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Greetings!
Please enjoy a sampling of articles from our August 2022 newsletter. To read the entire issue, download the PDF here.
Mayor’s Fitness Challenge Returned with Over 100 Participants and Dozens of Events over the Month Long Program
The Mayor’s Fitness Challenge made a triumphant return this summer filling the month of June with over a dozen events and daily challenges for the community to participate in and rack up points. Sixty-five individuals and eight teams for a total of one hundred participants with nine community partnerships including: Bailey’s Bakery, First Baptist Church of North Adams, nbCC, City of North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey, the Elizabeth Freeman Center, Barbara Malkas, the North Adams Farmers Market, Common Folk and the Northern Berkshire YMCA.

The Mayor’s Fitness Challenge started in 2014 as a collaboration between nbCC and the North Adams Mayor’s Office to promote healthy nutrition and active living though daily challenges, goals and various events throughout the summer. This year’s events included pop-up outdoor yoga, walks at the Cascade Trail, Natural Bridge State Park, and downtown North Adams, the weekly Downtown Bike Around, and partner hosted events throughout the city. The Elizabeth Freeman Center hosted “Sound Check!” a workshop centered around conversations about healthy relationships and what love songs teach us about them. The First Baptist Church of North Adams blended up delicious , healthy fruit smoothies one evening at their “Simply Smoothies” event, and the North Adams SteepleCats donated free tickets to all participants.

Participants also enjoyed an evening of lawn games and live music at Windsor Lake and a restful Working on Wellness workshop that paired a low key hour of yoga with information about how to eat healthy following the Keto diet. Bailey’s Bakery provided a Parfait Special and participants received a free 12 visit punch card for the Berkshire Family YMCA.

There were three categories for winners: team, individual and raffle. The winning team was TOPS Walkers with an averaged team member score of 354 points per member, individual was Enid Shields with 764 points and the raffle winner was Annie Riello. Congratulations to all our winners who all received Fitbits!

Next year, expect daily challenges and weekly events focusing on healthy eating habits, active living and mental wellbeing. If you are interested in becoming a partner or hosting an event or challenge for next year, please contact Jessi Byrne at jbyrne@nbccoalition.org.

~Jessi Byrne, Health & Wellness Coordinator
A Goodbye Note from Bri Hantman

As many folks in our community know, I recently made the tough decision to step away from nbCC in order to pursue another opportunity. As of July 11th, I began my new adventure as the Administrative Assistant to the Town Administrator of Adams. This new position offers me the opportunity to learn more about municipal government while growing my administrative skills and I am very excited about this opportunity!

With that said, I am also sad to have left nbCC. This organization has held a special place in my heart since my teenage years when I participated in nbCC’s Youth Leadership Program. Later in my life, I interned at nbCC, met the man who is now my husband through the Community Outreach Volunteer program, and even got engaged at the UNO Community Center. It is safe to say that nbCC has played a significant role in my life that goes far beyond being my place of employment. I know that I will miss the team and the amazing work that nbCC does in the community.

I am beyond thankful for the opportunities, training, and growth opportunities that nbCC has provided me with. I am thankful for Amber Besaw and her leadership as she helped me grow and develop into the person I am today. I am thankful for the team that I had the pleasure of working with, laughing with, and growing with over the course of my time at the organization. I am thankful for the board of directors that did their best to watch out for our team during a global pandemic! Thank you, nbCC!

I am positive that this is not “goodbye”, this is just “see you later”. If my history with the organization means anything, then I am sure I will be back in some capacity in the future. Until then, I am sure I will see you all around north Berkshire.

Big hugs!!!
Bri Hantman
The Coalition Welcomes New Teammates!
Gabby Glasier: Summer Youth Development Worker
Hi, my name is Gabby, and I am currently a youth development worker at the coalition for the summer. I was actually a participant in programs like Youth Leadership and Teen Writing for years. The coalition does an amazing job of carving out a space for the people of this community and amplifying their voices. One of the best parts about working at the coalition to me is the fact that I am able to provide to others what was provided to me. I was very excited to help facilitate teenage summer programming this year for that exact reason. I love that I can help maintain a space that was so important to me as an adolescent. Working alongside people who I consider mentors and role models is an amazing way to spend the summer. The staff here at the coalition is filled with amazing people. Their dedication and care for this community is really inspiring to me.
Sweet Little Eliza Shiebler!
In June, our Youth Development Coordinator,Tim Shiebler, and Jess Sweeney welcomed their daughter, Eliza. According to her lovestruck parents, she’s doing great. “She’s getting pretty darn good at picking her head up and smiling at her mom and dad.” Tim reported, adding, “And she’s excited to be a part of this community that has already shown her so much love.”
2022 NB Community Resource Guide Distributed
Throughout North Berkshire County Towns 

This July the 2022 Edition of the Northern Berkshire Community Resource Guide (CRG) went to print and hit over 16,000 mailboxes throughout north Berkshire County thanks to a Rural Vaccine Equity Initiative grant from the Office of Rural Health through the Department of Public Health.

This free community resource guide is updated every other year. In addition to updated contacts and addresses, this 2022 edition includes a LBGTQIA+ Services and Support, as well as, a Vaccine Guide, both new to the CRG.

The CRG is free to the public. If you did not receive your copy in the mail, or you would like copies to distribute, please reach out to us or downloaded the guide on the Coalition website, nbccoalition.org. Printed copies of the guide can be obtained by calling our office at 413-663-7588, or stopping by the office during regular office hours.

