UMass Coach Leading Youth Basketball Clinic

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires welcomes Frank Martin, head coach for the men's basketball team at the University of Massachusetts, and his staff and players for a free clinic. 
 
The youth basketball clinic will be held on Thursday, July 24, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the club's gymnasium, located at 16 Melville St.
 
This one-day clinic is open to any boy or girl in Berkshire County who will be entering Grades 3 through 7 in September. No club membership is required to participate, but registration is limited to 70 and is required in advance at www.bgcberkshires.org.
 
Participants will have a unique opportunity to learn directly from coach Martin — described as one of college basketball's most respected leaders — alongside his Division I staff and athletes. The clinic will focus on basketball fundamentals, skill development, and having fun through the game.
 
"This is an incredible chance for local kids to learn from the best and be inspired by high-level coaches and student-athletes," said Joseph McGovern, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires. "We're honored to host Coach Martin and his team, and grateful for their commitment to youth and community engagement."
 
Register at www.bgcberkshires.org or call 413-448-8258, Ext. 28, for more information. 

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Pittsfield Considers Repairing East Part Cemetery

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Historical Commission will consider grant opportunities for repairs to East Part Cemetery.

A resident reached out to the city with concerns about degradation in the half-acre burial ground at the top of Williams Street. East Part Cemetery was established in the early 1800s and has about 300 interments. 

“It's a nice old cemetery, and basically, (the resident) had had concerns that the stone wall had taken some damage, the gravestones have taken some damage, and was wondering if there's anything that could be done to repair the gravestones and the wall," City Planner Kevin Rayner told the commission on Monday.

In cooperation with cemetery leadership and residents, the Historical Commission will consider applying for Community Preservation Act funds to support repairs. West Part Cemetery, on the other side of Pittsfield, has previously used CPA funds for revitalization work. 

The 1080 Williams St. property is owned by the city and managed by the Pittsfield Cemetery Commission. Rayner presented photos of broken and overgrown gravestones, parts of the stone wall collapsing, and knocked-over obelisks. 

Some aspects could use general maintenance and restoration, he observed. 

According to the Pittsfield Cemetery and Crematory's website, East Part Cemetery was established around 1808 on land owned by Nathan Webb, who permitted and authorized its use as a public burying ground.  

In 1842, Nathan Webb's son, also named Nathan Webb, deeded the property to the Methodist Episcopal Society of Pittsfield as a public burying ground, and in 1893 the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Society transferred their control of the cemetery to the Proprietors of the Pittsfield Cemetery. Their action was confirmed by the Berkshire Probate Court.

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