Regional notes

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Beavers are active in many Berkshire waterways, including the Housatonic River in Lenox, shown here above the Lenox Dale Dam. (Photo by Anthony Fyden)
Pantry closing PITTSFIELD — The Berkshire Red Cross, which has been operating an on-site Food Pantry for the past seven years, has announced that it will close the pantry doors due to local budget cuts. Effective July 30, the hundreds of adults and children who have used the Food Pantry in any given month will have to visit other local food pantries. “I believe this resource will be sorely missed by the people we have had the opportunity to assist,” Kathleen Phillips, executive director, said in a news release. “We took a very different approach to providing this service, by transforming our food pantry into a valuable experience for low income and poverty stricken individuals and families, by not only offering them a large variety of foods, including fresh vegetables and fruits, but also giving them recipes, meal ideas, nutritional information, along with specialized food items, health care supplies and referrals to other services that would address the core of the issues that have brought them to the food pantry to begin with.” She added, “It is unfortunate that we have to take this action due to budget cuts and it saddens all of us that we will not be able to provide resources to some of our neediest residents. But we do know that we can refer our clients to the other food pantries in the county. We hope that with a month’s notice that no one will fall through the cracks.” Information: Dick Stockwell, 442-1506. Halpern elected BOSTON — Health Care for All, the leading Massachusetts health-care advocacy organization, elected Charles Joffe-Halpern of North Adams as new president of the board of directors on Thursday, June 17. Joffe-Halpern, executive director of Ecu-Health Care Inc. in North Adams, was elected by the board for a three-year term during its annual meeting. “I am thrilled to have been chosen for this role in what I feel is the most effective and inspiring organization in Massachusetts,” Joffe-Halpern said in a news release. “Tens of thousands of residents in Massachusetts now have health coverage as a direct result of Health Care for All’s advocacy and leadership.” During his career, Joffe-Halpern has been a clinical social worker, social work supervisor and administrator in a number of mental health agencies and medical settings in Western Massachusetts. Ecu-Health Care is a model health-care access program for the uninsured residents of North Berkshire. “We are pleased to be able to attract such talented and committed leaders, such as Mr. Joffe-Halpern,” said John McDonough, executive director of Health Care for All. A member of the Medical Care Advisory Committee to the commissioner of Medicaid in Massachusetts, Joffe-Halpern has spoken at numerous conferences hosted by the U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services about health-care access and his experiences in Ecu-Health Care’s outreach methods. In 1999, he was a recipient of the Area Health Education Center’s Achievement Award for his work helping residents access health coverage in Berkshire County. In 2003, he was chosen by the Berkshire County Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers as the county’s Social Worker of the Year. BCC closed PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Community College, including the Paterson Field House and the college's South County Center in Great Barrington, will be closed Monday, July 5, in observance of Independence Day. All facilities will reopen Tuesday, July 6. BCC's third summer session, featuring more than a dozen credit courses and a like number of noncredit workshops, will begin on Thursday, July 8, and run through Monday, Aug. 16. Gardening lecture SHELBURNE FALLS — The Bridge of Flowers Gardening Lecture series will present a talk by Nina Newington, “Cottage Gardening for Ease and Delight,” on Monday, July 5, at 7 p.m. at the Bottle of Bread restaurant, 18 Water St. Newington will discuss favorite plants for dense and relatively weed-proof planting, including easy old-fashioned roses and self-sewing biennials, such as forget-me-nots, columbines and foxgloves. She will also provide tips for planning a garden so it looks unplanned, making the most of the structure already there and judiciously adding more in the way of paths, hedges, and, where possible, small trees. Newington has made her living designing and planting gardens for the past 10 years. She has given numerous talks at local nurseries, in addition to more distant venues including the Saratoga Springs Historical Preservation conference and the Rhode Island Flower and Garden Show. Information: 413-625-8241. Beaver study Contained in the recently passed Fiscal Year 2005 budget is a mandate for the state Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (DFW) to study the environmental impact of the proliferation of unattended beaver dams in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties. Incorporated into the budget at the request of state Rep. Shaun P. Kelly, R-Dalton, the study calls for the DFW to investigate the public safety and public health hazards caused by unattended dams. The DFW will present its findings to the Legislature in January 2005. According to the DFW, in recent years beaver populations have exploded statewide, triggering a proliferation of beaver dams, which in turn have