CoalitionDecember 2016, Volume XXXI, Number 4

An update from

Inside the December Issue

Our Dec. Forum - DIY Community Pride...................2

Alcohol, Marijuana:What Parents Need to Know ........3

UNITY/nBn News ..................................................4

The Family Place/Mass in Motion ............................5

nbCC Open House ..................................................6

Coalition Calendar/Thanks, Friends! .......................7

Northern Berkshire Community Coalition

news

117 people gathered at the North Adams MoviePlex on Friday, November 18 to gain an understanding about addiction and recovery in North Berkshire. Ann McDonald of Berkshire Health Systems presented overdose and death data collected by Berkshire Health Systems. The increase in overdoses since 2011 has been dramatic. In 2011, women ages 50-59 were the largest group suffering from opioid overdoses. By 2015 the bar graphs showed that men age 20-29 were the largest group with about 45 overdoses. In the first 9 months of 2016, the total number of opiate overdoses seen at BHS facilities was 180, surpassing the number for all of 2015. Specific to North County, in 2016, BHS saw 105 overdoses for all substances, 45 % of them were opioids. Many overdose calls refuse transport to the hospital so these numbers could easily be doubled.

Grounded in this sobering data, videog-rapher Joe Aidonidis introduced a film he produced, about addiction and recovery in north Berkshire. Commissioned by nbCC, he conducted in-depth interviews and compiled 5 local stories. Told from the perspectives of a parent who lost their child, a municipal leader, grandparents raising

their grandchild, a young person in recovery, and a member of the clergy, the film Faces: 5 Stories From 1 Community, puts a face on the epidemic of opioid addiction and makes it clear how addiction impacts our commu-nity in many profound and deeply challeng-ing ways.

After the film, panelists shared their responses. Ryan Sears, a young person in re-covery who now works in the recovery field, emphasized that just one person reaching out and making a connection can change the life of a person suffering from addiction. Alex Daugherty, Probation Officer in the Berkshire District Court, talked about the emphasis on treatment for the disease of ad-diction, including the launch of a new drug court. Shannon McCarthy from Berkshire Health System talked about the detox and Clinical Stabilization Services that can be accessed and the role they play in recovery. Meghan Wroldson from the Brien Center talked about recovery, including a day treat-ment program at the North Adams Campus of BHS. Christine MacBeth, CEO of the Brien Center, said community engagement is a critical part of combatting stigma and building community support for recovery from addiction: “Addiction is a disease.

Prevention is effective. Treatment does work and people can and do get better.”

nbCC is planning future film screen-ings and panel discussions in Williamstown and Adams. If you wish to arrange for a film screening you may reach out to Wendy Penner at wpenner@nbccoalition.org.

-Wendy Penner

FACES: Five Stories from One CommunityUnderstanding the Opioid Epidemic Locally

Local services to start you, or

someone you care about,

on the road to recovery.

Berkshire CountySubstance Use

Recovery Resource Guide

You can download this palm card with local resources at http://bit.ly/nbccpalm

p 117 people packed the North Adams MoviePlex to preview the video, Faces: Five Stories from One Community; Ryan Sears speaks about his recovery; Local videographer Joe Aidonidis talks about his video during the break.

2 NorthernBerkshireCommunityCoalition,61MainStreetSuite218,NorthAdamsMA01247•(413)663-7588•www.nbccoalition.org

December 2016Coalition NewsImproving the quality of life for people in Northern Berkshire by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community.

To submit announcements to the Coalition E-zine:

The Coalition E-zine is a weekly e-blast published every Thursday and contains announcements from Northern Berkshire agencies and organizations. Submissions must be received by 9:00 a.m. Tuesday morning to be considered for inclusion in that week’s issue. All submissions are subject to editing and should be 50 words or less. All events related to Northern Berkshire community public health will be considered for publication. Banner ads are available for your fundraising events. For more information, please call 663-7588, or to submit an announcement, please email phzine@nbccoalition.org.

Our Mission“Dedicated to improving the

quality of life for people in Northern Berkshire by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community.”In pursuit of this mission, we place particular emphasis on the following:• Strengthening neighborhoods and com-

munity life• Preventing alcohol/substance abuse• Fostering economic development•Mitigating poverty• Supporting positive youth development•Building bridges between residents and

service agencies

Coalition SupportersPublic Sources•MA Dept. of Children & Families/EOHHS•MA Cultural Council•MA Department of Public Health •MA Department of Public Health,

Bureau of Substance Abuse Services•Mass Service Alliance

Foundation Supporters •Fund for North Adams

Local Support •Contributions from our many

individual supporters

The Coalition is a member agency of the Northern Berkshire United Way and the Williamstown Community Chest.

