The Berkshire County Italian/American Organization holds Installation.

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Founding member and newly installed President John Lipa
The Community Italian American Organization (CIAO) of the Berkshires held its' sixth annual Installation of Officers on Monday evening, September 26th at Steeple's Restaurant in North Adams. The club, which is, comprised of men and women of Italian decent, has, as its mission the development and promotion of Italian heritage through education and community involvement. The club installed nine new members, they are as follows: Tony Abusi, Gene Breda, Antoinette Cariddi, Joe Mancuso, Ed Morandi and John Morocco of North Adams; Ed Bassi of Cheshire; and John Bilotta and Al Ingegni of Pittsfield. Pittsfield’s Police Chief Anthony Riello, Past President, swore in the new members. Installed, as officers were John Lipa, President; Charles J. Cardillo and Paul A. Fortini, Vice Presidents; Sheila M. Lussier, Secretary; Ralph T. Magri, Treasurer; Joseph E. Mendonca, Financial Secretary; Joseph Cardillo, Sergeant at Arms; Rev. Christopher Malatesta, Chaplain, and the following as Directors: Albert E. Belanger, Jeffery A. Caligari, John N. Campoli, Thomas J. Ditello, John Genzabella, Dr. John L. Moresi, Linda M. Ruberto, Anthony Samale, and Ronald Virgilio. Outgoing President, Richard D. Petruzella will remain on the Board in an advisory capacity. The club is currently working with North Adams in preparing for a reception for 24 visitors, including the mayor, from the town of Tremosine, Italy. The Italian language students from Taconic and Pittsfield High Schools will be guests of the club at this reception scheduled for Wednesday, October 19th at Steeples Restaurant. This was the inaugural year of the Club’s Berkshire County Soccer Hall of Fame. The outpouring of support, from the local soccer community to Mass. College of Liberal Arts was wonderful. In its first year the club was able to award a total of $9,000.00 in scholarships to 18 male and female senior soccer players from high-schools throughout the county. The club was still able to keep up its commitments to many other charities as well as responding to individual requests for help. Founding member and newly installed President John Lipa worked for General Electric, Martin-Marietta, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics for 31 years in a variety of increasingly responsible leadership positions, including director of Human Resources for General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems in Pittsfield, MA, Greensboro, NC and Florham Park, NJ. He retired from General Dynamics in 2003. He is now Vice-President of Operations and Development for the North Adams SteepleCats. Active in his community, he serves on a number of Boards including: the Legacy Bank Advisory Board, the Prospect Foundation, Take and Eat, Inc., North Adams Redevelopment Authority, the Berkshire County Regional Employment Board (chair), the Berkshire County Chamber of Commerce, the Berkshire Regional Competitiveness Council, the Northern Berkshire Industrial Park and Development Commission (chair) and the Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board Association(chair). He is a member of La Festa, Inc., and the North Adams Sons of Italy. John’s awards include: Special Leadership Award from the commonwealth of Massachusetts, Outstanding State Vice President, US Jaycees, Man of the year, Roman catholic Diocese of Springfield, the Judge Ernest H. Rosasco Humanitarian Award, North Adams Sons of Italy, Francis Hayden Leadership Award, Berkshire County Chamber of Commerce, Alumnus of the Year, Bowling Green State University, and numerous management awards while employed. He is a graduate of Berkshire Community College, Bryant College and Bowling Green State University. He and his wife, the former Bonnie Rae Corsi, reside in North Adams, MA.
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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."
 
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