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The tournament is played at Stamford Valley Golf Course, just over the border in Vermont.
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Local sponsors are lined up.
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The tourney benefits the educational needs at the high school by supporting teaching tools and technology.

Drury Class of 1973 Golf Tourney Raises Funds for Education

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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STAMFORD, Vt. — This past sunny Saturday, 10 teams were preparing to play at Stamford Valley Golf Course in the 8th annual Drury High School Alumni Golf Tournament.

The annual tourney grew out of a class reunion nearly a decade ago that has since raised thousands of dollars to help the North Adams, Mass., high school.  

The event is sponsored by the Drury class of 1973, said Nancy Bullett, a founder and organizer, and includes alumni from 1965 to 1978.

"It started as an outing for our reunion and we thought, why not make it annual? Why not make it a fundraiser?" she said. "It's a win-win for everybody."

The number of teams and players has gone up and down over the years, but the donations flowing in from Drury alum each year has been steady.

Fellow organizer and classmate Susan Aitkens put the total raised so far at "a lot."


"More and more alumni are joining," said Bullett, a city councilor, although the biggest donators continue to be the class of '73. Aitkens pointed out that a number of the sponsors also have contributed every year.

What does it do? The nonprofit foundation supports material needs for instruction at the high school. The technology program, for example, was awarded $750 a couple years ago for an injection molding machine. It's also provided funding toward calculators, software, high-tech projectors and other educational tools for the classroom.

Bullett said classmate Pamela Kidder, in the principal's office, does a presentation to get the word out to the high school teachers. "We encourage teachers to write letters of request," she said. They're also welcome to join the tournament.

The organizers also wanted to get the word out to Drury graduates that they don't have to be from the class of 1973 to get contribute. Donations are accepted year-round.

"Because it's a public school, the thought is they don't need fundraising," Bullett said. "The reality is there is not the kind of money available for some of these things."

Donations can be sent in care of Pamela Kidder, Drury High School, 1130 Church St., North Adams, MA 01247; for more information, Bullett can be contacted at ptofna@yahoo.com.


Tags: class reunion,   Drury High,   education fund,   fundraiser,   golf tournament,   

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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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