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Veterans and family members arrive at Hoosac Valley High School for a Veterans Day event.
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The Hoosac Valley High School Band welcome the veterans to the building by playing music before they entered.
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Hoosac Valley Middle and High School Celebrates Veterans

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
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Students and teachers from every grade level welcomed the veterans, carrying flags and signs honoring their service.

ADAMS, Mass. — Students at Hoosac Valley Middle and High School filled the halls Thursday afternoon to welcome local veterans to a Halls of Honor event to mark Veterans Day.

Erica Girgenti, the school's family and community engagement coordinator, said more than 30 veterans from the community registered for the event. The event was held on Thursday rather than Friday, as the school is closed for the holiday.

The students decorated the walls of the building with paper chain links, on which they wrote the names of veterans and active service members who they know.

"I'm so proud of them," Girgenti said of the students as the veterans walked the halls of the school. "They were all so excited to do this."


The high school band welcomed the veterans by playing music before they entered. From there, the guests walked through the school, where school administrators, students and teachers from every grade level welcomed them, carrying flags and signs honoring their service.

Girgenti said this is the first time they have done an event like this, but she is hopeful it won't be the last. In addition to the event at the middle and high school, she said students at Hoosac Valley Elementary School also got involved in the holiday.

"At the elementary level, several of our classes are making handmade cards to give to our local veterans through the senior center's meal programs," Girgenti said.


Tags: veterans,   veterans day,   

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Cheshire Festival of Trees on View Until Dec. 31

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Businesses, nonprofits, schools and town departments provided trees for the display that reflected their missions or services. 
CHESHIRE, Mass. — There is still time to experience the festive atmosphere of the Community House. 
 
The moment you step into the town offices, you're greeted by the scent of fresh pine wafting from about 70 beautifully decorated trees on display. 
 
The town's festival of trees will be on display Monday through Thursday from 10 to 4, Friday and Saturday from 10 to 8, and Sunday from 10 to 5 until Dec. 31. The building will be closed Dec. 24 and 25. 
 
The idea started four years ago with Department of Public Works Director Corey McGrath's vision to display a decorated, lighted tree in all 13 windows of the Community House, the former Cheshire School.
 
A large part of it was to bring the community back into the building that was a mess five years ago, he said. 
 
The purpose of the building is in its name — a community pillar housing the town offices and Youth Center Inc., and a community hub featuring activities from dancing, craft fairs, wrestling, and more.  
 
Since its establishment, the display has grown into the festival it is today featuring raffles, a Christmas village, nutcrackers, and, of course, trees.
 
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