Berkshire Bits

By Susan BushPrint Story | Email Story
Murals painted on Steven Fronsman's Harley-Davidson were hand-painted by Betty Person of North Adams.
The 25th annual Fall Run weekend celebration drew crowds to Park Street on Sept. 23 and more than an estimated 1800 motorcycles and 2500 riders to the Sept. 24 Shriner's hospital fundraiser. Fall Run Weekend The Saturday night event included a motorcycle show and two live band performances. Park Street was closed to vehicle traffic and dozens of vintage, classic, and customized motorcycles lined both sides of the street. Among the top bike show prize winners was David Boyer, whose restoration of a 1948 Indian motorcycle earned spectator praise. The motorcycle boasted an original purchase price of $684, Boyer said. Fall Run photos here Steven Fronsman of North Adams captured a second place finish with a 1978 Harley-Davidson XL 100 bike. Murals were hand-painted on the bike's gas tank. The murals were painted by Betty Person of North Adams, Fronsman said. The bike's flame accents were painted by Charlie Snell. A Fronsman family crest is also painted on the motorcycle. Fall Run co-founder and street fair organizer Chris Samson said he was happy with the fair turnout. Samson worked with Marty Chittenden and other Fall Run organizers in conjunction with a Downtown Committee to bring the bike event to the street. "Right now it seems to be going well, " Samson said during a Sept. 23 interview. "I really appreciate that everybody has donated their time. The bands, "Johnny's Ghost" and "Longview Gunslingers" donated their time." All revenues raised at through street fair events and the Fall Run are destined for the Shriner's orthopedic hospital in Springfield, Samson said. Shriner's hospitals serve children at no cost to their families. The Shriners operate orthopedic hospitals and a trio of burn centers throughout the country; in addition to the Springfield hospital, the Shriners operate a burn center in Boston. Rain teased without mercy during the Sept. 24 morning, as thousands of bikes rumbled into the Adams-based Fall Run Bowe Field starting point. Run staffers guided the bikes into yellow-tape marked rows upon arrival. Most of the morning remained dry but just 20 minutes before the ride was set to leave the field, a cold, heavy downpour doused bikes and riders with a burst of wetness. The rain ceased minutes before the ride left the field. Riders passed through downtown Adams as part of a 60-mile route that ended at the Mohawk Park in Charlemont. Fall Foliage Festival Week Kicks Off In North Adams North Adams had its share of fun despite the rain. A Children's Road Race at the Joe Wolfe Field drew dozens of young competitors. And a Family Fun Fair was hosted at the Western Gateway Heritage State Park. Road race winners are: tots age 3 and under, first place Gabriel Lewitt and Caroline Cellana, second place, Brooklyn Hart and Michael Boudreau, third place, Zachary Meczywor an Skylar Moresi; Pre-school aged 4 to 5, Caleb Rondeau and Kelsey Haley, first place, Jacob Fink and Meredith Benjamin, second place, Corbin Rumbolt and Sydney Smith, third place; Pee Wees aged 6 to 7, first place, Cameron Chelstowski amd Meaghan Richards, second place David Cortelli and Elizabeth Wood, third place, Jacob Pierce and Emily Beauchamp; Junior age 8-9 Sully Boland and Casey Gregoire, first place, Cameron Lesure and Taltya Christopher, second place, and Thane Preite and Cecelia Homeston, third place; Senior age 10-11, first place Austin Poulton and Olivia Koperek, second place Cote O'Dowd and Elizabeth Lincoln, and third place, Dalton Cogswell and Alexandria Wood. Winners were awarded trophies during a ceremony held at the family fair. Those at the fair experienced some very wet and windy moments when a squall passed overhead and dumped a chilly rain onto those gathered in the park's courtyard. A brisk wind caused a few umbrellas to strain upwards and several vendors were forced to chase items that were blown from tables. A persistent rain began to fall a few minutes later and most fair participants sought cover indoors or left the event. Prior to the rainy interruption, children rode the park's child-sized "train," played a variety of games, created original designs on pumpkins, and learned fly-fishing techniques. Multi-photograph slideshows of the Family Fun Fair are posted here Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or at 802-823-9367.
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Dalton Select Board Argues Over Sidewalk Article

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — A heated discussion concerning sidewalks during Monday night's Select Board meeting resulted in the acting chair calling a recess to cool the situation. 
 
The debate stemmed from the two articles on the town meeting warrant for May 6 at 7 p.m. at Wahconah Regional High School. 
 
One proposes purchasing a sidewalk paver for $64,000 so sidewalks can be paved or repaired for less money, but they will use asphalt rather than concrete. The other would amend the town's bylaws to mandate the use of concrete for all future sidewalks. 
 
The article on concrete sidewalks was added to the warrant through a citizen petition led by resident Todd Logan. 
 
The board was determining whether to recommend the article when member John Boyle took the conversation in a new direction by addressing how the petition was brought about. 
 
"I just have a comment about this whole procedure. I'm very disappointed in the fact that you [Logan] have been working, lobbying various groups and implementing this plan and filed this petition six weeks ago. You never had any respect for the Select Board and …" Boyle said. 
 
Before Boyle could finish his statement, which was directed to Logan, who was in the audience, Chair Joe Diver called point of order via Zoom. 
 
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