Berkshire Visitors Bureau elects new directors, honors members

Print Story | Email Story
Norma Probst, Visitor's Bureau board of directors chairmanView Slide Show
PITTSFIELD—The Berkshire Visitors Bureau on Thursday elected its board of directors and honored area businesses and individuals at the organization’s 65th Annual Meeting and Membership Appreciation reception at Pittsfield's Crowne Plaza Hotel. William R. Wilson, Jr., president and CEO, and Norma Probst, bureau board of directors chairman, presented membership appreciation awards to Buz Sterner, I. S. Management Services, Beyond the Call; Crowne Plaza Hotel Pittsfield, Above and Beyond; City of North Adams, Outstanding City Beautification; David Duquette, Dan Duquette Sports Academy & Conference Center, Outstanding Renovation; Eugene Hannon, Catamount Ski & Ride Area, Extraordinary Community Commitment; Berkshire Community Colleges' Elderhostel Program, Enthusiastic Cultural Ambassador; Lee Chamber of Commerce volunteers and Williamstown Visitors Information Center volunteers, Committed Volunteer Service; David Durfee, The Red Lion Inn, Consistent Service Behind the Scenes; John Davidson, outgoing chairman of Berkshire Visitors Bureau Board of Directors, Vision & Leadership; and Larry Yerdon, Hancock Shaker Village, Outstanding Cultural Commitment. Honored for their service on the board of directors were John Felton, Wordwise Editorial Consultants; Sally Morse Majewski, Hancock Shaker Village; Katherine Myers, MASS MoCA; Matthew Sawyer; Ski Butternut Ski Area; Michael Ballon, Castle Street Café; Kathy Hazelett, Dayspring Realtors, Inc.; Joseph Lotano, Banknorth Massachusetts; Smitty Pignatelli, state representative; and Brooks Bradbury. Board of directors members elected were George Crockett, Historic Merrell Inn; Marilyn Kelly, Sullivan Station; Ann Mintz, Berkshire Museum; Linda Mulvey, Seven Stones Resort; Charlie O’Brien, South Adams Savings Bank; Eric Rudd, Dark Ride Project; Richard Stanley, Triplex Cinema; Bill Robinson, Coakley, Pierpan, Dolan & Collins Insurance Agency, Inc.; Richard Woller, Greylock Discovery Tours; Laura Hazen, Dayspring Realtors; and Susan Sperber, Colonial Theatre. The event also featured a “Restaurant Showcase,” where Berkshire chefs, restaurants and other member businesses provided an array of food and beverages for the gathering. They were assisted by students from the Berkshire Community College culinary arts program. Music was provided by students from the Berkshire Music School. With more than 600 members, the non-profit Berkshire Visitors Bureau is the official, state-recognized tourism promotion agency for Berkshire County. With a budget approaching $2 million, the bureau markets the Berkshires all over the U.S. and the world through advertising, public relations, trade shows and conferences, collateral materials and direct mail programs.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Lanesborough Fifth-Graders Win Snowplow Name Contest

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — One of the snowplows for Highway District 1 has a new name: "The Blizzard Boss."
 
The name comes from teacher Gina Wagner's fifth-grade class at Lanesborough Elementary School. 
 
The state Department of Transportation announced the winners of the fourth annual "Name A Snowplow" contest on Monday. 
 
The department received entries from public elementary and middle school classrooms across the commonwealth to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during the 2025/2026 winter season. 
 
The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during winter operations. 
 
"Thank you to all of the students who participated. Your creativity allows us to highlight to all, the importance of the work performed by our workforce," said  interim MassDOT Secretary Phil Eng.  
 
"Our workforce takes pride as they clear snow and ice, keeping our roads safe during adverse weather events for all that need to travel. ?To our contest winners and participants, know that you have added some fun to the serious take of operating plows. ?I'm proud of the skill and dedication from our crews and thank the public of the shared responsibility to slow down, give plows space and put safety first every time there is a winter weather event."
 
View Full Story

More Stories