Marchers arrive at the celebration at Post 152 on Sunday.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Dozens of American Legion members from Sutton marched their way through downtown North Adams on Sunday participating in the 100 Miles For Hope Walk.
The Sutton American Legion Post 414 veterans and Boy Scouts concluded their walk through the city at a celebration hosted by American Legion Post 125.
"It is just a big party to welcome them into the city," Post 125 Commander Mitchel Keil said. "We walked out to them last year because it is 100 miles from our post to their post, so it is our turn to host the reception."
What started out as a program to encourage fitness and wellness, became a national American Legion fundraising drive. Pledges and donations are collected by Legionnaires participating in the relay-style walk to benefit the National American Legions Veterans and Children Fund.
"It is a great way to build up that camaraderie that everyone is looking for, and it is easier to raise money when we work together," Keil said.
Keil said Post 414 and Post 125 are sister Legions.
Bill Halene, 414 past commander, added that families of servicemen and -women can tap this fund if they are in need. Also, active Coast Guard members can request money from the fund if the government shuts down.
"One Legion can do a lot for the community, and that is great," he said. "But when you start connecting with other Legions, you can just get more people involved because you have different outlooks from different sides of the state."
He said they have raised more than $2,000 in this campaign. Twenty-seven walkers started the trip with 17 making the final march into North Adams.
Walkers lined up on Ashland Street and made their way down Main Street after rendezvousing with Post 125 members. The American Legion Riders and a float from the Adams Post 160 led the convoy with its police escort. They swung a left down American Legion Drive terminating at Post 125.
Upon arrival, walkers were served hot food and serenaded by country music tribute band WailOn, which performed from a stage set up in the parking lot. Indoors, there were raffles.
"I am impressed we did a little something for them, but they kicked up to the next level," Hallene said.
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North Adams Holding Session on School Project Options
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The community will have the opportunity to provide input Thursday on the several options for a school building project.
The School Building Committee will hold a community/stakeholder engagement focus group in the welcome center at Brayton Elementary School beginning at 7 p.m. The session will also be available through Zoom at this link.
There will be a presentation on the designs for the Greylock/Brayton School Building Project and the opportunity to ask questions. A faculty and staff session will be held earlier in the afternoon.
The project is at the end of the preliminary design phase. The School Committee has voted to reorganize its grade structure into early education (prekindergarten to Grade 2) and upper elementary (Grades 3 to 6). Drury will remain as Grades 7 through 12.
The more recently renovated Colegrove Park Elementary School will host one of the grade levels and either Brayton or Greylock the other. One of those schools will close based on projected enrollment declines.
The current options are a renovation of Brayton, a renovation/addition at Greylock or a new Greylock School.
The School Building Committee have been reviewing the three options with a vote on a recommendation expected on Oct. 12; the School Committee will vote on whether to submit that preferred option to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for consideration.
This year the committee has revealed that there will be 15 colorful leaves hidden in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, North Adams and Williamstown.
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There will be a variety of events in the Berkshires this weekend including community days, apple squeeze, live musical performances, and more.
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The Class of 1973 recently held its 50th class reunion and, as part of their celebration, donated a bench to Colegrove Park Elementary School.
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Mayor Jennifer Macksey read the proclamations at last week's lengthy City Council meeting. All three awareness initiatives have been recognized by past administrations as well.
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