Northern Berkshire Community Coalition

nbCC’s December Forum :DIY Community PrideThe Northern Berkshire community will once again gather together to discuss important issues facing its residents at our monthly forum on Friday, December 9th.

Community pride can be shown in many ways, including being positive when talking about the place you live; doing little things required to help keep the place you live in attrac-tive (picking up litter etc.), and getting involved in community organizations and activities. Join us to learn how to cultivate a shared sense of community pride in Northern Berkshire.

What to expect:

•SharewhyyouareproudoflivingandworkinginNorthernBerkshire.

•Hearfromcommunityleadersonwhat’sgoingonintheNorthernBerkshiresthatwecanbe proud of, excited about and look forward to.

•JointheconstructiveconversationonidentifyingthebarrierstocommunityprideinNorthern Berkshire, what the benefits of community pride are to individuals and com-munities, and how to share the benefits with all.

•LearnaboutandtaketheCommunityPrideChallenge!

We will begin with a round of introductions, followed by brief announcements of your upcoming events or projects. Bring flyers about your events, there will be a table available for display at the forum. We hope to see you on Friday, December 9, 10 a.m. to noon, at the First Baptist Church in North Adams (Use Eagle Street entrance). Community support isimportant,pleasebringafriendwithyou!Formoreinformationonthisforum,pleasecontact Bret Beattie, at (413) 663-7588, or e-mail at bbeattie@nbccoalition.org.

Please note: The organizers of the Friendship Center Food Pantry ask friends who attend the nbCC forums throughout the year to please bring a healthy non-perishable food item for donation.

Great American Smoke Out.November 17th was the Great American Smoke Out which is a nation-ally recognized day for tobacco and nicotine users to celebrate quit-ting. The intention of the day is to invite people to consider quitting whetheritbeforonehour,halfadayorawholeday(oralifetime!).

To support people in their pledge to try quitting, the Berkshire Partnership for Health and all of its collaborating partners held “quit-ting tobacco” support events throughout Berkshire County. In North Berkshire, we had tables at the North Adams campus of BMC, the Berkshire Food Project and the Northern Berkshire Family YMCA.

At these locations people signed up for free tobacco treatment services, received quit survival kits with resources like tobacco quit lines, the health benefits of quitting, stress balls, and lol-lipops to occupy hands and mouth during idle times.

Tobacco Treatment counselors were on hand to put a face with the name of a potential counselor that they may be meeting with in the future to quit. This was also an opportunity for people looking to quit to meet others looking to the do the same, share stories and support each other. It was a great day and way for people to come together around taking control of their own health. We look forward to next year’s event.

-Bret Beattie

Save the Date!Monday, January 16

NorthernBerkshireCommunityCoalition,61MainStreet,Suite218,NorthAdamsMA01247•(413)663-7588•www.nbccoalition.org 3

December 2016Improving the quality of life for people in Northern Berkshire by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community.

Coalition News

Northern Berkshire Community Coalition

Board of Directors2016-2017

KRIS MALONEY, PresidentHuman Resources, Williams College

COURTNEY SHAPIRO-VAN DUSEN, Vice President

Adams Community Bank

DEb KUSHNET, TreasurerGreylock Federal Credit Union

SUZY HELME, ClerkBusiness Owner, Shima

North Adams Chamber of Commerce

CRAIG bARD, Executive CommitteeCommunity Resident

STEVE GREEN, Executive CommitteeCommunity Resident

AL NELSON, Executive CommitteeCommunity Resident

SARA LaLUMIA, Finance CommitteeProfessor of Economics, Williams College

JEN CIVELLOMarketing Director, BFAIR

LYNDA FIELDCommunity Resident

ERICA GIRGENTIAdams Council on Aging

bEN LAMbAsst. Director for Student Organizations

and Involvement, Williams College

CHRISTINE NAUGHTONDirector of Alumni Relations and

Development, MCLA

GAIL ObERSTSocial Worker, BFAIR

DAN RANDALLPastor, New Hope United Methodist Church

RICH TASKINAttorneyatLaw

Alcohol, Marijuana & Opioids:What Parents Need to Know

Dr. Jennifer Michaels, Medical Director of the Brien Center, discussed the impact of alcohol, marijuana and opioids on a teen’s developing brain. Dr. Michaels and panelists offered suggestions on how to foster healthy decisions during this critical time period.

