AVECHAT: I ramble, therefore I am.

By Howie LevitzPrint Story | Email Story
I suppose if actually compelled at gunpoint, I could learn to use the three bands of five FM presets on my car radio, but truth be told, I only listen to a handful of stations on a regular basis. Sporadically, curiosity gets the better of me, and I’ll take an aural peek at WGNA 107.7. It’s the comfort of country, with (not in any particular order) cheatin’, drinkin’, pick-up trucks, friends in low places and, well, tender sentiments and imaginative turns of phrase and lines that actually rhyme that is reminiscent of the music I grew up with. Of course, there’s WAMC at 90.3 and WBTN at 94.3. Yes, believe it or not, there are times when I get a little saturated with Alan and Susan and Joe and Paul and take refuge at Vermont Public Radio, a hop and skip up the dial. The broadcast times for Prairie Home Companion and Car Talk and All Things Considered and Fresh Air and Performance Today and Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! better suit my listening schedule, but I haven’t sacrificed important news and commentary. When I roll up the windows for the night, I often leave the car radio at 95.5, WPLJ. This is purely because I have to be at work at 10 in the morning, and since the radio is also a clock, I’m always 5 minutes early. North Adams’ WMNB has made Whoopee with Pittsfield station WUPE, and now they simulcast the oldies at 100.1 and 95.9. Great! I love the oldies, I love the nightlife, I love to boogie… oh yeah. * Hopefully, curator Brian Allen from CAI enjoyed not only his soon-to-be-former colleagues' toasts but also literally, the toast at his farewell breakfast last Thursday at the Williams Inn. Good luck as he heads east to assume the duties of director at the Addison Gallery of American Art on the campus of Phillips Academy. * The19th Annual “Run For The Roses” which honors the memory of Ryan Gardner and Courtney Carelli, will take place on Sunday, Aug. 15, at Grafton Lakes State Park, Route 2, 12 miles east of Troy. Proceeds will benefit the Grafton Community Library and the Courtney Carelli Foundation for Literacy. Information: 518-279-0580. I just happen to notice when the car pulls up and parks in front of my store: The license plate indicates New York. Great! I rub my hands together in glee and wonder if we’ll play the game. First, they enter and we get a conversation started. I’m listening to qualify the players as being from some generic upstate New York location, or with any luck, I’ll hear something in their voice that suggests “The City.” Occasionally there are other clues to work with. Oversized luxury cars with MD plates and EasyPass boxes velcroed to the windshield, for instance, are dead giveaways. “Lawn Geyeland,” I predict, or “New Yawk Ciddy.” If correct with my first guess, I’ll continue by naming a borough or township and try to narrow it down to their home or place of origin. I once placed a student to within one block of her actual address in the West 70s of Manhattan. Of course, when I guess wrong, the game’s over, but meanwhile it was a fun way to break the ice and reminisce about my native land. My first meeting with Barbara Alperin was pretty unremarkable. While staying at the Williams Inn one summer, she developed camera trouble, and the good folks sent her to me. It was a simple fix and we became friends. I knew this for sure when she went out of her way to visit me the following summer and every summer since. Barbara is founder of Performance Art Tours, a corporation that runs bus tours from Philadelphia to wherever “good theater” is being done — Washington, Broadway and of course, the Berkshires. Only recently did I discover that Barbara is a native of Brooklyn! “Brooklyn? What part of Brooklyn? Flatbush? What part of Flatbush? Midwood? You went to Midwood High School? And what, you attended Public School 152? Me too!” For the first time in 45 years the P.S. 152 school song erupted from our lips. When the laughter subsided, she revealed having lived on East 20th (Ocean Avenue) between Avenues “I” and “J.” I lived between the same avenues but on East 21st Street. Our backyards touched! And if that isn’t enough, we’re both blue-eyed and left-handed. The only time I’m likely to get closer with this game is with my sister! Go figure. Howie Levitz runs TGL/Traits by day and composes, plays and tunes pianos by night. In either case, he spends too much time in the dark, talking to himself. Readers may reach him at AdvocateAveChat@aol.com.
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Dalton Announces New Supplier for Energy Program

DALTON, Mass. – The Town of Dalton has signed a thirty-four month contract with a new supplier, First Point Power.
 
Beginning with the January 2026 meter reads, the Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program will have a new rate of $0.13042 per kWh. The Program will also continue to offer an optional 100 percent green product, which is derived from National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), at a rate of $0.13142 per kWh.
 
For Dalton residents and businesses who are enrolled in the Town's Program, the current rate of $0.13849 per kWh will expire with the January 2026 meter reads and the new rate of $0.13042 per kWh will take effect. This represents a decrease of $5 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. Additionally, this new rate is 3 percent lower than Eversource's Residential Basic Service rate of $0.13493 per kWh. Residents can expect to see an
average savings of $3 per month for the month of January 2026. Eversource's Basic Service rates
will change on Feb. 1, 2026.
 
Dalton launched its electricity program in January 2015 in an effort to develop an energy program that would be stable and affordable. From inception through June 2025, the Program has saved residents and small businesses over $1.7 million in electricity costs as compared to Eversource Basic Service.
 
It is important to note that no action is required by current participants. This change will be seen on the February 2026 bills. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will remain with their current product offering and see the new rate and First Point Power printed under the "Supplier Services" section of their monthly bill.
 
The Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program has no fees or charges. However, anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching.
 
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