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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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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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