Over 37% of 8th, 10th and 12th graders in North Berkshire said they agree with the state-ment, “At times I feel I am no good.” This is one of several statistics from the Prevention Needs Assessment that were shared by nbCC Interim Director Amber Besaw on Tuesday November 1 to set the stage for a discussion about youth substance use, and its impact on the developing brain. Dr. Jennifer Michaels, Medical Director of the Brien Center deliv-ered a talk “Alcohol, Marijuana and Opioids: What Parents Need to Know,” followed by questions from community members and input from 6 panelists from our region.

Dr. Michaels talked about the unique traits of the developing brain including plasticity (we can learn more as our brain is making many new connections), and “prun-ing” as our brains make many connections and become wired for adulthood. The use of substances can rewire the reward system of the brain, and disrupt healthy brain develop-ment. Dr. Michaels reviewed data showing how this happens for alcohol, marijuana and opioids, and impacts such as reduced memory function, athletic performance, IQ, and life success (measured by employment, college graduation, and welfare status).

Panelists included James Mucia (Director of Youth and Adolescent Services at the Brien Center), Jessica Sweeney (Director of ROOTS Teen Center) North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright, Robert Putnam (Superinten-

dent Adams Cheshire schools), Kathryn Wiseman (pediatrician at N. Berkshire Pedi-atrics) and Caitlyn Mayes (UNITY Graduate andMCLAstudent).Thepaneliststalkedabout how supporting youth making healthy choices involves more than telling them what NOT to do. For many, adolescence is a time of significant stress and anxiety as youth struggle to figure out who they are. It is also a time when young brains are wired to want to experiment and take risks. Parents need to talk to their children early and often about substance use-setting clear expectations and consequences. But that by itself is not enough. Dr. Michaels talked about appropri-ate strategies for every age to support healthy communication with your child. Encourag-ing young people to be physically active, and being involved in fun, safe outlets that allow them to take appropriate risks can be a great way to help them grow a healthy brain.

Several experts in the panel observed that many youth do not think marijuana is harmful, yet we do know that marijuana is the number one substance for which youth receive residential treatment for addiction.

Superintendent Putnam mentioned the work of the North Berkshire Drug Free Schools committee which is working to implement an evidence based middle school healthcurriculumcalledLifeskillsinschoolsacross the entire region.

- Wendy Penner

4 NorthernBerkshireCommunityCoalition,61MainStreetSuite218,NorthAdamsMA01247•(413)663-7588•www.nbccoalition.org

Want to help your neighbors andbecome more engaged in our community?

Become a Community Outreach Volunteer!

Northern Berkshire Neighbors is seeking community minded individuals to take part in the Community Outreach and Civic Engagement Volunteer Training.

Trainings will be held on Thursdays from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. beginning on February 2 and running through July.

As part of the training, participants will:

• learnaboutthemanylocalhealthandhumanserviceprovidersandcommunityorganizations.

•engageinworkshopsandtrainingontopicssuchasstylesofleadership,accessinglocal government, community organizing, conflict management, and more.

•completeaprojectthatmeetsacommunityneedorbuildsuponanexistingasset.

Noprioreducationorexperiencenecessary.Aletterofinterestisrequiredtoregisterfor the training. For more information, or to send a letter of interest call Glenda or Geoff at (413) 663-7588.

What’s in the Future at the UNO Community Center?Currently at UNO Community Center we are focusing on recruit-ing new programming. We have several weekly groups, such as North County Casual Writers, Parent Support Group, and the NorthCountyLossSupportGroup.Wealsohavesomeprospectiveprogramming in the works, which include after school and tutoring programs, a breakfast club, craft workshops and ceramics classes.

We are also installing a projector and screen so movies can be played. The center is available to rent for private and public events. Anyone interested in renting the space or starting an ongoing group can contact Geoffrey Pawlowski, at gpawlowski@nbccoalition.org, nbCC at 413-663-7588, or the UNO Community Center at 801-663-7123. I look forward to hearing from the members of our com-munityaboutnewprogrammingandseeingthemattendourevents!

