A sign signifying the name change is installed at the Legion post home on Simonds Road.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The local American Legion post has a new name but maintains its old commitment to community service.
This Memorial Day weekend, the members of Post 152 officially rededicate the Simonds Road headquarters from Richard A. Reuther Post 152 to J. Michael Kennedy Jr. Post 152, in honor of the longtime member who died in May of last year.
The post was named for Ruether, a charter member, in 1956, shortly after the state representative's sudden death. A Williams College graduate, he served four terms in the House and had been an administrator in the Veterans Administration; he was known for his many efforts on behalf of veterans.
Kennedy was an Army veteran and a longtime police officer in Williamstown, including the police chief for 11 years. He was an active member of the Legion and was the town's veterans agent for years.
The name change was announced last year during the annual Memorial Day service at the Field Park rotary, one of several high-profile events for the Legionnaires throughout the year.
Although most residents may know the local American Legion from holidays like Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day or from events like the annual Cal Ripken League Opening Day, where Post 152 provides a color guard, the organization is active throughout the year.
Around this time of year, Post 152 purchases and places American flags on the graves of veterans at all four of Williamstown’s town cemeteries.
And around Veterans Day, in addition to holding ceremonies at the cemeteries and Field Park, Post 152 participates in a celebration of veterans at Williamstown Elementary School.
Behind the scenes, the local American Legion post helps veterans who qualify access health care and disability benefits for injuries sustained while in service to the nation.
The local Legionnaires contribute thousands of dollars each year to other local charitable organizations and show particular interest in education.
The post annually holds a swearing-in ceremony for new citizens and invites students from Mount Greylock Regional School to both attend the festivities and eat lunch with the newly naturalized citizens.
It sends eight to 10 high school students to Boys State and Girls State camps where the youngsters learn about government at a cost of between $2,500 and $3,500.
And it provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors in the amount of $5,000.
All of this against the backdrop of membership declines that have hit the American Legion hard across the commonwealth and across the nation.
"Our only income is from our endowment, along with a percentage of our membership dues," a member of Post 152 said this month. "We are able to maintain our building and most expenses with this endowment, however to maintain our support for charitable causes is getting to be challenging.
"It would be deeply appreciated if anyone might consider Post 152 so we may continue our effort to provide this community support."
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Teacher of the Month: Frani Miceli
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
Students say teacher Frani Miceli makes learning fun.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williamstown Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Frani Miceli has been selected as the July Teacher of the Month.
The Teacher of the Month series, in collaboration with Berkshire Community College, will run for the next 12 months and will feature distinguished teachers nominated by community members. You can nominate a teacher here.
Miceli has been teaching for 26 years and has worked to develop a happy, comfortable, and creative learning environment for her pupils.
Through her connection with her students and the decor on her classroom walls, Miceli hopes to help them realize that being kind is possible.
"I have a thing on my wall that says, 'Character is what you do when no one is watching.' So, I hope that they have internalized that," Miceli said.
"We make personal decisions because it's the right thing to do, and sometimes our actions can negatively impact other people, and sometimes they can positively impact other people. So I think happy kids make happy choices, and so I just want them to be happy, engaged children"
Every single one of her students in her morning math class jumped at the opportunity to praise their teacher.
The Prudential Committee on Wednesday discussed the need for a policy for all call-volunteer firefighters who reach the state's mandatory retirement age.
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The Select Board on Monday was told that it should let the people who walk their dogs in the Spruces Park decide how the 114-acre town-owned park is managed. click for more
The exhibit "Fragile Beauty" fills the pavilion with glass objects from the Corning Museum of Glass, showcasing different cultures, time periods and techniques, and will run through Oct. 27.
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The Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday began its review of the development plan for a new Williams College Museum of Art at the junction of Routes 2 and 7. click for more
Greylock Canine Club owner Peter Umbrianna is always surprised when owners drop off their dogs at his South Williamstown doggy day-care. click for more