Olver nominates 21 students for U.S. military academies

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Congressman John Olver this week announced that he has nominated 21 high school students from the 1st Congressional District to U.S. Military Academies, including students from Adams and Dalton. The military academies include West Point, the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy, and the Merchant Marines Academy. Each candidate must receive nomination from a federal official in order to be considered by the academy’s admissions office. " I am very impressed with the individuals I nominated," said Olver, who represents the First Congressional District. "I admire their commitment both to their country and to continuing their education." In order to be considered, candidates must be between the ages of 17 and 23, single with no legal dependents, and must have a strong academic record. The various academies have differing additional requirements. Generally, beyond submitting a written application, nominees must also pass a rigorous physical aptitude test in order to be considered. "Although this nomination does not necessarily mean admission, these students should be very proud of their accomplishments. I am pleased that these communities have produced such a promising crop of young people," Olver added. Nominees will learn if they have been admitted this spring. The nominees are listed below, followed by their hometown, and the academy they were nominated to: Scott Berti Adams, MA nominated to the Air Force Academy Nathan Buckhout Easthampton, MA nominated to the Air Force Academy Raymond Drewitz Ashfield, MA nominated to the Merchant Marines Richard Ellsworth Sunderland, MA nominated to the Air Force Academy and West Point Academy Laura Everson Russell, MA nominated to the Naval Academy Lyle Gal Amherst, MA nominated to the Air Force Academy Kale Geddes Townsend, MA nominated to the Naval Academy and West Point Academy Maxwell Gray Leominster, MA nominated to the Naval Academy and the Merchant Marines Corey Howard Amherst, MA nominated to the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy and West Point Academy Shannon Kobus Belchertown, MA nominated to the Naval Academy Ryan Larrivee Dalton, MA nominated to the Naval Academy Ian Marcus Amherst, MA nominated to the Naval Academy Eric McLaughlin Belchertown, MA nominated to the Air Force Academy Nicholas Seibert Westminster, MA nominated to the Air Force Academy and West Point Academy Raymond Simula Phillipstown, MA nominated to the Air Force Academy Matthew Stolpinski Westfield, MA nominated to the Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and West Point Academy Jared Streeter Westminster, MA nominated to the Naval Academy and the Merchant Marines Alicia Torres Leominster, MA nominated to the Naval Academy and the Coast Guard Academy Christopher Wallgren Gardner, MA nominated to West Point Academy James Wersal Phillipstown, MA nominated to West Point Academy Raymond Zenkert Westfield, MA nominated to the Air Force Academy
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

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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