Pay It Forward, the 2000 movie starring Haley Joel Osment and Kevin Spacey, promoted the idea that doing good deeds promotes other good deeds that at some point will affect your life.
"I look at Community Night as a way of paying it forward," said Bounti Fare Restaurant owner David Nicholas.
In the movie, Osment's teacher, Spacey, challenges his class to come up with an idea to make the world a better place. Osment's character comes up with a plan in which one person initiates good deeds with the hope that it will have a ripple effect and continue to move forward.
The movie wasn't a blockbuster, but the idea stuck. A national insurance company is currently using the concept in their advertising campaign.
Community is the Key
"We want to assist organizations that have a direct impact on our community," said Nicholas. "We asked for suggestions from our group on who we could benefit."
The group includes motorcycle enthusiasts, family, friends and frequent diners at the Bounti Fare Restaurant.
"We thought about a motorcycle run; it was a popular idea," said Nicholas, "But, then someone suggested since we get together almost every Tuesday anyway, why not do something at the restaurant to benefit the community?"
Every Tuesday night from June to mid-September, Nicholas opens the courtyard of the Bounti Fare Restaurant in Adams for a barbeque. The proceeds generated from food sales and raffle ticket sales go to local community organizations.
He has impressed the non-profit community at large. A lot of the organizations that will benefit from community night count on grants and donations to help them stay afloat. Many organizations have approached Nicholas to inquiry about getting involved next summer.
"The idea that a local business would dedicate a night to the community is very impressive," according to REACH for Breast Health Program Manager Polly Macpherson. "We sincerely appreciate all donations and its a great way to bring awareness to the community as well."
Community Night has already raised close to $900 for local organizations.
Volunteers Welcome
"People have been coming out of the woodworks to help out," said Nicholas. "I'm very proud of how much we have accomplished and we've only just begun."
And, Nicholas noted that Bounti Fare suppliers have been supportive as well. Coca-Cola, Commercial Beverage and Giardi Distributors all have donated raffle prizes.
Volunteers have included Margaret Landy, Bob and Deb Noel, Rick and Stacy Cantoni, Barb and Tony Falco, and Mike and Nancy Lewis. They sell raffle tickets, assist with the barbeque and promote support of the community organizations.
"When you hear a community member talk about a local organization in a positive manner, you are more apt to pay attention to what they are doing and support them in their efforts," said Liz Baker, executive director of Adams' Youth Center, Inc.
"We were amazed at the dedication of the volunteers who wanted to help out local kids. I had a very positive experience," Baker continued.
Don't Forget About the Food
The food stays true to a classic barbeque: hamburgers, hot dogs and corn on the cob. But there are also steamers as well as hot sausage for sale. Nicholas has promised to add items as they come into season.
Community Night kicked off on June 19th with plans to run through September. The Shriners, Louison House, the Adams Youth Center and REACH Men's and Women's Health Programs were the first community organizations sponsored.
Upcoming participants of community night include Adams Cub Scouts Troop #38 on July 24th, Alert Hose Company on July 31st, Adams American Legion on August 7th, BFair on August 14th, the Children's Memorial Fund on August 21st and SHARE in September.
Margaret "Maggie" Landy added "we hope to wrap up community night in September with a benefit featuring live music for all of the local organizations who we've committed to this year. It's been a great experience so far."
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
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.
Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
Jason Codey struck out 13, walked two and allowed just an infield single as the Generals earned a 7-1 win over Wahconah to claim their third straight regional title. click for more
Gracelyn Wright struck out eight, and Genevieve Lagess went 3-for-5 with four runs batted in as the Hurricanes beat Monson, 17-3, to claim their first Western Mass title in four years. click for more
For the boys, Ward Bianchi helped lead the way with a win in the shot put and a second place in the javelin as the Mounties finished 16 points ahead of runner-up Pittsfield (pending the results of the pole vault, which were unavailable at 11 p.m. Friday night). click for more
