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Jessica's Closet Sets Second Annual Fashion Show

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READSBORO, Vt. — Jessica's Closet will host its second annual Fashion Show on Sunday, April 1, at the Hermitage Inn on 25 Handle Road in West Dover.

The nonprofit organization was established in memory of Jessica Bolognani, 18, of Readsboro, who lost her life in a snowmobile accident in 2010. The Twin Valley High prom queen enjoyed dressing up and sharing what she had in her closet. The nonprofit was created to ensure others had the same opportunities to attend special events; it moved last year to a space in Wilmington.

The show has grown from the 30 models last year, to 64 this year. Jessica's Closet has grown, too. After receiving some 600 dresses from New England and beyond its first year, it now has more than 1,800 as well as shoes, jewelry, and other accessories for formal occasions. Short dresses, long dresses, sparkly, plain, elegant, fun, and feathery - it's all in Jessica's Closet.

The doors for this year's event will open at 11:30 a.m. and the show will begin promptly at noon.

A light lunch will be served during the intermission with dessert created by local vendors following the show. There will be raffles, local vendors portraying their services for prom and other special events of their specialty, professional photographers and more.

All proceeds benefit Jessica's Closet, which runs solely on donations.

Contact Lora Marchegiani at 802-345-2454, or Kate Donath for tickets or find us on Facebook.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

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. 

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