Memories & misty eyes mark unveiling of MGRHS Wall of Recognition

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Memories, and some misty eyes, marked the unveiling of the Wall of Recognition at Mount Greylock Regional High School Thursday, part of the school’s 40th anniversary celebration. Longtime artist in residence teacher, now retired, John Maziarz said “It’s great to be appreciated.” “I am certainly flattered and honored,” said Maziarz, adding, “the people I worked with made me look good.” “Maze,” as he was known affectionately by the students, founded the school’s gallery, called “Half Dozen or So.” His paintings prominently feature aspects of the Berkshire landscape. Maziarz, who taught at Mt. Greylock from 1961 to 1999, is one of 13 individuals — eight teachers, one custodian, one administrator, and three School Committee members — honored for their enduring contributions to the school. The son of the late Dr. William R. Clark, who taught history and was principal from 1961 to 1985, said, “I think he would be very honored that the school has given him this recognition. “The school was everything to my father,” said William R. Clark Jr., who lives in New Ashford. “It’s wonderful. It’s very, very nice,” said Clark, who like several of the honorees, was visibly moved. His father, said Clark, would be “very proud.” His father’s citation reads, “Dr. William R. Clark was Mr. Mount Greylock. Throughout his years as coach, teacher, and principal, he was a friend and counselor to students. ... [He] worked tirelessly to build morale and to maintain high standards.” Francis E. McSweeny, who taught mathematics at Mt. Greylock from 1963 to 1996, said “It’s lovely, very lovely. It’s humbling.” McSweeny’s citation reads, “Frank’s obvious enjoyment of the beauty and structure of mathematics sparked a love for the discipline in innumerable students.” McSweeny, a devotee of theater, directed and appeared in faculty plays and, his citation reads, “brought many of Mt. Greylock’s annual student musicals to glorious fruition.” Mitchie Backiel, who taught science from 1961 to 1998, said he is “in good company.” “It’s quite an honor.” “I was here from the very beginning,” said Backiel, “with the greatest faculty that was ever put together.” His citation praises Backiel for motivating his students, whether AP scholars or slow learners. “Mitchie offered all his students an exceptional experience in science: to be willing to risk error by experimentation, to make insightful correlations, and to reach for a clear understanding of systems.” Richard D. Dodds, who taught English from 1962 to 1998, said the recognition is “very touching and well-deserved for the people all around me who were at Mt. Greylock from the beginning and made it what it was.” Dodds’ citation praises him for infusing “into his students his love of the language; they looked deeper, read closer, and chose their words more carefully than they might for someone else.” Also present for the ceremony was Maurice Filler, guidance counselor from 1961 to 1984, whose citation praised his “profound ... and salutary influence on the young Mt. Greylock ... Maurie was, above all, humane — a gentle and caring person who treated everyone as a valued individual.” And Mark S. Gold, a member of the School Committee from 1990-98, whose citation praised him for bringing “a spirit of collaboration” to the committee. “He was able to join faculty and committee members together on common ground after many years of tension and disagreements. He accomplished this because all parties saw him as principled, fair, and caring.” Gold’s citation also recognized his creation of the district’s endowment, the SEE Fund, which continues to be a major legacy for the district, helping it sustain educational excellence for all students. Ferman Turner, custodian from 1961 to 1984, now living in the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington, was unable to attend the ceremony. Turner was recognized for “honesty, dignity and kindness ... Ferman never believed that there was a ‘bad’ boy or girl and Mt. Greylock. Some, perhaps, were ‘mischievous’ or were found where they should not have been, but he always viewed such students with gracious good humor.” “For 24 years, the students and graduates of Mt. Greylock were Ferman’s children and friends, and he was their faithful supporter.” Turner is also known locally for donating his Simonds Road family home to the local American Legion Post No. 152, whose members created the Turner House Living Center for Veterans. Mt. Greylock Superintendent Mark Piechota said Mt. Greylock’s Wall of Recognition is unusual for including descriptive citations and photographs, as well as just names. “The prose descriptions try to capture the essence of their contributions,” said Piechota. Eight of the 13 honorees are still living, and five of those eight were present at Thursday’s unveiling. Other honorees are, school committee members Bruce Carlson and John McGowen, and teachers Guy Dushanek, Paul LaPlante and Edna Lunney. The district started soliciting nominations for the wall two years ago. The honorees were chosen by a selection committee composed of alumni, former and current teachers, and administration, and a school committee member. Piechota noted that Thursday’s event was the wall’s inauguration. Two years from now, additional individuals will be honored, he said. Maziarz would like to see junior high school teachers included. “They should be considered for the future,” said Maziarz. “They prepared the kids that we taught.”
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

 

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.)  The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.  

 

 

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

 

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few.  All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

 

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house.  New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house.  New paver patio in the back yard.

 

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

 

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

 

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

 

 

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

 

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

 

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

 

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

 

What do the current owners love about this home?

 

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

 

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

 

 

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

 

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.  

 

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

 

 

 

 

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