Williamstown Digest

12:00AM / Thursday, December 26, 2002Print Story | Email Story

Two accidents in town On Dec. 19 at about. 9:58 a.m. the Williamstown Police Department responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident on Spring Street. Albert H. Esselborn, 77, of Barnumville Road Manchester, Vt., was attempting to park his vehicle when, according to Mr. Esselborn, the vehicle suddenly accelerated quickly. Esselborn then struck a parked vehicle, which was then pushed into a third vehicle. Esselbornâ€™s vehicle sustained heavy front-end damage and had to be removed from the scene by a tow truck. The parked vehicles sustained moderate to light damage and were able to be driven away from the scene. Esselborn was cited by police for defective equipment. â€¢ A second crash was reported to the Williamstown Police Department at 10:55 a.m.. A two-car crash at the intersection of Cole Avenue and Arnold Streets required both vehicles to be towed from the scene. However, both drivers escaped injury. Ashley S. Guerin, 22, of Mill Street Williamstown, was attempting to negotiate a left turn from Cole Avenue onto Arnold Street. As Guerin was making this turn she crossed into the path of a northbound vehicle operated by Fredrica Goewey 21 years of age of Walker Street, North Adams. Goewey was unable to stop and both vehicles collided at the intersection. Guerin was cited by police at the scene for failure to use care in starting. Officer Scott E. McGowan of the police departmentâ€™s Traffic Safety Unit investigated both accidents. Local musician performs at international competition Former resident, David Jenkins, recently participated in the 3rd International Adolphe Sax Saxophone Competition in Dinant, Belgium.The competition is held every four years to promote the saxophone repertoire and to showcase the most outstanding young saxophonists of the world. As a tribute to Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone, the competition is held in the town of his birth. Competition is limited to musicians under the age of 31. Following a screening process, over one hundred seventy (170) saxophonists were invited to begin competing on Oct. 30.These young musicians were required to perform from a prescribed repertoire in each round of competition.The event ended on November 9. The eleven adjudicators were internationally known composers and saxophonists who narrowed the field from 170 to 18 semi-finalists. David Jenkins, was named as the only American semi-finalist for this yearâ€™s competition. David majored in Saxophone performance at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He also holds a Masters Degree in Saxophone Performance from Arizona State University at Tempe and is presently studying saxophone with world-renowned saxophonist Eugene Rousseau, while pursuing his Doctorate Degree in Saxophone Performance at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Pine Cobble graduate confronts global challenges at leaders conference Mathew Erickson of Bennington was selected to attend the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) over the summer in Washington, D.C. and New York City.The GYLC is a unique leadership development program for secondary school students from around the world who have demonstrated leadership potential and scholastic merit. Erickson was among only 350 outstanding scholars from around the globe chosen to attend the conference. While there, the recent graduate of the Pine Cobble School interacted with key leaders and newsmakers with powerful influence over politics, finance, culture, and diplomacy, and took part in carefully designed curriculum which includes thought-provoking simulations that build leadership skills. â€œThe events of September 11 have made it more important than ever for young people like Mathew Erickson to become involved in preventing other similar acts in the futureâ€ said Michael Lasday, Executive Director of the Congressional Youth Leaders Conference (CYLC), the organization that sponsors the GYLC. â€œThe Global Young Leaders Conference challenges students to cross cultural barriers, using teamwork in order to address many conflicts facing the world today.â€ After an outstanding academic and athletic career at Pine Cobble, Erickson chose to attend the Tassis School in London, England to continue his education. Upon graduation from the Tassis School this spring, Erickson plans to attend College in the area to further his education. The Pine Cobble School, located in Williamstown, is an independent school. For more information about the school, call 458-4680. Venus De Barbie debuts as college prize winner There are prizes and there are PRIZES.Perhaps none such fun as the newest â€” The Dr. Norman Hugo '55 Prize for Reconstructing an Ancient Sculpture. Named after a graduate of Williams College, the award, according to the student newspaper, traces its origin to Istanbul, where, "against the backdrop of a modern civilization built upon an ancient one, well-known art historian Eugene J. Johnson was wandering through a museum with Hugo, a reconstructive surgeon. "Hugo was explaining how, despite what many students are led to think, the Greeks were wrong in many respects when it came to human anatomy," the