Neighbors Recognized for Acts of Kindness

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Andrea Peters, right, thanks community residents who helped her family after a fire.
NORTH ADAMS - When Andrea Peters lost her home to a fire last June, she was amazed at the outpouring of support she received from friends and strangers alike. They found her a place to stay and storage for items she salvaged, and raised funds to help her recover. "I couldn't believe it," said Peters. "It was just awesome." So on Wednesday evening, Peters made a point of thanking all those who helped her family by nominating them for the semi-annual Northern Berkshire Community Coalition Community Recognition Awards. "On June 23 of this year our house caught on fire and many people in this community pulled together and supported us and helped us tremendously," she told the dozens of area residents gathered at Congregation Beth Israel for the event. Her son and a friend were in the Houghton Street house on that Saturday night when a basement fire ignited. The two jumped from the second floor onto a porch to escape the home, which rapidly filled with smoke. All but one of the family's pets were saved and many of their belongings suffered smoke and water damage. The rented house was condemned, forcing the family to move. Darlene Ellis "took time away from her family and her life to put together a benefit dinner for my family and she went around canvassing local businesses for donations and put together a Chinese auction" along with Andrea Stever, said Peters. Marilyn Rice, Susan Steward and Lucy Sherrill spent all day working on the dinner; St. John's Church in Williamstown offered storage space for Peters' things for more than three months while she searched for an apartment. First Congregational Church in Williamstown gave the Peters first dibs on furniture at its tag sale. The Red Cross put her up at the Holiday Inn and the inn's management let her to stay extra days until she could find another place to stay. "I would like to thank them all for their prayers, their financial donations and for just being there for us," said Peters. But the most important group to thank, Peters said after, was the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition staff. "I really want to thank the coalition," she said, "but I felt I couldn't because it was their event." It was about the 20th time that neighbors had come together to recognize big, and small, acts of kindness by nominating each other through the coalition. Many of the people in the audience were there for the first time to see awards handed out by coalition members Kathy Keeser and Sister Natalie Cain and Mayor John Barrett III. Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser welcomed the gathering by speaking of how neighbors helping neighbors is both a sacred and deeply rewarding experience. "We are a community that values community." The coalition began requesting nominations for neighborly acts nearly 10 years ago to help uphold those values. Twice a year, individuals, businesses and groups are recognized for their acts. It may be as simple as keeping a beautiful lawn and garden, like Mai Linh Brown of West Main Street. Brown sees her efforts as part of being a responsible citizen keeping her city beautiful and clean. The U-14 girls' soccer team went to the league championships with injured players and a smaller roster than the other teams and came back with the best sportsmanship award. Matthew Guay helped out with Berkshire Share when he lived here, and still continues to send the food group $5 every other month. Sherry Nichols mistakenly received a $50 bill in change at a local gas station - and gave it back. David Nichols of Bounti-Fare Restaurant and volunteers - not employees he was quick to point out - opened the restaurant on Tuesday nights for nonprofits to hold fundraisers. Other Share supporters, a quilter, banks, stores and restaurants, Fall Run organizers, a videotaping group, Big Brothers and Sisters, youth groups and others were recognized. A special award was presented to Sheriff Carmen C. Massimiano Jr. for his work in local schools, especially "a lot of things behind the scenes." "I'm not a stranger to North Berkshire," said the sheriff. "Every day, Northern Berkshire comes into my mind because I married a very lovely lady from North Adams. John Barrett