Northern Berkshire Community Coalition Summer 2002 Newsletter

Print Story | Email Story
Summer 2002 Volume XVI Number 10 Coalition Annual Meeting Draws Largest Crowd Ever Over one hundred fifty attendees, the largest crowd yet, participated in the 16th Annual Meeting of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. Featuring Congressman John Olver as the keynote speaker, the annual meeting included music, poetry, and an assortment of awards that kept the two hour meeting moving along. Steve Green, President of the Board of Directors welcomed the Annual Meeting participants. Present and new Board members (Marilyn Boesse, Chris Solari, Rabbi Jeff Goldwasser) were introduced to the audience. In keeping with an old tradition, the annual Carol Hess Award was presented at the Coalition Annual meeting. The award was presented to Shirley Davis for her contributions to her neighborhood (UNO) and all other neighborhoods in North Adams. The Carol Hess award was presented to Shirley by Marie Harpin and Mayor Barrett and is given annually to a Northern Berkshire woman who represents the volunteerism of the late Carol Hess. The Peacemaker award was given in memory of Mitch West for his contribution in promoting peace in the community. The Peacemaker award is presented periodically to an individual who has worked for peace in Northern Berkshire. It was presented by Rachel Wells, Caissa McClinton, and Charlotte Degen of MCLA to Yvonne West, widow of Mitch West.. In addition, the Coalition created a new award, its Northern Berkshire Heroes. Joe Manning and Representative Dan Bosley were honored with this award for their work in making a difference in the lives of people throughout Northern Berkshire. To honor these heroes, a plaque will be placed in the Coalition office with the names of the recipients of the awards. Music for the Annual Meeting was provided by the Flying Garbanzos. A selection of songs was provided by musicians Randy Schickler, Jon Shears,and Mark Balawender of the award winning Grooove Coffeehouse . A dynamic poem written and read by Christian David Phiffer left the Annual meeting participants with a sense of awe. Congressman Olver stressed the new transportation initiative, the Transportation Association of Northern Berkshire in his remarks and praised the Community Coalition for its role in making things happen in the region. - Al Bashevkin Inside this issue • News around the Coalition • Public Health Incentive Grants • Neighborhood News • UNITY News • Community Calendar This is the Final Edition of the Coalition Newsletter until September. Enjoy your Summer ! Coalition Supporters : Public Sources : • MA Department of Social Services, • MA Cultural Council, • Berkshire County Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition, • NA Public Schools’ 21st Century Grant, • National Endowment for the Arts, • US Office of Juvenile Justice and Deliquency Prevention, • MA Department of Public Health. Foundation Supporters • Campaign for Human Development • Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation. Local Support • City of North Adams • Town of Adams • Contributions from our many supporters. The Coalition is a member agency of the Northern Berkshire United Way and the Williamstown Community Chest. To Submit to NBCCoalition Newsletter: The Newsletter is a publication of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. To submit articles (100 words or less) for the September newsletter, SEND BY July 30 TO: E-Mail: cleab@nbccoalition.org abashevkin@nbccoalition.org Fax: 413-663-9877 Neighborhood Leaders Attend National Conference in Houston Rick and Tammy Moon from the Blackinton Neighbors Association and Marilyn Boesse from Brayton Hill Neighbors joined Kathy Keeser, Program Director of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition in attending the 27th annual Neighborhood USA conference with over 200 other participants from all over the nation and Canada. At the conference, they each attended 7 different workshops that provided information and training for working in neighborhoods and the community. For Marilyn this was a real exciting trip as it was her first time flying on an airplane, going to Houston, going to a professional baseball game, eating at a Mexican restaurant, seeing magnolia trees blooming everywhere, trying different foods, and going in a glass elevator up to the 24th floor! Marilyn said “It was a great trip. I loved seeing a large city with all kinds of different things like the Enron building that you drive through, buildings that look like gold glass, and a wall of water that art work is projected on. My favorite part was the wonderful neighborhood tour, which took us through an area built up on a bayou. It had a bike path that went under the road when necessary. I loved being serenaded by a youth group on the tour.” The favorite workshop for Rick, Tammy, and Marilyn was a workshop that gave really good information on a grassroots speeding prevention program, Keep Kids Alive Drive 25! Rick and Tammy both expressed, “It was a great experience and one that has generated a renewed sense of enthusiasm of what