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The American Legion in North Adams has been providing Christmas meals for 60 years.

American Legion Will Provide Meal On Christmas Day

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams American Legion Post 125 will once again provide a Christmas Day meal for all those in need.

William Schrade, chairman of the Be Our Guest Christmas Dinner at American Legion Post 125, said since 1955 the American Legion has been making sure no one goes without a full belly on Christmas.  

"It's just a great thing it allows you to give something from the heart and give back when so many people have given to us so we can enjoy the holiday," Schrade said. "It's a great thing and it really makes you feel good."

Schrade said the Legion will serve ham, mashed potatoes, a dinner roll, and mixed vegetables from 11 to 2. There will also be pumpkin and apple pie. Those who eat at the post home will take home a bag with a ham and cheese sandwich, a piece of fruit, and a cookie.

The Legion will also deliver meals to those who call ahead of time. More than 60 people have signed up for deliveries so far, but he anticipates between another 100 to 200 will call in.

The post delivers to North Adams, Adams, Cheshire, Savoy, Clarksburg, Florida, and even Readsboro, Vt..

Schrade said the dinner is only possible though the kindness of the community members who donate money to purchase the food and volunteer to deliver meals and serve at the Legion.

He said the past few years a lot of younger people have come on board.

"Over the past few years, we have been getting a lot of younger people," he said. "That's how my daughter started, and she was coming down when she was 5 or 6 years old waiting tables and now she is 23 years old and in charge of the meals-to-go."

Schrade said that beyond just a good meal, the dinner also provides company to those who may have nowhere to go on the holidays.

"They have a meal but they sit with other people and just shoot the breeze an eat," he said. "They can just have a good time."


Tags: american legion,   charity,   Christmas story,   dinner,   

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John Barrett III Announces Run to Retain House Seat

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Incumbent John Barrett III has announced his bid for re-election to the 1st Berkshire District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
 
Citing a lifetime of "serving, fighting for and believing in" the district, the former longtime North Adams mayor decided to make a bid to remain in the seat he has held since winning a special election in 2017.
 
"Over the last few weeks, I gave it a lot of thought, and I've talked to a lot of people," Barrett said in a telephone interview on Tuesday. "They've told me, if there's ever a time when we need experience and leadership, it's going to be the next co uple of years.
 
"I decided to go based on them more than anything else."
 
Barrett is challenged in the Democratic primary by Andrew Fitch, a current North Adams city councilor, who announced his bid on Feb. 3.
 
The state primary is scheduled for Sept. 1.
 
The Northern Berkshire legislative district includes the City of North Adams and the towns of Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, Hancock, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, New Ashford, Peru, Savoy, Williamstown and Windsor.
 
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