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BFAIR & Greylock Federal Distribute 250 Bicycle Helmets

BFAIR's Tara Jacobson and Christine Meiklejohn hold signs at the trailhead off the Connector Road. Last year, the organization was able to distribute 200 helmets. 

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Saturday's word of the day was "safety" at the Ashuwilliticook Rail Trail as two organizations partnered to distribute hundreds of free helmets in honor of National Brain Injury Awareness Month. 

Stationed at the trailhead on connector road, representatives of Berkshire Family and Individual Resources and Greylock Federal Credit Union handed out 150 helmets for ages 6-13 and 100 helmets for those 14 and older. 

"This is our second annual bike helmet distribution in honor of Brain Injury Awareness Month, which is in March but we wanted to do it in April because the bike trail was open and more people are out here," BFAIR's Director of Development Tara Jacobsen said. 

"We are able to distribute these helmets through funding through Greylock Federal Credit Union and this year, we have about 250 helmets that we're going to be distributing today and I think they're going to go pretty quickly." 

The event ran from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and community members were lined up for helmets even before the event kicked off. 

Jennifer Connor-Shumsky, Greylock's vice president of community support and events, said the credit union values its partnership with BFAIR and that, hopefully, the distribution will prevent as many injuries as possible.  

"We're just delighted to be here," she said. "[BFAIR] is a community gem and they are one of our many partners and we're proud of what they do. They provide such valuable services to our community so we're delighted, we have been working with them for a long time." 

BFAIR works with people who have developmental disabilities, autism, and acquired brain injuries. There are six residences dedicated to acquired brain injuries, which happen after birth and can be the result of a trauma impact, degenerative disease, and toxins. 

The helmets aim to prevent any possible injuries from impact and came with a complimentary fitting to ensure the best protection possible. 

Jacobsen explained that an ill-fitting helmet is "like a car without brakes." 

"So we want to make sure that not only we're supplying resources to the community but we're actually giving them resources that they can use," she said. 

Last year, BFAIR partnered with the non-profit organization All Out Adventures Inc. in Northampton to hand out around 200 helmets. 

"It was just such a rousing success because I think helmets are one of those things that people don't always think about or don't always have the resources or the means to get," Jacobsen said. 

"And so being able to provide it to the community to help promote healthy and safe brains is really something we're looking forward to."

Local Attorney Launches Bid for Berkshire County Register of Probate

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:21PM / Sunday, February 22, 2026

Ken Ferris has been 35 years of legal experience, including cases in probate court.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Longtime local attorney Ken Ferris has announced his candidacy for Berkshire County register of probate. 

The Register of Probate's office for the Berkshire Probate and Family Court manages administrative functions for cases, often involving significant and life-changing situations.  Ferris wants to ensure that the office is accessible, professional, and efficient, while serving the public with fairness and dignity. 

Ferris became a lawyer decades ago to help people, he said, and feels that he can improve the Register of Probate's office to benefit the public and employees. He kicked off his campaign at the Tavern at the A on Feb. 12. 

"The office runs very well, but there's got to be a way that I can improve this process to help people understand and navigate through the system so that at the end of the day, they get their justice, if you will," he said. 

"They've got to have access, and I think that I have some ideas that I believe will help people get the access they need." 

Ferris is an attorney with Hashim & Spinola and has 35 years of legal experience in Berkshire County.  He also served as the coordinator of the mediation program at the Berkshire County Probate and Family Court for several years.  

It is a little bittersweet, Ferris said, because as the Register of Probate, he would have to step down from law practice. 

"But practicing law, you're only helping that particular person, at that particular time," he explained. "I think, with the registry, I would be able to help a lot more people. That is what inspired me."