Teamwork: Walking Tall Against Cancer

By Jen ThomasPrint Story | Email Story
Jocelyn Moreno and her mom Donna Page[Photo by Jen Thomas]
North Adams - Family members came together last night to walk for a cancer cure during the second Northern Berkshire Relay for Life held at the Noel Field Athletic Complex. “We’ve lost a lot of close [family members] and we’re hoping not to lose anymore,” said Emily Lipa, captain of “The Breakfast Club for Catherine’s Angels.” The relay is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The revenues raised benefit cure research focused on an illness that will claim the lives of an estimated 13,240 people this year in Massachusetts. Participants in the Relay for Life take turns walking laps - all through the night, rain or shine, in all weather to show solidarity in the fight against cancer. The teams also tackle fundraising in the months before the relay. The event sponsors a survivor lap, a caregiver lap, and hundreds of luminaries and candles in honor of those who’ve survived cancer or who have lost their battle to the disease. It's a team effort from lap to lap, and many teams host family members. Lipa and her mother Deb Lipa coordinated the effort to raise money in memory of a beloved family member. "Em started doing these relays because her Gram was sick,” said Deb Lipa. “She developed her own way to cope.” "The Breakfast Club for Catherine’s Angels" is a merger of two teams who walk in honor of Catherine Lipa. The team boasts 22 members. and has raised over $8,000 for the relay through raffles and dinner dances. "We put a lot of energy into it, but it’s worth it," said Emily Lipa. At The End Of This Rainbow is Hope Donna Page started “Jocelyn’s Rainbow of Hope” after her daughter, Jocelyn Moreno of Adams, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Jocelyn, now 26, has been cancer-free for 2 and a half years now, and the family continues to walk during relays. "We started to help other cancer patients," said Page. "'Jocelyn’s Rainbow of Hope' has raised approximately $3,500 this year through car washes, bake sales, and raffles." Moreno's sons, Nico, 8, and Michael, 9 are part of the team. "They look forward to this all year," said Moreno. Page termed the relay “a celebratory event,” but said she feels the pain brought on by her family's experience and the experiences of the other cancer survivors and their families. "When we do the relay, it brings back all the emotions. There’s sadness, fear, anger, you name it." "You try to forget what it what was like somewhat, but the relay brings it all back," said Moreno. "But the relay, it brings hope," Page added. The team name has special significance for the family. Page explained that last year at the Northern Berkshire relay, the team spotted a rainbow on the horizon. "We’re really working on the spring theme,” she said, as she ducked under a tent to avoid the rain. "Hopefully." At about 7: 50 p.m., the symbol most relay walkers had hoped to see appeared; a vivid rainbow arched over the field. "All My Friends are Gems" Sisters Helen Gardner and Joanne DeRose have walked the Relay for Life during the previous two years, but the event took on special meaning this year when DeRose was diagnosed with breast cancer two months ago. "I love to get involved," said DeRose. "Last year, I was on the sponsorship committee, but this year really took on a special meaning for me." "Until you’ve walked in the survivor lap, you can’t really appreciate and respect the emotion,"she said. DeRose planned to walk her laps even though she is still undergoing chemotherapy treatment for her cancer. "I don’t care if I have to go out in a wheelchair, I’ll be there" she said. "Joanne’s Jems" was originally called "The Live Wires" but the name changed this year to honor DeRose. "All my friends are true gems for supporting me," she explained. The "jems'" had yet to calculate a fundraising total but the teammates do know that the 24-person team raised over $3,000 for the cause. "It’s a good cause and a great organization," Gardner said. A Chance to Heal The importance of generating awareness about a disease that changed their lives and the monies to beat it back brought most of the team members to the field for the relay.. "It’s really sad, but there’s a lot of positive energy here,” said Deb Lipa. “It’s a chance to heal.” DeRose said she greatly values the support of cancer survivors. They give her hope, she said. "I’m pretty confident I can beat this," she said. "It was caught at an early stage, and as long as I follow my treatments, I’m hopeful." Jen Thomas may be reached via e-mail at jthomas@iberkshires.com or at 413-663-3384.
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

 

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.)  The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.  

 

 

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

 

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few.  All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

 

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house.  New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house.  New paver patio in the back yard.

 

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

 

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

 

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

 

 

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

 

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

 

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

 

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

 

What do the current owners love about this home?

 

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

 

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

 

 

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

 

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.  

 

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

 

 

 

 

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