-Geoff Pawlowski

YLP Seeking Community Engagement OpportunitiesTheYLPteensareengagedinmappingouttheassetsandneedsoftheir communities. Throughout this process, the participants have been researching their communities and outlining the strengths and weaknesses that they see. They have generated a list of the existing volunteer opportunities, as well a list outlining the potential areas in need of improvement.

The group has also begun outlining potential topics for the nbcc foruminFebruary,whichwillbefacilitatedbytheYLPteens.Theteens will be tasked with presenting the youth perspective on a par-ticular topic and leading a discussion amongst community members.

Kathleen Toomey, an Americorps Ambassador for Mentoring, recentlyjoinedYLPtohighlightmentoringopportunitiesforyouthin the Berkshires, and joined the teens in the process of creating decorationsfortheLiveOutLoudConference’sfundraiser.

TheYouthLeadershipProgramiscenteredaroundcommunityengagement. If engaging community service or community en-gagement opportunities come to light, please email Tim Shiebler, UNiTY Program Coordinator at tshiebler@nbccoalition.org.

Teen Writing Workshop on the Move!

TWW teens will visit Ross Gay, award winning poet, at Smith College in December.

TWW participants will be on the moveonDecember6th!Thegroupwill be traveling to Northampton MA to see an inspiring perfor-mance by poet Ross Gay, a re-nowned poet with an extensive catalog of work. His most recent collection, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, garnered high praise in literary circles. As a result of this moving collection, Gay received the prestigious Kingsley Tufts and the

National Book Critics Circle awards, and was named a finalist for the National Book Award in Poetry and the NAACP Image Award.

The TWW team feels strongly that this opportunity gives our participants a unique opportunity to see a professional poet at his craft. Part of the TWW mission is to encourage participants to find their voice and gain a sense of self-efficacy and empowerment in the process. It is our hope that being exposed to an established and celebrated artist such as Ross Gay will inspire participants to pursue the creative avenues available to them, and will encourage the teens to find their own voice, their own power.

TWWisalwaysseekingnewmembers!Anyonebetweentheagesof 14 and 19 who has a passion for writing, a desire to improve their writing skills, or simply is looking for a group of unbiased and non judgmental peers to express themselves with should come to a ses-sion. Our group meets every Tuesday evening from 5-7. Feel free to call Tim Shiebler at (413)-663-7588, or send an email to tshiebler@nbccoalition.org if you have any questions regarding this program.

t There’s plenty of space at the UNO Community Center for your next event!

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North Berkshire Mass in Motion

How to be Healthy at WorkWorkplace Wellness Increases Productivity and Job SatisfactionPromoting and encouraging health and wellness at the workplace creates a positive and healthy environment as well as positive and healthy people. Workplace wellness increases productivity and job satisfaction and can reduce sick days as well as health care costs. Sev-enty to ninety percent of health care spending is caused by prevent-able, modifiable health risks such as high blood pressure, obesity, lack of physical activity and more. A healthy work environment encourages, promotes and provides options or resources for physical activity during the workday, stress management, tobacco cessation and healthy eating.

Incorporating strategies for a healthy workplace can increase morale and reduce stress. As the flu season and winter months approach this is a great time of year to start or enhance worksite wellness, to build the immune system and work towards prevention.

Here are some options in which work sites can implement to encourage workplace wellness:•Besurethereisaccesstowater,encouragingemployeestodrink

water versus sugar sweetened beverages

•Createahealthyfoodpolicyformeetingsandworkrelatedevents,especially over the holidays.

•Encourageemployeestotakephysicalactivityorstretchbreaksand walking lunch groups. Wearing appropriate footwear during the winter months.

•Provideresourcesandopportunitiesforpeopletoquitsmoking

•Stepawayandtakelongdeepbreathstoreenergizeandmanagestress. Practice mindfulness and meditation.

•Takethestairsinsteadoftheelevator

•Invitehealthcareprofessionalstocomeandperformhealthscreenings i.e. blood pressure screenings or wellness screenings

•Encourageemployeestoget7-8hoursofsleepeachnightasoftenas they can.

•Sitonalargeyogaballver-sus a chair for part of or all of your day.

•Organizehealthypotlucksor lunch and learns around health topics.

