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The annual Voices of Recovery gathering and walk will be different this year because of COVID-19. There will be a self-guided walk Saturday afternoon and virtual messaging and webinars next week.

Voices of Recovery Plans Self-Guided Walk, Virtual Events

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition will commence its annual event, Voices for Recovery, beginning this Friday, Sept. 25. This year's theme is "Days of Hope," and the weeklong event coincides with the conclusion of Recovery Month.
 
North Adams Mayor Thomas Bernard will issue a proclamation from the city of North Adams, and a video greeting for Recovery Month that will debut on the NBCC website at nbccoalition.org and Facebook page  on Friday, Sept. 25, at 3 p.m. 
 
On Saturday, Sept. 26, the coalition invites members of the Northern Berkshire community to participate in a self-guided recovery walk throughout North Adams from noon to 3 p.m. 
 
The walk begins at the coalition's entrance at 61 Main St.; stops include NBCC's Beacon Recovery Community Center at The Green at 85 Main St., the Brien Center, Tapestry, Keenan House North, Louison House, All Saints Episcopal Church, and First Baptist Church. Each stop will be staffed by community members and members of the provider community who are knowledgeable about local recovery resources. Artwork and poetry, as well as signs from community supports, will be interspersed between the stations.  
 
Participants will receive a map, T-shirt, and packets containing local recovery resources. To register in advance to receive a T-shirt for the walk, go here. Participants are asked to wear masks and practice appropriate social distancing, walking individually or in small groups. Those who are unable to participate on Saturday can visit the stops on their own in the following days.
 
For Alex Kostopoulos, a community member who has been coming to BRCC since July 2019, this year's Voices For Recovery is an important reminder: "Even though each of us may march to a different drum, we can look to the future and focus on our common goal of recovery for all."
 
"In a year like no other we will celebrate recovery in ways we never have before," said Bernard. "While we can't gather in person as we have in the past we will still show our support and share our strength with those who are living their recovery every day, those who have yet to begin that journey, and those who are healing from the loss of loved ones. I'm so grateful to the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, the Beacon Recovery Community Center, and everyone who is making this virtual celebration available to everyone in their community."
 
In the days following the walk, Voices For Recovery 2020 will continue virtually, with messages and recordings from members of our community in recovery, an introduction to an All-Recovery Meeting, a link to a Learn to Cope webinar, and video remarks from former Mayor Richard Alcombright on the topic of hope for recovery and new initiatives related to addiction recovery.
 
Voices for Recovery events are planned by the Beacon Recovery Community Center and its membership. For more information, visit www.nbccoalition.org or call 413-663-7588.
 

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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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