Market 32, Price Chopper, Freihofer's Campaign for Melodies Center

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Market 32 and Price Chopper are partnering with Freihofer's Baking Co. to raise funds for the Melodies Center at Albany Medical Center, which provides care to children and teens with cancer and blood disorders.
 
The Melodies Center is part of the Bernard & Millie Duker Children's Hospital, the referral center for all seriously ill and injured children in 25 upstate New York counties and western New England.
 
From now through Feb. 28, 2026, a $.10 donation will be made to the Melodies Center each time select Freihofer's products are purchased. The items are specially marked with shelf tags in most stores.
 
"Facing a childhood cancer or blood disorder diagnosis is overwhelming," said Pam Cerrone, Market 32 and Price Chopper director of community relations. "Through our partnership with Freihofer's and the kindness of our customers, we're able to help patients and their families access exceptional care and much-needed support during an extraordinarily difficult time."
 
The Melodies Center is a member of the Children's Oncology Group (COG), the world's largest organization dedicated to childhood cancer research trials. With state-of-the-art facilities and a highly skilled clinical staff of pediatric oncologists and hematologists, chemotherapy nurses, social workers, child life specialists, and more, the Center treats more than 1,500 children each year.
 
"We are incredibly grateful for our longstanding partnership with Market 32 and Price Chopper and Freihofer's Baking Co. and their continued support of the Melodies Center, which is one of a kind in our region," said Kate Halligan, MD, PhD, director of the Melodies Center and division chief of pediatric hematology and oncology at the Bernard & Millie Duker Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center. "Thanks to their fundraising efforts and the generosity of our community, we're able to advance our mission and continue providing high-quality care, close to home."
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Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'
DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 
 
The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.
 
"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.
 
"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 
 
Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 
 
Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 
 
Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.
 
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