NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts unveiled its new mascot, a mountain lion, between the Trailblazers' volleyball games against Mount Holyoke College in the Amsler Campus Center Gymnasium. on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
The selection took months of planning from the college community. The search was mainly conducted online, and after a period of input the Mascot Search Committee eventually chose the mountain lion, based off the 1879 article in the North Adams Chronicle that tells the story of farmer and naturalist Douglas Johnson's mountain lion sighting in the Berkshires.
"For the fan, the mountain lion has become part of Berkshire County legend and folklore," said Adam Hildabrand, the men's soccer coach and Mascot Search Committee chairman. "The mountain lion is another representation of a Trailblazer." A trailblazer, quite simply, is one who makes trails. The mountain lion is the animal that first blazed trails in the Berkshires. So, the mountain lion is number one, which is what we strive to be as a college and as an athletics department."
Although the mountain lion is believed to be extinct in Berkshire County by scientists and wildlife officials, some Berkshire County residents swear they have seen the cat.
Hildabrand said the time was right for the college to add the mascot to its Trailblazers name and logo.
"We have come a long way since 2002," he said. "We know who we are and what we want to be. By adding the mountain lion with our Trailblazers mountain logo, we will have a story and strong figure to represent who we are."
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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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