North County Community Rallying Round Ailing Infant

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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Little Carrick Wood is battling a rare form of leukemia; the community has rallied around his family with a number of fundraisers.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Community members are drumming up support for local baby born with a rare form of leukemia.

Carrick Wood was born on July 4 to Pat and Crista Wood and rushed to Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center’s NICU, where he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia after two blood transfusions and chemotherapy. Currently Carrick and his parents have relocated to the Children's Hospital in Boston.

Brandon Horn, a family friend who is spearheading some of the fundraising, said Carrick suffers from a form of leukemia that is very rarely found in newborns. He said although the blue spots on his body he was born with are mostly gone, things are still touch and go.

"The blueness in him is almost all gone; if you look him now you would think he is doing pretty well, but in fact he's not," Horn said. "Crista was telling me they were doing more blood transfusions, and he has good days and bad days."

Although Carrick's condition is unknown at this point, Horn said the community is doing everything it can to help.

Among many donations from local people and businesses, Horn on Friday said he has also heard from the Boston Red Sox.

"They actually called me yesterday; they are on board and are going to make a donation," he said. "I have a ton of local people in businesses donating too; there is definitely a lot of people backing him up."

Horn has scheduled a Bowling tournament Saturday, Aug. 16, at Greylock Bowl and Golf. Four person teams can join for $60.

"People are really coming out for Carrick; I have 150 people confirmed to come to the bowling tournament," Horn said. "There is going to be a Chinese auction, a silent auction, a bake sale, and a 50/50 raffle; I'd like to get everyone out to the bowling alley if I could."

In addition to the bowling tournament, there will be a spaghetti supper at the Bounti-Fare on Tuesday, Aug. 12, to support Carrick along with a number of other events posted to the Carrick's Journey group on Facebook. Family and friends have also started a fundraising page on YouCaring.com.

Horn said anyone looking to join the tournament or who is looking to make a donation can contact him at brandonscateringservice@gmail.com, or by phone; 413-464-4799.


Tags: benefit,   fundraiser,   

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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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