Berkshire Humane Society’s Holiday Auction & Brunch

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PITTSFIELD, Mass - The Berkshire Humane Society will be holding its annual Holiday Auction on Sunday November 16th at the Crowne Plaza in Pittsfield, Sherry Betit, a Chair-Committee member, says, “The change of venue to the Crowne Plaza Ballroom will allow for a greater number of people to enjoy the festivities and to comfortably bid on the great auction items we have this year.”

Doors open for the Silent Auction at 11am, Brunch will begin at 11:30am and the Live Auction is planned to start at 1pm. A buffet style brunch will include Vegan and Vegetarian choices in the newly renovated Ballroom at the Crowne Plaza. Tickets are $25 per person, which includes admission to the auctions. Tickets are available by calling Diane at 413-447-7878 ext. 31.  Auction only admission will be available at the door for $5 and pre-registration is also available for the auction only participants.

The silent and live auctions include a James Taylor signed Guitar, Golf for four at the Stockbridge and Taconic Golf courses, original works of art, a variety of vacation packages featuring the Boston Intercontinental Hotel, MOOO restaurant and BSO tickets. There will also be many gift certificates to fine area restaurants and professional services. For a more detailed list of items please visit www.berkshirehumane.org. “The Auction is one of our premiere events that helps keep the shelter operating all year”, says John Perreault, Executive Director of the Berkshire Humane Society. “We count on the revenues from this auction to help support the many programs at BHS for example, free humane educational programs to local schools, low cost spay neuter programs and SafePet Foster homes for families in crisis,” he added. The Berkshire Humane Society relies on proceeds from events like this and from private donations because we receive no state or federal funding.

The Berkshire Humane Society is an open admission shelter, providing refuge for homeless animals in Berkshire County, free educational programs for local school children, a pet-food bank for economically distressed pet owners, and assistance for The Elizabeth Freeman Center in providing women with a safe haven for their pets during crisis. BHS receives no public funding and relies on memberships and donations to continue to help Animals and People. The shelter is open Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4pm, Thursday evenings 5-8pm, and Sundays 1-4pm. The shelter closes at noon on the last Wednesday of each month. The phone number is 413-447-7878. www.berkshirehumane.org.
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Taconic High Names Top Students of the Class of 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Taconic High School Principal Matthew Bishop has announced the valedictorian and salutatorian of the class of 2026. 
 
They will speak during the graduation ceremony on Friday, June 12, at 4 p.m at Tanglewood in Lenox. 
 
Gavin O'Donnell, son of Kevin and Colleen O'Donnell of Pittsfield, has been named valedictorian with a grade average of 103. Hunter Bentz, son of Heidi Bentz of Pittsfield, has been named salutatorian with a grade average of 102.4.
 
Throughout his high school career, O'Donnell has exemplified the values of leadership, commitment, and excellence that define the Taconic community. He achieved high honors all four years and made significant contributions to both the school and the wider community. He was an active member of the Link Crew, Green and Gold, and Class Council, just to name a few of his activities. 
 
A dedicated athlete, O'Donnell played soccer and baseball all four years and was named captain of the varsity soccer and baseball teams both junior and senior years. His commitment to service extended beyond athletics, as he volunteered with Unified Games and was a math tutor at Taconic. He has also been an active part of Pittsfield Soccer Club, where he has helped
referee youth soccer games and assisted in getting the fields ready for game days.
 
He has earned several awards, including being a member of the National Honor Society,  the John and Abigail Adams Award, and being an AP Scholar and an AP Capstone Graduate. 
 
O'Donnell plans to pursue a degree in finance at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where he will continue to play baseball and hopes to excel as a student. 
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