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Northern Berkshire YMCA Raises Fun — And Funds

North Adams second-grader Emma Dupuis bowls during the family fun afternoon Saturday at Greylock Bowl and Golf.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Sometimes the best way to raise funds is to drop the "ds."

That was the theory anyway behind the Northern Berkshire YMCA's "fun"-raising events Saturday at Greylock Bowl and Golf. From 2 to 4 p.m., families were invited to come bowl, have a hot dog lunch and play corn hole for a modest donation to the YMCA.

A dozen families took advantage of the indoor family fun on a chilly late winter day, and Northern Berkshire YMCA Executive Director Justin Ihne was happy to see that.

"This has been great," Ihne said as he prepared to round up the kids, ranging in age from toddlers to older elementary school students, for a corn hole tournament. "It's something we'll look forward to building upon each year."

The evening event was a little more about adding the "ds" back onto "fun": an adult bowling tournament for which nine teams of four had signed up at $50 a ticket. Ihne said that, as well as the silent auction for four Red Sox tickets, will help the YMCA reach its annual campaign goal of $60,000. As of Saturday, the YMCA was 80 percent to that goal.

"We're hoping to finish strong in the next few weeks," he said.

Ihne said he was hoping the bowlers themselves would finish strong. Even though everyone who participated in the adult bowling event had a chance to win $1,000, there was no official "winner" of the tournament. The prize, he said, is just the ability to boast about winning the first-ever YMCA bowling tournament.

"Bragging rights are important," he laughed.

Williamstown Fire Committee Talks Station Project Cuts, Truck Replacement

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:17AM / Friday, April 26, 2024

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Prudential Committee on Wednesday signed off on more than $1 million in cost cutting measures for the planned Main Street fire station.

 

Some of the "value engineering" changes are cosmetic, while at least one pushes off a planned expense into the future.

 

The committee, which oversees the Fire District, also made plans to hold meetings over the next two Wednesdays to finalize its fiscal year 2025 budget request and other warrant articles for the May 28 annual district meeting. One of those warrant articles could include a request for a new mini rescue truck.

 

The value engineering changes to the building project originated with the district's Building Committee, which asked the Prudential Committee to review and sign off.

 

In all, the cuts approved on Wednesday are estimated to trim $1.135 million off the project's price tag.

 

The biggest ticket items included $250,000 to simplify the exterior masonry, $200,000 to eliminate a side yard shed, $150,000 to switch from a metal roof to asphalt shingles and $75,000 to "white box" certain areas on the second floor of the planned building.

 

The white boxing means the interior spaces will be built but not finished. So instead of dividing a large space into six bunk rooms and installing two restrooms on the second floor, that space will be left empty and unframed for now.