NBCC's Spring Neighborlies Honors Community Members

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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 May 4.

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.

"One of the most wonderful things about living in Northern Berkshire is that we recognize the importance of saying thank you. We say thank you for small acts of kindness, as well as large feats of bravery. And we do it publicly, and say it loudly. We do so because all these kindnesses are what makes Northern Berkshire such a great place to live," said Annie Rodgers, coordinator of Northern Berkshire Neighbors.

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

Community Health and Wellness: True North, The Motta Family, Steve Meranti, Sergeant Jason Wood, Scott Manship, Sarah Emerson, Sandy Lamb and Mary Spitzer Center staff and volunteers, Patricia Duteau, Misha Amaral, Michael Cozzaglio, Lindsey Piantoni, Kyle Cahoon, Keith Bona, John Meaney, Jim Holmes, Jesse Lee Egan Poirier, Jennifer Munoz, Jake Snow, Heaven Mazza, Hannah Baker, Faith Christian, Emily Cooper, E3 Students, David Lemieux, Dave Sherman, Courtney Randall, Colleen Mazza, Cathleen King, Brenda Piantoni, Ben Austin, Becky and Caleb Miner, Barbara Meczywor, Anthony Beverly, Amy Christian, Abby Reifsnyder.

Business/Agency Support: Ron Sheldon, North Adams Movieplex, Lisa Donavon, Jen Crowell, Diane Scott, Corinne Case, Captain Katherine Corno.



Groups Pulling Together: Wendy Krom, The Motta Family, Sophie Lane, Shirley Davis, Samantha White, Ryan Walters, Robin Lenz, Philip Smith, Perri Bernstein, Pastor Larry Jones Jr., Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative, Nate Massari, Misa Chappell, Michael Daunis, Mayor Richard Alcombright, Matthew Shiebler, Lynda Field, Lois Daunis, Kim Murphy, Kim Dilego, Kathryn Remillard, Kathryn Remillard, Katherine Hrach, Joe Aidonidis, Jess Sweeney, Jennifer Thompson, Jennifer Mattern, Jen Munoz, Hannah Lane, Enid Shields, Elaine Mattern, Dolores Lovegreen, David Lane, David Horton, David De Marsico, Dan Archambeau, Courtney Randall, Christopher Read, Chris St. John, Charlie Blaisdell, Carrie Crews, Brayton Hill Maintenance Department, Beth Jones, Barbara Kourajian, Aubrey Armstrong, Anne Goodwin, Ann Clark, Angelica Peredes, Amanda Beckwith.

Youth Taking the Lead: Tylar Martin, Travis Rice, Steven Burdick, Shannon Charbonneau, Sapphire Holland, Robert Foster,  Mitch Poirier, Lakeria Darkins, Keylon Sheppard, Jacob Bartlett, Instructor John Kline and Metal Fabrication Students at McCann Tech, Hannah Witter, Gabe Barry, Epiphany Thomas, Elijah Archer, Derek Torres, Derek Koffi-Ziter, Courtney Munson, Caitlin Mayes, , Brianna Martin, Brandi Labelle, Aaron Brooks.

Neighborly Acts: Virginia Boucher, Shirley Davis, Rick LaCosse and Family, Peter Belouin, Peg Labombard, Paul Marino, Nathan Rodgers, Mr. & Mrs. Larry Jones Sr., Michelle Poirier, Mary Redstone, Lyn Wilson, Joselyn Barrett, Jennifer Jones Blair, Jenn Downs, Herb Wilkinson, Gail Oberst, Gail LaCosse, Francesca Shanks, Eric Wilson, Edward LaCosse, Dick Farnham, Crystal Ogert, Carla Schultz, Ann Wilton.

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.


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Veteran Spotlight: Army Reserve Sgt. Bill 'Spaceman' Lee

By Wayne SoaresSpecial to iBerkshires
FALMOUTH, Mass. — Bill Lee served his country in the Army Reserve from 1970 to 1976 during the Vietnam War. 
 
The "Spaceman" is the last Boston Red Sox player to miss time for active duty. 
 
William Francis Lee III, grew up in Burbank, Calif., and was born into a history of former semipro and professional baseball players. His grandfather William was an infielder in the Pacific Coast League and his aunt Annabelle Lee was an All-American Girls Professional Baseball player. 
 
"She taught me how to pitch," he said.
 
His father, also William, served in the Army as a sergeant during World War II and saw major action at the Battle of Okinawa as a radio communications soldier.
 
"My dad was tough, old school. My first big endorsement when I was playing was with a Honda dealership in Boston," Lee said. "I went to see my dad to get his thoughts and he says, 'If you come back with a rice-burning car, I'll run you through with the bayonet I took off a dead soldier.'"
 
Lee attended the University of Southern California and was part of the 1968 Trojan team that won the College World Series. He was drafted in the 22nd round by the Red Sox in the '68 draft. 
 
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