caused interminable water-flow and flooding difficulties. Those difficulties present a much more dangerous public safety and health hazard in the mountainous regions of Western Massachusetts than in the flat lowlands of the eastern part of the state. Unattended beaver dams create vast pools of standing water — pools that could cause loss of life or serious property damage if a dam were to breach and collapse. Kelly, whose district is rife with beaver dams, has been urging the state environmental agencies to create a plan of action to ensure critical drainage areas in the region do not overflow. “Government should be proactive on this one as it is abundantly clear to me that, should personal injury or property damage ever occur, measures would certainly be taken at that time to avoid repeat episodes” Kelly said in a news release. “Knowing this, we cannot, in good conscience, just wait for an accident to occur, and this study should set us on the path to finding a workable solution — which also deals with the very real potential for catastrophic outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses from these stagnant pools.” MCAS program PITTSFIELD — Berkshire County high school students from the classes of 2003 and 2004 who have not yet fulfilled MCAS requirements may contact Berkshire Community College for information about a free summer program designed to help students pass the exam. The program, which will be held on BCC's main campus, will run from July 7 through Aug. 26. Classes will meet two days a week, with both afternoon and evening schedules available. In addition to classes in mathematics and English language arts, students will receive one-on-one tutoring and academic advising. Classes will be small and designed so that each student will get the attention he or she needs. Information: Stacy Evans, 499-4660, ext. 485, or sevans@berkshirecc.edu. Library help The nonprofit Friends of the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System are seeking memberships and donations from people and businesses in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties who would like to help the system better serve area libraries. The library system provides the daily delivery to libraries throughout the four counties. The Friends are trying to raise $25,000 by Sept. 30 to enable the system to purchase new library books, films and books so the smallest public libraries in the state can lend the materials to their borrowers. The region sustained a state budget cut of 24 percent a couple of years ago and is still operating at that reduced funding level. The lack of funding made it difficult to purchase adequate amounts of new materials for the Bookmobile, according to the Friends. Anyone interested in helping the effort is invited to become a Friend. Membership categories are $100 for founding members and businesses; $50 for best buddies; and $20 for basic Friends memberships. Donations on top of memberships are encouraged to help the Friends reach their goal and improve services for users of small public libraries. Checks can be sent to: Friends of WMRLS; P.O. Box 9; Hatfield, MA 01038. UCP golf PITTSFIELD — United Cerebral Palsy will hold its sixth annual Golf Classic on Wednesday, July 14, at Waubeeka Golf Links in Williamstown. Sponsors, golfers and prizes are needed to make the event a success. All funds raised will be used to support UCP services to children and adults with disabilities and their families in Berkshire County. Information: Christine Singer or Joni Thomas, 442-1562. Junior Rangers ADAMS — Mount Greylock State Reservation has announced the Junior Ranger Program for children ages 8 to 12, to be held at Greylock Glen starting July 10. The free program will be held every Thursday, 10 to noon, for seven weeks through Aug. 21. Participants who complete five out of seven sessions will receive a patch and certificate. Parentsmust register children by July 7. Space is limited to 20 participants. Junior Ranger activities promote outdoor recreational skills and appreciation of the natural world through fun activities and games, map and compass, plant and animal ecology, Native American and local history, geology and much more. Children should wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Sturdy walking shoes, water, a snack, sunscreen and bug spray are recommended. Junior Rangers meet under the pavilion off Gould Road in the Greylock Glen, off West Road, approximately 2 miles from downtown Adams. The program is sponsored by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation. To pick up a registration form, visit the Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitor Center on Rockwell Road in Lanesboro. Information, or to register: 499-4262. Arc scholarship PITTSFIELD — Berkshire County Arc has awarded a $1,000 scholarship in memory of Marijane Hickey, who worked as a human resource specialist at the agency for the past three years and was a very important part of the organization and its annual Golf Classic. Nicolas Reddy of Taconic High School has been awarded the $1,000 scholarship, to be used toward his tuition at Westfield State College this fall. He has shown an interest in psychology and human services. The Review Committee, consisting of Daniel Dillon, president of the Berkshire United Way; Shirley Edgerton of the state Department of Mental Retardation, June Hailer, advocate for United Cerebral Palsy of the Berkshires, and Vinnie Marinaro, executive director of the Catholic Youth Center, approved