PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Friends of the Senior Center is in need of more volunteers so it can provide more opportunities at the Ralph J. Froio Senior Center.
"The Senior Center is a structure that is financed by the city of Pittsfield, but it's the friends that really support all the extra activities that take place in the Senior Center," said Friends' Treasurer Lea Morgan said.
The center was renamed and dedicated to Ralph J. Froio by the city in 1993 for in recognition of his civil leadership and the "countless hours in volunteer service to his community, especially in senior citizens’ affairs," the Council on Aging states on the city website.
There are people today who allocate a lot of their time to brainstorm ideas, and provide opportunities for center visitors but a lot of people who visit the center have not joined as a member of the Friends, Morgan said.
"So, we want to make it more available to people to really realize and understand that it's the Friends that really financially support a lot of these activities," she said.
Becoming a Friend of the Senior Center makes it easier to create a new activity because the network is at their fingertips.
The center offers an array of activities that improve older citizens,' quality of life whether it be physically or mentally, Morgan said.
The center provides a welcoming environment where seniors can make friends and participate in activities that are free or a nominal cost including helpful services, games, exercise classes, workshops, and travel events.
"We're asking for people to become members to just support things so that we could offer more things. The Friends have allocated money to improve things at the Senior Center," Morgan said.
The Senior Center is handicapped accessible, within walking distance of several housing projects and available by bus. It's located in the former Capitol Theater building, its home of 25 years, at 330 North St.
Within the four floors, there is a woodworking shop, ceramics shop, coffee shop, computer lab, craft room, and a game room and more open to anyone age 55 and older, Monday through Friday.
The monthly newsletter, Pittsfield Senior Spirit, is also available online, at the center, or in
pamphlet racks throughout the area to stay up to date on upcoming activities.
Those interested in supporting its activities can become Friends of the Senior Center volunteers for $10 a month or $50 for a lifetime membership.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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BRTA Celebrates 50 Years, Electric Buses
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
State Sen. Paul Mark tries out the seating in a new hybrid bus.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority is celebrating its 50th anniversary with new hybrid buses that tell a story about its history.
The BRTA was awarded five eco-friendly buses in the past two years as part of President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law under the Federal Transit Administration's Low or No Grant Program. Each is valued at about $800,000 and is decorated to represent different BRTA eras.
"It's not for us, it's for our customers," Administrator Robert Malnati said. "It's the reason we're here. We're here to make sure that our customers can go where they need to go when they need to get there in a safe and efficient manner."
Three of the buses have been on the road for about a month and the rest are expected this year. Paying homage to the BRTA's decades of service to the county, they are wrapped in retro graphic designs that call back to its buses in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Local and state officials marked the occasion with a ribbon cutting on Monday, highlighting the importance of public transportation and embracing greener technologies to move people around.
The BRTA is looking at hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for the future, which are powered by pure hydrogen gas and emit water vapor.
"As you move forward in upgrading your bus fleet, you are truly transforming our transformation system while protecting our air, our water, and our shared future," Federal Transit Administration Region 1 Administrator Peter Butler said, explaining that it is the FTA's job to support that innovation.
State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier said Berkshire County is no different than the rest of state RTAs when it comes to the challenge of securing funding but it does have greater geographical challenges.
Downtown Pittsfield Inc. proposed angled parking on North Street and was pleasantly surprised that the city responded with an in-depth study and new plans — even if they don't include angled parking.
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Officials celebrated Arbor Day on Friday by installing a commemorative plaque next to the American elm sapling. This is a tree that James McGrath, the city's park program manager, said Presutti would have been particularly proud of.
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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.
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