can be done with a vision that can be built upon by others. Just one person does not complete a project. It takes a multitude of individuals and organizations to create reality from a concept. The workshops we selected were very interesting and powerful. We feel what we learned from the conference is valuable and can be used here at home in North Adams”. This is the third year that neighborhood leaders have attended the NUSA conference with Northern Berkshire staff. In previous years the event was held in Pittsburgh and Phoenix. Leadership Development is a goal of Northern Berkshire Neighbors. We are happy to have been able to support Rick, Tammy, and Marilyn in their work to make their neighborhoods healthier environments. - KK DSS Seeks Adolescent Foster Homes The Berkshire County office of the Massachusetts Department of Social Services is desperate for adolescent foster homes. Foster homes are temporary homes for children under the protection of the Department of Social Services. The department needs two to three Northern Berkshire adolescent foster homes that will take two to four children into their homes. The Department of Social Services will pay up to $75 / day for this work. This is a true calling for families that can contribute to community well being. For more information about how to become a foster home, contact Lori Kays at 413 236-1800. Training and support are provided for these homes. – Al Bashevkin Books on Tape Donated to Hospital Sue Daugherty, Business Manager for the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, put her passion for literacy to work this Spring. As part of the 21st Century afterschool program, children at Sullivan School worked for six weeks on a project that recorded books on tape. A total of 15 books were read by children and recorded on cassette tapes and then donated to the North Adams Regional Hospital pediatrics department along with a cassette player and headphones. The children presented their books to the pediatrics department in a small ceremony on June 19. The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition Reading Program donated the books, cassette player and headphones. Sue Daugherty facilitated the six week after school class. – Sue Daugherty Youth TV is Exciting After appearing on the April edition of Northern Berkshire Tonite, Erica Varieur and Amanda Love decided they can do their own local access TV show. What follows is their description of their show “Voices”: Its time we update you on what’s going on. Our show airs every Saturday at 5 p.m. on channel 15 out of North Adams. We have been very busy making the show the best we can. Our crew members are: Eric Buddington our director, and assisting with the directing is Elena Traister. Our floor manager and camera crew are Mary Ellen LaFountain, and Jane White, with help from Kiersten and Karissa Hoag. Last but not least, technical help from Paul W. Marino. We’ve had some wonderful guests on so far, and I’d like to thank Erica Schmitz, Jeff Filiault, Jennifer Munoz, Maggie BIttman, Theresa Varieur, Kiersten and Karissa Hoag, Joe Varieur, Ben Mackin, Kim Pytko, and others I may have forgotten. Guests on future “Voices” shows may be: Mrs. Coyne, Nancy Garton, Mr. Rivers, Safe Homes committee members, Mrs. Reardon, and Mr. Grant. If any of you would like to request further information about the show, please email us at our_voices@email.com. - Amanda Love and Erica Varieur, “Voices” co-hosts May was Eventful for the Coalition May was a busy month for the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. The month began with our monthly meeting that was attended by over fifty coalition supporters. The meeting was held at Mass MoCA as a means to encourage Coalitioners to bike to the meeting as part of bike to work week. In the end, attendees liked having the meeting at Mass MoCA and would look forward to one meeting a year at a new location. The meeting’s discussion reflected on the events of this past year. A broad consortium of local providers promoting literacy collaborated on a Family Literacy proposal during the month of May. If granted by the Massachusetts Department of Education, there will be a North Adams Family Literacy Coalition facilitated by new staff and under the umbrella of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. In addition to the above projects, UNITY had a busy schedule during May. Many were able to attend the First Annual UNITY Reception that reflected on the past events for UNITY. The Annual Writer’s Workshop Public Reading was also held during May and included poems and stories that are published in the UNITY publication, “Somewhere Between”. Neighborhood residents and Kathy Keeser were able to attend the annual NUSA (Neighborhoods USA) conference. This year, the conference was held in Houston, Texas. More about that conference is included in the newsletter. Northern Berkshire Legislative Contacts Rep Dan Bosley 3 Elmwood Avenue North Adams, MA 01247 (413) 663-7486 Rep Shaun Kelly 399 Main Street Dalton, MA 01226 (413) 684-5133 Sen Andrea Nuciforo 74 North St Pittsfield, MA 01201 (413) 442-6810 Cong John Olver 78 Center St, Pittsfield, MA 01201 (413) 442-0946 http://www.house.gov/olver Senator Edward Kennedy. 