image description — Hundreds of athletes from around the county competed in running, jumping and throwing events in Spartan Stadium at Monument Mountain Regional High School.

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Special Olympians Converge at Monument Mountain High School

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:16AM / Thursday, May 15, 2025Print Story | Email Story

Special Olympics is marking its 44 years in Berkshire County.

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — A big piece of the Berkshire County Special Olympics was missing as it marked 44 years on Wednesday at Monument Mountain Regional High School.

But her spirit lives on in the games.

"The Monument Mountain Special Olympics Games were Anne Marie [Comerford's] pride and joy," Nancy Duryea said in dedicating the event in Comerford's honor during Wednesday's opening ceremony. "As one of the event directors, Anne Marie was responsible for getting the track at Monument, the high school band, the banners parade, the high school volunteers and the opening and closing ceremonies."

Comerford also was responsible for making sure the weather cooperated.

"Anne Marie would step on the field every year and point to the sky and say, 'Well, kids, let the sun shine," Duryea continued. "Where is she now?"

The sun did poke through the overcast skies on occasion Wednesday morning as hundreds of athletes from around the county, including teams from several local high schools, competed in running, jumping and throwing events in Spartan Stadium.

Comerford, who died on April 26, was unfortunately not there to provide protection from the rain, but her legacy and that of countless coaches, volunteers, parents and athletes ensured that the decades long tradition continues.

Monument Mountain Principal Christopher Barnes addressed the crowd and noted that the Special Olympics movement allows people with disabilities to "participate in sports, build confidence, develop leadership ability and foster a sense of inclusion and belonging within their communities."

"Like many of you, I am a parent of a child with disabilities, and he is here today to compete," Barnes said. "Also like many of you, Special Olympics has had a direct and positive impact on myself, my family and our community. I want to thank you all for your part in putting this event together, and I want to thank all the athletes for their courage and participation."

One of people who helped put Wednesday's event together, Berkshire Hills Regional School District Special Education Director Kate Burdsall, served as the emcee for program, directing teams of athletes to rotate through event venues, getting the banner parade of athletes going around the track and introducing speakers for various awards bestowed during the opening ceremony.

"The Special Olympics has me riding high for the first two weeks of May every year," Burdsall said in a news release for the competition. "It fills my heart."

Photos from this event here.

Tags: Special Olympics,

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Wisdom & Cinncinatus Lodges Donate to Berkshire Humane Society

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
12:15PM / Saturday, March 07, 2026

WEST STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Two local Grand Lodges of Massachusetts selected the Berkshire Humane Society for their charity donation.

Cincinnatus Lodge and Wisdom Lodge AF&AM hosted a golf and cornhole tournament last year, raising $2,500. Members of each lodge presented the check to Berkshire Humane Executive Director John Perreault last week.

The Wisdom Lodge does a golf tournament every year to benefit local charities or schools, and is locally sponsored, but last year's tournament was special to them.

"Personally, this year, because my father passed away, we changed the name of the tournament to represent him, so it's now called the RW Lawrence D. Tonini Memorial Golf Tournament," said Christopher Tonini.

"And because my father loved the animals, we thought that we would change course this first year of the name change and do something he would love to have happened."

Tonini is the master of the Cincinnatus Lodge and the treasurer of Wisdom Lodge.

He said they are also looking at a surprise donation to be given to the Humane Society on top of the $2,500.

Joint member Nicholas Oleen said their lodges are always looking to benefit the community.

"We're a non-profit organization, and our teachings are basically about building character and helping out people in the community and charity."

They've donated to many other organizations in the past, including Soldier On and Food Bank of Western Mass.

Perreault was able to make the trip to receive the checks from the two lodges and give his thanks

"At the Berkshire Humane Society it’s more than just helping animals, it's helping people as well," he said. "And every time we help a companion, we're actually helping the owner as well. And part of our programming is really pet retention.

"So our goal is, rather than have animals coming into our shelter, is to keep it in their homes. So a lot of the funding that you're providing here tonight will go to help keep animals in their homes and not in shelter."

He said the money will go toward the shelter's pet food bank and wellness clinic.

"I can tell you that many, many, many animals will be helped, which will make many, many people happy," he said. "And if you have pets at home, you know that they are part of your family, and they certainly help you out in good times and in the bad so we can't thank you enough for what you guys have done, so thank you."

The lodges have many events coming up and you can find out more information on their Facebook or Instagram.

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