Child Care of the Berkshires Holds Annual Meeting at The Orchards, Williamstown

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Child Care of the Berkshires, Inc. held its Annual Meeting on February 9th,Sen. Downing, Anne Nemetz-Carlson, Executive Director, and John Craig, President of Board of Directors
celebrating a year of quality services to families and children. Senator Benjamin B. Downing was the guest speaker for this event, praising the work of Child Care of the Berkshires and speaking about the importance of quality early education and care.

Sen. Downing, Anne Nemetz-Carlson, Executive Director, and John Craig, President of Board of Directors

Anne Nemetz-Carlson, the Executive Director, announced that two of its child care centers, Monument Square Early Childhood Center in North Adams and South Berkshire Early Childhood Center in Great Barrington, had received accreditation by NAEYC and the Healthy Families Program has been credentialed by the national organization of Healthy Families America. These achievements are indicators of quality programming and were very labor intensive but well worth the effort and hard work by staff members.

Three new persons were nominated to serve three year terms on the Board of Directors: Heather Boyko of Lee who is a adjunct instructor of chemistry and physics at Berkshire Community College; Susan Durocher of North Adams who is a Project Manager at North Berkshire Health Systems and Jid Sprague of Williamstown who is a volunteer at the Clark Art Institute and also a Board member of the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Three Board members were nominated for additional 3 year terms: John Craig of Williamstown who serves as President, Vickie May and Lynn Meyers of Richmond. Laurie Brown, the Treasurer, gave a financial overview of the agency, including the impact of the latest 9-C cuts. 

Child Care of the Berkshires is a large not-for-profit, early care and family support agency operating a variety of programs throughout Berkshire County.  Its mission is to strengthen families through high quality child care, education, support services and advocacy. It has an operating budget of $11,000, 000 and has programming, including child care centers, family child care homes and family support programs, throughout Berkshire County.
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Dalton Day Returns This Saturday

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The town's popular Dalton Day festival is returning this weekend after a year's hiatus.
 
The event will kick off this Saturday at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. in the field in front of the Senior Center. 
 
The community celebration was established in 2023 by the Cultural Council in an effort to increase resident participation at town meetings while also showcasing the area's welcoming, diverse, artistic and sporty atmosphere. In 2024, the event brought together 300 residents. 
 
"The primary mission of Dalton Day is to foster a strong sense of community, build civic pride, and bring residents together through a shared celebration of local culture, music, and food," said Jeannie Ingram, Select Board member and cultural council chair, and Lori Venezia, executive assistant to the town manager. 
 
The event provides an accessible and free platform for "civic education, community bonding, and supporting local businesses, artisans, makers, and culture more broadly," they said.
 
The festival strengthens the fabric of the town both civically and economically by connecting grassroots organizations with residents, fostering a shared sense of belonging, and providing free, family-friendly entertainment.
 
It also serves as an opportunity for community members to meet with local officials and a couple of state officials. State Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Leigh Davis will be coming from Beacon Hill to speak at the event. 
 
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