2400 JFK Federal Bldg., Boston, MA 02203 315 Russell Senate Office Bldg. Washington DC 20510 (202) 224-4543 (202) 224-2417 (fax) senator@Kennedy.senate.gov Senator John Kerry One Financial Plaza Springfield, MA 01103 304 Russell Senate Office Bldg. Washington DC 20510 (413) 785-4610 (413) 736-1049 (fax) (202) 224-2742 john_kerry@kerry.senate.gov President George Bush The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500 (202)456-1414 (202) 456-2461 (fax) President@whitehouse.gov Contributors to the Coalition Annual Supporters Drive 2002-03 (thru 4/26) Eugene & Jacqueline Wein Robert & Kristin Buckwalter Richard & Donella Markham Jane Stuebner Dyan Wiley Ronald & Jennifer Munoz Dolores Zabek Morton Broch, Ph.D. Bernice Alcombright Florence Wineberg Raymond & Lorraine Piaggi David Shaker Paul Marino Betty & David Wyman Gloria & Dan Piner Louis & Shirley Davis Lawrence & Hulda Jowett Gail Nelson Sam Donato Marilyn & Sam Bittman John Notsley Susanne Walker & Stephen Green Blanca Flamenco Catherine Clark & Bonnie Lipa Gailanne Cariddi Susan & Frank Zoltek‘ Joan & Gary Rivers Anne Degersdorff John & Jane Allen Howard & Deborah Wineberg Daniel I. Becker, MD Ellen Bernstein Marion Grillon Robert & Pauline Friedrichs Howard & Sandra Brookner Barbara Nissen Wagner Ray Burke Dr. Norman & Lorena Bianco Western Mass Food Bank Lawrence & Marcia Gross Mieke Kohl Stephen & Ruth Boisvert Robert & Prudence Barton Jack Gould David & Linda Maloney Deborah Coyne Mark Gold & Ellen Kennedy Kurt & Gwen Tauber James F. Wolfe Mary Sugden & Richard Lescarbeau AJ and Michael J. Meehan Buy Berkshire Grown Campaign Launched Berkshire Grown launches its “Buy Berkshire Grown Campaign” with the publication of its farm map, restaurant member listings, updated website and agricultural calendar. Berkshire Grown is a community-based organization whose mission is to support agriculture. Local farms provide the best quality food and flowers, help preserve the Berkshire landscape, and contribute significantly to the local economy. Berkshire Grown 2002 Buyers’ Guide to Locally Grown Food, Flowers and Plants has just been published. This publication includes 108 participating farms with directions to all farms. All farms and markets are open to the public. This publication is being distributed by community volunteers to convenient locations throughout Berkshire County. Please contact Berkshire Grown for seasonal recipes, agricultural news, and article leads.For agricultural events, 2002 member farms, farm-friendly restaurant and store listings and other Berkshire Grown information, visit their website at berkshiregrown.org. For additional information contact Berkshire Grown at 22 Railroad St., Great Barrington at P.O. Box 983 or phone at 413-528-0041. Email bgrown@bcn.net “Building Community” with “A Star Spangled Summer” The 2002 summer reading program at the David and Joyce Milne Public Library will have a twist on earning points for summer reading this year. The library is teaming up with Habitat for Humanity and using reading time rewards to purchase real materials for housing built in Berkshire County! Children will keep logbooks and earn “shares” for each book they read. They can save their shares, put the shares in banks for construction projects as they earn them, or team together with friends to “buy” more expensive materials. The program will run from June 24 to August 16 with a kick-off concert by Davis Bates scheduled for June 29 at 1:30. Watch for a calendar of events on their web page at www.milnelibrary.org/kids/kidshome.html or at sign up time in early June. In addition to earning shares for Habitat, children will be invited to build a Popsicle stick replica of a home in the art area of the children’s room adding to it each time they visit the library. This will give a visual idea of how well they’re doing throughout the summer. Other highlights may include visiting the Northern Berkshire “home site” (or tracking progress by photos), visits from the Habitat crew, and e-mail contact with Mt. Greylock Regional High students who are scheduled to build a Habitat home this summer. The Friends of the Milne Library have donated the “seed” money for the program and Where’d You Get That will offer gift certificates to children completing the eight-week program. For more information contact: Mindy Hackner at mhackner@cwmars.org Ray Brien, Former CEO of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of the Berkshires died on June 21, 2002. Ray was a leader of the largest mental health agency in Berkshire County and saw MHSAB through a county wide merger and through some difficult funding times. We all looked to Ray as the Dean of the Executive Directors in Berkshire County. His knowledge of the field was well respected. He will be missed by all. New Community Transportation Call Center to Open The new Community Call Center is on schedule to open at six West Main Street in North Adams in early July. People living in the communities of Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, North Adams, Savoy, and Williamstown will be able to call a toll-free number if they need a ride to their job or job-related activities. Project Manager Roger Brechner has been conducting a series of meetings to establish cooperative agreements with existing transportation providers. Five thousand brochures are currently being designed and will include the phone number to call for a ride. They will be distributed in such places as transitional assistance offices, job training and career centers, family support centers and a variety of state agencies and social and civic clubs. - For more information call 413-281-2375. Lessons We Can Learn from Geese Fact #1 - As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird following. