Local Chapter Organizes In The Berkshires As "911" For Babies

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Understanding the stress economically challenged families face, Newborns in Need is located in cites and towns across the United States and foster community support of the newborn. Providing hand crafted, donated clothing and other essential items to premature and full term babies, Newborns In Need is a valued vehicle for communities to serve their tiniest citizen.

Newborns in Need now have a local chapter to help premature babies, newborns and their families in Western Massachusetts. "We believe this organization will make a difference in our area," says Donna Page, President of the Western Mass Chapter. "It can be very stressful for a family when a baby is born prematurely and often creates an unexpected financial burden to families and caregivers."

We exist because Newborns in Need, made up of volunteers across the United States, is dedicated to making sure that the teen mom, the stressed family, the mother overwhelmed in sadness is supported in the first moments of the child's life. The "911" for babies, Newborns In Need is the organization mobilized across the United States to offer baby items to those families that need help. Raising awareness, opening new chapters, Newborns In Need believes that communities can and will help each other if given a way to do so. Whether crafted with love by the hands of a volunteer or donated by others who understand that we need to take care of each other, Newborns In Need has positioned itself as the first response for all babies in crisis.

At this time the Western Mass chapter is seeking volunteers to knit, crochet, sew, quilt, and package store bought items that are warm, soft, and appropriately sized to be provided completely free of charge to hospitals, crisis centers, shelters, and pregnancy help centers as well as other social service agencies across Western Massachusetts.

Local board members include Heather Frost, Williamstown, Maureen Moore, North Adams and Lori Spencer, Florida, MA. For more information contact: Donna Page by phone at 413-884-6069 or email: westernmass@newbornsinneed.org.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Construction is underway to transform the former Harry's Supermarket into a restaurant

Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building. 

"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu. 

A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building. 

White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.  

He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns. 

Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot. 

A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use. 

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