•Combineallofthesestrate-gies together to create a workplacechallenge!

Contact Amanda Chilson at achilson@nbccoalition.org or 413-663-7588 for local re-sources, contacts and informa-tion on any of the suggestions above.

The Family Place: Programs and Events to Keep Families Happy, Healthy and Strong.

As we say goodbye to November, The Family Place celebrated milestones and graduations.

On November 10th, Chris Griffin and Perri Bernstein celebrated the end of our 1st Guiding Good Choices workshop. Congratula-tionstoallparentswhoparticipatedandgraduated!

On November 11th, 6 North Berkshire parents celebrated their graduation from the Parenting Journey Program. This is an intensive 12-week program helping parents look at how they were parented, how their experience impacts their parenting, and how they can become the kind of parents they want to be for their children. We are happy to announce that all parents who participated completed this program and The Family Place congratulates each of you on a jobwelldone!Upcoming events and programs being offered in December:

•TheFamilyPlaceisofferingFamily Bingo and Breakfast for families and their children ages 6 and over on December 10th from 9:30-11:30am at the UNO Community Center. Call today to register, (413) 663-7588

•Missing Pieces is a group for children and parents who have lost a loved one. Both can share experiences, share healthy coping methods, and make new friends who know what it’s like to walk in their shoes. This group is held at The Family Place, 61 Main Street, suite 208 every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from 6:00-7:00pm.

•Grandparents Raising Grandchildren is a support group for grandparents who are actively parenting or in the process of re-ceiving guardianship of their grandchildren. This offers a safe and confidential space for those who need support, guidance, or just a time to hear what others are going through who are in a similar situation. This group is offered every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7:30pm. Childcare and dinner is provided.

•The Family Connection is a parent support group for parents who are actively parenting or working on reunification. This group provides parents with a safe and confidential space to share experiences of parenting and offers a supportive network for par-ents. This group is held the 2nd Thursday of each month at the UNOCommunityCenterfrom6:30-8:30pm.Lightrefreshmentsprovided; please call The Family Place to register.

Upcoming Parenting Workshops:•WewillbeofferingthenextParenting Journey group March

2017. Please call Jazmyne Joy at The Family Place to register, 413-663-7588.

•OurnextGuiding Good Choices group will start January 12, 2017. This group offers the tools to help build strong and healthy com-munication between parents and their children about situations that they are faced with between peers, the choices they make, and how it effects their future. Call The Family Place to register.

6 NorthernBerkshireCommunityCoalition,61MainStreetSuite218,NorthAdamsMA01247•(413)663-7588•www.nbccoalition.org

December 2016Coalition NewsImproving the quality of life for people in Northern Berkshire by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community.

Employ North Berkshire is designed to find, train and support workers that our local businesses need.

As a participant you will:

• be trained in work skills designed to meet a local employer’s need

• get your very own “success coach” who will help you through training and help you secure a job

Participants must be a resident of North Adams and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

For more information and to receive an application,call Geoff Pawlowski at (413) 663-7588 ext. 22.

Applications must be submitted by January 13th and training starts on January 19th!

Jobseekers, We Need You!to participate in

Employ North Berkshirea “Pathway to Work” Program!

Interfaith Meeting: Reading the Signs of the TimesPOST-ELECTIONDISCUSSION:TheNorthernBerkshireInter-faith Action Initiative will hold a post-election discussion on Friday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of North Adams. All will be welcome to what is envisioned as a civil conversation. We will focus on how we, as people of different faiths and denominations, along with others of goodwill, can help our community to continue moving forward in an unfamiliar political environment. The possible funding and economic impact of the new Administration and Con-gress on local social services will also be considered. For more info about this meeting, the NBIAI or the Friendship Center, visit http://northernberkshireinterfaith.blogspot.com/ or call 413-664-0130.

The Friendship Center Food Pantry is grateful to have received a $4,000 donation from the ABC Clothing Sale. The mission of the ABC Clothing Sale is to benefit local charitable organizations that serve youth and families at risk and address hunger, poverty and inequality in our communities.

In other recent donations, thanks to the city of North Adams for collecting about 1,000 lbs. of food in locations ranging from the schools, library, city hall, city yard and more. Thanks also to the Gabriel Abbott School in Florida and MCLA’sCenterforServiceandCitizen-ship for their generous donations. -Mark Rondeau

nbCC Open HouseThanks to everyone who visited!

