St. Stanislaus School benefit, 9 to 4 in Kolbe Hall, Adams. Bake sale, snack bar, games, Chinese auctions, money raffle, crafts, and pierogi.
Blackinton Union Church, 1373 Massachusetts Ave., North Adams; 10 to 2. Crafts table, bake sale, Chinese auction, the Christmas table, and kid's grab bag. Lunch $4, $2 kids.
First Congregational Church, North Adams, 9-2.
Nov. 28 Becket Federated Church, Route 8, holiday bazaar from 9-3. Lunch, crafts, baked goods, holiday and other items. Information: Mary Peltier, Parish House, 413-623-5217.
Dec. 5
Holiday Fair at First Congregational Church, 25 Park Place, Lee, from 10 to 3; handcrafted items, raffles, children's shop, bake sale, cut Christmas trees and lunch from 11 to 1. Includes angel-themed goods from SERRV. Information, 413-243-1033 or www.ucc-lee.org.
Dec. 12-13
North Adams Country Club, crafts 9-4; food from That's a Wrap from 11-2. Information: Sheryl Morehouse at 413-822-3329.
Planning a bazaar this season? Submit information to info@iberkshires.com to have it listed here.
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Send press releases and announcements to info@iberkshires.com. Need to contact someone at iBerkshires? Here's how.
Mammography Dispute The government's issued controversial new guidelines stating that women shouldn't get annual mammograms until age 50, rather than age 40.
iBerkshires will be meeting with local medical experts Monday. Have a question you'd like answered on this issue? Send it info@iberkshires.com with "mammogram" in the subject line.
Granddaughter Rebuilds Family Home Through Habitat For Humanity
09:48AM / Friday, August 31, 2007
PITTSFIELD - Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity and the Berkshire chapter of the Western Massachusetts Homebuilders Association is inviting the public to a dedication ceremony Sept. 9 for a rehabilitated home on Jubilee Hill.
The house will be sold to Courtney Hamilton, the granddaughter of longtime owners Shirley and Randolph Hamilton. The ceremony will begin at the Christian Center, 193 Robbins Ave., at 1 p.m. and tours of the house at 31 Division St. will follow.
Shirley and Randolph Hamilton raised their seven children and numerous foster children at the house. According to one of those children, Cheryl Nolan-Wallah, the house sat vacant for a couple of years before the Hamilton children realized that none of them was in a position to take responsibility for the needed repairs. They remembered that their mother had spoken of giving the building to Habitat for Humanity, and made contact with the local affiliate, which accepted the property in about 2002.
At about the same time, Courtney Hamilton had begun her required "sweat equity" hours as the head of a Habitat Partner Family. While she helped to renovate and build Habitat houses for other partner families, she began to wonder about the Division Street property, where she had often visited her grandparents and celebrated holidays as a child. She wrote a letter to the Habitat board, explaining the memories and family tradition associated with the house, and asking whether she could purchase that house when she finished her sweat equity requirements. The board, which had not been aware of the connection, soon replied that the house would be sold to her when it was completed.
Hamilton grew up in her mother's home, but would often visit her father's parents. "I know growing up, I didn't always feel like a Hamilton," she said. "I went to family functions but I never felt as close as the other cousins. Having the Hamilton house, keeping it in the family, makes me feel more like a Hamilton.
"My mother and I would go up to visit at least once a week when I was growing up," she continued. "I still see my grandfather sitting outside in his car. When I turn the corner, I still see my grandmother sitting in her dining room. My grandmother would read my mother's tea leaves. When I walk in the house, I still see the old floor plan; I still remember the way it was."
The Division Street house is the 16th home built or rehabilitated by Habitat in Pittsfield since the local chapter began in 1993. Significant work on this property, including a new roof, was provided by the Berkshire Chapter of the Western Mass. Homebuilders Association. The interior of the home was gutted, and rebuilt according to a design by Ben Szalewicz, when he was associated with Blueline Design. (He now works at Centerline Architects in Bennington, VT.)
My most heartfelt congratulations to the new homeowner. She has worked so vey hard for this and should be incredibly proud, just as I am of her. She would be most wise to remember to never let anyone take that away from her, no matter what. No one dseserves this more than Ms. Hamilton.
from: Friend
on: 01-26-2008
Congratulations on a job well done! When I was in high school I knew a Hamilton family in that area. All of my memories of then are happy ones. I think what you are doing is wonderful! Congratulations again, for the happy story!!
