ADAMS, Mass. — The American Legion Riders will again be hosting the Fall Run this Saturday, Sept. 17, in Bowe Field to raise funds for military veterans in need throughout Massachusetts.
Last year, a group of local volunteers revived this long-standing tradition that ceased to roar through Western Massachusetts in 2017.
Originally a small group of friends, the ride quickly morphed into a 2,000-plus rider event that raised more than a half-million dollars for local charities, especially Shriners Hospital.
What the American Legion Riders soon came to learn last year is it is impossible to repeat what the original group did after a four-year absence so they made the event their own.
The Riders collaborated with a variety of veterans associations to resurrect the popular motorcycle ride.
"One of the goals that I wanted to make sure that if I got involved with is that the American Legion Riders would be involved with it because that is who I am," said ride Chairman Mike Steuer.
Rather than having the proceeds go to local charities, they decided to switch the beneficiaries to local veterans and veteran organizations.
Its revival last year was met with open arms by thousands of people who lined the streets as 335 motorcyclists returned to Bowe Field from their 50-mile ride around the Berkshires and raised $15,000 for their cause.
"There aren't that many channels directly to the Legions and the vets. I mean, there are these big large organizations, but we're really a mom-and-pop shop, to be honest with you," Steuer said.
"You know, we are grassroots, we gave 100 percent of what we earned back to our channels and helping vets last year."
Anyone can ride with the Legion and can register their bike for $20. Riders can also choose from three packages that range from $500 to $2,000 in donations.
Steuer said they hope that the event grows and that they are able to raise more funds because of the greater need due to the economy and inflation.
"It's going to be harder for these vets to pay their bills, and we're proud to be able to give them something, with hardships making it difficult for them and their families," he said.
"It's really so important to us as part of our mission. And that's what we do, American Legion Riders ... mission is to fundraise on behalf of the veterans organizations."
This year the Legion will be having the event on Saturday instead of Sunday and has become a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization so donations are tax deductible.
In addition to the ride there will also be games, food, vendors, raffles, and live music at Bowe Field. The gates open at 10 and the band Miss Guided Too will be performing until 2 p.m.
The opening ceremony will commence at 12:30; the motorcycles will take off at 1 and are expected to return around around 2:30-3 p.m.
Hot Shot Hillbillies will be performing from 2 to 5 followed by the Shyne until 6:30 p.m.
This year the four posts participating in the Fall Run are the Spencer American Legion Riders Post 138, Dalton American Legion Riders Post 155, Adams American Legion Post 160, and North Adams American Legion Post 125.
Steuer said they hope to morph this event into a regional American Legion Riders ride to support everyone on the "ship."
"We're all on the same ship, we are trying to keep the ship afloat because veterans and veterans organizations are going down left and right throughout the county and throughout the state," said Dan Speth, Dalton American Legion's post service officer and past president.
More information on the Fall Run can be found here.
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Greylock Glen Outdoor Center 90% Complete
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — The Greylock Glen Outdoor Center is about 90 percent finished with an anticipated completion date in August.
Matthew Sturz of owner's project manager Colliers International updated the Selectmen on the project's progress via Zoom on Wednesday.
"We'll work with the town to determine exactly the logistics of that," he said in response to questions about the opening. "I think that there's certainly interest in getting the facility open as soon as it can open. But we do need to conclude the construction activities ... it's not federally advisable to have construction activity going on with the public."
The completion will depend on getting a certificate of occupancy for the 10,000-square foot facility.
The $8.3 million project is running eight months behind the expected schedule, Sturz said, largely because of permitting with the state Department of Environmental Protection that required an extensive environmental review of endangered species, working with National Grid to determine how solar will be integrated into the project, and the need for a water system for both potable water and fire suppression.
"Transformers and all manner of electrical switchgear is being significantly impacted by supply chain issues throughout the construction industry," said Sturz. "So coordinating those items up front took a little bit longer than anticipated."
A 350,000-gallon water tank is being constructed on the grounds to provide water with completion expected by July or August.
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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The Selectmen on Wednesday night voted to award the bid to Mackin Construction Co. Inc. of Greenfield, which plans to invest $11 million to build out 20 or more one- and two-bedroom apartments in the three-story classroom wing that parallels Columbia Street.
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The Selectmen two weeks ago had requested the utility appear before the board after receiving numerous complaints over flickering lights, including in Town Hall.
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Taylor Garabedian scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed five rebounds, and Abby Scialabba scored 16 points for the ‘Canes, who got 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists from Ashlyn Lesure. click for more
On Saturday afternoon at Lowell’s Tsongas Center, the Hurricanes will take aim at Division 5 State Championships in girls and boys basketball. click for more