The Boston Red Sox batted 1.000 — or darned close to it — as hordes of fans braved long lines and sometimes chilly weather throughout the county Tuesday and Wednesday to enjoy the World Series championship trophy or have their photographs taken with it.
They ranged from toddlers to 90-somethings who had memories, albeit somewhat dim, of the last Boston Series win, more than 86 years ago. Most expressed delight at being able to share in the glorious season of 2004, as well as and thanks to the Sox organization for bringing the trophy to what many in Boston consider the forgotten land.
“This is phenomenal,†said George Canales, as he watched an estimated 2,500 fans pass through St. Anthony’s Parish Hall in North Adams for their moment with the trophy. “There’s a lot of people here in Berkshire County who love the Sox, and this means a lot to them. I see people in their 80s, and they’re saying, ‘I’m going to see the trophy before I die.’ You wanted to hold your breaths because you couldn’t believe what they did — they annihilated the Yankees, and that’s tremendous, and then took the Series. We don’t have to ‘wait until next year’ anymore. It’s here.â€
“This is a home run!†proclaimed state Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams, who went to every stop on the North County tour. “People here identify so much with this team, and the Red Sox haven’t forgotten us. They’ve let it be known it isn’t just their trophy — it belongs to everyone.â€
Some expressed disappointment that no players had made the trip, but Jared Remy, son of former second baseman and current NESN announcer Jerry “Remdog†Remy, and Tim Schmitt, publicist for former pitching great Luis Tiant, were on hand, swapping a few good tales and signing autographs for children who brought baseballs for that purpose. Among those they met and spoke with were Paul Laliberte Jr., 9, of Adams and Matt Bresett, 9, of Cheshire at St. Anthony’s and Bobby Costine, 3, of Stamford, Vt., at the Clarksburg Senior Center.
At the latter venue, the mood was festive, as seniors greeted the trophy entourage with a rousing version of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,†led by Choral Director Barbara King.
“I’ve been waiting all my life for this,†said Philip Fosser, former police chief and retired Yankee Atomic employee. “It’s great the Red Sox are promoting this. We’re a small town, and Boston doesn’t even know where Clarksburg is.â€
His wife, Agnes, who has become a fan only in recent years, reminded him that she had to wake him up for some of the late games.â€
The town bused in students from Clarksburg Elementary School for the occasion, and scores more from throughout the area attended.
At C.T. Plunkett School in Adams, where the tour began, the accent was mostly on youth, as children paraded past the trophy in the auditorium, class by class. Many of the young fans were eager to express their opinions about their team.
“I like them because they win!†said Nick Ryan, 9.
“They’ve got a lot of good players — I’m thinking David Ortiz,†said Nathan Pierce, also 9.
“The Red Sox are coming, the Red Sox are coming! And they got revenge,†quipped Chad Alibozek, 10.
Favorite players ranged from Ortiz and Curt Shilling to the ever-popular Johnny Damon (especially among the girls).
“I think they’re all hot,†said Stephanie Griffith, 10. “They’re good. They must be good; they have a trophy,†added Joelle Diesz, 9 1/2.
Among the “more mature fans†at the school were Mary Jette, Jim Dynes, Herb Martin, Fran Alibozek, Helen Jay Morin and Joan Pause, all of Adams.
This is the greatest thing in the world — we beat the Yankees!†It’s been coming for years,†Pause said.
Martin said he still rued the Sox loss in the 1946 series: “[Johnny] Pesky should have thrown the ball to home plate, or we wouldn’t have had to be here today.†[Many Boston fans recall the play, saying Pesky held onto the ball, allowing the hated Yankees to score.]
Roughly 1,500 fans saw the trophy at Towne Fieldhouse at Williams College, some coming from Saratoga, N.Y. and beyond. The line swept past the hockey rink into the plaza next to Chandler Gym. If Williams had not been on break between Winter Study and the beginning of second semester the crowd would have been dramatically larger, college officials said.
Retired Eph lacrosse coach Renzie Lamb, who grew up on Long Island is not a Red Sox fan, but he and his wife, Terry, came to get a picture of the trophy for a granddaughter.
Later, at St. Anthony’s North Adams Mayor John Barrett III beamed as he watched the seemingly never-ending crowd — which stayed polite and genial despite the long lines. The balmy 40-degree weather helped make the wait less painful.
“This is a baseball town and always has been,†Barrett said. “Not only are you seeing Red Sox fans here, you’re seeing baseball fans. We love our Red Sox and we love our SteepleCats. But this trophy tour is a once-in-a-lifetime thing.â€
“Now,†quipped Bosley quipped, who was standing nearby, “I want Robert Kraft [New England Patriots owner] to bring three Lombardi trophies out here.†He referred to the Patriots’ two Superbowl victories and the one he is predicting for Sunday.
But for two glorious days, it was baseball, not football, on everyone’s minds.
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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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