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71 percent greater flying range than if one bird flew alone. Lesson Learned – People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the strength of one another. Fact #2 – Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front. Lesson Learned - If we have as much sense as geese, we will stay in formation with those who are ahead of where we want to go and be willing to accept their help as well as give ours to others. Fact #3 – When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position. Lesson learned – It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. Fact #4 – The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. Lesson Learned - We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging and not something else. Fact #5 – When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow It down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again, or dies. Then they launch out on their own, with another formation, or they catch up with their flock. Lesson Learned – If we have as much sense as geese do, we too, will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong. - Source Unknown Contributors to the Coalition Annual Supporters Drive 2002-03 (thru 6/24) Susan Gold Richard and Michelle Alcombright John and Frances Flaherty Michele Ethier Alma Benedetti John and Kathleen Lanoue Marie Lamarre Janice O’Keefe and Clark Billings Theresa Bellini David and Kyle Ann McGrath Arlene Bouras Gail Deery Ray and Barbara Warner Harold and Dorothy Amato Carolyn Leab Catherine and Earl Southgate Al Bashevkin and Nancy Pearlman Diane Gallese-Parsons Joe Manning Julia Janowski Keith and Elizabeth Davis William Bashevkin Arlon and Anne Nelson Justyna Carlson Anna Singleton Alan Marden Congregation Beth-El Sarah and John Kline William Prevey Abby Pratt In Memory of H. Burstyn (3) David and Donna Rempell Carl and Jane Jenkins Irving and Esther Bashevkin Vincent and Margo Melito Rose Belisle Natalie Cain Berkshire Center for Families and Children James and Alison Kolesar Nancy McIntire In Memory of Fred Scerbo Richard Spaulding Thomas and Susan Aceto Patrice and Kaare Bolgen Sherwood and Carol Guernsey Paula Cardinal and James Stakenas John and Rose Olver The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition just awarded its annual Public Health Incentive Grants. The priority for this round of grants was “neighborhood” activities. There were over $8,500 in requests for the $4,000 that was available. What follows are those grants that were successful and the contact person for each grant. Next year, it is likely that the priority will change for these grants, so stay tuned to the newsletter for more information. North Adams Housing Tenants Association - $150. Darryl Bentley Extra Service Time Education at Abbott Memorial - $300. Monica Wissman Clarksburg After School Program of Enrichment & Reading - $300. Linda E. Neville Mt. Greylock Garden Club of Adams - $200. Michele Wellspeak Mohawk Forest Neighborhood Group - $250. Ann Michalenko Brayton Hill Neighborhood Group - $250. Marilyn Boesse Greylock Housing Coalition - $300. Linda Bissaillon Fish On - $150. Alex Daugherty Hoosic River Watershed Association - $200. Lauren R. Stevens Clarksburg Family Fun Fair - $400. Tammy Meranti North Adams Community Crafters - $300. Martha Ceijas United Neighborhood Organization - $200. Shirley A. Davis Middle School Adventurers - $265. Brenda J. Wilson Mental Health and Substance Abuse/Youth Services - $150. Matthew Fox Williamstown 250th Anniversary Committee - $250. Deb Burns Girl Power Productions - $200. Deb Burns Rich/Kemp Avenue Group - $250. Sheri Little Salvation Army Appoints New Local Leaders As of July 1st Captain Ricardo M. Castillo and his wife will be assigned to a new appointment in the Finance Department at The Salvation Army Divisional Headquarters in New York City. The Castillo’s have been in the Berkshires for two and one-half years and have enjoyed the Berkshires and the people they have met here. They are looking forward to a different assignment in a much different area. The new Captains Brian L. and Amy A. Merchant will be their successors as of the same date. We are sure that the Northern Berkshire community will welcome them as they did with the Castillo’s. We wish the Castillo’s well in their new assignments and they will surely be missed by many. GOOD LUCK from