Red Cross to Hold MASH Bash Benefit

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD - The American Red Cross will hold MASH Bash to benefit the Armed Forces Emergency Services, which support local military and military family services in Berkshire County, on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at American Legion Post 68. It will include a Chinese auction and 50/50 raffle. Dinner will feature a dessert and specialty coffee buffet donated by restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops and cafes throughout Berkshire County to top off the more traditional rations of SOS (yes, SOS!), mashed potatoes, and peas. Participants are encouraged to dress in fatigues or as a favorite "MASH" character, or come as you are. Anyone who has a "USO style" act is welcome to perform. Prizes will be awarded for the best lookalikes. Many of service members are on their second or third deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan; they and their families are being affected by these long separations emotionally and financially. The Red Cross assists these families through Emergency Communication Services, Social Services and Family Support Group. The American Red Cross does this through its charter received in 1905 from the Congress to act as a link between military personnel and their families. The U.S. government does not provide these programs; they are supported by the communities that the Red Cross serves. Tickets are available at the American Red Cross on West Street,Wood Brothers and Johnnie’s Variety, as well as at the American Legion in North Adams, LP Adams Hardware in Dalton, Wheeler & Taylor Insurance Co. in Great Barrington. For more information about the bash or to purchase tickets by credit card, call 413-442-1506 or e-mail pizzike@usa.redcross.org.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Construction is underway to transform the former Harry's Supermarket into a restaurant

Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building. 

"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu. 

A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building. 

White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.  

He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns. 

Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot. 

A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use. 

View Full Story

More Central County Stories