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Daily DigestMercury Spill
The Berkshire Eagle is reporting a minor mercury spill at Hillcrest Educational Centers in Great Barrington.
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Duff'em If You've Got'em
 North Adams Regional Hospital went smoke-free Monday — so did all its sister sites, from Sweet Brook to Northern Berkshire Family Practice to the Women's Exchange. No ashtrays, no smoking: No butts about it. |
Meetings
The Drury High School Council meets Tuesday, Jan 13, at 6:30 in the conference room. Agenda items include AYP, school grant, laptop initiative and PowerSchool updates. |
Wanted: Eagle Eyes
 MassWildlife's annual eagle count runs Dec. 31 to Jan. 14. Anyone sighting one of the regal birds in Massachusetts is asked to participate.
Send date, time, location and town of eagle sightings, number of birds, whether juvenile or adult and observer's contact information to Mass.wildlife@state.ma.us. |
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 iBerkshires accepts submissions about local events, news and opinion pieces. There are openings for freelance work, too, for qualified candidates. E-mail tdaniels@iberkshires.com to find out more. |
Work at the State House
Sen. Benjamin Downing is looking for college-level interns to assist at his State House office this semester. Send your resume and cover letter to Bethann Steiner, chief of staff, Office of Sen. Benjamin Downing, State House, Room 413-F, Boston, MA 02133. |
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Obama TransitionOther StuffMars Rovers Mark 5 Years
 Spirit and Opportunity have been trekking the red planet for half a decade. Spirit hit the 5-year mark on Sunday; Opportunity will on Jan. 24. |
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Annual Pie Auction Benefits Local PantriesBy Tammy Daniels - November 25, 2008
iBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The bidding was brisk Monday night as auctioneers Roy Burdick and Harry LaGess made short work of the 54 pies submitted for this year's Oh Be Thankful Pie Auction.
The bidding wasn't quite as stratospheric as last year when prices hit more than $50 (possibly because Northern Berkshire School Union's former superintendent Jay Barry is no longer around and notorious bidder-upper Kathy Keeser had to leave early) and there weren't as many pies.
But that was fine with Gabriel Abbott School Principal Heidi Dugal, who started the pie auction nine years ago as a community service project. "We made $1,300," she said. "That's pretty good."
Dugal's Rasberry Patch creation was typical of the bidding, going for $22 to new Superintendent Jonathon Lev.
Pupils from Gabriel Abbott in the town of Florida and Clarksburg and Savoy elementary schools participated.
Fifty-four pies ranging from chocolate to fruit to custard and everything in between, including at least one cake and quiche, were quickly snapped up by parents, relatives and school staff in less than two hours.
Digging in
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The auction, contest and 50/50 raffle benefit the Berkshire Food Project and Community Action Elf Program and food pantry. It also pays for supplies for the pupils to bake 20 apple and 20 pumpkin pies for the American Legion's annual Christmas dinner.
Ribbons were given out for some of the tastiest pies by more than 20 judges. The price to enter the contest is a canned good for the food pantry. The children have to make two pies — one for sampling and one for auctioning.
Emma Andrews has ribbons to spare |
A class of Clarksburg fifth-graders entered a winning cookielike pie and shared in its creation, said 10-year-old Beth Billetz, who added the pies were made at the school.
"It was so much fun," said classmate Shayla Macomber, 12, who explained how the group had split up the work. It was Shayla's first time participating with the auction. "Oh yeah, I'll do it again."
A proud Emma Andrews of Clarksburg was carrying three ribbons — a first and two thirds — for her Grasshopper Mint Pie."I made the grasshopper pie but without the liquor," said the 10-year-old. "My mom helped a little bit."
Andrews' winning creation was quickly gobbled up as the bidders got their turn to sample the pies displayed on tables in the Legion hall.
Not all the piemakers were happy with their creations. Fourth-grader Carah Cote of Savoy won a third prize for her No-Bake Chocolate but admitted she liked a creamier fudge pie better.
Despite her reservations, the No-Bake was swiftly auctioned off, likely next to appear on local Thanksgiving dinner table. |
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