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Youngsters at Gabriel Abbott Memorial School try out their new saucer sleds on Thursday.
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At left, Tim Keating and club President Joe Therrien pose with the children.
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Even the prekindergarten class got sleds.

Florida Snowmobile Club Gifts Sleds to Gabriel Abbott Schoolchildren

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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The club gave a sled to every child at the elementary school. 
FLORIDA, Mass. — This past weekend's snowstorm was the perfect accompaniment to the Florida Mountain Snowmobile club's gift to local schoolchildren: sleds. 
 
Some 90 to be exact. 
 
The snowmobile club handed out a sled or saucer to every child at Gabriel Abbott Memorial School on Thursday from preschool to Grade 8. 
 
"I used to go to school here, I grew up here, and I remember the snowmobile club, when I was a kid ,used to do pumpkins," Therrien said. "They would donate them to the school and all the kids would carve them. And this year, we couldn't get pumpkins and we thought it would be a good idea to try something different for Christmas."
 
The sleds were a complete surprise — along with the fact that Friday was about to be a snow day (more than a foot of snow would fall over the weekend). That part was kept under wraps as club President Joseph Therrien and members Darlene Waitt and Timothy Keating followed teacher Monica Wissman to the classrooms.
 
She knocked on one classroom door to say the club was there with a present for the students. One student yelled back, "A snowmobile?"
 
The reception ranged from giddy to wary. While the kindergartners rocked away in the saucers, the sleepy pre-K crowd wasn't quite sure what to make of the gift-giving.  
 
Waitt said her daughter had attended the elementary school and Keating had a granddaughter in the school. 
 
"It's nice to do something for the kids and I sure needed this," Waitt said, with Keating adding, "especially after COVID."
 
Keating also noted there was a snowstorm coming so the "kids will get to enjoy them on the snow day tomorrow."
 
The sleds were donated by club members — everyone who came to the club's Christmas party brought a sled or three. It was enough to ensure that every child at the school got one.
 
"I like to see the smiles. And we got the little one who thought we had a snowmobile for him," Waitt laughed.
 
The children held up their sleds for photos with the club members and thanked them. "Merry Christmas," said one class, "and Happy Birthday."
 
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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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