home | singles and dating news | archive | 13th nov | Regional notes

Singles and dating news

Regional notes

Radio deal

NORTH ADAMS — The Vox Radio Group of New Hampshire has signed an agreement to buy Berkshire Broadcasting Co., in a move that will make it the most powerful radio presence in Berkshire County.

Officials with both companies announced the sale Monday, with terms undisclosed. The deal must be approved by the Federal Communications Commission before it is finalized. Vox bought WBEC in Pittsfield for $4.3 million last year and announced a plan to buy WUPE and WUHN in Pittsfield for $3 million, pending FCC approval.

Berkshire Broadcasting agreed to sell WNAW (AM 1230) and WMNB (FM 100.1) in North Adams, as well as WSBS (AM 860) in Great Barrington, according to its president, Corydon L. Thurston. If the sales are approved, Vox would own seven of the nine commercial radio stations in the county. It currently owns 35 stations in New England. WBRK (AM 1340 and FM 101.7) will be the county’s only independent radio company, if all sales are finalized.

Thurston said he planned to remain with the company and hoped the move would improve local news coverage at Vox’s other county stations. Berkshire Broadcasting has a reputation of providing strong local news.

“From a business perspective, the combination will make this radio group more attractive to national and regional clients, since we’ll compete on a more level playing field with respect to geographic reach,” Thurston said. “I also know the stations will become more valuable to local business as well, and can offer both complete and uniquely targeted advertising solutions for their clients.

Vox co-owner Jeffrey Shapiro said his company has made no guarantees regarding employment of existing staff or radio programming. According to Thurston, no changes will happen until at least March, which is the earliest the FCC is expected to make a ruling.

Thurston’s father, Donald, formed Berkshire Broadcasting in 1966, buying the two North Adams stations from the Hardman family. He added WSBS in 1968.

“I have always had tremendous respect for Don Thurston and his Berkshire Broadcasting stations,” Shapiro said. “I look forward to continuing their fine traditions of localism and community service in the years ahead.”

Society auction

LENOX — The Berkshire Humane Society will hold its sixth annual holiday brunch and auction on Sunday, Nov. 16, at the Seven Hills Inn, Plunkett Street.

Tickets for the brunch, which will run from 10:30 to noon, are $20 per person and include admission to the auction. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling the shelter, 447-7878.

Tickets for the auction only are $5 per person and may be purchased at the door. The silent auction will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and be followed by the live auction.

Local individuals and area businesses have donated more than 300 items, including an array of items for sports enthusiasts, children, pets and pet lovers, home and garden and more. Vacations and getaways include stays in Montreal, Boston, Vermont, a Caribbean cruise for two and other trips.

Also offered will be a full day at the Spa at Canyon Ranch, a yoga weekend at Kripalu, a Spa Day at Michelle’s, facials and other beauty-related items. There is a wide selection of dinners, tickets for area cultural events and fine art offerings. Included is a B. J. Faulkner print and metal sculpture by John Stritch.

A list of auction items, along with several photos, may be seen at www.berkshirehumane.org, “Upcoming Events”. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Berkshire Humane Society.

Grad school fair

NORTH ADAMS — The Career Services Center at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts will host its annual Graduate School Fair on Thursday, Nov. 13, from noon to 2 in the Amsler Campus Center Marketplace.

Schools in the fair will include Springfield College, Sage Graduate School, Suffolk University Law School, Westfield State College, University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Western New England College, Antioch New England Graduate School, New England School of Law, Roger Williams University, Roger Williams School of Law, Western New England College School of Law, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, Regis College, Lasell College, Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara and the College of Saint Rose.

The institutions offer graduate study in social work, business administration, criminal justice, education, special education, forensic psychology, public administration, English, sports medicine and more.

The program is open to anyone interested in graduate study. Information: 662-5332 or e-mail szavattaro@mcla.edu.

Singles expansion

LENOX — In response to the demand by area singles, Singles of the Berkshires will offer introduction services beginning in the middle of November, organizers have announced.

When Singles of the Berkshires was formed in 2001, founder Sonya Bykofsky said her vision was simple: to offer singles in and around the Berkshires a way to meet one another. The group now includes activities such as Tanglewood performances, hikes, picnics, bus trips, board games, dances, comedy shows and its monthly "Meet and Mingle."

Being single is the only entrance criteria for membership, and there are no fees, though modest contributions are collected at each event to keep the group running.

In the first year, over 500 singles requested to be put on the group's contact list. Many were interested in meeting people in a specific age range or geographic area. Some requested similar ethnicity and interests.

Introduction services will offer personal consultations that facilitate connections based on those and other priorities. There will be two levels of participation offered, one to socialize with people and the other for one-to-one dating.

“Computers will not be used to match people,” said Bykofsky, who instead plans to “match-make” herself. "This expansion comes in response to the overwhelming requests I've had from singles who have contacted me thus far. While membership will be required for this service, my goal is to keep it affordable and open to all. Many services don't accept people who don't have a college degree or make a certain amount of money."

Specific details about the group’s expansion will be discussed at its introduction start-up celebration tonight at 7 at the Chocolate Springs Café at the Lenox Shops.

To RSVP or for information: 637-8001.

Holiday Fair

NEW LEBANON, N.Y. — The Mountain Road School’s annual Holiday Fair will take place Saturday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at historic Shaker Village off Route 20.

