image description — William Farrell of Pittsfield aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Philippine Sea last week.

Pittsfield Man Serving Aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt

02:16PM / Tuesday, March 05, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PHILIPPINE SEA — Petty Officer 1st Class William Farrell III of Pittsfield, Mass., an Navy aviation structural mechanic, applies a decal onto an EA-18G Growler, attached to the "Rooks" of Electronic Attack Squadron 137, in the hanger bay of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt.

Farrell is a 2011 graduate of Taconic High School.

The Roosevelt is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group Nine, which is conducting routine operations in the 7th Fleet area of operations.

An integral part of Pacific Fleet, the 7th Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the Navy's role across the full spectrum of military operations — from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The 7th Fleet works together with the nation's allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region.

Photo and text provided by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.

Tags: navy,

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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction.

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.

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