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Locally, Emma Lezberg of Pittsfield and Erica Perrea of Hinsdale were each given scholarships.

Biz Briefs: Simon Scholarships, Canyon Ranch Luxury Residences

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A little help: Simon Malls and Simon Premium Outlets in New England, parent company of the Lee Premium Outlets, have awarded 26 high school seniors with Simon Youth Foundation Scholarships totaling more than $80,000.  

Locally, Emma Lezberg of Pittsfield and Erica Perrea of Hinsdale were each given scholarships.

Simon Youth Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping at-risk students graduate high school and to provide scholarship opportunities for the youth. Simon Youth Foundation Scholarship recipients attended a celebratory reception on Wednesday, July 20, at Burlington Mall in Burlington, Mass.

Simon Youth Scholarships are awarded annually to at least one student in every U.S. community that is home to a Simon property. Since inception, 396 scholarships have been awarded to recipients across New England, exceeding more than $1.1 million in scholarships. This year, approximately $1.4 million will be awarded nationally across the Simon portfolio.


Luxury living: Sotheby’s International Realty has listed 19 luxury residences at Canyon Ranch in Lenox for the first time, following in the footsteps of other Canyon Ranch locations that have begun to offer residences for sale on the premises. By purchasing a property on the resort, homeowners have access to all of the resort amenities, which are represented by Great Barrington agents Gladys Montgomery and Marc Bachman.

The residences range in price from from $1,350,000 to $2,300,000 and are constructed with eco-friendly materials and contain open, spacious floor plans and high ceilings. Features include gas fireplaces in the living room and master bedroom, architecturally detailed ceilings, walnut paneled entry doors, custom-designed cabinetry, quality kitchen appliances, stone countertops, a full-size washer and dryer, ample closet space and hardwood floors throughout. Multiple balconies and terraces overlook the surrounding property, which is pristinely maintained by Canyon Ranch site planning and landscape installation.

The resort also includes climate-controlled underground parking with elevator access as well as 24-hour on-site security.



Volunteer honors: Berkshire Bank has recognized 31 employees for their volunteerism in the community and has named three “top volunteers” through their Volunteer Service X-ellence Awards Program. These annual awards celebrate bank employees who have made outstanding contributions to their communities.

The three award recipients were selected based on their strong record of volunteerism to nonprofit organizations through both company-supported activities and in individual service to the broader community. Each of the award winners also received a $1,000 donation to be made on their behalf to the nonprofit organization of their choice.

This year’s Volunteer X-ellence Award winners include:  

* Matt Nicholl, Business Banking Officer, Utica, N.Y., won the Volunteer Service X-ellence award for his leadership and participation in the Bank’s corporate volunteer program. Nicholl’s donation was made to the United Way of the Valley & Greater Utica

* Dan Elias, a teller in Pittsfield, received the Volunteer Service X-ellence award for his individual volunteer service outside the Bank’s corporate program. Elias’s donation was made to the Catholic Youth Center.

* LeeAnn Morrone, a branch officer in Newington, Conn., received the Volunteer Service X-ellence award for her leadership and service in both company-supported and individual volunteer activities. Morrone’s donation was made to the Peter J. Lavery Memorial Scholarship Fund.

In addition, Berkshire Bank admitted 31 employees to their Community Service Honor Roll. Those employees eligible for the Honor Roll completed a minimum of 150 hours of volunteer service in the last calendar year. Honorees included: Dawn Adams-Rea, Dorset, Vt.; Erin Albert, Lee; Theresa Andersen, Pittsfield; Patrick Browne, Needham; Robert Bucci, Greenville, N.Y.; Suzanne Byrne Pittsfield; Scott Cowlin, Pittsfield; Robert Curley, Albany, N.Y.; Joshua Cutler, Pittsfield; Lisa Davison, Rome, N.Y.; Jody DeMarco, Rotterdam, N.Y.; Daniel Elias, Pittsfield; Susan Gagne, East Longmeadow; Paul Gershkowitz, Needham; David Gonci, Pittsfield; Brian Hazard, Westborough; Gary Levante, Pittsfield; Leslie Lever, Ludlow, Vt.; LeeAnn Morrone, Newington, Conn.; Dawn Myers, Ilion, N.Y.; Kamella Niccum, Wilbraham; Matthew Nicholl, Utica, N.Y.; David R. Nolan, Needham; Leonard O'Dea, Pittsfield; Ann Ciepiela, Pittsfield; Monica Schlaepfer, West Winfield, N.Y.; Maria Schoonover, West Winfield, N.Y.; Ryan Shorette. Hartford, Conn.; Michael Smith, Greenfield; Gary Urkevich, Pittsfield; and Karen Worcester, Rutland, Vt.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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