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Berkshire County Courts Host Weeklong Food Drive

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire County courts and Pittsfield Community Corrections Center are hosting three separate weeklong food and supply drives to benefit non-profit agencies across the county as part of the Massachusetts Trial Court's statewide 4th annual Cultural Appreciation Week 2020, Oct. 19-23.
 
The weeklong Cultural Appreciation Week celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion in the courts and communities throughout the commonwealth. This year's theme is "We Rise by Lifting Others, Justice and Culture: Bridging the Gap." 
 
In the spirit of the theme, event organizers decided to help those who are experiencing food insecurity. The pandemic has increased the level of food insecurity, according to Feeding America which found that one in seven people may not have access to three healthy meals a day and one in five children in Massachusetts now live in food-insecure households, an 81 percent increase over pre-COVID-19 food insecurity levels.
 
The courts and center are among more than 70 state courts, offices, and departments hosting food and supply drives across the commonwealth. The idea for the drives originated in Berkshire County. 
 
The Southern Berkshire District Food Drive will support Multicultural BRIDGE (Berkshire Resources for Integration of Diverse Groups and Education )in Lee.
 
Berkshire County Court Complex drive hosted by Central Berkshire, Superior, and Probate & Family courts as well as Community Corrections Center will benefit the St. Joseph's Food Pantry and the Elizabeth Freeman Center.
 
Northern Berkshire District Court's food drive will provide food for the Berkshire Food Project in North Adams.
 
Non-perishable food and supplies may be dropped off at the following locations:
 
Southern Berkshire District Court, 9 Gilmore Ave., in Great Barrington; bins set up for donated food and supplies from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 
• Suggested donations: canned soups, beans, tuna and chicken; peanut butter and jelly; dried beans; tortillas (corn & flour); grits; and salsa.
 
Berkshire County Court Complex, 76 East St., in Pittsfield; bins will be set up in front of the complex from from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 
• Suggested donations: non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, laundry pods, full-size shampoo, conditioner, razors and shave gel, twin and full fleece blankets, new bed pilows, brooms and dustpans, kitchen serving utensils, diapers, and new socks and underwear.
 
Northern Berkshire District Court, 111 Holden St., North Adams; non-perishable items will be collected in bins set up under a tent in the parking lot from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 
Suggested donations: canned food, pasta, dried beans, rice.

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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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