Lever to Hold 2021 Innovation Summit

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Lever will again highlight regional economic development at its 2021 Innovation Summit at the Berkshire Innovation Center in Pittsfield on Thursday, Sept. 23 and Friday, Sept. 24.
 
"We're so excited to present another Innovation Summit event after our 2019 event in Williamstown, which drew more than 250 people," said Lever Executive Director Jeffrey Thomas. "We're honored to have distinguished guests from across the state joining us this year, including CEOs of state agencies and incredibly successful Massachusetts companies, Lever alumni who have gone on to create jobs and win major contracts, and other incredible people who help drive the regional economy. This work is stronger because of our community of innovators, and it's thrilling to bring them together for this event."
 
For more information and to RSVP, visit leverinc.org/levers-innovation-summit-2021
 
With the theme "Innovating Innovation," this two-day event will feature intrapreneurs who "innovate from within" mature companies, a discussion of rural innovation, and presentations from leaders who are innovating for inclusion.
 
The summit will begin with the Berkshire Intrapreneur Challenge pitch event, where a panel of expert judges will award a $25,000 Lever Innovation Grant to the company with the most scalable idea and the best go-to-market strategy. Lever is currently accepting applications from Berkshire companies for the Innovation Challenge; to apply or learn more, visit leverinc.org/intrapreneur-challenge-2021
 
Later on Sept. 23, Steve Nielsen, CEO of Dycom Industries, will give a keynote speech on how Dycom innovates from within. Dycom, a Fortune 1000 company with 14,000 employees, is the leading provider of specialty services, including construction, engineering, and program management supporting the country's telecom backbone. Dycom staff continuously develop new innovations to expand the company's service offerings to clients. 
 
Kenn Turner, CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, will deliver the day's second keynote speech. The MA Life Sciences Center has long been a champion of innovation and infrastructure development in the Berkshires. Kenn comes to the MA Life Sciences Center from MassPort, where he led diversity and equity initiatives.
 
On Sept. 24, Carolyn Kirk, executive director of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, will give a keynote speech highlighting the Commonwealth's response to COVID-19, including MassTech's partnership with Lever on the COVID-19 Innovation Challenge series, which began in June 2020 and involved more than 30 companies—from established corporations to new startups—to advance innovations in PPE, COVID safety, and connection technologies. 
 
Also on Sept. 24, panelists will discuss rural innovation and diversity, equity, and inclusion in innovation, and answer audience questions. Guests will have the opportunity for open networking. The summit will incorporate virtual and in-person programming, including an outdoor option for participation.
 
This is Lever's second, biennial Innovation Summit. The 2019 summit featured the conclusion of Lever's 2019 Berkshire Intrapreneur Challenge, presentations from regional innovators, a panel discussion featuring regional innovation centers, and keynote talks by Carlo Zaffanella from General Dynamics, and by Steve Case, founder of America Online. 

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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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