North Adams Notes

12:00AM / Thursday, January 30, 2003Print Story | Email Story

A number of announcements of interest have come in this week: Drury students organize Community CPR Training and Health Fair: Ninth grade students in Molly Meczywor's English Class at Drury High School are organizing a community wide CPR training and health fair. The fair and CPR training will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Drury High School in North Adams. The students in Meczywor's class are encouraging all members of the community to sign up for this free training and to attend the health fair. This Service Learning project stems out of an incident that took place at Drury High School in the fall. A man had a heart attack and needed to be resuscitated by Linda Card, an EMT, and Jim Cunningham, a parent. The two were able to resuscitate the man and save his life. Many in the community regarded Card and Cunningham as heroes. Teachers, coaches and students began talking about the importance of knowing CPR. While reading the book The Odyssey by Homer, the 9th grade students realized the connection between real life heroes and ones in books. They wanted to make a difference and give others the opportunity to become heroes. To prepare for the training and the fair, the students felt it was important that they, too, became CPR trained. On Friday, January 17, the students themselves were trained by local EMTs, Police and Fire Departments. The instructors volunteered their day to instruct the students about adult, child and infant CPR. Leading the team of instructors were Denis and Laurie Tooper, members of the North Adams Police Department Dispatch Unit. The Troopers organized all of the instructors and will also be present at the mass CPR training. In addition, Linda Card, the EMT who saved the man using CPR, is also in the process of recruiting possible instructors. She said, "I am impressed that DHS and this 9th grade class are committed to heighten the community awareness for CPR training. To know this all started from one incident is amazing. CPR is a small investment of time to make, but the knowledge of knowing and performing CPR when needed is invaluable." The students were provided with books, face shields and one-on-one instruction about CPR. They will now promote the training and Health Fair to others in the community. Currently, organizers are looking for anyone in the community who is a CPR instructor to volunteer his or her time to train on Saturday Feb. 8th. They are in need of approximately 10 more instructors. If you are able to volunteer your time, please fill out the accompanying form or contact Linda Card at 663-9433. Breakfast and lunch are provided to all instructors and participants. In addition to the free CPR training, this group of students is also organizing a mental/physical Health Fair to take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Drury High School on Saturday, February 8. If you or anyone you know is interested in participating in the fair, please contact Molly Meczywor at 662-3240 or Hannah Greene, AmeriCorps *VISTA, at 662-5384. Organizers are hoping to have at least 20 booths at the fair. They already have 35 adults signed up for the free CPR training, but the goal is to certify 100 people. Participants will receive adult and child/infant training certification. In addition, breakfast and lunch are provided for all participants. Anyone who is interested should contact Molly Meczywor, Drury High School, 1130 South Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247 or call Meczywor at 662-3240. Brayton PTA receives awards at state convention: The Massachusetts PTA recently held its 93rd Annual Convention in Hyannis. Locally, Diane Carpinello, Jennifer Barbeau, Karen Lefave, Elsa Montoya, Katherine Barbeau, and Jessica Carpinello represented the Brayton PTA. Members from across Massachusetts gathered for the annual state meeting, training and networking opportunities. The three-day convention featured workshops by Linda Hodge, National PTA President; Michael Sentance, U.S. Department of Education; Pat Clem, Chair of the New England League of Middle Schools; Glen Koocher; Mass. Association of School Committees. Topics included School Budgeting and Finance, No Child Left Behind, PTA Resources, Parent Involvement Policies, and much more. The Brayton PTA was awarded with a Charter Member Certificate and Early Bird Award during the Awards Banquet. Brayton teacher, Karen Lefave was honored for her recent article published in Our Children, the National PTA Magazine. National PTA is the oldest and largest volunteer child advocacy group in the country working exclusively on behalf of children and youth. The Brayton PTA was organized last year by a group of Brayton School parents seeking involvement in their children's education. Members of the Brayton PTA include teachers, parents, students and community members committed to the PTA mission. According to Brayton PTA member Jennifer Barbeau, "Membership is open to anyone who is concerned with the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. When you join a PTA, you join millions of others who care about issues affecting children." Brayton PTA is a not-for-profit organization of parents, educators, students, and other citizens active in their schools and communities. Local members also hold membership at the State and National Level. "PTA