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Classes and individuals who participated in the annual pie auction had their desserts appraised by several judges who awarded first, second and third ribbons.
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Florida School's Pie Auction Raises $1,500 for Local Charities

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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The benefit auction raises funds for the Berkshire Humane Society,  the local food pantry and the American Legion's Christmas dinner. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Gabriel Abbott Memorial School's 351 Project has raised just under $1,500 for charity. 
 
Students in the community service learning project held their annual Oh Be Thankful Pie Auction on Tuesday at the American Legion along with a chinese auction of donated gifts from local businesses and individuals and a 50/50 raffle. 
 
The pie auction included other goodies, such as award-winning peanut butter and chocolate balls  and a pumpkin roll, and goods were produced by teachers, staff, parents and classes at both the Florida school and Clarksburg School. 
 
Several judges selected their top three desserts and frequent among the winners were the fifth-grade's no-bake cookies, the kindergarten's apple pie, preK's mud pies, Clarksburg Grade 8's s'mores pie, and a pink lemonade pie from Clarksburg.  
 
Chris Howard, the school's physical education teacher (who won a couple ribbons for her pecan pie) was again the auctioneer and she urged the attendees to cough up more dough. 
 
Confections by Heidi Dugal, Florida's retired principal who started the event more than two decades ago, again got the top bid with her rasberry cheesecake going for $100 (down from $140 last year) and cream puffs for $60. Howard's pecan pie went for $75 and the no-bake cookies and peanut butter balls for $55 each. 
 
This reporter picked up a pineapple sour cream pie by Wendy Miller for a song at $20 and it was hit on Thanksgiving Day. 
 
Proceeds from this year's auction will again help the Al Nelson Friendship Center Food Pantry, the Berkshire Humane Society and the American Legion's Christmas dinner. 
 

Tags: auction,   benefit,   Gabriel Abbott School,   

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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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