On Friday, the city of Pittsfield kicked off the Christmas festivities by lighting up the 35-foot tree that stands in Park Square.
And then, riding on the back of a fire engine, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived to sit down and listen to what the good little boys and girls of the city want for Christmas.
"It is really a special occasion. This is really what hometown is all about, the coming together to celebrate kindness, giving, and generosity in the holiday season," Mayor Linda Tyer said.
The festivities started with the Taconic High School chorus singing carols. Patrick's Pub provided hot chocolate and food was collected to donate the Christian Center.
The tree, featuring thousands of lights, towers high in Park Square. It had been planted on a Broadway Street property 30 years ago. But, it had gotten too tall and was threatening electric lines. Homeowners Teena Guenther and Paul Askew decided to donate it to the city.
The couple joined their 8-year-old son Noah to flip the switch and light it up Friday night. The tree had been planted by the former property owner, Jim Sullivan, whose daughter had brought the sprig home from school.
In the spring, Guenther plans to let Noah plant another one on the property. And maybe, 30 years from now, that one will become the city's Christmas Tree.
After the lights went on, the Taconic chorus started up again but all heads were turned to blaring sirens from a firetruck circling around Park Square. And riding on the back was none other than Santa and Mrs. Claus. The two had made the trip from the North Pole just to visit the city before Christmas.
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Toy Library Installed at Onota Lake
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Feel free to use or leave a toy at Onota Lake's newest infrastructure meant to foster community and benefit kids.
Burbank Park now has a toy library thanks to Wahconah Regional High School senior Alexandra Bills. Located along the wall at the beach area, the green and blue structure features two shelves with sand toys that can be used to enhance children's visits.
The Parks Commission supported Bills' proposal in February as part of her National Honors Society individual service project and it was installed this month. Measuring about 4 feet wide and 5.8 feet tall, it was built by the student and her father with donated materials from a local lumber company.
Friends and family members provided toys to fill the library such as pails, shovels, Frisbees, and trucks.
"I wanted to create a toy library like the other examples in Berkshire County from the sled library to the book libraries," she told the commission in February.
"But I wanted to make it toys for Onota Lake because a lot of kids forget their toys or some kids can't afford toys."
Bills lives nearby and will check on the library weekly — if not daily — to ensure the operation is running smoothly. A sign reading "Borrow-Play-Return" asks community members to clean up after themselves after using the toys.
It was built to accommodate children's heights and will be stored during the winter season.
Having fun on April vacation doesn't have to break the bank. From baby animals to recreational activities and crafts, there is an array of free or low-cost family events happening across the county this week. click for more
On Thursday, the panel approved a notice of intent application for the use of EarthTec QZ within a specified treatment area of the lake.
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