North Adams Notes

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Last night, Oct. 22, at the Masonic Temple in North Adams, the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition once again gave out Community Recognition Awards to recognize individuals or groups who have made positive contributions to the community. • Neighborly Acts, to thank people in the community who have helped to make life easier for others through acts of kindness: Don Freeman, Judy McConnell, Red Alcombright, Amanda Love, Polly Finn, Beverly Luscier, Marilyn Boesse, Norma Scott, Josh Pisano, Tony Pisano, Lauri Vanuni, Teresa Rivera, Adam Garrison, Pam Goewey, Richard LaCosse, Rickie LaCosse Jr., Norman Haskins, Laurie and David Babcock, Rod Bunt, Erica Cruz, Stan Owczarski, Sarah Ritcher, Rose Bryce, Ross McBee, John Ritcher, Kay Allard, Jeanette Dillon, Ellen Reyome, Linda Palmer, Dawn Jakes, Christopher Kalicki, Deborah Sherman, Linda Burdick, Whitney Suters, Ann Kremers, Susan Fierro, Dave Fierro, Judy Lane, Marilyn Cavallari, Nancy Sacco, Karen Friedman, Jerry McBee, Chris Cain, Bill Blackmer, Jackie Morin, Erica Samuel, Deano Lattanzi, and Satya Ferrera. • Business/Agency Support, to recognize the support given for community projects by agencies or businesses: North Adams Masonic Association, Wal-Mart, Mt. Williams Greenhouse, St. John’s Episcopal Church, First Baptist Church, First Congregational Church, North Adams Public Schools, Northern Berkshire United Way, Little’s HSC Pharmacy, Village Pizza, Boston Seafood Restaurant, Subway, CVS Pharmacy, St. Anthony Church, Northern Berkshire Juvenile Court (North Adams) Community Service Program, Pittsfield K-9 Unit, Pizza Hut, and the North Adams Police Department. • Pulling Together, to honor the groups of people who have worked together on a community betterment project: Drury After Prom Party Committee (Lisa Cunningham, Amy Cozzaglio, Emily Tremblay, Michele LaPine, Amanda Miller), Flying Garbanzos (Eric Buddington, Elena Traister, Tony Pisano, Dale Ott, Josh Pisano), Clarksburg Council on Aging (Joan Falco, Lily Kuzia), Briggsville Women’s Club (Mary Walden, Elaine Hewitt), and Alpha Chi Rho Fraternity. • Beautification, to honor those who have worked to beautify our community: David Carver/Scarafoni Associates. • Special Award: Mayor John Barrett and the City of North Adams for sponsoring the Downtown Celebration for many years. The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Community Band will perform a Halloween concert on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m. in the Church Street Center (the former Beth Israel Synagogue). For more information, call 662-5525. The MCLA Student Government Association will hold its 25th Annual Sam Gomez Classic road race on Sunday, Oct. 27 beginning at 11:30 a.m. The USA Track & Field certified race, named for the late Dr. Samuel Gomez, former College philosophy professor and cross-country coach, is open to everyone. Awards will be presented to individuals in various age categories, including Junior (18 and under), Intermediate (19-29), Sub-Masters (30-39), Masters (40-49), Sub-Seniors (50-59) and Seniors (60 and older). Race proceeds will benefit the KID's PLACE and the Children's Advocacy Center. There will be two race routes, a 5k (3.1 miles) and a 10k (6.2 miles). Both are wheeled-measured courses, which will begin at Church and Pleasant Streets and end at Church and Davenport Streets. The entry fee is $10 for preregistration and $15 for entries on the day of the race. Applications are available in the Student Government Association Office in the Campus Center or by calling 662-5401. Sign-up will also be held from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. on race day. T-shirts will be given to the first 100 preregistered entrants. In addition, complimentary refreshments will be served for racers and family following the race. First organized in 1978 by the College Student Government Association, this annual benefit race is an avenue for student leaders to help charitable organizations in the Berkshire County area. Residents of Holy Family Terrace, on State Road in North Adams, celebrated Harvest time and Columbus Day with a traditional Italian Dinner. Old fashion sauce was made by the residents who first went to Grandma Moses’ Farm and picked the tomatoes. “We learned that