [Photo by Paul Guillotte]
View Slide Show

North Adams -â€œTogether we can,â€ sang dozens of voices, and not even an icy Jan. 15 morning subdued notes of hope that echoed through a Martin Luther King Day celebration at the city's First Baptist Church. The program's message was one of tolerance, understanding and enlightenment through education. A diverse group represented numerous religions and racial and cultural backgrounds. The culturally varied gathering was united for solid purpose: to honor King, remember his civil rights activism, and acknowledge his continued societal impact nearly 39 years after he was slain in Memphis. Had he lived, King would have celebrated his 78th birthday on Jan. 15. King was 35 years old in 1964 when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the youngest person to receive the prize at that time. King donated the financial award of $54,123 toward the advance of the civil rights movement. Peacemaker Award Celebration committee members traditionally honor area residents who strive to continue Kingâ€™s legacy and promote peace and understanding. This year's Peacemaker Award was presented to Sally and Donald Goodrich, a Bennington, Vt. couple who relied upon Kingâ€™s example to overcome their own personal tragedy, and bring a message of tolerance and understanding to others. Sally and Donald Goodrich's son, Peter, was killed at the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001. The grief-stricken couple turned their personal pain into a remarkable gain for others when they established the Peter M. Goodrich Memorial Foundation. Through numerous donations and a personal dedication to understanding and tolerance, the foundation erected a school in Afghanistan. Students are educated at the school and the education includes a sharing of cultures. From The Spirit Of A Son While accepting the award, the couple appeared modest and humble and offered a few words of gratitude to the entire community. Donald Goodrich spoke with emotion about the project. â€œThis is something that rises from the spirit of our son, something positive,â€ Don Goodrich said. â€œThere is hope, and we can make a difference. Even if that difference is to 520 kids in Afghanistan, itâ€™s a positive difference, and we can do it.â€ About 120 individuals attended the event, among them city Mayor John Barrett III, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts President Mary K. Grant, state Sen. Benjamin Downing and state Rep. Daniel E. Bosley. Inspiration Bosley served as the event's keynote speaker and was welcomed to the podium with a standing ovation. Last week, Bosley announced a decision to decline a post as an economic advisor to Gov. Deval Patrick and remain as the elected First Berkshire District delegate to the state House of Representatives. Bosley delivered words that emphasized that significance of community awareness and a conviction that all people can generate a positive impact on their communities. His words underscored a need for hope and perseverance as well as a need to become involved in endeavors that benefit locally and globally. â€œThere is still much work to be done,â€ he said. â€œWe must try every day to make a difference in the lives of those around us, to draw inspiration from our neighbors.â€ Bosley noted the political climate faced by King and he illustrated parallels to current attitudes. There remains a great need to teach tolerance and understanding and strive for peace and tolerance, he said. During his remarks, Downing acknowledged an admiration of King and King's unwavering but non-violent quest for civil rights and justice. Downing noted King's recognition of a need for unified community as opposed to community divided along racial or religious barriers. â€œOur struggles are not our own,â€ he said as he quoted King and emphasized the importance of neighborhood unity and strength. Grant delivered a poetry reading of "Frederick Douglass," a poem written by renowned African-American poet Robert Hayden. Hayden was the U.S. Library of Congress Consultant in Poetry from 1976 to 1978; in 1985, the title was changed to Poet Laureate Consultant. Readings included selections from the Qur'an, a Hebrew reading and a reading from the Bible. The Savoy Public Library was awarded funds for the purchase of childrens' books that offer education about cultural diversity and understanding. Youth Honor King Through Music And Dance The celebration of King's life and legacy was highlighted with several youth performances. Drury High School seniors Krista Duplantis and Shaina Chappell delivered strong singing performances. Duplantis was accompanied by pianist Michael Blair, 17, and Chappell delivered an a capella performance. Blair also accompanied himself on the piano as he sang the classic John Lennon-written song "Imagine." A step-dance exhibition was performed by the locally-based group "The Steppers." First Baptist Church pastor Rev. David Andrews led the welcome and the city-based St. John's Episcopal Church pastor Rev. Edward King led a group prayer. Organist Lucy Sherrill and pianist Rachel Branch provided music during the event. Celebration committee Chairman Alex Daugherty spoke during the celebration and his son Jake delivered a poetry reading. The Martin Luther King Day event was sponsored by the North Adams Human Services Commission and the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire. Additional support was provided by the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Members of the Martin Luther King Celebration Committee are Daugherty, King, Branch,2006 Peacemaker Award honoree Stephen Green, Susan Walker, Liz Baker, Kathy Keeser, Carolyn Leab, Liz Boland and Thomas Alexander. The celebration was followed by a free community lunch at the church.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

Summer Sizzle!

0% APR for new card holders. Apply today at Greylock! Subject to credit approval. Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Affordable Housing Advocates Look to Ballot Initiatives, State Legislation

By John TownesSpecial to iBerkshires
06:28PM / Monday, June 01, 2026

This five-part series looks at the challenges in building affordable housing and at some solutions in Berkshire County. Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5.

Regulatory reform is widely considered an important key in the overall effort to increase the supply and affordability of housing.

It's estimated that building a modest house can cost as much as $500,000 today.

While the rising price of materials and services are also responsible for this, a significant factor is the expense and delays that are required to meet stringent requirements and regulations. This impacts projects ranging from large developments to renovations by individual homeowners.

Despite differences and some controversies over specifics, there is widespread consensus on the need to streamline bureaucratic hurdles and red tape for new housing and rehabilitation of existing properties.

Reforms are intended to address excessive or unnecessary regulations and procedures in zoning, building codes and other requirements that proponents say stifle affordable construction and more efficient land-use.

One statewide advocacy group is Abundant Housing Massachusetts, a coalition of local community groups and others who

support pro-housing policies.

View Full Story