Northern Berkshire District Court Collecting Food Donations

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Trial Court is holding its 8th annual Cultural Appreciation Week this week and will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Al Nelson Friendship Center Pantry on Eagle Street.
 
Collection boxes have been set up at Northern Berkshire District Court. Court-users, court employees, and members of the general public are welcome to participate by dropping off non-perishable food items.
 
The drive coincides with Cultural Appreciation Week, which this year has the theme "Diverse Threads, One Tapestry-Strength of Connections."
 
"The courts and probation are part of the community and as neighbors we want to make sure that we address the needs of people living here. Coordinating this food drive is something we we wanted to do to give back and help those who are food insecure," said Chief Donald Wright.
 
Northern Berkshire is one of more than 70 courts that will celebrate culture and diversity in the courts and community. This statewide celebration in the courts in community is believed to be the largest of its kind in any U.S. court system.
 
A celebration was to be held Thursday, Oct. 24, at Northern Berkshire District Court. The event included Berkshire Juvenile Court and the Pittsfield Community Justice Resource Center and Pretrial Services Unit. State, local, court, education leaders addressed the  audience, local school children perform and cultural dishes.
 
The following is a list of the most needed items:
 
Ground regular coffee
Vegetable stock
Canned Black Beans
64-ounce juice bottles
Biscuit mix
Chicken stock
Canned kidney beans
Olive oil
Beef stock
Lemon juice
Diced tomatoes
Canned chickpeas 
 
Gift cards and certificates may be dropped off to the Probation Department.

Tags: food drive,   food pantry,   

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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