WILLIAMSTOWN – Friends of the east Williamstown neighborhood at the First Congregational Church of Williamstown announce the establishment of the ENT (Encouraging Neighborhood Trees) Fund to help reforest the Luce Road area.
The acronym ENT was chosen in honor of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Ents, introduced in “The Two Towers,†the second book in his “Lord of the Rings†trilogy. Ents, also known as the Shepherds of the Trees, are an ancient and long-lived race of creatures that resemble deep-rooted trees while they sleep and tree-like beings when awake.
The Reverend Carrie Bail, pastor of First Church, has started the ENT Fund with a gift from her discretionary fund. A resident of Luce Road, Bail’s property has not been affected by the recent tree-cutting mandated by the expansion of Harriman-West Airport in North Adams, but she has witnessed the destruction of the local eco-system and the natural beauty of the neighborhood. A desire to create a way for concerned citizens to take action led to the creation of the ENT fund, which is non-sectarian and open to all.
Williamstown Selectman Jane Allen, who is also a Luce Road resident, was pleased to hear of the establishment of the fund and intends to contribute. She had earlier expressed interest publicly in creating such a fund, and is delighted that the church has taken the lead.
Members of the Habitat Crew, a service group for high school students sponsored by the First Congregational Church, will work with the ENT Fund and east Williamstown residents to gather expert advice and assist residents in creating individual household plans for replanting and landscaping. They will assist with the actual planting of trees and dedication ceremonies when the time comes. For more information or to get involved with the Habitat Crew call Beth Davis 413-458-4728.
In-kind donations of plants from a local family-owned tree farm and landscaping services from another local business have already been secured. All trees planted will be species that do not grow higher than the airport’s height restrictions.
Checks can be made out to the First Congregational Church with the words ENT Fund on the memo line, and can be dropped off at the church office weekdays from 9 am-3:30 pm, or mailed to the FCC, 906 Main Street, Williamstown, MA 01267-2639. All funds collected will go directly towards purchasing trees or planting and landscaping costs. For more information please call or e-mail the church at 413-458-4273 or fcc.willi@verizon.net .
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Greylock Federal Awards Student Scholarships
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Greylock Federal Credit Union awarded 34 scholarships to high school seniors from every public high school in Berkshire County and Columbia County, N.Y.
Greylock awarded 25 $500 Greylock Community Enrichment Scholarships to students who exemplify positive community spirit and demonstrate respect and concern for their peers in everything they do, stated a press release.
Applicants were required to write an essay, which demonstrated their positive involvement in the community.
"Our scholarship selection committee reviewed every application and essay," said Jennifer Connor-Shumsky, Greylock's Assistant Vice President, Community Support and Events, of the process which received more than 80 applications. "It was really tough to narrow it down, because there were so many incredible students doing some amazing work in the community."
The funds will be applied toward state-accredited or nationally accredited two or four-year colleges or universities, or a full-time technical school program.
"For the first time ever, we were thrilled that two of the scholarships went to students entering a technical/vocational school," said Connor-Shumsky.
In addition to these scholarships, Greylock offers Scholastic Achievement Awards, which are designated for children of Greylock employees who are also high school graduates. This year, Greylock awarded nine $1,000 Scholastic Achievement Awards. These awards are available to all employees.
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