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Mayor Linda Tyer, Stihl Territory Manager Jason Weaver, Carr Hardware co-owner Bart Raser, Pittsfield's Parks and Open Spaces Manager Jim McGrath, Rotary Club President Jeff Hassett, Carr Hardware co-owner Marshall Raser, and Carr Hardware's Director of Marketing Geoffrey Webb.

Carr Hardware Delivers Check For Pittsfield Splash Pad Project

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Monday, Carr Hardware did what it said it would do -- donate its recent prize winnings toward building a splash pad at Clapp Park.
 
The local company has won the "Indie Award" as small business of the year from the business organization Independent We Stand. The prize includes $5,000 cash, which Carr Hardware opted to go toward a splash pad project in partnership with the Rotary Club of Pittsfield. 
 
"It's got fabulous potential to be as good as the Common," Mayor Linda Tyer said of the splash pad, which "is the most popular thing at the Common."
 
The Rotary Club is looking to spend some $180,000 on the project and the city is looking for a grant from the state to renovate the entire park. The Buddy Pellerin Field Committee is looking to spend another $30,000 on improvements to the park.
 
Further, Carr Hardware won $1,000 to donate to a local business organization. On Monday, co-owner Bart Raser announced that money will go to Downtown Pittsfield Inc. 
 
Overall, Carr Hardware won some $50,000 worth of prizes. Besides the $5,000 cash prize, the company receives $1,000 for a small-business group of its choosing, $1,000 worth of Stihl equipment certificates, marketing services from Snap Retail, branding, advertising, and public relations assistance from the Meridian Group, three days and two nights at a branding retreat in Virginia Beach, and a plaque to display in the store.
 
Carr Hardware next year will be entering its 90th year since it was founded and prides itself on being a community partner. It operates stores in Pittsfield, Lee, Great Barrington, and North Adams in Massachusetts, and stores in Avon and Enfield, Conn.

Tags: business award,   donations,   public parks,   Rotary,   

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Cyclists Pedal Into Berkshire Bike Month

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Berkshire Bike Path Council President Marge Cohan addresses bikers at the event. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Clad in helmets and bright colors, more than 20 people gathered in Park Square to kick on Berkshire Bike Month on Wednesday.

The month of May will be stacked with bicycle-centered events throughout the county — beginning with an eight-mile loop from the city's center that ends at Hot Plate Brewing Co.

"We have we have a lot of things going on in Pittsfield for bicycles and for safety," Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales said.

"We're not anywhere near where we should be. We have a lot of work to do."

Bike month is meant to promote the safe use of streets for anyone and everyone no matter how they are traveling, he said The commissioner is especially excited about Bike to Work Day on May 17, as he can register to be recognized for his typical commute.

He presented a proclamation to President of the Berkshire Bike Path Council President Marge Cohan. It states that the city is committed to the health of its citizens and environment, safe cycling with road bike lanes and the extension of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, and that the Police Department encourages safe cycling by distributing lights and helmets and accompanies the city's Ride Your Bike to School event.

BBPC is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Cohan said the quarter century has been full of commitment to bike paths and bike safety throughout Berkshire County "on roads, on trails, on tracks, and on paths."

"In expanding our mission in this way we have been able to encompass all kinds of cycles and all kinds of riders," she said.

She noted that participants range from babies to 90-year-old people. Bike month includes events for all ages.

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