Tiny Town of Monroe Celebrates 200 Years

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State Rep. Paul Mark presents a replica of the fully-restored Town Charter to the Monroe Selectboard, from left, David Gagne, Alice Houghtaling, Paul Mark and Carla Davis.
MONROE, Mass. — The town celebrated its 200th anniversary with a special day of festivities on Sept. 17 this year. 
 
Visitors came from as far away as Connecticut, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont to help mark the occasion and share in the celebration.
 
The Franklin County town was named for President James Monroe and incorporated during his second term in 1822, years after it was first settled in the early 1800s. With 118 residents, it's the smallest town on the mainland and the second smallest in the state after Gosnold, population 70.
 
The day began with a prayer given by the Rev. Rick Gramlin of First Baptist Church in neighboring Readsboro, Vt.,  followed by the reading of town's Bicentennial Proclamation by Selectboard member Carla Davis.
 
State Rep. Paul Mark presented the town with a replica of the fully-restored Town Charter as a personal gift from himself and state Sen. Adam Hinds.
 
The celebration continued with kids' games and activities and Frenchy's Food Truck on one side of the Community Building, and food and drink served by the Fire Department on the other. Inside the historic building, (in what used to be a classroom for Grades 1-4 beginning in 1936), eventgoers found a memory board that displayed old photos and stories of growing up in Monroe, a booth to purchase a special one-day commemorative postal stamp marking the bicentennial, raffles, and lots of memorabilia including the new Town of Monroe Bicentennial History Book, T-shirts, postcards, magnets, calendars and tote bags for sale by the Monroe Historical Society. 
 
The Historical Society's "room above the garage" was also open throughout the day and saw lots of visitors.
 
A cash-prize cornhole tournament for adults was held beginning at 1 p.m. and provided lots of fun for everyone. First-place winners were Jim Bua and Scott Charron. Taking second place were Avery Bills and Dan Lauth, and Brett Pierce and Jason Bills came in third. 
 
Visitors were also welcome to travel down to the Monroe Bridge Overlook area and sit, relax, take in the view of the Deerfield River and enjoy the beautiful day.
 
Birthday cake made by Bailey's Bakery was provided for all later in the afternoon, and the band, Midnight 30, played to an enthusiastic audience from 2-5 p.m. Many positive comments were shared for days after. A big thank-you goes out to all who provided financial support, and a special thanks to those who volunteered so many hours of their labor to help make the day possible, including members of the Monroe Historical Society, the Monroe Fire Department, and the Monroe Selectboard.
 
Anyone still wishing to purchase memorabilia or visit the Historical Society for what remains of Monroe's Bicentennial Year, should contact the society at monroema2022@gmail.com, visit the Monroe Kiosk on Facebook, or mail requests c/o Lucy Passardi, PO Box 7, Monroe Bridge, MA 01350.
 
Submitted by the town of Monroe and the Monroe Historical Society.

Tags: anniversary,   bicentennial,   

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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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