Teddy's Retains 'Slice Of Life' Best Pizza Title

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story

Teddy's Pizza took home the title of the best pizza in Berkshire County.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Teddy's Pizza remains undefeated at the Moment's House Slice of Life competition.

The East Street restaurant reeled in its third Best Pizza in Berkshire County award based on more than 300 voters who attended the charity event Saturday night. The award comes with a banner to hang in the pizzeria.

Coyote Den, in Lanesborough, also retained its Most Unique Pizza title on Saturday with an array of pizza toppings including macaroni and cheese and barbecue pulled pork.

Last year's "best crust" winner couldn't retain its title but instead took home a different one. Papa Gino's won the "best sauce" category this year while Papa Joe's took the "best crust."

Voters had a lot to choose from as 12 local pizzerias crowded the Crowne Plaza's ballroom. In addition, 110 raffle prizes were donated to help Moment's House's biggest fundraiser.

The nonprofit provides support and information in a homelike environment to anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis as well as organizing related events. Last June, the organization opened an office on Fenn Street as a headquarters.


"We are trying to be everything a doctor's office isn't," said co-founder Danielle Trumbull.

The first Slice of Life was came just two months after the group's inception. It is now in its third year and growing. It features not only pizza and a Chinese auction but music and a photo booth operated by Bob Heck.

"People now know what we're doing. The community support we have allows us to do everything we do," Trumbull said.

In its first year, the group made about $8,000 at the pizza party; the second year was bigger with $9,500. While the numbers were not totaled by the end of the event Saturday, Trumbull said the group has its "fingers crossed" that it will break the $10,000 mark.

By the end of Saturday night, which saw the most people yet, there was little pizza remaining but any leftovers were expected to be donated to local food shelters.


Tags: cancer support,   fundraiser,   pizza,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 
 
Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.
 
Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.
 
"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."
 
The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.
 
"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.
 
She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.
 
View Full Story

More Richmond Stories