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December 2016Improving the quality of life for people in Northern Berkshire by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community.

Coalition Calendar

Mondays, 7:30 p.m.Fridays, 8:00 p.m.

N. berkshire ToniteThe talk show of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition seen on local Channel 15 or 116.3. This month, Amber Besaw and Bret BeattiehostBenLambtotalkabouthow to cultivate community pride.

Friday, Dec. 9, 10:00 a.m.

Monthly ForumJoin us for this month’s forum of the nbCC where the community gathers together to discuss impor-tant issues facing its residents. See page 2 for more details. Bring a non-perishable food to benefit The Friendship Center Food Pantry and bringafriend!

Weds., Dec. 7, 12:00 p.m.

N. berkshire Youth Collaborative

We strongly encourage any North County based youth serving agen-cies or programs to join us monthly to discuss solutions to issues and problems facing our youth. To get on the group’s e-mail list, contact Tim Shiebler at tshiebler@nbccoalition.org.

Do You or Someone You Know Have Concerns About Falling?

Starting December 6North Adams City Hall

10am -12 pm

Matter of BalanceThere are classes being organized across north Berkshire, participa-tion is FREE. If you are interested or would like more info , contact Bret at 413-663-7588.

Thanks to all of our friends who have supported nbCC so far this year!Our 2016 Friends as of Nov. 28

ChampionJack & Susy Wadsworth

AdvocateGene & Justyna Carlson

LeadersEllen BernsteinSteve Green & Sue WalkerSherwood & Carol GuernseyJames & Joan Hunter

GuardiansBerkshire Children & Families Susan GoldJohn & Deborah MacDonald

BenefactorsLinda BeckerCaroline BurchChris & Eleanor Derby-KilfoyleMark Gold & Ellen KennedyBruce & Judith GrinnellSteven MillerKathy MorrisFrances RobertsJohn Thoman & Lee VenoliaWilliams College Women’s Hockey Ephs

BoostersKate AnnichiaricoAl Bashevkin & Nancy PearlmanBeck’s Printing Angelo BerasiBerkshire Photovoltaic ServicesBFAIR Steve & Polly BirrellKevin Boisjolie & Fran Berasi

Ronald & Cynthia Bosleybrewhaha!Duncan & Susan BrownDavid & Wende CarverDaniel & Sally ConnertonStuart & Susan CramptonEdward Damon, Jr.David Dethier & Nancy NylenThomas & Ellen EnnisMichele EthierManuel & Shirley FinkelsteinPatrick HernandezRobert & Beverly Hertzig Adam HindsJohn HydeDick Lamb & Holly TaylorLouis & Shirley LescarbeauJohn & Kristine MaloneyAl & Nancy MardenPaul W. MarinoJohn & NotsleyDavid & Susan NoyesWilliam & Gail OberstEdward & Carol Oshinsky Bernie Pinsonneault & Dianne CutilloDeb RosselliMaynard SeiderMildred ShapiroAnthony & Maggie SiracusaSamuel & Elizabeth SmithSusan SmithJames Stakenas & Paula CardinalJoe & Marilyn TruskowskiThomas TurnerWilliam & Mary WhitmanHerb WilkinsonHoward & Deborah WinebergDavid WoodsBill & Adrienne Wootters

AssociatesRobert & Carolyn BehrSusan BirnsSam & Marilyn BittmanWilliam & Lisa BlackmerLiz BolandPatrice BolgenRoger & Julia BoltonSharon BoydStanley & Maralyn Brown Andrew & Sue BudzJennifer CivelloAndrew & Andrea DanylukAnne DeGersdorffGreylock Community ClubPamela HawkinsHarry & Marjorie HornNicholas HruchHoward Itzkowitz & Wendy JamesStafania JacobLawrence & Hulda JowettRoberta LambIra & Fran LapidusPeter Murphy & Audrey ThierMarcia SarroufLauren StevensEdwin & Jane StuebnerJonathan SwartzIrving TanzmanJean VankinJoyce Wrend

SupportersJohn K. AkersBernice AlcombrightJudith AldenJohn & Jane AllenJoseph & Kathy ArabiaAlma BenedettiEdward & Joanna BirosFred & Margaret Bozek

