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Local officials, Walmart employees, planners and others gathered for the Walmart Supercenter groundbreaking on Friday morning.

Mayor Talks Growth, Opportunity At Walmart Supercenter Groundbreaking

By John DurkaniBerkshires Staff
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Mayor Richard Alcombright joined Walmart employees in the groundbreaking ceremonies.
 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — At the groundbreaking of the Walmart Supercenter on Friday morning at the construction site on Curran Highway, Mayor Richard Alcombright finally seized his opportunity to deliver a short, powerful phrase.
 
"I've always wanted to say, 'Welcome to Walmart,'" Alcombright said to a small group of Walmart employees, project organizers and others. "It's a great opportunity."
 
Similar messages of "growth, jobs, opportunity, [and] employment" were echoed throughout the brief ceremony.
 
"This is truly a great project, not just for North Adams, but Berkshire County," said Michael Supranowicz, the president and CEO of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce.
 
"A Super Walmart, in my mind, becomes a regional destination," Alcombright said, noting that the 160,000 square-foot store could draw customers from New York, southern Vermont and throughout Berkshire County. With the additional customers, heavier traffic will follow and officials were optimistic that some of that traffic will spillover to the rest of the community's businesses.
 
"I think this area is perfect for this type of store," State Rep. Gailanne M. Cariddi said. "I see it as an anchor for the rest of the road."
 
Cariddi also applauded everyone for sticking with the lengthy process. After facing residents' questions and oppositionplanning, and receiving approval from the Planning Boardthe state's Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and City Hall, the construction finally began. The project's completion follows a timetable of nine to 13 months, according to Alcombright. Alcombright said he expects the project to finish around June 2013.
 
Construction of the Walmart Supercenter began in the past three weeks and will finish around June 2013, according to Mayor Richard Alcombright. 
 

Tags: Berkshire Chamber of Commerce,   Walmart,   

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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