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Northern Berkshire United Way Celebrates Spirit of Caring and Celebration

Mary-Kay Senecal and Cindy Brightly of Crane Stationery received the Outstanding Campaign Coordinators of the Year Award.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Northern Berkshire United Way held its first annual Spirit of Caring Awards & Celebration on Thursday, May 17, recognizing three individuals in the community for their length and breadth of service to Northern Berkshire United Way, its network, and the overall Northern Berkshire community: Alan Nelson, Richard Alcombright, and Christine Hoyt.

With more than150 guests in attendance to celebrate, James Birge, president of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, opened the program with a welcome before the awards ceremony. Jason Dohaney, board president, thanked all in attendance and the sponsors for attending the inaugural event, which will raise funds for the community.

Christa Collier, executive director of NBUW, opened the awards presentation. Hoyt was presented the Spirit of the Future Award. As a former member agency board member and community leader, "Christine was an instant choice for this award. She is not only an active and involved community member and selectperson but she understands the member agency perspective," Collier said.

Hoyt is assistant to the dean at Berkshire Community College and a former director of events and programs at the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. She has been a member of the board of Youth Center Inc. and Pro Adams and is serving her first term on the Adams Board of Selectmen. 

Alcombright, former mayor of the city of North Adams, was presented the Spirit of Community Award for his years of dedication as a former Northern Berkshire United Way and member agency board member.

"Dick truly cares, listens and understands the issues facing the member agencies and our community. He has been in the corner for each one of the community issues we face and we are all glad he will still represent the community in his new role at MountainOne," Collier said.

Alcombright has a long career in banking, to which he returned after four terms as mayor, and has been a member of numerous boards and commissions, including a regional task force on opioid abuse. 

Nelson was presented with the first annual Al Nelson Spirit of Caring Award, named after him for his years of dedicated service as former NBUW executive leadership member from 1981-1996. Since his retirement, he has continued to stay actively involved with NBUW projects and member agency boards, as well as spearheading programs in the community such as the Friendship Center Food Pantry.

"Al is still pounding the pavement trying to help the most vulnerable people be served with dignity and respect," Collier said.

The event was held at MCLA's Church Street Center. 

Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:15PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.

 

More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.

 

Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.

 

One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. 

 

"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."

 

Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.

 

Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.