Berkshires Beat: Adams Alert Hose Brings Home Awards

Trio of honors: The Alert Hose Co #1 of Adams attended the Bennington Battle Days parade on Aug. 14, in which members pulled their infamous parade cart, which was built in 1885.  

The department is well known for wearing their Prince Albert- style buff and white uniforms. This rare uniform style has been preserved by the company as a memorial to its predecessors and is worn proudly with distinction by the alerts today.
 
The Alerts proudly took home three new trophies: the Vermont State Firefighters Association's "Best Appearing Antique Hand Drawn Equipment-Out of State," the Vermont State Firefighters Association's "Best Appearing Marching Unit, With or Without Antique Apparatus-Out of State" and lastly the Bennington Battle Day 2016 "Oldest Hand-Drawn Antique Equipment, Fire-Related."  


Learn to swim: The Dalton Community Recreation Association has begun registration for Fall/Winter Session I Swimming Lessons. Lessons run from Sept. 6-Nov. 12 (10 weeks). A current CRA Jr. Membership ($40) is required and everyone must wear a swim cap.

The Dalton CRA offers a full range of swimming lessons including: Parent-Toddler (6 months to 3 years, parent needs to be in the pool with toddler); Pre-School (3-5 years, not in Kindergarten); Beginners (5 years and up); Beginners Deep End (5 years and up - no bubble); Advanced Beginners, Intermediate Swimmer and Advanced Swimmer. Cost for lessons is $60 plus Membership, Monday classes are nine weeks at $54 plus membership. Parent Toddler lessons are $30 (plus membership). Adult Learn-to-Swim class is also offered. Cost is $6 per class and a CRA Membership is not required.

Register at the Dalton CRA. For more information and class schedule, call the CRA at 684-0260 or go online.


Rural outreach grant: The VT-NH Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has awarded a $20,000 grant to the Southwestern Vermont Health Care Foundation for support of the Breast Health Rural Outreach Program. The program is a cooperation between the Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center and the Women’s Imaging Center at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center and supports early detection by offering free or reduced-price screening or diagnostic mammograms for those without insurance or with high deductibles, especially those who do not qualify for other assistance programs.

Screening mammograms detect cancer when it is most treatable, up to two years before a patient or physician can feel a lump. Early detection relates to greater cure rates. American College of Radiology recommends annual screening mammography beginning at age 40. Those interested in learning more about their eligibility to receive grant funding for their mammogram should contact Rebecca Hewson-Steller at 802-440-4244.


STEM selection: The Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires has been selected by Boys & Girls Clubs of America to receive materials and resources to participate in the DIY STEM program. DIY STEM is a hands-on, activity-based Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) curriculum which connects youth to science themes they encounter in everyday life. Special attention is paid to teaching participants the connections between scientific theory and the practical application of scientific principles.

DIY STEM currently includes five modules: Energy and Electricity, Engineering Design, Food Chemistry, Aeronautics, and Robotics. Programming will consist of at least six 60-minute sessions and will serve a minimum of 60 club members.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.