Northern Berkshire Neighborlies Awarded

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North Adams Police personnel were recognized for saving the life of woman who's airway was completely block by administering the Heimlich maneuver. See more photos here.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Northern Berkshire Neighbors program of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition held its Spring Neighborlies Community Recognition Award Ceremony at Congregation Beth Israel on Wednesday, May 13.

Friends, family and many supporters gathered to honor and congratulate individuals and groups in the Northern Berkshire communities whose acts of kindness and volunteer efforts have made a significant difference in the lives of their neighbors and the community.

Northern Berkshire Community Coalition staff and Mayor Richard Alcombright presented Neighborlies to the following recipients:

Business/Agency Support: Bethany Dixon, BHS/BMC, Robert Campanile, Tammy Daniels, Berkshire Eagle, WUPE FM, Mike Garland, Jason and Elizabeth from Parlor Cafe, Tommy Rotolo, Dolores St. Pierre, Florida Baptist Church, Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, Walmart, Big Y, Stop and Shop, Wild Oats Market, Price Chopper, 1st Baptist Church, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, New Hope United Methodist Church, Mary Spitzer Center, Wild Stone Farm, Many Forks Farm, St. Johns Episcopal Church, Storey Publishing.

Community Health and Wellness: Officer Ben Austin, Nancy Bullett, Mike Deep, Wendy Dubis, MCLA Facilities Department, Jennifer Kimball, Mary Ann King, Gail Lacosse, Edward Lacosse, Jeremy Levesque, Paul Markland, Jen Munoz, Steve Rondeau, David Sacco, Jessica Sweeney, Colleen Taylor, Pat Tremblay, Jack and Susy Wadsworth, Bigs Waterman, Sergeant Jason Wood.


Groups Pulling Together: Walford Campbell and Volunteers, North Adams DPW, North Adams Fire Department, Brayton Hill Garden Club, Logan Lawson and Volunteers, Brayton Hill Munchkin Brigade, North Adams Police Department, North Adams Public Works Department, Maia Robbins-Zust, Jessica Sweeney.

Neighborly Acts: Alex The Poet, North Adams Ambulance Association, Ted Anagnos, Ellen Barber, Stan and Kathy Blanchard, Berkshire Food Project, David Bond, Dave Brooks, Bim Burns, Cheryl Chalmers, Wendi Daugherty, Jen Downs, Marilyn and Arthur Eade, Ryan Fajardo, Shahana Gaston, Fred Grant, Jackie Lacosse, Rick Lacosse, Greg Lafave, Janet Lanoue, Brenda Lemaire, Elaine Mattern, Lindsay Osterhoudt, Christian Phiffer, John Ritcher, Stephen Roy, Ron Sheldon, Jim Stakenas for the MCLA Facilities Staff, Cheryl Tarczynski, Chris Tate, Stephanie Velez-Vega, Mike Vogt, Ryan Walters, Julie Weatherby, Herb Wilkinson, Annie Wilton.

Youth Taking the Lead: Marissia Bibbo, Sully Boland, Jammie DuRant, Elizabeth Laurin, Elizabeth Laurin, Petrea Mannello, Caitlin Mayes, David Riopelle.

The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people in Northern Berkshire County by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community. www.nbccoalition.org.


Tags: NBCC,   neighborlies,   recognition event,   

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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.

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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