(This story was written by Monument Mountain Regional High School student Christine Ordyna, a member of the school's newspaper)
As cars and busses pass the Monument Mountain Regional High School front hill, following September 23, 2001, they will find a different kind of message painted on the “infamous hillâ€. The message doesn’t read “Happy Birthday!†or “I Love ……,†this message appears in the well-known and respected colors of red, white, and blue. Our Nation’s symbol, the American Flag, now graces the front hill for all Route 7 travelers to see. In this tragic and fearful time, the flag bestows much more meaning than it ever has for most of the younger generation because of the horrible and shocking blow that our country sustained on September 11th, 2001. Under this proud and uplifting symbol of freedom & unity, our country, with its many people of different races, creeds and cultures, has been able to unite and overcome the devastation caused by terrorists.
This massive project was realized and organized by our own MMRHS science teacher Mrs. Lisa Baldwin. Not only did Mrs. Baldwin come up with this wonderful, compassionate, and meaningful idea but also she and her husband donated all of the paint, brushes, rollers, painting supplies, and their time and energy to this project of literally mass proportion. The amount of resources that were needed to make this idea a reality are virtually uncountable. The hundreds of gallons of paint that were needed to cover the vast area were all donated by the Baldwin family, who spent much of their weekend in their hardware store in West Stockbridge mixing hundreds of gallons of paint at a time.
Many thanks to Mrs. Baldwin and her family for donating their time, money, and energy to make this “monumental†task happen. Many other thanks must go out as well. Thanks to Mrs. Young and Mr. Trombley for being behind this project 100 percent; also for their help and support. Also thanks to Rising Paper Company for donating the cardboard that was needed for the giant star stencils and thanks to Mr. McAllister for designing and cutting out the designs. Mr. Weber and Miss Mace are also very much appreciated for their painting and design help.
The flag itself is mathematically, and anatomically perfect. The flag being ninety feet long and sixty feet wide is complete with the designated thirteen stripes (each 4.6 feet wide), and all fifty represented stars. The expanded design was so meticulously calculated by Miss Christman, Mrs.Baldwin, and Mrs. Erickson that every measurement is precise down to the last tenth of an inch. The area of the flag is approximately two thirds of an acre, making that number approximately 5,400 square feet. The process of making this flag was broken up into sections. On Friday, September 21, the layout and measurements were completed after school by teachers, students, and volunteers.
Every line was marked out with twine and stakes to ensure the flag was straight and measured perfectly. The following Saturday morning was the beginning of our idea coming to life. First, the entire area was painted with a first coat of white, working from the top of the hill downward. When the first coat was completed, volunteers relaxed and enjoyed pizza that Mrs. Baldwin so generously provided. Once that coat was dry, another coat was applied, making the impression of a giant white rectangle on the side of the hill.
Sunday was the day when the flag really started taking shape. The huge stripes of the flag were painted in a vibrant red while star stencils were used to create the fifty stars in the upper left hand corner. Every part of the flag was given two layers to make the image brighter and more radiant. Cars that passed the school on Route 7 began to honk their horns in support and enthusiasm of this patriotic endeavor. Many travelers turned off of the road to sit at the bottom of the football field near the trees to just watch and admire the scene before them. One traveler stopped to talk with some of the volunteers to tell why he appreciated this project. He is a seventy-three year-old veteran of the Korean War and former college dean by the name of Del B. Higham. Mr. Higham teaches at UCONN. He was vacationing in the area and was heading back to his home in Canton, Connecticut when he stopped to admire the flag. Through his conversation, he expressed how he admired and appreciated the show of patriotism from the younger generation because most people think that the youth of today doesn’t care about what is going on in the world. This helped to dispel that belief.
Another thanks must go out to Mike Coleman, who generously donated hotdogs, hamburgers, and refreshments to the painters from the Southern Berkshire Youth Football program, which happened to have Sunday games at the same time. The response from the community was outstanding, as Shane Clark said, “this was a lot more fun than it should have been.†The numerous volunteers (including students, teachers, travelers, and the Spartan Girls soccer team) made the project a united community event. Looking out over the flag, all you could see were a sea of painters on their knees, happily covered in paint, working away under the beautiful weather that happened to hold out over the weekend.
Was it an omen that the weatherman predicted rain? Many plans are going to be made around the flag. A professional photographer by the name of Ogden Gigli is going to take quality photos that will be displayed throughout the school. Plans to place a picture of the flag on the school website are already in effect. MMTV was also there to film and interview volunteers for a future segment on the school T.V. show.
Also plans for a school picture around the flag are going to take place on Tuesday, (weather permitting) with the generous donation of the use of a fifty-foot cherry picker from Bill Markham for the photographer to get a good angle for his work. While this school picture is being taken, Colin Evans will also be taking aerial shots and video from high above. Ideas are being tossed around about how poster, cards, book covers, and postcards can be made as a school fundraiser to aide the people most tragically affected by the terrorist acts.
The response from the community was amazing as people from all over the county flocked to Monument to take part and help. Many thanks go out to all the volunteers and contributors who helped create this beautiful painting on our own natural canvas.
The hope for this project is to be able to maintain the flag at least until the first snow as a school and community activity. This project was actually the first legal painting of the Monument Mountain hill in history. To volunteers, promoters, and passersby however, it means a camaraderie that the entire U.S. is sharing. To maintain our flag will mean a commitment to maintain our faith, loyalty, and courage during the uncertain times ahead. If we do this and the entire country does the same, we will truly overcome anything as the United States of America.Â
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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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