Record newspaper reported. "It was there and then that the germ of an idea was implanted in Johnson's head. He jokingly proposed a prize in Hugo's honor for the Williams student who could best reconstruct an ancient Greek statue. Hugo was enthusiastic and agreed to fund the prize." In designing the contest, Johnson focused on a question that has mystified scholars for centuries, "What would the famous Greek statues have looked like intact?" King Louis XVIII asked the same question in 1820 when the marble statue of Venus de Milo was presented to him. The King sought the assistance of French sculptors in supplying the missing arms, but to no avail. Johnson was not to be dissuaded. He asked Williams students to come up with an intact representation of The Venus de Milo or of two other partially destroyed Greek statues â€” Iris and Hermes, figures from the Parthenon. Sophomore Hao Chang submitted the winning entry and will receive the $100 award. The idea for merging the popular Barbie doll, who tops over a billion dollars in sales every year, with the statue considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world came to Hao Chang while taking a moment out of studying for her economics exam. The moment of playful inspiration merges the two disciplines Hao Chang says she will major in, art and economics. When pressed, Johnson refused to say whether he and judge Elizabeth McGowan, associate professor of art who specializes in Greek art, had given the prize to the most artistically beautiful piece or to a more imaginative and witty piece. Hugo was not involved in deciding the winner. HARPER CENTER The Harper Center, is located at 118 Church Street, Williamstown. Hot lunches are served every Monday, Wednesday,Thursday, Friday and Sunday through Elder Services Nutrition Program. Please call 48 hours in advance for reservations, 458-8350. Van transportation is available daily for medical and social appointments.Call 458-8250 or 458-5156, 48 hour notice is appreciated. The office is open daily Monday Through Friday from 8:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m. Taxi tickets are sold during office hours. Wednesday, Jan. 1: Harper Center Closed â€” Happy New Year. Thursday, Jan. 2: 10 a.m. Tai Chi; 11 a.m. Van to Walmart; 11:30 a.m. lunch; 1 p.m. Crafts. Friday, January 3: 10:30 a.m. exercise; 11:30 a.m. lunch; 1 p.m. 1st Bingo. Sunday, Jan. 5: 11:30 a.m. lunch. Monday, Jan. 6: 10:30 a.m. exercise; 11:30 a.m. lunch; 1 p.m. line dancing. Tuesday, Jan. 7: 9 a.m. oil painting with Jacqueline Toomey; 9:45 a.m. Van to Stop & Shop for shopping; 10:45 a.m. Van to Stop & Shop for Shopping; 1:00 p.m. Weaverâ€™s Guild. Harper Center upcoming event Members of the Green Mountain Guild of Weavers and Spinners will be at the Harper Center on Tuesday Jan. 7. They will give a presentation on processing sheep wool by spinning yarn and weaving that into cloth.The program will start at 1 p.m. and is free to public, with no registration necessary. For information call 458-8250. DEATHS Michael Edward â€œSlickâ€ Cunningham, 46, of 35 Hall Street,Williamstown, Ma. died Tuesday evening December 17, at the Emergency room at North Adams Regional Hospital after being stricken earlier in the evening. He was born in North Adams on September 5, 1956, a son of Janet (Anderson) Cunningham and the late Edward â€œJakeâ€ Cunningham. He attended schools in Williamstown and graduated from Mt. Greylock Regional High School with the class of 1974. After graduation he moved to the state of Texas where he was employed for many years as landscaper & lawn care specialist. Cunningham moved back to Williamstown, and was last employed as member of the groundskeeping crew at the Waubeeka Golf Links in Williamstown until the time of his death. He was an avid golfer and fisherman and loved to play pool. Survivors include his mother: Janet (Anderson) Cunningham of Williamstown. (2) sisters: Cindy Raby of Hopesound, Fla. and Kelly Phillips of Williamstown, Ma. (3) Brothers: Stephen Cunningham, Patrick Cunningham and Scott Cunningham all of Williamstow., several nieces and nephews, cousins. He was predeceased by a sister: Denise George, who died May 2, 1981. Funeral Notice: Funeral Services for Michael Edward â€œSlickâ€™â€ Cunningham will take place Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. at the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St. North Adams. Burial will follow in the family plot in Eastlawn Cemetery, Williamstown. Calling Hours at the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels are Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.. Memorial donations are suggested in his memory through the funeral home.

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:57PM / Friday, December 19, 2025

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.) The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few. All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house. New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house. New paver patio in the back yard.

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

What do the current owners love about this home?

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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