Gala Restaurant to Host Black History Luncheon

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Gala Restaurant & the Orchards Hotel is hosting a luncheon to celebrate Black History Month on Monday, Feb. 22, from noon to 2 p.m. in private function space at the Orchards Hotel.

Frances Jones-Sneed, professor of history at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, will be the keynote speaker.

Jones-Sneed has taught and researched local history for more than 25 years, is co-director of the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail, and a board member of MassHumanities and the Samuel Harrison Society. She has directed two National Endowment for the Humanities grants, entitled "The Shaping Role of Place in African American Biography" (in 2006) and "Of Migrations and Renaissances: Harlem/NY &South Side/Chicago, 1915-75" (in 2008), both "We the People" projects. She will speak about the heritage of African Americans in Berkshire County.  
 

Jones-Sneed spearheaded a national conference on African-American biography in September 2006.  A 2008 NEH Summer Fellow at the W.E.B. DuBois Institute at Harvard University, she currently is working on a monograph about W.E.B DuBois.

The event includes a buffet lunch and discussion; the cost is $15.95 per person plus taxes and gratuity.

Reservations are strongly recommended.  For reservations or more information, contact Brian Flagg, Gala Restaurant & Bar, 413-458-9611, ext. 531 or brian@galarestaurant.com.
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St. Stan's Students Spread Holiday Cheer at Williamstown Commons

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Students from St. Stanislaus Kostka School  in Adams brought the holiday spirit to Williamstown Commons on Thursday, delivering handmade Christmas cards and leading residents in a community caroling session.
 
"It honestly means the world to us because it means the world to them," said nursing home Administrator Alex Fox on Thursday morning. "This made their days. This could have even made their weeks. It could have made their Christmas, seeing the children and interacting with the community."
 
Teacher Kate Mendonca said this is the first year her class has visited the facility, noting that the initiative was driven entirely by the students.
 
"This came from the kids. They said they wanted to create something and give back," Mendonca said. "We want our students involved in the community instead of just reading from a religion book."
 
Preparation for the event began in early December, with students crafting bells to accompany their singing. The handmade cards were completed last week.
 
"It's important for them to know that it's not just about them during Christmas," Mendonca said. "It's about everyone, for sure. I hope that they know they really helped a lot of people today and hopefully it brought joy to the residents here."
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