MCLA's Environmental Lecture to Celebrate Center for Resourceful Living

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — MCLA's Fall 2025 Elizabeth and Lawrence Vadnais Environmental Issues Lecture will be held at 7 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 11, in MCLA's Murdock Hall, Room 218.
 
This year's event will celebrate the creation of The Center for Resourceful Living (CRL), started 50 years ago by MCLA Professor Emeritus Lawrence H. Vadnais.
 
The evening will feature the debut screening of filmmaker Sharon Wyrrick's documentary, "Did You Put Milk in the Bucket?: A Tribute to The Center for Resourceful Living." The filmmaker will be in attendance at the screening.
 
This event coincides with "Scenes from The Center for Resourceful Living," an exhibition of photographs of the Center curated by Wyrrick and on view at MCLA's MOSAIC EventSpace (49 Main St.) from Oct. 3-Nov. 2, 2025. The exhibit features photographs from the Randy Trabold Collection, donated to MCLA by Ida Trabold; images from MCLA's Freel Library archives; and additional photographs from Center participants during its existence, from 1975 to 1980. The exhibit opens with a reception on Friday, Oct. 3, from 5-7 p.m.
 
"The Environmental Studies Department is excited to celebrate The Center for Resourceful Living and its legacy," said Dr. Elena Traister, MCLA professor of environmental studies. "This forward-thinking sustainability program remains important, not only to the alumni who participated in it, but also to the hands-on approach MCLA's Environmental Studies program continues to take in preparing students to address the environmental challenges of our time. We are pleased to be able to share the story of this impactful program with the broader community."
 
These events are free and open to the public. Please call MCLA's Office of Institutional Advancement at 413-662-5224 or email advancement@mcla.edu for more information. This annual lecture series is named for Professor Lawrence H. Vadnais and is sponsored by the Vadnais Endowment.
 
To directly support the Vadnais Lecture Series through Pathways, The Campaign for MCLA, visit lnk.mcla.edu/pathways.

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Driscoll Announces $75M Build for Mass Program

BOSTON — A $75 million initiative to aid municipalities in tackling major projects was announced by Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll on Tuesday. 
 
Build for Mass, a revolving loan fund, was launched by the Healey-Driscoll administration to help cities and towns finance critical infrastructure, clean energy, climate resilience, and economic development projects. 
 
Administered by MassDevelopment, Build for Mass is the first municipal infrastructure loan program of its kind in Massachusetts, providing flexible, low-interest financing that helps communities move projects forward faster while maximizing available federal funding opportunities. 
 
Driscoll made the announcement at the Massachusetts Municipal Association's meeting of the Local Government Advisory Commission, an independent group that advocates for the interests of local governments in their relations with state and federal governments.  
 
"Cities and towns know what projects their communities need, but too often they face financial barriers that slow those projects down," said Gov. Maura Healey. "Build for Mass gives communities another tool to repair aging infrastructure, lower energy costs, strengthen local economies and bring more federal dollars home to Massachusetts. We're making state investments go further while helping communities move important projects from the drawing board to construction without raising taxes or fees." 
 
Driscoll, former mayor of Salem, said she knows how difficult it is to move important infrastructure projects forward when financing isn't readily available.
 
"Build for Mass gives local leaders the flexibility they need to bridge funding gaps, keep projects on track and deliver results for their residents. It's another example of our administration working alongside cities and towns to solve real challenges," she said. 
 
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