Berkshire South Regional Community Center to Celebrate Legacy of Founder

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass — Berkshire South Regional Community Center will celebrate the legacy of founder Edwin "Ed" A. Jaffe at its annual gala, set for Friday, Aug. 18, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at 15 Crissey Road. Guests will enjoy spirits, hors d'oeuvres, dinner and a silent and live service auction.

To coincide with the center's 15th anniversary, the board of trustees of Berkshire South Regional Community Center felt it was appropriate to honor Jaffe's commitment to community health and wellness. This will be an evening to share, reminisce and revel in the success of the man who created the organization that the community has come to rely on. Receiving this honor on his behalf will be his wife, Lola Jaffe.

Berkshire South is a nonprofit community based organization which has offered quality services and programs to the Southern Berkshires since opening the doors in July, 2002. Their mission is to create a sense of community and common purpose throughout the region and to enhance the recreational, educational, cultural, health and social well-being of the residents of the southern Berkshires.

Jaffe founded Berkshire South in an effort to address the concerns of Berkshire County residents who were looking for a place where recreational, educational, cultural and social activities could exist while still remaining accessible and affordable to all.  Today, Berkshire South Regional Community Center continues to recognize the important vision that Ed Jaffe had for Berkshire South and the role the Center plays in bringing our community together and improving lives daily.

Proceeds from the event will go to support the center's Community Youth and Family Programming. For more information, email Jenise Lucey or call 413-528-2810, ext.14. More information can also be found on the website and on the Facebook page.

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.