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Coggins Auto Group's annual charity golf tournament tees off at Mount Anthony Country Club on Tuesday, Aug. 29. This year's beneficiary is Bennington County Child Advocacy Center.

Coggins Classic Charity Golf Tournament Returns

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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BENNINGTON, Vt. — The golf tournament fundraiser hosted by Coggins Auto Group returns for its second year with even more ambition, and this year they will support Bennington County Child Advocacy Center.
 
"When you improve the quality of life, become more self-sustainable as a community, and make connections bringing the community together, that creates stability which is a critical factor that contributes to a business's ability to survive whether you've been here for 20 years or 20 days," said Coggins Auto Group Marketing Director Valerie Harrington.
 
The tournament will be held at Mount Anthony Country Club on Tuesday, Aug. 29.
 
The tournament raised more than $23,000 last year for the Sunrise Family Resource Center. This year, the hope is to raise even more.
 
"We already have more teams signed up than last year, which we are very excited about," Harrington said.
 
This year Bennington County Child Advocacy Center will be the beneficiary. They were chosen from a slate of community organizations, Harrington said. 
 
"After receiving 27 submissions from local non-profits and charities, we narrowed down to three and had the community vote on who the beneficiary should be for this year's tournament," she said. "We had over 800 votes in the final poll."
 
The goal is to raise at least $10,000, which triggers the Toyota Match Program to double it to $20,000. From there, Harrington said, they hope to raise as much as possible. 
 
Check-ins start at 10 a.m. and teams tee off at 11. Participants can purchase mulligans, raffle tickets, and 50/50 tickets and collect complimentary goody bags at this point at check-in and, later, a barbecue lunch. 
 
There will also be a putting contest until 10:50 a.m. in which the winner will receive a prize from Berkshire Graphics. 
 
Teams should wrap up between 3-4 p.m. At this time, prizes will be awarded.
 
More raffles and 50/50 tickets can be purchased at this time and hors d'oeuvres will be served.
 
Nongolfers can still support the cause and attend a concert with country singer Carly Rogers from 4 to 6 p.m.
 
Tickets for her live performance are $30 per person, which includes the performance, hors d'oeuvres and access to purchase raffle and 50/50 tickets. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time online using this link but cash will be accepted at the door.
 
Coggins is still looking for in-kind donations for player prizes and raffle items.
 
"Every bit helps. No matter the item(s) large or small, we will be creating baskets with the multiple donations we've received," Harrington said. "Great way to get your business out there! Your in-kind donation can be used as a tax write-off."
 
Contact Harrington to donate at vharrington@cogginsauto.com or 802-681-0136.
 
Harrington said participants can signup online
 
"A really fun way to support a local organization and network with other professionals and community members," she said. "We have great prizes and raffle items. The food is amazing, plus live entertainment to wrap up the evening."

Tags: benefit,   golf tournament,   

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Williamstown Select Board Inks MOU on Mountain Bike Trail

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — A planned mountain bike trail cleared a hurdle last week when the Select Board OK'd a memorandum of understanding with the New England Mountain Bike Association.
 
NEMBA Purple Valley Chapter representative Bill MacEwen was back before the board on April 22 to ask for its signoff to allow the club to continue developing a planned 20- to 40-mile network on the west side of town and into New York State.
 
That ambitious plan is still years down the road, MacEwen told the board.
 
"The first step is what we call the proof of concept," he said. "That is a very small loop. It might technically be a two-loop trail. It's a proof of concept for a couple of reasons. One is so we can start very, very small and learn about everything from soil condition to what it's like to organize our group of volunteers. And, then, importantly, it allows the community to have a mountain bike trail in Williamstown very quickly.
 
"The design for this trail has been completed. We have already submitted this initial design to [Williams College] and the town as well, I believe. It's very, very small and very basic. That's what we consider Phase 0. From there, the grant we were awarded from the International Mountain Bike Association is really where we will develop our network plan."
 
MacEwen characterized the plan as incremental. According to a timeline NEMBA showed the board, it hopes to do the "proof of concept" trail in spring 2025 and hopes to open phase one of the network by the following fall. 
 
Williams and the Town of Williamstown are two of the landowners that NEMBA plans to work with on building the trail. The list also includes Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, the Berkshire Natural Resource Council and the State of New York.
 
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