would tell you that's the secret to my success ... so would my wife, Linda." He continued more seriously, "I'm honored to be here with all those who've received recognition. It's really about neightbors helping neighbors ... We are each other's brothers and keepers." Below is the complete list of Community Recognition Award recipients: Neighborly Acts Andrea Stever; Darlene Ellis; Marilyn Rice; Susan Steward; Lucy Sherrill; Matthew Guay; Charlie Bohl; Rick LaCosse; Brain Neff; Josh Hartman; Hnak Greenleaf; Chris McDonald; Chris Horsfall; Ted Field; Theodore A. Caesar; Brian Zatorski; April Field; Kayla Field; Bruce Field; Lynda Field; Michele Sisselman; Hilary Greene; Brooke Mead; Pasul and Kim Dilego; Gillian Jones; Allyson LaBelle; Marianne Shelvey; Kate Merrigan; Natalie Cain; Dani Ryan; Eric Hawley; Douglas Greenlaw; Donna Dupras; Ken P. Davis; Richard Criddle; Mary Ellen LaFountain; Amber LaFountain; Gary Hillard; Eric Wilason; Jane Rice; Carol Pilot; Peter Bejgrowicz; Pete Wheeler; Diane and Dan Pratt; Sherry Nichols; Matt Neville; Dan Farrell; Paul Warner; Michelle and Ken Gietz; Dale Waterman; Bob Blair; Barbara & Mitch Plaine; Bob "the hotdog Man" Cardimino, Janice Hayer and Alcide Bullett Beautification Mai Linh Brown Business/ Agency/ Church or Program Support First Congregational Church of Williamstown; First Methodist Church of Wiliamstown; St. John’s Episcopal Church of Williamstown; Bounti-Fare Restaurant; North Adams Little League; Holiday Inn; Greylock Community Club; United Way; Williams College Food Service; Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 54, Target Stores and Berkshire Bank Foundation. Pulling Together (groups)   * Owner and Friends of Bounti-Fare: Dave Nichols, Margaret Landy, Stacy and Rick Cantoni, Debby and Bob Noel, Barb and Tony Falco, Larry Arnold and Nancy and Mike Lewis   * Williamstown Soccer League’s U-14 Girl’s Soccer: Coach Greg Houston and members Caroline Cating, Eliza Densmore, Jackie Ferry, Hayley Flynn, Liz Gorson, Lauren Haskins, Kim Houston, Geneva Jonathan, Orelia Jonathan, Siri Mason, Hailey Newbound, Laura Nolan, Allegra Robertson and Laura Rosenthal.   * Salavation Army’s: Bridging the Gap Between Youth and Community Service Program   * Youth Group – First Baptiost Church of North Adams:adult leaders the Rev. David Anderson, Kathy Church, Ron and Peggy Shartrand, Richard Peck, Jennifer and Kevin Bonesteel, Jennifer Anderson and Seth Etman; Youth: Heidi Shartrand, Emily Etman, Kate Goyette, Nate Goyette, Chris Gutierrez, Ken Aubin Jr, Angel Delarosa, Justin Schovanec, Morgan Kierstead, Steven Harrington, Ayla Lewis, Whitney Cole, Megan Cole, Dominique Wood and Matt Andrews   * Brayton Hill Neighbors: Amber Boesse, Becky Boesse, Brian Neff, Brandy LeClare, Colleen and David Shade, Samantha Forest, Rick, Mat, Jessica and Ricky LaCosse.   * Florida Broadband Committee: Charlie Bohl, Greg Lewis and Margo Van Peterson.   * Williams College Baseball Team   * Organizers of the Fall Run: Mike Robert, Christopher Samson, Martin Chittenden, Koreen Poirot and Brian Choquette.   * 149 Church Street group: Diane D’Angelo, Tina Suess,Paula Yarter and all the wonderful residents.   * Greenberg’s staff Special Awards Sheriff Carmen C. Massimiano Jr.
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Friends of Great Barrington Libraries Holiday Book Sale

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Friends of Great Barrington Libraries invite the community to shop their annual Holiday Good-as-New Book Sale, happening now through the end of the year at the Mason Library, 231 Main Street. 
 
With hundreds of curated gently used books to choose from—fiction, nonfiction, children's favorites, gift-quality selections, cookbooks, and more—it's the perfect local stop for holiday gifting.
 
This year's sale is an addition to the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce's Holiday Stroll on this Saturday, Dec. 13, 3–8 PM. Visitors can swing by the Mason Library for early parking, browse the sale until 3:00 PM, then meet Pete the Cat on the front lawn before heading downtown for the Stroll's shopping, music, and festive eats.
 
Can't make the Holiday Stroll? The book sale is open during regular Mason Library hours throughout December.
 
Proceeds support free library programming and events for all ages.
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