CHESHIRE - The organizers of the 15th annual Memory Walk in Berkshire County had one word to describe Alzheimer's disease - devastating.
"It's devastating," said William "Bill" Kittler, chairman of the seven-member Memory Walk committee. "This disease is the type of disease that affects individuals and the people around them like no other. It's devastating emotionally and it's devastating financially."
With virtually no treatment and no known causes, Alzheimer's now afflicts an estimated 5 million people nationwide. The degenerative illness affects the brain and is the most common form of dementia, though scientists are still unsure of its origin.
Approximately 170,000 people live with Alzheimer's in Massachusetts, 4,000 of whom reside in Berkshire County.
"Unlike so many other illnesses, everyone in the population is at risk for Alzheimer's," said Karen Gold, a member of the state's Alzheimer's Association board of directors.
With so little attention paid to the disease, it's important that communities find ways to recognize the individuals coping with Alzheimer's and the family members and caregivers who sacrifice so much to care for patients.
"Alzheimer's doesn't get the attention it deserves until we do an event like this," said Kittler.
Organizers expect 400 to 500 Berkshire residents to participate in the Memory Walk on Sept. 15 on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. An event to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer's Association, the walk takes place in 10 locations across the state throughout the month of September.
To date, the Berkshire chapter has raised $350,000 toward the statewide goal of reaching $1.4 million in pledges.
"It's our chance to speak out for those who can't speak out for themselves," said Gold.
According to Marcia McKenzie, the Western Massachusetts coordinator for the Alzheimer's Association, the walk is an opportunity to salute those caring for Alzheimer's patients.
"There are no survivors of this disease, so the walk in itself is a tribute to caregivers," said McKenzie.
The money raised from the Memory Walk will be used to fund caregiver support programs, including professional education, care consultations and connections to local resources.
"All that we do is for the caregiver. By supporting them, we're ultimately saving them," said McKenzie, noting that caregivers endure tremendous stress and often neglect their own lives.
With the rate of those affected with Alzheimer's increasing as the baby boomer generation ages, the Alzheimer's Association is more dedicated to providing support for caregivers.
"The disease is heading toward epidemic proportions," said Gold.
This year's Memory Walk will kick off from Farnam's Road Causeway on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail at 9 a.m. on Sept. 15. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The one- to four-mile walk runs along Cheshire Reservoir and all participants who raise more than $125 receive a free T-Shirt.
This year's honorary chairmen are Pittsfield Mayor James M. Ruberto, whose mother has Alzheimer's disease, and his wife, Ellen. Ruberto will officially proclaim that Sept. 21 is World Alzheimer's Day at the City Council meeting tonight at 7:30.
Live entertainment at the walk will be provided by Bernice Lewis and Bowie the Clown and food has been donated by Applebee's and Papa Joe's Pizzeria.
"It's a serious cause, but it's really a party," said Gold.
For more information about Alzheimer's disease, and how to walk in or volunteer for the Berkshire Memory Walk, contact Marcia McKenzie at 413-787-1113; or visit www.memorywalkma.org for more information about all 10 Memory Walks being held in Massachusetts throughout September.
Jen Thomas can be reached at jthomas@iberkshires.com
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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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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