Local Physician Writes About the History of NARH

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Dr. Paul Donovan, a long-time practicing physician in North Adams, has written and published the first part of a three-part series on the history of North Adams Regional Hospital.

"I was moved to write this because on a very personal level, I worked at the hospital for 22 years and I felt a deep sense of loyalty to my fellow physicians and employees, the patients and their families we treated and the institution itself,” Dr. Donovan said. “On a historical level, unfortunately the hospital no longer exists, and I did not want its 129 years of existence to be lost and unrecorded.”

NARH closed in March 2014 after filing for bankruptcy.

Part I of the series covers the years 1882-1910. In 1882, a catastrophic train accident galvanized a small group of North Adams residents to initiate the concept of a hospital, which was built with private donations and opened in March 1885. Part I concludes with a major reorganization in 1909-1910 due to financial difficulties.


Part II will cover the years 1910-1955 and Part III, 1955-2014. They are expected to be published in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

"This has been a major undertaking for me in terms of time spent researching this important historical work, in light of maintaining a full-time medical practice and family obligations,” Dr. Donovan said. “I would like to thank the North Adams Historical Society and the North Adams Public Library for their help in this venture.”

The book can be purchased now online. It will be available at local bookstores starting in July. Comments regarding the work are welcomed. Email the author at emsportmed2015@gmail.com.

Dr. Donovan is an Emergency Medicine and Sports Medicine specialist practicing in North Adams and Bennington, Vt. He was a member of the NARH Medical Staff for 25 years and served as medical staff president from 2008-2010, and as director of the NARH Emergency Department. He lives in Stamford, Vt., with his wife Janet Green, who also worked at NARH as a registered nurse.

 


Tags: authors,   books,   NARH,   

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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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