image description
Santa Claus arrived on a fire truck at the town field and listened to what the children wanted for Christmas.
image description
image description
image description
image description

Clarksburg VFW Welcomes Santa, Presents Donations

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story

The VFW gave out donations to local groups including the Clarksburg Fire Department. See more photos here. 
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9144 played Santa Claus on Sunday (with a little help from the jolly old elf) at the town's tree lighting. 
 
The post handed out nearly $10,000 in donations to worthy organizations. 
 
Santa arrived on a fire truck with the Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Department and was greeted with cheers but a large crowd of children. He helped VFW members Joseph Bushika and Edward Denault in lighting the young tree, which replaced an older permanent tree.
 
The crowd headed to the pavilion for pictures with Santa and cookies and hot chocolate provided by the VFW. 
 
In between, the VFW recognized organizations that have helped the town and the larger community with monetary donations. This has been an annual event using proceeds from the golf tournament hosted by the post.  
 
"All these donations have been doubled this year," said Denault. "Reason being as the golf tournament was so successful. Thanks everybody who donated so we got extra money to give out."
 
The post gave $250 to St. Elizabeth's Rosary Society for its scholarship program; $500 to the Drury High School band for its participation in the Memorial Day event; $500 to the town's Council on Aging; $1,000 each to two local cancer charities, the AYJ Fund and PopCares, and $1,000 each the town library, the Historical Society and and Fire Department. 
 
The Clarksburg School PTG was gifted with $3,500. Denault said the VFW often gave its donations toward field trips and other events but feels the PTG would know best where the money would do the most good for the children. 
 
The evening concluded with the prekindergarten class at Clarksburg School singing "Must Be Santa" and then Santa lead everyone in singing "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer."

Tags: donations,   tree lighting,   VFW,   

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. 

View Full Story

More North Adams Stories