is new in this area." explains Barbeau; "Brayton PTA is the first in Berkshire County." If you would like more information about PTA or for membership information please contact pta.org., or Barbeau at Brayton PTA. P.O. Box 1505, North Adams, MA 01247, 663-9761. TV Cafe, in association with NBCTC Channel 15 and I Have Nothing to Say Productions, is pleased to welcome Irish singer/songwriter Martin Finke. His current album, Let it Ring, is an eclectic blend of Irish folk traditional and rock, with modern day mannerisms. From the beginning, his songs have been emotive and carefully constructed poetry set to busy melodic guitar work. Don't sit around waiting for 'verse-chorus-verse.' Instead, you'll hear songs that pull you in and leave you to your own devices. While listening to his craft you hear honesty and valor, having nothing to do with what he is saying, but just how he says it. Finke will be at the Cafe on NBCTC 15, serving Adams, North Adams, Williamstown, and Clarksburg on February 8 and on dates thereafter. The show will also be shown on different community stations in the region. Tune in for more details, or stop by their website. For more information on Martin Finke please visit www.martinfinke.com. For more information on TV Cafe, please visit http://community.masslive.com/cc/TVCAFE. North Adams resident to compete at Winter X Games VII at Aspen, Colo.: North Adams resident and professional snowmobile racer Chad Luczynski will compete in Snowmobile SnoCross at Winter X Games VII at Aspen's Buttermilk Mountain January 30 - February 2. Luczynski, 21, is competing in the Winter X Games for the first time. Winter X Games VII, the signature winter action sports event, features the talents of more than 250 of the world's best action sports athletes competing in Moto X, Ski, Snowboard, Snowmobile, and UltraCross. Luczynski received his invitation to Winter X Games after taking third in the Rock Maple Racing (RMR) Haystack Winter X Qualifier. He has the speed and aerial ability to be competitive at Winter X Games VII. Aspen Skiing Company, host of Winter X Games VII, operates the four mountains in the Aspen/Snowmass area - Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk - as well as the award-winning Ski and Snowboard Schools of Aspen. The area offers extensive nightlife and off-slope activities. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC Sports will combine to televise 17 original hours of Winter X Games VII coverage January 30 - February 4, while ESPN International will distribute the Games worldwide. In addition, EXPN.com, the year-round home for action sports and culture, will offer extensive coverage, including streaming video from Winter X Games VII. Youth Center Announces New Rates for Family Swim at Hoosac Valley High School: The Youth Center, Inc. located on 20 East Street, Adams announces Family Swim Schedule at Hoosac Valley High School. Family Swim provides individuals and families with a safe and fun activity for the upcoming winter months. Members and non-members are welcome. Bring a suit and towel and jump in on the fun! The fee is $3 for single members; $4 for single non-members; $7 for family members; $8 for family non-members. Family swim runs from 5:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. on January 28, February 18, and 25, and March 11 and 25. Youth and Families are invited to become part of the Youth Center. Membership rates are as follows: $15, single youth; $20, single-parent family; $40, two-parent family. Memberships are good for a year. For more information about the Youth Center and Its programs please contact Elizabeth Baker at 743-3550. Or check out our web site www.youthcenterinc.com. Youth Center's Annual Family Valentine Dance: Affordable Family Entertainment: Youth Center, Inc. serving the communities of Adams, Cheshire and Savoy is pleased to announce its Family Valentine Dance on February 8 from 6 to 9 pm at the Turn Hall in Adams. Elizabeth Baker, the Youth Center's Executive Director said, "The Valentine Dance is one of the most popular events the Youth Center has. ...Last year's event over 150 people came to the dance." Baker states the reasons for the success is that it is one of the more affordable things you can do as a family. "Going to the movies for a family of four can cost up to $50 after you pay for admission and refreshments." Admission is $10 per family; $4 for individuals. Everyone is asked to bring a baked good or snack. "The snacks are unbelievable", Baker said. "You can choose from anything from cupcakes and brownies to chips and kids don't have to keep asking their parents for money, because everyone has brought something." The Youth Center Board of Directors brings all the drinks. For more information about the Family Valentine Dance, contact Baker at 743-3550.

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McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:32PM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course.

The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication.

"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."

LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates.

"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.

The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.

"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back.

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