BAAMS Receives $10K Donation from Noel Family

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Berkshires' Academy for Advanced Musical Studies Inc. (BAAMS) has recently garnered significant support from the family of the late Edward J. Noel Jr. 

This backing came in the form of a $10,000 donation awarded in April, facilitated by Kirby Noel, son of the late North Adams educator, through NexPoint Philanthropies of Dallas, Texas, an auxiliary of the Dallas Foundation.

"We were thrilled and delighted, and it came as a pleasant shock that the Noel family would choose to donate that level of sponsorship. In the world of nonprofit arts education fundraising, we hear a lot of nos and our requests may even be ignored — so when you have a family take an avid interest in what your organization is doing, and give of their time, attention, they're curious about it, it's a real breath of fresh air," said BAAMS Director of Development and Communications Jane Forrestal.

Forrestal said BAAMS, a nonprofit music educational institution based in Western Gateway Heritage State Park, was not expecting such a donation. She said Noel and his wife, Judy, had attended many BAAMS events and were supporters of the academy.

After Noel passed away in September 2023, the family discussed making a contribution in his honor.

"At the time of Ed's passing, BAAMS was something Judy and Ed saw as a positive for thecCity and region, and had attended some of our events over the years, so they urged mourners to donate to BAAMS in his memory," Forrestal said. "It was astonishing to receive the support we did back then from so many people whose lives were touched by Ed Noel, from as far away as California, Georgia, Texas. We really had no idea they would continue this legacy of giving in this way."

Kirby Noel explained the motivation behind the gift. 

"This gift is made in memory of Ed Noel — always teacher and coach," he said. "He would do anything for anyone, at any time. He just wanted to help kids get better at whatever they were doing — math, baseball, basketball, rabbit care, building doll houses, etc. It didn't matter what it was, he just wanted to help."

Judy Noel added that her husband had a passion for working with young people and this sentiment fit with BAAMS' mission.  

"Eddie loved working with kids of all ages, and always just pushed them a little to get them to work harder towards their goal." she said. "The first time we heard the BAAMS group perform, we were just totally excited and so happy they would be staying in North Adams. We knew we would be back to listen to them often. BAAMS is a wonderful gift to North Adams and our surrounding area."

Kim Noel emphasized her father's dedication to shaping young futures. 

"My dad was at his happiest when he was having a positive impact on a young person's future," she said. "I know that he would be so happy to be a part of supporting BAAMS in its mission."

Richard Boulger, the executive director of BAAMS, expressed pride in the substantial backing received from the Noel family.

"We're proud to announce tremendous support from the family of Edward J. Noel Jr., who became 'Marquee' level supporters during the month of April," said Boulger. "None of these programs offered at BAAMS would be possible without generous support from private donors such as the Noels, and from grant-making organizations and businesses."

Forrestal added that the money will help continue to support BAAMS after-school instruction and monthly workshops. She added that the funding will also support the Summer Jazz Band Day Camp.

North Adams Planners OK New Event Space for Tourists Resort

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
05:34AM / Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Tourists' owners say they've been in need of a gathering space for years, based on the number of requests they get. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Tourists Welcome resort was approved on Monday for construction of a building to serve gatherings and the Airport Rooms.

 

"This is our first opportunity to like fix the biggest thing we screwed up in building Tourists, which was not making a big room," said representative Eric Kerns. "The first year we opened, we got 1,200 event requests the first year, and we've continued to have almost 1,000 event requests every year."

 

The 140-seat event building will be constructed adjacent to the Airport Rooms on the east end of the State Road property, which operates at Blackinton Operating LLC. The 91-foot-long structure will include a kitchen to serve both the event space and the Airport Room, which will be connected via an enclosed corridor. Overflow parking will be at the Blackinton Mill, also owned by the partnership, with shuttle service for events. 

 

The new building will be set on piers to minimize excavation and will include a deck that will extend behind the Airport Rooms. The building also will utilize an all-electric mechanical system with high-efficiency heat pumps and energy recovery ventilation.

 

Kerns noted the resort has been erecting tents on that space for events — this will just make the use of the space permanent. He described the trailer being used as a "kitchen" for the Airport Rooms "a very clever two-year solution that has lasted seven years."

 

"It's just been a a real struggle to find a building that we can build that makes the math make sense given current, you know, construction costs we have come across," he said. "We've come upon a design that works for us, and it's really a continuation of the business that we've been doing. This site is where you've probably seen us put up a tent before, so we already have events of this size on the site."

 

Tourists was built as a minimalist resort, with the rooms facing the Hoosac River; the new structure will continue that aesthetic with a blank wall facing the road and large windows looking out on the river.