commercial growers do not stake the tomatoes but instead let the plants grow on the ground. You can pick a bushel in no time,” said Lucy Bassi one of the organizers for the dinner. Joe Greco, a first generation Italian-American with roots in Calabria, supervised the making of the homemade sauce and meat balls. “This dinner was true Italian cuisine with the emphasis on fresh local ingredients,” said Greco. Prizes were awarded to Mabel Williams, Barbara Dupes, Marion Duprey, Susan Lopez, and Millie Morehouse. The Aladdins, a local band led by Tommy Leonesio provided the music and Father Daniel O’Hear said grace before dinner. Ed Bassi of the Holiday Inn provided help for the event and many of the residents contributed time, ideas, and cooking skills to make this event possible. You may obtain recipes by contacting Shirley Barry, president of the Holy Family Terrace. Thirty-seven junior volunteers completed nine weeks of service at North Adams Regional Hospital during the past summer. Aged 13 and a half to 17 years old, the volunteers donated a total of 1,338 hours of their free summer vacation time to the hospital. They performed many of the same functions as their adult counterparts including transporting patients, delivering mail and flowers, discharging and admitting patients, directing visitors, and assisting in offices, among other duties. The junior volunteers were honored at a party on August 28 at the hospital. Thanking the volunteers for their commitment and service were Ronald B. "Skip" Durning, Jr., M.D., and Volunteer Coordinator Lucy Green. Certificates were awarded to all the junior volunteers. Adams Gwozdz volunteered the most hours (79), followed by Nick Hopkins (72) and Krystal Barton (67). Gifts were generously donated by area businesses including Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, Dunkin Donuts, Lickety Split, Hoyts Cinema - North Adams, Papa Gino's, Pizza Hut, Valley Park Bowling, Berkshire Broadcasting, and Baker's Golf. The junior volunteers were: Krystal Barton, Sarah Biros, Alison Collins, Robert DeSanty, Kristin Gajda, Mary Girard, Robin Girard, Adam Gwozdz, Erin Halton, Katie Hopkins, Nicholas Hopkins, Jessica Jennings, Amanda Krutiak, Sarah LaFrance, Katie Law, Amanda Love, Kari Lyden-Fortier, Meghann Macek, Sara Martel, Sarah Milazzo, Ember Oparowski, Danielle Paczosa, Lara Pagan, Kyle Pero, Kelsey Romaniak, Sarah Russett, Corinne Sadlowski, Evan Sadlowski, Christopher St. Cyr, Natalie Steuer, Nicole Tetreault, Christopher Therrien, Caitlyn Thompson, Vanessa Torchia, Amber Tulloch, Griffin Willette, and Jolene Wood.
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Drury Hosts Inaugural Government Appreciation Day

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

State Rep. John Barrett III explains his role in the state Legislature to students during Government Appreciation Day at Drury on Friday.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Eighth-grade students learned about civics firsthand during the school's inaugural Massachusetts Government Appreciation Day.
 
"Government is strongest when every individual feels as though they are part of the process," said civics teacher Patrick Boulger, before introducing the Friday's guest speakers. "Today is the day when you have an opportunity to be part of this process and learn from individuals who have dedicated their lives to government service."
 
The event is a new addition to the eighth-grade civics curriculum, to provide students with a deeper understanding of state and local governance before they take Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System's civics exam
 
Mayor Jennifer Macksey, former Gov. Jane Swift, state Rep. John Barrett III, Assessor Jessica Lincourt and the mayor's executive assistant Lindsay Randall all addressed students in breakout sessions and explained their role in government.
 
Macksey started her presentation by telling her own story starting as a Drury High School graduate. 
 
She said her first job in government was a little less glamorous.
 
"My first job with the city truly was at the dump," she said pointing out the window toward where the city dump used to be. "I sold composting bins, and I did such a good job I was able to get a part-time job in the public service department at City Hall."
 
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