Letter: Five Stars to The Spoke

To the Editor:

I have been a customer of The Spoke for years and now I want to send accolades to Paul, Heidi and Damien.

Regardless of when a customer enters the store, they are treated like the most important person there. Paul and Heidi know the intricacies or every type of bike and have made great recommendations for my family and I. Damien is a cracker-jack bike mechanic he works swiftly with maximum efficiency.

With or without close social contact biking is a fun sport. Do yourself a favor and head to The Spoke in Williamstown and see their offerings.

Jim Holmes
North Adams, Mass.

Drury Hosts Inaugural Government Appreciation Day

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
01:17PM / Sunday, May 05, 2024

State Rep. John Barrett III explains his role in the state Legislature to students during Government Appreciation Day at Drury on Friday.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Eighth-grade students learned about civics firsthand during the school's inaugural Massachusetts Government Appreciation Day.

 

"Government is strongest when every individual feels as though they are part of the process," said civics teacher Patrick Boulger, before introducing the Friday's guest speakers. "Today is the day when you have an opportunity to be part of this process and learn from individuals who have dedicated their lives to government service."

 

The event is a new addition to the eighth-grade civics curriculum, to provide students with a deeper understanding of state and local governance before they take Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System's civics exam

 

Mayor Jennifer Macksey, former Gov. Jane Swift, state Rep. John Barrett III, Assessor Jessica Lincourt and the mayor's executive assistant Lindsay Randall all addressed students in breakout sessions and explained their role in government.

 

Macksey started her presentation by telling her own story starting as a Drury High School graduate. 

 

She said her first job in government was a little less glamorous.

 

"My first job with the city truly was at the dump," she said pointing out the window toward where the city dump used to be. "I sold composting bins, and I did such a good job I was able to get a part-time job in the public service department at City Hall."