Ralph Bradburd & Zelda SternLaura BrownAdriana BrownAnn CainAmanda ChilsonEdward & Anne Conroy Mark & Karen DaigleShirley DavisMarilyn DeRosaMarie HarpinPaul & Doris HutchinsonWilliam & Marianne JudgeKathy & Morgan KiersteadThomas LeonesioRichard Lescarbeau & Mary SugdenLorraine MaloneyJean MarraWilliam & Ann McLaren Kayte MillerRobert & Janice MoresiRaymond & Jeanne MoulthropRichard NetherwoodAnthony & Augusta NicastroPhilip OuimetRoberta Patten Daniel Perreault & Joyce O’BrienFranklin Risatti Joseph & Janet RoggeBarbara RondeauRon SheldonRichard TaskinGary & Sandra TatroKurt TauberHenry & Norma TomkowiczGracie VincentJames WolfeMarcia Wright Francis & Janet ZappulaSusan Zoltek

Thank you!

Sat., Dec. 3rd9:00am-1:00pm

87 Main St.

North Adams Winter Farmers Market

Debit/Credit Card/EBT accepted. SNAPDollarswillbedoubled!Contact 413-664-6180 or tourism@northadams-ma.gov for more info.

Tuesday, Dec. 6, 6:30pmFreight Yard Pub (2nd flr)

Bike North Berkshire

An opportunity for all bike and pe-destrian advocates to come together and learn of all bike and pedestrian efforts that are happening in north Berkshire, how you can join in on the efforts and continue to advo-cate as the efforts move forward. Contact Amanda Chilson for more information.

Tues., Dec. 13,12:30 -1:30pmThe Mary Spitzer Center

Healthy Cooking for the Holidays

Get ideas for healthy holiday meals, smart grocery shopping on a budget, healthy recipe substitutions and reducing salt, calories, sugar and saturated fat for heart health and diabetes. This workshop will be lead by a nutrition coordinator from the Food Bank of Western MA.

Sun., Dec. 18th, 10:00am-2:00pmWms College Towne Field House

Williamstown Holiday Market

Featuring the freshest locally grown and produced foods and gifts, including fruits and vegetables, cheeses, meats, breads, yarn and crafts. Free admission and EBT cards/SNAP benefits on site. For more info, go to berkshiregrown.org or call 413-528-0041.

U.S. Postage PaidNon-Profit Org.

Permit #35North Adams, MA

01247

Join us for our monthly forum

Friday, December 9.

DIY Community Pride

See page 2 for date, time, and location.

All are welcome!

Coalition Staff

nbCC is supported by:

Northern Berkshire Community Coalition61 Main Street, Suite 218, North Adams, MA 01247

Coalition Musings. . .

Find this newsletter online atwww.nbccoalition.org

Interim Executive Director Amber Besaw: abesaw@nbccoalition.org

Business & Administrative StaffLizBoland:lboland@nbccoalition.org

Communications CoordinatorBertLamb:blamb@nbccoalition.org

Prevention and WellnessWendy Penner: wpenner@nbccoalition.orgPerri Bernstein: pbernstein@nbccoalition.org

UNITYTim Shiebler: tshiebler@nbccoalition.org

Carrisa Sacherski: csacherski@nbccoalition.org

Northern Berkshire NeighborsGlenda Matos-Carter: gmcarter@nbccoalition.orgGeoff Pawlowski: gpawlowski@nbccoalition.org

The Family PlaceChris Griffin: cgriffin@nbccoalition.org

Jazmyne Joy: jjoy@nbccoalition.orgDonna Senecal: dsenecal@nbccoalition.org

Mass In Motion/Community Health WorkAmanda Chilson: achilson@nbccoalition.org

Bret Beattie: bbeattie@nbccoalition.orgStephanie Quetti: squetti@nbccoalition.org

I want to extend my sincerest THANK YOU to all those who attended and supported our Open House event on November 14th. This was a wonderful night of meeting new neighbors, welcoming our long time neighbors into our space, and sharing our work with our community. It means so much to us to have our community’s support and involvement in all we do, that is the core of our success and our motivation to keep moving forward.

OneadditionalshoutouttoLicketySplitandBeckyHarrisforthewonderfulfoodandthe beautiful cake. You both helped make our event welcoming and successful. You are wonderfulassetstoourcommunity!

We look forward to the next 31 years of living and working in north Berkshire with our neighbors.

-Amber Besaw