EPOCH Offers Community Garden Plots

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — EPOCH Assisted Living at Melbourne announced that it is hosting a community garden and offering garden plots for members of the Berkshire community. Local gardeners are encouraged to participate and take advantage of good soil, water and assistance.

This is EPOCH’s fourth annual community garden, located on 50 acres of fertile land at the assisted living community.

The Melbourne Community Garden will be located next to the assisted living community, at 140 Melbourne Road in Pittsfield, and will officially open in mid-May, subject to change due to the spring weather. Participants will be assigned a specific section to garden and will be responsible for all activities pertaining to their plot, including planting, weeding, watering and harvesting. Water will be available at the garden site, and the soil will be freshly tilled prior to the garden’s grand opening.

Access to the EPOCH at Melbourne Community Garden will be available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“The community garden improves with each season and creates an energetic buzz around our grounds. It’s been a great way to bring neighbors together and meet new friends.” said Diane Weinstein, EPOCH’s executive director.

The community garden project is free. Green thumbs wishing to reserve a garden plot may do so by calling Rita Schillinger at 413-499-1992. More information will be provided to those that register as the spring season evolves.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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