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Pete from Mount Williams Greenhouse had the soil turned in short order for the donated plantings.
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Mount Williams planted New Guinea impatiens, regular impatiens, geraniums, ageratum, and salvia.
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Plantings were also placed in the front of the department's main entrance.
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The Fire Department will hold its 9/11 ceremony on Sept. 11 at 8:46 a.m., the time when the first plane hit the World Trade Center.

Mount Williams Donates Flowers to Spruce Up Fire Department Yard for 9/11 Ceremony

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — In preparation for the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, the Fire Department wanted to clean up the side yard where it typically holds a remembrance ceremony.

"We wanted to make it look nicer because we are going to do a 9/11 ceremony here, so all of us got together, we cleaned it up, did all the stone work," said John Marlowe, firefighters' union president.

Marlowe said after their initial cleanup, the yard was still pretty bare, so they called Mount Williams Greenhouse for a quote on some plantings.

Instead, the business offered to donate the flowers and labor.

"They decided they wanted to do it for free," Marlowe said. "So they are donating all of the flowers and labor. They are a great group and great family. Great community members."



Monday afternoon, firefighters helped carry flowers and, other than supplying some water, let Mount Williams do its thing.

Flowers were planted in the circular area around the flagpole. Mount Williams planted New Guinea impatiens, regular impatiens, geraniums, ageratum, and salvia.

Marlowe said the department will hold its 9/11 ceremony on Sept. 11 at 8:46 a.m., the exact time when the first plane struck the Twin Towers. Police and EMS will also be present.

"We all try to remember our brothers and sisters in the police, fire, ambulance, everyone who sacrificed their lives," Marlowe said. "This is a great way to do that."


Tags: 9/11,   donations,   

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North Adams Reschedules Boxcar Races, BBQ Cook-Off Oct. 2

Staff Reports

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Following a rainout over the weekend, the Boxcar Races & BBQ Cook-Off has been rescheduled for Friday, Oct. 2, on Main Street.

Organized by the North Adams Police Department and Fire Department, the community event will serve as the kickoff for Fall Foliage Weekend and coincide with North Adams' monthly First Friday festivities.

Event Schedule:

  • 5:30 – 6 p.m: Boxcar Races begin on Main Street.
  • 6 p.m.: BBQ judging officially commences.
  • Post-Race Activities: Attendees can sample BBQ and view the youth entry designs at the Boxcar Car Show.

Organizers report that a limited supply of boxcar kits and fully built cars remain available for last-minute entries. Registration is mandatory for all participants — including returning racers from previous years — to assist coordinators in building accurate race brackets and maintaining the schedule. Interested participants can register online here. 

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