Silver Cane Award recipient Evelyn Degen and junior recipient Lucia Socha. They were presented with the canes at this year's annual award ceremony and luncheon at the Millhouses of Adams. Maintenance Supervisor Jody Goff, left, Senior Property Manager Danielle Senecal, award recipient Evelyn Degen, junior recipient Lucia Socha, Assistant Property Manager Jennifer Rose, maintenance technician Greg Alexander Sr.
ADAMS, Mass. — The Millhouses of Adams has been recognizing its eldest residents for more than three decades with the presentation of silver canes.
Wingate Companies, the operator of the affordable housing facility, held its 35th annual Silver Cane Award Ceremony on May 22. The ceremony is celebrated every May in conjunction with Older Americans Month and honors residents who are 80 years and older.
The 2025 recipient is Evelyn Degen, 92, and the junior recipient is Lucia Socha, also 92.
Senior Property Manager Danielle Senecal, Assistant Property Manager Jennifer Rose, Maintenance Supervisor Jody Goff, and maintenance technician Greg Alexander Sr. presented flowers to all that attended.
The decorated silver cane was presented to Degen as her proud daughter, Martha Labbee, looked on. The luncheon was catered by Boston Sea Foods and balloon making was provided by Millhouses of Adams very own Walter Timoney.
The first silver cane was presented in 1989 to Emma Levesque as the Millhouse Senior Association Award. Levesque, born in 1899, won the cane each year to 1997, when she was 98.
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Adams District Voters OK All Annual Meeting Articles
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
The Prudential Committee and Fire Department officers meet in the fire station on Wednesday night.
ADAMS, Mass. — Officials say the unanimous approval of all warrant articles at the district's annual meeting reaffirms citizen support for the district's efforts and well positions the district to address future challenges faced by many communities.
Nearly 40 voted at Wednesday's meeting, which lasted 20 minutes, approving all items with no discussion, including a $3.6 million budget, a petition to the state for a special legislation retirement age exemption, and a bylaw change making the clerk and treasurer positions appointed.
Voters approved the appropriation of $808,295.81 to the general fund for operational expenses. The general fund covers fire services, administration, and street lighting. They also approved the appropriation of $1,721,144.92 to fund the enterprise fund expenses. This fund supports the Water Department.
The budget is anticipated to raise the district tax rate by 30 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, resulting in a new rate of $1.17, however, the exact amount will not be known until the town determines on property valuations in the fall.
"I think it is forward thinking. It's an immense leap forward to try to sustain all of our emergency services that the district, as an umbrella company, holds, whether it be fire or water," Water Superintendent John Barrett said.
"Neither of us can sustain each other without it, and that just everything in [the warrant] summarizes all of our efforts throughout the year to continue sustaining our services."
Some articles have been years in the making by former Chief John Pansecchi, who had raised them years prior, Chief Engineer David Lennon said.
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Officials say the unanimous approval of all warrant articles at the district’s annual meeting reaffirms citizen support for the district's efforts and well positions the district to address future challenges faced by many communities. click for more
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