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Taylor Vreeland, left, Bob Bishop, Alison Peters, Thom Snyder, Deb Kovacs, Ellen Chiacchiaretto, Billy and Mary Walsh, John Boyle, Alyssa Maschino, and Dan Esko stand with the new LaFayette Trail marker.

Lafayette Trail Marker Unveiled at CRA

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — In 1825, the Marquis de Lafayette made his way across the state of Massachusetts, passing through the Berkshires as he completed a tour of the young country.
 
Several towns have markers noting his historic passage and Dalton is now included. 
 
On Veterans Day, local officials, Historical Commission members, and others gathered in front of the Community Recreation Association for the unveiling of the marker. 
 
The sign highlights how, on June 13, 1825, Lafayette was welcomed into Dalton at Nelson's coffee house while passing from Pittsfield to Boston.
 
"The sign highlights the rich history and significance of the trail, celebrating its role in connecting our community to the legacy of General Lafayette and promoting awareness of our local heritage," the press release announcing the marker states.
 
The marker's design honors the national colors of France and the United States, Lafayette Trail Inc. founder and President Julien Icher said. 
 
The title "LaFayette's Tour" is generic and common to all Lafayette Trail Inc.'s markers around the nation in addition to the credit of its partner the William G. Pomeroy Foundation at the bottom, Icher said. 
 
The town selected placing the sign in front of the CRA in the hopes that it would attract more visitors because of the improved visibility from the previously proposed location. 
 
In addition the proposed location was on state property along Main Street, which would have required state Department of Transportation approval. 
 
The CRA approved placing the sign on its property because officials feel it aligns with the mission to provide educational and cultural opportunities for the Dalton community, said Alison Peters, CRA Executive Director.
 
"The CRA's mission is to build a sense of community by offering social, educational, recreational, cultural and wellness programs to the Central Berkshire community in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment," she said. 
 
"When [Icher] reached out to the CRA regarding the trail marker, we were very excited about the opportunity to work with him on this project," Peters said. 
 
"It's important to understand the rich history of our region, and we hope that this marker will inspire our community to dig deeper into General Lafayette's travels, his impact on our country, and the pivotal role he played in assuring the independence of our nation."
 
The French general played a significant role as an ally of the rebellious colonies. President James Monroe invited Lafayette on a tour of the nation in 1824 because of his contributions during the American Revolution.
 
The tour traveled to all 24 states, including crossing the Berkshires directly on the way to Boston to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill. The tour's bicentennial anniversary is starting in August.  
 
The trail runs along Route 20 to Route 8 to Route 143. Route 8 runs right down Main Street. 
 
The non-profit Lafayette Trail Inc. has placed several markers to educate the public on the tour's national significance and "promote a broader understanding of Lafayette's" contributions to American independence.
 
The Berkshires has at least three other markers in Pittsfield, Hinsdale and Peru. The nonprofit has been working with the William G. Pomeroy Foundation to memorialize all the stops Lafayette made.

Tags: historical exhibit,   revolution,   

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Companion Corner: Princess at Berkshire Humane Society

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There is an energetic girl waiting to find her new home at the Berkshire Humane Society.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.  

Princess is a six year old shepherd mix that has been at the shelter for just over a month.

Canine caregiver and adoption counselor Simone Olivieri told us about Princess.

"She's very social, very friendly. When you're out walking her, she just wants to go say hi to every single new person. Loves to make new friends. She's a lot of fun. She's very active. She's very spunky. She's very playful, and she's going to need a very very active family who's going to do a lot with her." 

But Princess is no stranger to the shelter. She was a puppy five years ago and got adopted quickly, but now she needs a new family to take care of her.

"She was adopted out fairly quickly as a young puppy. She's been in the same home for the past five years. Unfortunately, they were moving out of state somewhere," Olivieri said. "They could not take her with them, so she ended up coming as a return to shelter, and she came back to stay with us."

Princess needs to go to a home as the only animal or with other male dogs that are her size or bigger.

"Her perfect home would be kids eight and up. No cats. No small animals. She has quite a prey drive. She could go to a home with another dog around her size or larger, preferably a male dog. She does a little bit better with male dogs, and she's looking for a home where people are home quite a bit, so that she's not left alone for too long. She has some separation anxiety," Olivieri said. 

She also needs a very active home that can let her use her energy every day, as she is very rambunctious. Especially with playing with her favorite toy, the flirt pole.

"She could use a home where people are going to give her a lot of attention and more than just a few walks a day; she's going to need lots of exercise, lots of playtime, lots of mental stimulation," Olivieri said. "She likes to learn, so someone who would be willing to take her to training classes or work on some training with her, as well as hikes, getting out and about, doing new things, different things. She is very athletic. She'd excel at things like agility, some dog sports. Just someone who is really going to want to engage and do a lot of different kinds of activities with her." 

Once you let her get her energy out, she is a cuddler who wouldn't mind being held like a baby from time to time.

"She's very sweet. She's very cuddly. She's very affectionate, but she is not a couch potato. She will stay on that couch with you for a little bit, and then she's ready to go off and do something else. So she's very busy. She's very active," Olivieri said. "Once all of her exercise needs are met during the day, she will settle down nicely, and she will want to be right by your side, cuddle with you at night on the couch, sleep with you."

Princess is very healthy but does experience some anxiety and is not fully potty trained and might have the occasional accident.

"She does have a little bit of anxiety, so she is on some medication for it right now," Olivieri said. "So a lot of structure, a lot of outlets, and familiarity, getting used to a new routine and everything is gonna be really good for her. I mean, she's just lovely. Like I said, she's very social. She likes to play with other dogs. She likes to meet new people."

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