The fair, which will feature crafts, food, games, performances and other activities, is an annual event during the holiday season for residents throughout Northwestern Massachusetts and the New York State Capital Region.

Performances will include storytelling, a play, sing-alongs, the Mountain Road School Childrens’ Chorus and more. Do-it-yourself workshop leaders will guide children and adults as they make gift paper, holiday centerpieces and gingerbread houses, while other artists paint faces and guide other arts and crafts activities.

Lunch and other refreshments will be available for purchase, along with books from Wisdom’s Child Bookstore, holiday cards, jewelry, photographic stationery, Hinode Farms candles and handmade crafts. There will also be a cake walk, a gingerbread house raffle and the opportunity to place special orders for holiday wreaths.

The Holiday Fair will benefit Mountain Road School, a small independent, non-denominational pre-K and elementary school founded in 1975.

The Mountain Road School is at the end of Darrow Road, past Darrow School. Information: 518-794-8520 or www.mountainroadschool.org

Square dance

PITTSFIELD — The Pittsfield Squares square dance club’s next gathering will be Saturday, Nov. 15, at South Congregational Church, 110 South St., from 8 to 10:30 p.m.

Matt Auger will be the caller. Dance level will be mainstream with two-plus tips. The theme of the dance will be “Pumpkin Patch.” Information: 443-0231.

Holiday benefit

PITTSFIELD — The cast and crew of “Oldies but Goodies” has planned a four-day “Holiday Show” for November, with proceeds from ticket sales to benefit the Jimmy Fund.

Performances will be at Reid Middle School in Pittsfield on Nov. 20, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. There will be a matinee on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2.

This is the second of two annual shows the cast produces. The spring show, which runs in March, also benefits the Jimmy Fund. To date, the cast members have raised more than $75,000 for the cancer-fighting organization.

The Oldies but Goodies cast, which has about 25 members, most of whom are from the Pittsfield area, is completing its third year of performances of predominantly ’50s and ’60s rock ’n roll tunes. The holiday show will add many traditional and contemporary seasonal songs.

Elayna Collias, Peggy Bordeau and Cliff Ducharme are directing the production. Tickets are $10 per person and will be available at the door or in advance at Alliance Appliance, the Pittsfield Police department, Variety Deli, George’s Liquor Store, Burgners Farm, Wood Bros. and Modern Trends. Information: Patrick Kelly, 442-7802, or Cathy Solodo, 442-3647.

YMCA events

PITTSFIELD — The Pittsfield Family YMCA will feature the following fall programs:

Adult racquetball — Nov. 21, five-week session (due to holiday), through Dec. 19, Fridays, 6 to 7 p.m. Fee: $35 for YMCA members and $55 for non-members. Information: Robin Keim, 499-7650, ext. 33.

Youth racquetball — Nov. 12, 4 to 5 p.m., for players 8 to 14 years old. Free for Y members and $35 for non-members. Information: Earl Persip, 499-7650, ext. 15.

Family YMCA Fall/Winter Open racquetball tournament, Dec. 13 and 14. First event, $35; second event, $15; juniors, $5. Information: Keim, 499-7650, ext 33.

The YMCA is accepting registrations for the youth basketball program for children in kindergarten through third grade. This is a non-competitive instructional league that focuses on the basics of the game. Information on playing or volunteering: Persip, 499-7650, ext 15.

Homeless grant

PITTSFIELD — The Berkshire County Board of Realtors awarded a $1,500 grant to the Berkshire Emergency Fund for Homeless Children at its annual meeting on Oct. 29.

Christine Green and Janie McCormick, co-chairwomen of the Berkshire County Committee on Homelessness, were present to receive the check on behalf of Berkshire County’s children at-risk.

The emergency fund was established in 1995 to provide at risk and homeless children food, clothing, bedding, rent, utility assistance and health care.

“It has lessened the impact of recent cuts in public funding for homelessness prevention and sheltering programs,” said Green.

Children assisted through their families by the fund are under 18 years old, live in a shelter or have been in a shelter within the last 45 days, or are at-risk of losing their home.

Grants are issued up to $125 per child or $375 per family and are only available upon a referral from a member agency. All monies go directly to families in need. Information: 442-1506.

Battenkill meeting

CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. — J. Kelly Nolan, coordinator of the Battenkill Conservancy-New York Inc., will discuss the changing water quality of the Battenkill River, why it might be occurring and its potential effect on the community and why it might be ocurring at the conservancy’s annual meeting Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. at Hubbard Hall.

The program will include a discussion of data obtained by the Vermont and New York Departments of Conservation and conservancy’s River Watch over the past decade. The program is intended for any community member who is interested in learning more about the state of the watershed, and what they can do to protect and preserve it in the future. Time will be provided for questions and discussion. The meeting is free and open to the public.

The conservancy is a private, not-for-profit organization founded by Washington County residents in 1990 to preserve and enhance the Battenkill Watershed through conservation, education, land conservanc, and public policy. It focuses on four program areas: public education, educating people about the importance of the Battenkill Watershed; public policy, encouraging responsible land-use planning, supporting the reduction of pollution and working cooperatively with watershed town governments; land conservation, enabling the conservancy to accept donations and hold conservation easements through its 501C3 status; and River Watch, working in conjunction with the Hudson Basin River Watch to monitor water quality.

Full credit for story goes to:

iBerkshires.com, United States