image description
Michael Steuer, right, presents North Adams American Legion Post 125's Commander Mitchell Keil with check for $2,500 from the Adams Fall Run. The revived run is donating its proceeds to the Adams, North Adams and Spencer American Legions.
image description

Adams Fall Run Donates to Local American Legion Posts

Print Story | Email Story

Adams Commander Keith McLear accepts a donation on behalf of Post 160. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams Fall Run Committee recently donated $2,500 each to the American Legion posts in Adams and North Adams. 
 
The funds were raised by the return of the Fall Run this year and made on behalf of the Fall Run and Spencer Post 138 American Legion Riders.
 
The donations were presented at North Adams American Legion Post 125 to the post's commander, Mitchell Keil, and to Adams Post 160 Commander Keith McLear. Also attending were Dennis St. Pierre, Tom Lussier, Mark Sprague, Mike Blewitt and Lou Floriani. Another presentation was made in Spencer. 
 
Each recipient said they hoped for "bigger and better next year."
 
The Fall Run, a more than 60-mile motorcycle ride, raised more than $500,000 for charity over its 35-year history. The run was halted a few years ago but resurrected this year by a group of civic-minded residents. The  proceeds of the event were targeted to help veterans organization through local group and the Riders.  
 
"When we started the nine-month adventure in January of this year, it was all about bringing back the Fall Run and establishing three goals," said Michael Steuer, one of the new organizers and a longtime participant in the ride. "To return the iconic thunder of bikes running through the hilltowns of the Berkshires as the Adams Fall Run for the first time in  four years. As part of the ride, we wanted  merchants and supporters to be the beneficiaries. And if it generated any profits, we would consider carving out something for the local Legions. 
 
"The weather would dictate the results. Being the first year, we played it very conservatively, yet proudly concluded, mission accomplished."
 
Steuer said he used his contacts to engage the Legion Riders at the post home in Spencer at the anchor to the endeavor. They could bring the expertise to the logistics and organizational structure essential to pull off the event, he said, although it took some persuasion. "They were perfect for the job."
 
"They actually eventually bought into the idea both with their feet and wallet and possibly the largest financial Fall Run sponsorship with over $5,000 this year," he said. "Having this at our disposal, the American Legion Riders would always be recognized as the pillar to the Adams Fall Run. The Post 138 American Legion Riders has already approved funds for the 2022 event."
 
Organizers, a few dozen volunteers and the Riders brought hundreds of motorcycles to the town of Adams for the Fall Run on Sept. 19. The 69-mile ride began at Bowe Field in Adams and made a loop up through Ashfield before finishing back at the field for a party open to the public. 
 
"Knowing the odds were against us and the obstacles we would face, our goal was to also try and make a modest profit, the weather would be the biggest factor," Steuer said. "But if we did turn a profit, after expenses, we would be distributed accordingly to a preplanned formula and help vets locally and through the Post 138 ALR, supporting related organizations and programs."
 
He acknowledged the work of "tireless volunteers," Chairman Jeffrey Snoonian and and committee members  Carol Cushenette (supervisor), Bob Murray (administration), David Boyer (finance), Josh Little (resources), Sarah Kline (media communications), Rachel Tomkowicz (staffing volunteers), Geoff Kondel, (IT), Renelle Moser (media marketing), Ann Marie ONeil and Barb Steuer (chinese auction), and Chris Shrade (money manager). 
 
Sponsors were critical to making the profits greater, Steuer said, and "Dave Nicolas and his team from the Bounti Fare filled our bellies with some of the best local sustenance that day." The community of Adams was welcoming, the Police Department worked to keep everyone safe, Deacon Bruce Ziter offered a blessing of the bikes, and the bands Bacchus and Straight Up provided music that "was the icing on the cake."
 
The weather was fine and 335 motorcyle enthusiasts led by the Riders' road captains Doug Eddy and Danny Lussier and Director Dan Meloche thundered down Park Street to people along the way waving flags. 
 
Steuer said his motivation to revive the ride was to spend as much time as possible fundraising to help local veterans. 
 
"This motivation stems from my American Legion celebration 100 anniversary work in 2019 and recently trying to enlist other American Legion Riders locally after COVID-19 to participate in the 2021 Adams Fall Run," he said. "When I was hearing from the many chapters of losses of ALR participants ... It has been a sad story after story and to see the difference between our Post 138 ALR organizations, and the devastation to some strong (pre-COVID) organizations, some closing their doors for good ... It is a perfect marriage to combine the Adams Fall Run and fundraising done throughout the American Legion Riders."
 
Steuer said one of the unexpected outcomes of 138 ALR's presence was that it has motivated other posts to start their own chapters. He plans to discuss this with the Dalton Post 155 ALR with an idea to expand the fall run as also a Legion run and "to rock these hills of the Berkshires once a year." 

Tags: donations,   fall run,   veterans organizations,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Hoosac Valley High School is Moving and Shaking

There have been some major shifts within the Hoosac Valley Regional School District recently, all of which have focused on enhancing the student experience to make it a place where ALL students can find their path.
 
In 2023, Hoosac Valley High School was designated an Innovation Pathway School by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and has since restructured the Program of Studies, utilized creative scheduling, and expanded internship opportunities. Part of this transformation includes participating in a "Portrait of a Graduate" cohort alongside four other Berkshire County schools to determine a collective vision for student success, in partnership with the BARR Foundation.
 
The Innovation Pathways at HVHS are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as technology, engineering, healthcare, or life sciences. Currently, Biomedical Science & Healthcare and Environmental Studies have received official state IP designation. In addition to the IP designated pathways, HVHS offers programs in Engineering & Technology, Business & Entrepreneurship, Arts & Entertainment, Education, and Sports Medicine. The result is that students have an opportunity for a transformative experience – enabling them to build essential skills, gain awareness of future career opportunities, and make informed choices about post-secondary education in promising fields.
 
Principal Colleen Byrd notes, "What makes our program special is that entry into the Pathway of your choice allows a student to access Advanced Placement and dual enrollment college courses, as well as internships in the community to set them up for success after high school."
 
The Portrait of a Graduate initiative consists of a team of Hoosac educators and students who exemplify the essential skills, practices, and beliefs that define learning experiences across the district. They work to outline the competencies, values, skills, and knowledge that define our vision for student success – keeping in mind that not every student's pathway will look the same. The District's goal is to ensure that all students graduate as responsible people, prepared individuals, lifelong learners, global citizens, critical thinkers, and thoughtful communicators.
 
Another recent change district-wide in grades K-12 is the "Crew" culture. Teachers and students now have time each day to create positive connections and build authentic relationships with one another. Through Responsive Classroom at the elementary school and Crew at the middle and high schools, students and staff gather for 30 minutes each day to engage in meaningful experiences rooted in mutual and shared interests. 
The Crew block is a prioritized structure that allows staff to support all students socially, emotionally, and academically – anchoring them and promoting the Portrait of a Graduate competencies. Crew takes many forms at the high school, such as gardening, bird watching, yoga, and sports talk with visits to college games.
 
View Full Story

More Adams Stories