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Christian Center Holds Community Day, Celebrates 130 Years

The Civitan Club has been providing picnic food for the event for a number of years.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A portion of Robbins Avenue was filled with a celebration on Saturday as the Christian Center held its annual Community Day and marked 130 years as an organization.

"To be honest, for the last 130 years, the Christian Center has done essentially the same thing," Executive Director  Betsy Sherman said, explaining that the center offers food, clothing, paths to jobs, and referrals to housing with the goal of helping people have a more secure life.

It was founded in 1892 as the Epworth Mission by the Methodist Church and has been at its current location since 1906. Sherman explained that in the late 1800s, many immigrants came to the West Side looking for a better life.

They were in need of basic necessities, which led to the first iteration of the Christian Center.

"All of these people needed housing, they needed food, they needed clothing, they needed a place to live," Sherman said. "And that's what we've been doing."

The free celebration included kids' games and prizes, arts and crafts, a bouncy house, and food provided by the Civitan Club of the Berkshires. Community agencies including Berkshire United Way were also present at the event to offer information about their services.

The Civitan Club is an all-volunteer, non-profit, service organization and has been providing food at the event for a number of years. The menu included hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta salad, chips, and dessert all free of charge.

Work Underway On Blighted Dalton Home But Issues Persist

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
11:59AM / Monday, June 22, 2026

The first phase of remediating the property includes cleanup and exterior work. The property is in receivership through the Attorney General's Office. 

DALTON, Mass. — For over a decade, neighbors have called 27 Mountain View Terrace an eyesore and a safety risk, and now, after a year in court, work is being done to address the blighted condition. 

 

The single-family home was condemned by the town's Board of Health in October 2025 following little progress to address the code violations despite multiple months. 

 

The property was cited for several safety issues, including clutter blocking egresses, a collapsing roof and porch, mold throughout the house, especially in the basement where there is water damage, and the lack of water, electricity, and gas. 

 

Neighbors also attended Board of Health meetings to complain about the rats that have infested their homes coming from the "abandoned" property and the unkept grass in the back yard. According to court documents, there is evidence of pests. 

 

Kathryn Kohlenberger, who lives right next to the property, said she has been dealing with the decaying conditions for 12 years and had to put mouse boxes and cayenne pepper around her house to prevent mice from entering her property. 

 

On March 11, 2026, the Attorney General's Office approved the appointment of a receiver, TM Properties Inc., which has a four-phase plan to rehabilitate the home. The anticipated cost of the project is estimated at $160,714.00 inclusive of all fees.

 

According to court documents, the property has been vacant since 2004. It was appraised, in May 2026, at about $250,000 after rehabilitation and about $50,000 in its current condition.