Granddaughter Rebuilds Family Home Through Habitat For Humanity

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PITTSFIELD - Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity and the Berkshire chapter of the Western Massachusetts Homebuilders Association is inviting the public to a dedication ceremony Sept. 9 for a rehabilitated home on Jubilee Hill. The house will be sold to Courtney Hamilton, the granddaughter of longtime owners Shirley and Randolph Hamilton. The ceremony will begin at the Christian Center, 193 Robbins Ave., at 1 p.m. and tours of the house at 31 Division St. will follow. Shirley and Randolph Hamilton raised their seven children and numerous foster children at the house. According to one of those children, Cheryl Nolan-Wallah, the house sat vacant for a couple of years before the Hamilton children realized that none of them was in a position to take responsibility for the needed repairs. They remembered that their mother had spoken of giving the building to Habitat for Humanity, and made contact with the local affiliate, which accepted the property in about 2002. At about the same time, Courtney Hamilton had begun her required "sweat equity" hours as the head of a Habitat Partner Family. While she helped to renovate and build Habitat houses for other partner families, she began to wonder about the Division Street property, where she had often visited her grandparents and celebrated holidays as a child. She wrote a letter to the Habitat board, explaining the memories and family tradition associated with the house, and asking whether she could purchase that house when she finished her sweat equity requirements. The board, which had not been aware of the connection, soon replied that the house would be sold to her when it was completed. Hamilton grew up in her mother's home, but would often visit her father's parents. "I know growing up, I didn't always feel like a Hamilton," she said. "I went to family functions but I never felt as close as the other cousins. Having the Hamilton house, keeping it in the family, makes me feel more like a Hamilton. "My mother and I would go up to visit at least once a week when I was growing up," she continued. "I still see my grandfather sitting outside in his car. When I turn the corner, I still see my grandmother sitting in her dining room. My grandmother would read my mother's tea leaves. When I walk in the house, I still see the old floor plan; I still remember the way it was." The Division Street house is the 16th home built or rehabilitated by Habitat in Pittsfield since the local chapter began in 1993. Significant work on this property, including a new roof, was provided by the Berkshire Chapter of the Western Mass. Homebuilders Association. The interior of the home was gutted, and rebuilt according to a design by Ben Szalewicz, when he was associated with Blueline Design. (He now works at Centerline Architects in Bennington, VT.)
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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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