Letter: New Name for Apkin

To the Editor:

George Apkin & Sons Inc., would like to share with you some exciting news about our company. We have been working on a strategic plan to ensure that we will be able to continue servicing all our industrial and dealer customers seamlessly for the long term. To ensure that success, we have recently partnered with the Joseph Freedman Co. in Springfield and its affiliates, Perlman Recycling in Pittsfield and Eastern Vehicle Recycling in Westfield.

We are very excited for the depth that this partnership brings. They have a long history dating back 132 years, a great reputation, a professional and friendly team, and a full suite of metal recycling services to further complement our operations.

The only real change will be a small name change to: Apkin Inc. All of our employees in Adams are staying onboard in their current positions, and both of us (Joe Apkin and Bill Apkin) will be staying on as well. Joe Apkin will be leading the company as president, and Bill Apkin will be staying onboard in an advisory role. Sally Cable and Cindi McLain will remain in the office for anything you need.

We appreciate the community that we work with, and it is important to us that we sustain the reputaton and the standing that we have built. To ensure that, we have worked trelessly to make sure that we have partnered with a company that shares our values. We are confident that you will not be disappointed by the transiton.

Thank you to all who have supported us through the years, we look forward to a new chapter.

Joe & Bill Apkin, the Apkin Team
Adams,Mass. 

Hoosac Valley Third-Graders Host Memorial Day Celebration

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
03:51PM / Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Jason Civello, a Hoosac Valley High graduate, spoke about his 31 years in the Army and National Guard. 

ADAMS, Mass. — Hoosac Valley Elementary School third-graders hosted a Memorial Day celebration for families, community members, local veterans, and school administration on Tuesday.

 

Guest speaker retired Command Sgt. Maj. Jason F. Civello, a Hoosac Valley graduate, asked the students gathered in the school auditorium to raise their hands if they liked to help people. He said those who raised their hands have a lot in common with military personnel.

 

He then talked about his experience in the Army and how it has shaped his perspective on Memorial Day.

 

"As someone who spent over three decades serving in the United States Army, I can tell you that military service is built on many things: discipline, sacrifice, teamwork, loyalty and love of our country," he said. "But there is something else that every service member understands. Service means that some will give everything and Memorial Day is about those heroes."

 

He added that he served with many people from different backgrounds, races, and religions.

 

"Once we put on that uniform we were all one team, one mission, one family. Among those people were individuals willing to sacrifice everything for the persons standing next to them and for the country they love," he said.

 

Civello went on to say that Memorial Day is more than a summer cookout or the unofficial start of summer. He said although there is nothing wrong with enjoying these moments with friends and family, it is important to remember the real meaning of Memorial Day.