the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. Northern Berkshire Reads offers Wilson Reading System This coming fall the North Adams Public Library through Northern Berkshire Reads will be offering training in the Wilson Reading System. The Wilson Reading System is a multi-sensory, systematic approach to the teaching of reading. The Wilson Reading System has been highly successful with students with learning disabilities, learning difficulties and with speakers of other languages. The program offered by the North Adams Public Library will include a Wilson Program Two Day Overview, an online course and mentoring. This program will not lead to certification in and of itself, rather, completion of the online course can lead to certification in the future. The training program will supply the online course, materials, use of laptop computers for drill and practice and regularly scheduled meetings with a mentor and other tutors. We are recruiting both volunteer tutors and students to participate in this program. Please contact: Dedee Hynes at 413-664-0078 with questions or to express interest. Please pass the word along to all those who might be interested. nbCC Welcomes Students The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition welcomes two Williams College Student Interns to its offices. Thanks to Ron Gallagher at the office of Career Counseling at Williams College, Ya-wen Chang and Chrissy Holland are working at the Coalition offices during June and July. Ya-wen Chang is a Junior at Williams and she is majoring in art studio and psychology. She hopes to work in a community once she graduates and eventually to attend graduate school. Ya-wen came to Williams College from Rockaway, NJ. Ya-wen states “ Working here has given me a new perspective of Northern Berkshire than I would otherwise not get from Williams.” Chrissy Holland is a Senior at Williams and is majoring in psychology. Chrissy hopes to see more of the world once she graduates as she is a native of Williamstown. Chrissy states, “It’s been a great experience to learn about all the things the Coalition does and see how much it helps the community.” Both Ya-wen and Chrissy are working on many projects at the Coalition office, including surveying neighbors for our social marketing campaign, inputting county data into the Mass 211 database, going through donated books that will be given out to the community, working on a summer resource guide for neighborhoods, and other tasks like setting up computers, and helping out with our daily chores. Northern Berkshire Neighbors “ The mission of Northern Berkshire Neighbors is to connect and support residents within neighborhoods to build community, create stronger neighborhoods, and make linkages to groups, institutions and other resources.” Community Bulletin Board June June 2002 Seniors: • Sweet Brook Care Centers looking for volunteers. We are in need of caring people who have some free time on their hands and would like to help older adults. You can do reading, transportation, help with entertainment, and much more. For more information call Judy Bombadier at 458-8127. Agency: • United Cerebral Palsy will be holding its fourth annual golf classic on Wednesday, July 10 at Waubeeka Golf Links in Williamstown. All funds raised are used to support UCP services to children and adults with disabilities and their families. Call Christine Singer or Joni Thomas at 413-442-1562. • Northern Berkshire Community Action Fund Raiser for the pPrescriptin Drug Program --- Proceeds from ALL DONATIONS made to the Williamstown Women’s Exchange in Williamstown, through JUly 31st, in Community Actions name will go twoards this all important program. Call Marie Harpin at 663-3014 for more information. General: • 16th Annual Friendship Knot Quilters Guild Exhibit at Gateway Heritage Park seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until July 8, 2002. Featured this year will be quilts of all sizes, table runners, wall hangings, and wearable art. Quilts made for children with AIDS in Springfield hospitals are also being featured. For further information about the guild and its future workshops please call Debra Rogers-Gillig at 458-8067 • Send announcements of your upcoming events to NBCTC to post on our video bulletin board. E-mail at nobctv@bcn.net, Fax; 663-3924. Please include an information number and a termination date for the announcement. • A Star Sprangled Summer - The North Adams Library is conducting summer events in the children’s department that encompasses the entire season. There will be an All American Picnic on the library grounds which will include a patriotic parade, old fashioned fun and games. Bring your picnic supper and a dessert to share. The 2002 Statewide Summer Reading Program will also be ongoing. For information contact The N.A. Public Library at 662-3133. • Kidspace at MASS MoCA will be holding Thursday Morning Art Classes starting June 27th through August 15th. Classes are open to children ages 4 - 12 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and cost is $3.00 each. Pre-registration is required. Call 664-4481 x 8131 or