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Williamstown Community Chest Fun Run Returns Sept. 28

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – The Williamstown Community Chest will hold its 16th Fun Run on Saturday, Sept. 28.
 
This community event consists of two races, a 5K run and a 1-mile kids’ run/family walk. The Fun Run races are open to everyone, veteran or first-time runners, and daily or occasional walkers. Families with pets and strollers are also welcome to participate.
 
Both race events begin at 9 a.m. at the Williamstown Youth Center, 66 School St.
 
Sign-in and registration begin at 8:15 a.m. on the day of the race. Online registration is available at runsignup.com/Race/MA/Williamstown/CommunityChestAnnualRun .
 
The registration fee for the 5K race is $15 per runner and for the 1-mile walk/run $5 per participant; children 5 and under may participate at no charge. Scholarships are available, made possible by underwriting from MountainOne.
 
For 97 years, the Williamstown Community Chest has provided funding to local human service agencies and organizations that serve northern Berkshire County. Every dollar contributed to the Chest’s annual fundraising campaign is distributed to its nineteen partner agencies. Thanks to the generosity of the local business community and individual donors, $307,000 will be distributed in 2024-25.
 
For additional information or questions, call 413-458-2443 or visit www.williamstowncommunitychest.org.
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Theaters Respond to Changing Customer Tastes, Studio Requirements

By John TownesSpecial to iBerkshires
This is the last of three articles in a series on the evolution and current status of movie theaters in Berkshire County. Read Part I here; and Part 2 here.
 
Operating a movie theater of any size is a complex mix of art and business. It is not as simple as booking a film, opening the doors and selling tickets. It involves complex strategies.
 
Local theaters also have to adapt to constantly-changing conditions and trends in the film and theater industry. This requires balancing the often-convoluted requirements of movie studios and distributors with the preferences and tastes of local audiences.
 
Berkshire County is unusual in an era that is dominated by immense theater chains.
 
Following the closing of the Regal multiplex in the Berkshire Mall in Lanesborough in 2022 and the closing of the North Adams Movieplex, in 2023, there are now three remaining theaters.
 
Two of those — Images Cinema in Williamstown and the Triplex Cinema in Great Barrington — are operated by community-based non-profit organizations.
 
While the Beacon Cinema in Pittsfield is a for-profit multiplex owned by the Phoenix Theaters, chain, it is a relatively small company compared to major chains. Under its founder and President Cory Jacobson, Phoenix operates as a midsized independent business. It has 10 theaters in the Midwest, Tennessee and Massachusetts. By comparison, AMC Entertainment owns 855 theaters worldwide, and Cinemark operates 500 theaters.
 
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