Lenox Library Hosting Programs for World Mental Health Day

LENOX, Mass. — On Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, the Lenox Library will host a day devoted to mental wellness in honor of World Mental Health Day.

"The 2022 WMHD theme ‘Make Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority' provides the Lenox Library with an opportunity to fulfill its mission to enhance the quality of life in our community," said Library Director Katie O'Neil. The Library will offer an array of programs and resources that support mental health and well-being for all:

10:30 a.m.: Mindful Moments Story Time – A special story time that incorporates moments of mindfulness: in addition to stories and songs, children will learn a few different breathing and yoga exercises. For preschool and elementary age children.

12:00 p.m.: Adult program, to be announced

3:00 p.m.: Crafting Calm for Tweens and Teens – Make mindfulness jars, cover journals with washi tape, and concoct anti-stress scented putty. For students in grades 5 and above.

All day:

• Receive a free self-care kit (while supplies last).
• Explore book displays and receive lists of resources that support mental health and well-being.
• Volunteers from NAMI Berkshire County, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with mental illness and their families through support, education, and advocacy, will provide additional resources and offer a mindfulness rock-painting activity.

For more information, please visit https://lenoxlib.org/events or call the Lenox Library at 413-637-0197.

Dalton Fire District Community Meeting Works to Find Solutions Various Problems

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
12:40PM / Monday, June 03, 2024

Dalton Fire Chief Christian Tobin established the monthly meetings for input on how to address the department's challenges and to foster collaboration with other town entities. 

DALTON, Mass. — The Fire District held its first community meeting on Thursday, starting the process in navigating the next steps in addressing problems the district is facing. 

 

The district's new Fire Chief Christian Tobin, established the monthly meeting to get different perspectives from residents to develop solutions to the town's problems and work together to solve them. 

 

During the meeting each attendee introduced themselves, providing background on their expertise. 

 

The nine residents had diverse backgrounds and expertise in finance, environmental, traffic and fire safety, local government, and more. 

 

Attendees included Finance Committee and Traffic Commissioner William Drosehn, Finance Committee clerk Karen Schmidt, Green Committee member Todd Logan, Prudential Committee member Daniel Filiault, former Select Board member William "Bill" Chabot, Water Commissioner Camillus Cachat, Assistant Fire Chief Chris Cachat, retired fire chief Rich Kardasen, and Dalton Democratic Committee Chair Michele Marantz. 

 

Tobin also mentioned that he had received more comments from other residents who could not attend on Thursday but expressed an interest in attending future meetings. 

 

During the meeting, attendees touched on problems the district is facing, including funding, building improvements to make the firehouse Americans with Disabilities Act accessible, building reorganization to optimize space utilization, and making the most of and expanding on tax dollars and emergency medical services fees.