the final selection. The award was presented on June 21 at the agency’s all-staff meeting. Funds for the scholarship were raised through Berkshire County Arc’s annual Golf Classic. To date, the agency has awarded approximately $21,000 in scholarships over the last seven years. Berkshire County Arc has been in existence since 1954 and annually provides services to over 325 individuals with disabilities. Programs are geared to offer individuals opportunities to be fully participating members of their community. Elder grants PITTSFIELD — Elder Services of Berkshire County Inc. has announced the availability of $75,000 in grants funded through the Older Americans Act. Elder Services is seeking proposals to provide people age 60 and over in Berkshire County with the following services: in-home health assessments, health promotion and disease prevention, medication management, chores, legal assistance and caregiver support, such as individual counseling and training, information and education and respite care to provide caregivers temporary relief from the responsibilities of caregiving. Proposals may be submitted by a single organizational entity or be collaborative ventures. Funding, provided through Title III of the Older Americans Act, will be for Oct. 1, 2004 though Sept. 30, 2005. Interested individuals and organizations, especially those that serve the elderly, are encouraged to apply. Applications and information can be obtained from Beth Hinkley at Elder Services, 66 Wendell Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201, bhinkley@esbci.org or by calling 499-0524. An informational meeting will be held on Friday July 9 at 9:30 am at the Elder Services offices. All proposals are due at Elder Services by 5 p.m., Aug. 4. Dalton award DALTON — The Berkshire Talking Chronicle was chosen by the Friends of the Dalton Council on Aging Inc. to receive an award at the annual Volunteer Recognition dinner on May 18 at St. Agnes School Hall. The award was presented to the staff and volunteers of the Berkshire Talking Chronicle in appreciation for its dedicated service to the residents of Dalton and the surrounding area and for setting an example of excellence in the volunteer community. Beverly Grady, board president, accepted the award; Lois Chapman read the names of Dalton volunteers, and Martin Jonas gave a slide presentation on the service provided by the Chronicle. The Berkshire Talking Chronicle has been in operation for 18 years, providing free radio reading services to over 200 visually impaired and print handicapped listeners in the Berkshires, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Information on becoming a listener, a volunteer or to arrange for a slide presentation: 684-0880. Bible school DALTON — Dalton United Methodist Church will conduct its annual Vacation Bible School program from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday, July 12-16, at the church, 75 Main St. Classes are available for pre-school through eighth-grade children. The theme for this year’s program is “The Far-Our Far East Rickshaw Rally — Racing to the Son,” which will allow children to imagine they’re dashing through the streets of Tokyo, climbing Mount Fuji and diving for pearls. Activities will include crafts, games, snacks, singing, and listening to Bible stories. There is no fee. There will be a free will offering each day, which will be donated toward a college scholarship for a needy student in South Korea. The school is open to children from any church, as well as those who do not attend church but would like to know more about Christianity. Information: the church, 684-0521, or Susan Shelsy, 655-9989. Wait-A-Thon NORTH ADAMS — The Berkshire County Chapter of the American Red Cross will host a Celebrity Bartending/Wait-A-Thon dinner and fundraiser on July 15 at 6 p.m. at Steeples Restaurant, 40 Main St. Community “celebrities” waiting on tables will include Jennifer Macksey Ethier, Holly Taylor, Dick Lamb, Carol Corrigan, Police Director Michael Cozzaglio, Fire Director Steve Meranti, Public Safety Commissioner E. John Morocco, Billy Flaherty, Dr. Paul Rosenthal, Dr. Bruce Nash, Billie Allard, Mike Zeppieri, Libby Macksey, Bruce McAndrews, Heather Putnam Boulger, Laura Bosley, Denise Richardello and Dick Alcombright. All proceeds from waiters’ tips will be donated to the Berkshire Red Cross to help continue providing services for disaster victims, house and feed the homeless, provide transportation to medical appointments, help train the public in health and safety courses and to educate children. Tickets are $15 per person in advance at the Red Cross in Pittsfield. There will be limited tickets at the door. Information: Mary Eberwein, 442-1506. Peace event NORTH ADAMS — The Women’s House of Peace will present a weekend retreat from July 23 to July 25 at Starseed Healing Sanctuary in Savoy. The retreat will explore the tale of the legendary Iroquois Peacemaker, which inspired the founders of American Democracy. Processes used throughout the weekend are based on the work of Dr. Jean Houston. Information: Natalie Cain, 663-5832, or e-mail ssjpeace@earthlink.net. The Women’s House of Peace will also offer “Imagery for Relaxation, Health and Wellness,” a series of eight sessions on healing imagery for people living with cancer, on Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m. beginning July 12, at 20 Veazie St. Facilitator, Sheila Pick, licensed social worker, psychotherapist and dream group facilitator, has worked