emailMHack@massmoca.org. . Open to the public Thursday-Monday, 12 - 5 p.m. • Kidspace at MASS MOCA Interactive Letterforms and Words. Explore interactive video art and make interactive art using Adobe Photoshop and ImageReady. Final projects will be posted live on the Internet! This Summer Art Workshop is for students ages 12-16 in the Kidspace & the C4 Computer Lab at MASS MoCA from July 8-12, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. daily. Call 664-4481 x 8128 or email: kristina@massmoca.org to register. Tuition is $60 and includes all materials; a deposit of $25 is required at the time of registration. • The E-mail addresses of the Coalition have changed. To contact a staff member, use their first initial followed by their last name@nbccoalition.org July 5th Grooove Outdoor Concert 4 - 7 p.m. at Heritage State Park. FREE admission. Performers will be Milos Pulse, remaj, Skip George, and Otis. Join in on the fun. Plan to attend. August 6th National Night Out Community-wide celebration to strengthen anti-crime spirit, including games, activities, and food for all. 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Downtown. August 10th Mac-Haydn Theatre Children’s Trip Children’s theatre trip to see Jack and The Beanstalk. Sponsored by “UNO” and NBCA. Bus leaves Conte Middle School at 8:45 a.m. Returns between 2:15 - 2:30 p.m. Bring a bagged lunch. For more information and pre-registration call Shirley at 663-5516. August 17th County Wide Youth Fair To be held at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Pittsfield. FREE family 4-H event. This is the oldest youth run youth fair in the United States. Any youth 5-18 can enter the fair. Call 413-448-8285 August 24th Mohawk Forest Picnic Picnic 11 - a.m. Come and enjoy a FREE picnic with your neighbors. All ages welcome. Berkshire Collaborative for Non Violence No meetings in July and August September 20th there will be a retreat for all Berkshire County Task Forces facilitated by the Elizabeth Freeman Center. It will be from 9:00 to 1:00 at a place to be announced. The next meeting of the Collaborative will be on October 15th in the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition conference room, 85 Main Street, Suite 628 at 9:00 a.m. Contact the Elizabeth Freeman Center @ 663-9709 for more information. Northern Berkshire Youth Collaborative No meetings during July and August. Next scheduled meeting will be on September 17th from Noon to 1:30. September 13th Brayton Hill Picnic Celebrate the beginning of a new school year with your neighbors at a FREE back to school picnic. September 13th Monthly Coalition Meeting First meeting after the summer break. From 10:00 - NOON at the First Baptist Church (use the Eagle Street entrance). There will be a lot to talk about after the summer rest. September 14th County Wide Youth Fest County wide youth fest from 12 - 5 at the Pittsfield Common on First Street in Pittsfield. July and August YMCA Camp Abenaki “UNO” is sponsoring one week camperships to the YMCA Camp Abenaki for children Grade 1 - 6. There is no charge. For more information call Shirley at 663-5516. STAFF Executive Director Al Bashevkin: abashevkin@nbccoalition.org Business Manager SueDaugherty: sdaugherty@nbccoalition.org Northern Berkshire Neighbors Kathy Keeser: kkeeser@nbccoalition.org Natalie Cain: ncain@nbccoalition.org UNITY Erica Schmitz: eschmitz@nbccoalition.org Elena Traister: etraister@nbccoalition.org Administrative Asst. Carolyn Leab: cleab@nbccoalition.org Coalition Volunteers Marcia Sweet - Green Thumb Erica Cruz: emilysmom28@hotmail.com Chrissy Holland Ya-Wen Chang Final Thoughts... Last night I ventured over to the Public unveiling of the Guardian Project at the Delftree Mill in North Adams. Local teen artists gave tours of their sculptures that they made for the bike trail that will go from Cheshire to Adams. This is a project supported by UNITY. Sean Carollo was my tour guide. It was amazing to have young teens leading adults through unfamiliar territory. We were looking at massive (6 -8 feet) concrete sculptures that will guard the Berkshire Bikepath. Sean and his fellow tourguides explained the nuances of how these sculptures were made, they described the feelings that the artists were trying to convey, and were our cultural interpreters. This youth led project received support from lots of adult organizations and foundations. Now, it’s the teens that are giving their support back to the adults. Isn’t that the way life is supposed to work ? We give the support we can to our young people, then let go and watch the process unfold. We are fortunate to have local teen artists Sean Carollo, Jeffrey Filiault, Jordan Gardner, Erin Gerrity, Anne Hyers, Emily Jaramillo, Erica Varieur, and Chris Winslow as mentors for us adults as we try to understand the intricacies of art. We are lucky to have youth programs that value the importance of youth leadership. You can be sure that this experience will be one of many for the art mentors that we saw in the Guardian Project. - Al Bashevkin
Share
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Teacher of the Month: Kaylea Nocher

