North Adams Mayor John Barrett III presented Donald and Sally Goodrich with a Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee Peacemaker Award during a Jan. 15 event that honored King's memory and civil rights legacy. [Photo by Paul Guillotte]
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North Adams -“Together we can,†sang dozens of voices, and not even an icy Jan. 15 morning subdued notes of hope that echoed through a Martin Luther King Day celebration at the city's First Baptist Church.
The program's message was one of tolerance, understanding and enlightenment through education.
A diverse group represented numerous religions and racial and cultural backgrounds. The culturally varied gathering was united for solid purpose: to honor King, remember his civil rights activism, and acknowledge his continued societal impact nearly 39 years after he was slain in Memphis.
Had he lived, King would have celebrated his 78th birthday on Jan. 15. King was 35 years old in 1964 when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the youngest person to receive the prize at that time.
King donated the financial award of $54,123 toward the advance of the civil rights movement.
Peacemaker Award
Celebration committee members traditionally honor area residents who strive to continue King’s legacy and promote peace and understanding.
This year's Peacemaker Award was presented to Sally and Donald Goodrich, a Bennington, Vt. couple who relied upon King’s example to overcome their own personal tragedy, and bring a message of tolerance and understanding to others.
Sally and Donald Goodrich's son, Peter, was killed at the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001. The grief-stricken couple turned their personal pain into a remarkable gain for others when they established the Peter M. Goodrich Memorial Foundation. Through numerous donations and a personal dedication to understanding and tolerance, the foundation erected a school in Afghanistan.
Students are educated at the school and the education includes a sharing of cultures.
From The Spirit Of A Son
While accepting the award, the couple appeared modest and humble and offered a few words of gratitude to the entire community. Donald Goodrich spoke with emotion about the project.
“This is something that rises from the spirit of our son, something positive,†Don Goodrich said. “There is hope, and we can make a difference. Even if that difference is to 520 kids in Afghanistan, it’s a positive difference, and we can do it.â€
About 120 individuals attended the event, among them city Mayor John Barrett III, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts President Mary K. Grant, state Sen. Benjamin Downing and state Rep. Daniel E. Bosley.Inspiration
Bosley served as the event's keynote speaker and was welcomed to the podium with a standing ovation. Last week, Bosley announced a decision to decline a post as an economic advisor to Gov. Deval Patrick and remain as the elected First Berkshire District delegate to the state House of Representatives.
Bosley delivered words that emphasized that significance of community awareness and a conviction that all people can generate a positive impact on their communities. His words underscored a need for hope and perseverance as well as a need to become involved in endeavors that benefit locally and globally.
“There is still much work to be done,†he said. “We must try every day to make a difference in the lives of those around us, to draw inspiration from our neighbors.â€
Bosley noted the political climate faced by King and he illustrated parallels to current attitudes. There remains a great need
to teach tolerance and understanding and strive for peace and tolerance, he said.
During his remarks, Downing acknowledged an admiration of King and King's unwavering but non-violent quest for civil rights and justice.
Downing noted King's recognition of a need for unified community as opposed to community divided along racial or religious barriers.
“Our struggles are not our own,†he said as he quoted King and emphasized the importance of neighborhood unity and strength.
Grant delivered a poetry reading of "Frederick Douglass," a poem written by renowned African-American poet Robert Hayden. Hayden was the U.S. Library of Congress Consultant in Poetry from 1976 to 1978; in 1985, the title was changed to Poet Laureate Consultant.
Readings included selections from the Qur'an, a Hebrew reading and a reading from the Bible. The Savoy Public Library was awarded funds for the purchase of childrens' books that offer education about cultural diversity and understanding.
Youth Honor King Through Music And Dance
The celebration of King's life and legacy was highlighted with several youth performances.
Drury High School seniors Krista Duplantis and Shaina Chappell delivered strong singing performances. Duplantis was accompanied by pianist Michael Blair, 17, and Chappell delivered an a capella performance.
Blair also accompanied himself on the piano as he sang the classic John Lennon-written song "Imagine."
A step-dance exhibition was performed by the locally-based group "The Steppers."
First Baptist Church pastor Rev. David Andrews led the welcome and the city-based St. John's Episcopal Church pastor Rev. Edward King led a group prayer. Organist Lucy Sherrill and pianist Rachel Branch provided music during the event. Celebration committee Chairman Alex Daugherty spoke during the celebration and his son Jake delivered a poetry reading.
The Martin Luther King Day event was sponsored by the North Adams Human Services Commission and the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire. Additional support was provided by the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Members of the Martin Luther King Celebration Committee are Daugherty, King, Branch,2006 Peacemaker Award honoree Stephen Green, Susan Walker, Liz Baker, Kathy Keeser, Carolyn Leab, Liz Boland and Thomas Alexander.
The celebration was followed by a free community lunch at the church.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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