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Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco cuts the ribbon launching the annual Great Chair Auction bidding with local artists and Youth Center officials.
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Many of the items can be seen in store windows on Park Street. These are at the former Simmons, being turned into work/live space by artist owners William and Francine Riley.

Adams' Fourth Annual Great Chair Auction Open For Bids

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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Mazzucco says a few words before launching the auction. 

ADAMS, Mass. — From comic and cartoon characters to paeans to nature, this year's Great Chair Auction offering up some fantastical seating for enjoying — or just viewing.

The annual fundraiser for Youth Center Inc. commenced after an official ribbon cutting Wednesday at the former Simmons Furniture Store on Park Street.

Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco got to clip the ribbon before joining in on the Artists' Walk along Park Street, where many of the items for auction can be seen on display in store windows.

"This is a great event and I look forward to cutting the ribbon every year," Mazzucco said. "It's a great community event and a great fundraiser for the community."

The Great Chair Auction has been going strong for three years and remains the largest fundraiser for the Adams Youth Center. Now in its fourth year, it has expanded with even more interesting pieces and furniture.  

"We have some great superhero ones, we have one depicting Big Basin Swimming Hole, we have a wine rack, tables and there are even some carved pieces," Executive Director Youth Center Sonia DiSanti said.

The pieces are donated by artists from around the area and community members. Some are as simple as a reupholstered chair for the Bruins lover and others more detailed art pieces, like the Big Basin chair. There's also bookcases, tables and other furniture pieces.

The event brings in between $10,000 and $12,000 annually.

Youth Center Board Member Ed St. John IV said he is impressed every year by what the artists create.

"Quality is always top notch, and the artist's imagination never ceases to amaze us," he said.

The furniture up for auction is displayed in storefront windows throughout the downtown. Potential buyers can window shop before taking to the online auction or the live auction Sunday, Oct. 16, at 1 p.m. at the Bounti-Fare. Keep checking back to the online site as items will be added in the coming days. 


Tags: auction,   fundraiser,   youth center,   

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Adams Community Bank Holds Annual Meeting, Announce Growth

ADAMS, Mass. — The annual meeting of the Community Bancorp of the Berkshires, MHC, the parent company of Adams Community Bank, was held on April 10, 2024, at Charles H. McCann Technical School in North Adams.
 
The meeting included reviewing the 2023 financial statements for the Bank, electing directors and corporators, and highlighting upcoming executive personnel changes.
 
"In 2023, the Bank experienced another year of growth in assets, loans, and deposits, noting the Pittsfield branch reached $26 million in customer deposits from its opening in December of 2022," President and CEO of Adams Community Bank Charles O'Brien said. "Those deposits were loaned out locally during 2023 and helped drive our #1 ranking in both mortgage and commercial real estate lending, according to Banker and Tradesman."
 
At year-end 2023, total assets were $995 million, and O'Brien noted the Bank crossed the $1 billion threshold during the first quarter of 2024.
 
Board chair Jeffrey Grandchamp noted with O'Brien's upcoming retirement, this will be the final annual meeting of the CEO's tenure since he joined the Bank in 1997. He thanked him for his 27 years of dedication to the Bank. He acknowledged the evolution of the Bank as it became the premier community bank in the Berkshires, noting that branches grew from 3 to 10, that employees grew from 40 to 135, and that assets grew from $127 million to $1 billion. 
 
An executive search is underway for O'Brien's replacement.
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