ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Health officially endorsed the town's Halloween plans but urged residents to remain vigilant over the holiday weekend.
"I was thrilled to hear that a very robust plan because as you know having kids trick or treat is high-risk behavior," Chairman David Rhoads said last week before the unanimous vote. "...This is a super alternative."
The town will utilize Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Public Works and Forest Warden vehicles to deliver candy to kids instead of the traditional door-to-door trick-or-treat that is considered a high-risk activity in regard to the possible transmission of COVID-19.
Gloved and masked town employees will hand out candy as they drive through each precinct.
Town Administrator Jay Green said he hopes the town's plan will deter residents from feeling obligated to participate in trick-or-treat even though the town is discouraging it.
"We have a good-natured community, and there are folks out there of a particular demographic and age that are more susceptible to COVID-19," Green said. "We don't want to put them in a position where they feel compelled out of the goodness of their heart to turn on their porch light."
The town is asking for candy donations that can be dropped off at the Police Department.
Trick-or-treat will take place Saturday, Oct. 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Rhoads did ask residents to adhere to this protocol and not participate in the traditional activity. Although the town has discouraged it, it cannot outright ban it.
He also asked that residents avoid large parties, particularly indoor parties, and stay in town. Some communities in Berkshire County are going forward with traditional trick-or-treat.
"We need to respect other communities and their different protocols and we don't want to put ourselves at risk," Rhoads said.
In other business, Rhoads noted the Hoosac Valley Regional School District will hold a flu clinic for students and staff. Town Hall will also hold one for staff and their families.
Rhoads gave a brief COVID-19 update with really no new news. He said cases remain virtually non-existent.
"I don't like to jinx things but things look fairly rosy here," he said. "...We are actually doing fairly well compared to the rest of the state. The message is don't let down your guard. We are doing well because we are taking care of ourselves."
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Adams Free Library Pastel Painting Workshops
ADAMS, Mass. — Award-winning pastel artist Gregory Maichack will present three separate pastel painting workshops for adults and teens 16+, to be hosted by the Adams Free Library.
Wednesday, April 24 The Sunflower; Wednesday, May 8 Jimson Weed; and Thursday, May 23 Calla Turned Away from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Registration is required for each event. Library events are free and open to the public.
These programs are funded by a Festivals and Projects grant of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
This workshop is designed for participants of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Attendees will create a personalized, original pastel painting based on Georgia O’Keefe’s beautiful pastel renditions of The Sunflower, Jimson Weed and Calla Turned Away. All materials will be supplied. Seating may fill quickly, so please call 413-743-8345 to register for these free classes.
Maichack is an award-winning portraitist and painter working primarily in pastels living in the Berkshires. He has taught as a member of the faculty of the Museum School in Springfield, as well as at Greenfield and Holyoke Community College, Westfield State, and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
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Michael Wynn, who was selected in January to run the center, submitted a level operating budget of $57,500 but said he could pull funding from different lines to ensure there was money for advertising this fall.
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