with cancer patients and their families for many years. Information: Pick, 243-0723 or Cain, 663-5932. Ashmere search HINSDALE — Camp Ashmere is searching for camp alumni — both previous campers and members of the staff. The camp, a ministry of the First Baptist Church of North Adams, has been in operation since 1915. It was that year a group of men from First Baptist went out in search of a piece of property on which they would start a Christian summer camp for children. Camp Ashmere is now nearing 90 years of service here in Berkshire County. The trustees are looking for names, pictures, stories, remembrances and articles of the camp’s history. The plan includes collecting all of the above as the camp starts its 10-year countdown to its 100-year anniversary. Alumni or people who know alumni are asked to visit www.campashmere.org and sign in on the guest book page. They may also call this summer, 655-2650, or this winter, 663-3780, or write to 131 Main St., North Adams, MA 01247 or 822 Peru Road, Hinsdale, MA 01235. Better Breathers NORTH ADAMS — The Better Breathers in North County Support Group for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will meet at the Mary Spitzer Senior Center, 116 Ashland St., on Thursday, July 8, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The speaker and topic are to be determined. Lung disease, including asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis, affects nearly 28 million people in the United States, according to the group. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, chronic mucus production, frequent chest colds, coughing up blood, chronic cough and wheezing. Better Breathers is designed to be both educational and social. The Better Breathers Support Group is co-sponsored by Lincare and the American Lung Association of Western Massachusetts and is free. The group is open to anyone affected by lung disease and their family and friends. Information: American Lung Association, 1-800-LUNG-USA, or Bobbi Darrin or Dana Vandesteene at Lincare, 637-1029. Sweet Adelines PITTSFIELD — The Berkshire Hills Chorus of Sweet Adelines International was awarded third place in the Small Chorus Division in the 29th annual Spring Competition of North American Region One May 4 at Symphony Hall in Springfield. It was the second year in a row the chorus has placed third, earning a ribbon.The 23-member chorus placed 10th overall out of 21 competing choruses. Valeri Reynolds of Richmond, who has directed the chorus since January, led the members in singing the two competition songs, “Bye Bye Baby/Baby Won’t You Please Come Home” medley and an original ballad, “Kiss Me One More Time,” which was written and arranged by a member of Sweet Adelines International. Reynolds has been a chorus member for six years and has an extensive musical background. The Berkshire Hills Chorus is a part of Sweet Adelines International, whose 45,000 women are dedicated to sharing their love of singing unaccompanied four-part harmony. The chorus is part of Region One, which represents all of the New England states and the Canadian paritime provinces. The group rehearses weekly on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Pilgrim Memorial Church, 249 Wahconah St. Women of all ages who like to sing are welcome. Information: Sue, 447-7433. Zonta Club PITTSFIELD — Jenaye Haddad of Pittsfield was named the recipient of the 2004 Zonta Club of Berkshire County Young Women in Public Affairs Award, receiving $500. The goal of the Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs Award Program is to recognize women students’ commitment to the volunteer sector and dedication to the advancement of the status of women, thus encouraging more women to enter careers in public affairs, public policy and community organizations. Applicants are asked to reflect on their lives, their commitment to their communities and their thoughts on the status of women in their country and internationally. Haddad was chosen because of her strong volunteer commitment and leadership abilities, particularly in the service sector, balanced with high academic achievement, according to the club. She intends to pursue study in education at Boston College in the fall. Applications for the 2005 Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs Award will be available from the Zonta Club of Berkshire County in the fall.
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Friends of Great Barrington Libraries Holiday Book Sale

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Friends of Great Barrington Libraries invite the community to shop their annual Holiday Good-as-New Book Sale, happening now through the end of the year at the Mason Library, 231 Main Street. 
 
With hundreds of curated gently used books to choose from—fiction, nonfiction, children's favorites, gift-quality selections, cookbooks, and more—it's the perfect local stop for holiday gifting.
 
This year's sale is an addition to the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce's Holiday Stroll on this Saturday, Dec. 13, 3–8 PM. Visitors can swing by the Mason Library for early parking, browse the sale until 3:00 PM, then meet Pete the Cat on the front lawn before heading downtown for the Stroll's shopping, music, and festive eats.
 
Can't make the Holiday Stroll? The book sale is open during regular Mason Library hours throughout December.
 
Proceeds support free library programming and events for all ages.
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