Virtual Lecture: 'The Ritchie Boys'

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Monday, March 21 at 6:45 p.m., the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires and Berkshire Hills Hadassah welcome Dr. Al Miller, who will speak about his experiences as a "Ritchie Boy" during World War II. 
 
"The Ritchie Boys" were young German Jews whose families sent them out of Nazi Germany to safety in America, and who returned as soldiers to Europe. These young men served as members of an elite U.S. Army unit trained at Camp Ritchie, Maryland, and played a key role in the Allied victory.
 
Dr. Al Miller, now in his mid-90s, witnessed the rise of Nazism in Germany and attended the 1936 Olympic Games. He and his family settled in the United States in 1940. A few years later, Al became a sergeant in the Army and was shipped to Camp Ritchie for training. 
 
This program will be presented via Zoom. Visit the Calendar of Events at jewishberkshires.org to register.
 

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Dalton Resident Ranks Third in National Snocross Race

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Sal LeBeau on his machine with his sister, Kenna, in the black hat, and friend Brandon and his sister Alea.
DALTON, Mass. — At just 16 years old, Salvatore LaBeau is already making avalanches in the national snocross racing scene.
 
Last weekend, LaBeau raced in the Mount Zion Snocross National race in Ironwood, Mich., the first of eight races in the national circuit series. 
 
Competitions take place across national circuits, attracting racers from various regions and even internationally. 
 
Labeau rides for CT Motorsports, a team based in Upstate New York, on a 2025 Polaris 600R. 
 
This is LaBeau's first time competing on the CT Motorsports team. Years prior, he raced for a team owned by Bruce Gaspardi, owner of South Side Sales and Service in North Adams.  
 
Despite a bad first day on Friday when he fell off his snowmobile and didn't make the final, LaBeau carried on with confidence and on Saturday obtained his first national podium, placing in third for the Sport Lite class. 
 
"I'm feeling good. I'm gonna start training more when I come home, and go to the gym more. And I am really excited, because I'm in 11th right now," the Wahconah High student said. 
 
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