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — First-grade students in Kaylea Nocher's class feel secure and empowered in the classroom, confidently embracing mistakes as they take charge of their learning.
 
This safe and fun atmosphere has earned Nocher the iBerkshires Teacher of the Month designation. The Teacher of the Month series, in collaboration with Berkshire Community College, features distinguished teachers nominated by community members. You can nominate a teacher here. 
 
Nearly a dozen parents and colleagues nominated the Brayton Elementary School teacher, praising her dedication, connection to students, and engaging classroom environment — going above and beyond to foster growth in her students.
 
"My students are the most important part of the job, and instilling love and a love for learning with them is so valuable," she said. 
 
"We have these little minds that we get to mold in a safe and loving environment, and it's really special to be able to do that with them."
 
Nocher has built her classroom on the foundation of love, describing it as the umbrella for all learning. 
 
"If you have your students feel loved… in the sense that they have a love for learning, they have a love for taking risks, they have a love for themselves, and they can use that in everything that they do," she said. 
 
View Full Story

More North Adams Stories

Community News
image description

New North Adams Church Surpasses Share the Love Campaign Goal

Community News
Schools
image description

Teacher of the Month: Kaylea Nocher

Schools
A & E
image description

Weekend Outlook: Hopping Good Fun

A & E
Community News
image description

Build or Rent: Communities Seek Options to House Public Safety...

Community News
Community News
image description

Northern Berkshire United Way: 1950s Sees New Name, Same Mission

Community News
A & E
image description

Weekend Outlook: Dance for a Good Cause

A & E
Latest Stories
Previous Next

What's Trending?