North County Community Rallying Round Ailing Infant

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.

DiLego Jewelry to Close After Nearly 100 Years in Business

By Daniel MatziBerkshires correspondent
05:28AM / Tuesday, May 07, 2024

Sisters Pamela Costine, left, and Cynthia Lamore have been operating the store since their aunts retired in 1987. Both started working in the business as teens.  Lamore's decided it's time to retire. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — DiLego Jewelery Store, the family-owned business that has been a staple of North Adams for nearly a century, will be closing this summer. 

 

The closure was announced on the store's Facebook page late Sunday night, where it immediately drew comments of remembrance and well-wishing.

 

Cindy Lamore, whose great uncle Frank DiLego opened the store on Main Street in the late 1930s, said the shop will cease operations following her retirement, slated for June 30. A 20 percent off Mother's Day sale will begin immediately, with increasing discounts leading up to the closing date.

 

It took Lamore "a couple of years" to reach the decision to close. Witnessing the passing of lifelong friends or their struggles with debilitating illness prompted her to reconsider her priorities, especially considering the extensive time devoted to running a small business. 

 

"You really question what you're waiting for," she reflected.

 

While recognizing that changing consumer habits have led to a decrease in jewelry and watch sales in recent years, Lamore stressed that her decision to close was a personal one. She and her business partner and sister, Pamela Costine, wanted "to do it on our terms," she said.

 

Comments on Facebook praised the store's customer service, and friends, family, and customers alike reminisced about buying jewelry for special occasions, stopping in for watch repairs, and the perennial rite of childhood for many: getting ears pierced.