A Spanish version of the CRG is also available. The 2022 Spanish edition will be ready in September, but the 2020 is currently available on our website.

 ~Suzy Helme, Communications Coordinator
Back-Packed for Success!

WOW! It is that time already to think about our annual Backpacked for Success event in partnership with BCAC! This year marks 11 years of the Coalition providing a wonderful back to school event for the community. We are excited to keep this event going! This event is for students in North Berkshire County Grades K-12.

Please note, the event will take place on August 18th from 1-3pm at 85 Main Street, North Adams at Terra Nova. We will hold a separate time for families who reside in Florida and Savoy on August 16th 5-6pm at Abbott Memorial School, Florida, MA. *Registration for this begins July 25th through August 5th. Please call our office at 413-663-7588 to register. 

-Stephanie Puc, Family Support and Neighborhood Coordinator 
2022 August FREE Events in 
the northern Berkshires!
nbCC EVENTS THIS MONTH
Aug. 3 - 31 (Wednesdays) 4-5:30PM | Surviving Your Adolescent (Reg. Required)
Aug 5 & 19 - 10AM-12PM | Child Development Parts 1 & 2 (Reg. Required)
Aug. 12 & 26 - 10AM-12PM | Life Skills Parts 1 & 2 (Reg. Required)
August 6 - 10-11AM | nbCC Learn Through Play: Rollie Pollie 1-2-3 (Ages 0-5yrs. Reg. Required)
August 16 & 18 | 5-6PM on the 16th for Savoy & Florida Families/ 1-3PM on the 18th for Adams, Clarksburg, Cheshire, North Adams & Williamstown | Back-packed for Success! (Reg. Required. Deadline 8/5)
August 19 | 7:30-9AM | nbCC hosts the NAMAzing Coffee Date!
August 25 | 6-7:30PM | nbCC LIVE Call-In Show!

SUMMER BIKE TRAIL RIDE-ALONGS!
All are welcome to join us for these weekly bike trail rides. All rides begin at the Adams Visitors Center Lot. 3 Hoosac Street in Adams.
FRI 8/5 - 9-11AM; TUES 8/9 - 6-8PM; THURS 8/18 - 8-10AM; SAT 8/27 10AM-12PM;
WED 8/31 - 10AM-12PM

MONDAYS @ 206 ASHLAND ST. Armory 
3:30-5:30 PM | The nbCC Bike Collective
All levels of skill are welcome to join us for this bike
enthusiasts workshop time.
5:30 PM | Downtown Bike Around | Everyone
All are welcome to join us for this easy community bike ride
around the downtown area. Great for all ages!
MONDAYS 8/1 - 8/15 | 3-4:30PM | Youth Peer Support Group
TUESDAYS | 3:30 - 4:30 PM | Drop-In Art Club! | Ages 8-19
 UNO Community Center, 157 River St., North Adams. We welcome youth ages 8 -19 to come and get creative at the UNO Community Center. Snacks will be provided.
3rd & 5th TUESDAYS | 4-6PM | Grandparents Raising Grandkids Group
 nbCC Conf. Rm., 61 Main St. North Adams. Snacks will be provided.
1st & 3rd THURSDAYS | 9:30 - 10:30 AM | Peer Parent Support & Stroll Group
 Meet at the Visitors Center in Adams. Kids welcome! Snacks provided.
FRIDAYS | 1-4 PM | UNO Community Center Coffee Time
UNO Community Center, 157 River St., North Adams. Come over & join the UNO neighbors for coffee and conversation.

OTHER EVENTS AROUND THE AREA
Every Friday morning - 7:30-9AM | NAMAZing Community Coffee Time at the Eagle Street Parklet (N. Adams)
AUG. 2 - National Night Out! | 3-7PM Williamstown/5-7PM Adams/ 5-8PM North Adams
Aug. 3 - 6:30-8PM | Concerts at the Lake | Windsor Lake (N. Adams)
Aug. 4 - 6-8PM | Party in the park: Midnight 30| Noel Field (N.Adams)
Aug. 5 - Dusk | Movie: Encanto | Adams Visitors Center (Adams)
Aug. 9 - 6:30PM | Concert: Hot Shot Hillbillies Band | Adams Visitors Center (Adams)
Aug 10 - 5:30-8:30PM | North Adams Downtown Celebration (N. Adams)
Aug. 11 - 6-8PM | Party in the park: shyne| Noel Field (N.Adams)
Aug. 12 - Dusk | Movies Under the Stars: Cruella | Colegrove Park (N.Adams)
Aug. 16 - 6:30PM | Concert: Happy Together Band | Adams Visitors Center (Adams)
Aug. 17 - 6:30-8PM | Concerts at the Lake: Bluesday night| Windsor Lake (n. Adams)
Aug. 18 - 6-8PM | Party in the park: Hot Shot Hillbillies | Noel Field (N.Adams)
Aug. 18 - 3-5:30PM | Senior Picnic | Adams Lions Club (Adams)
Aug. 19 - Dusk | Movie: Clifford | Adams Visitors Center (Adams)
Aug. 23 - 6:30 PM | Concert: Mr. Doubtfire | Adams Visitors Center (Adams)
Aug. 24 - 6-8PM | Concert at the Clark: Stephane Wrembel | The Clark (Williamstown)
Aug. 24 - 6:30-8PM | Concerts at the Lake: TBA | Windsor Lake (N. Adams)
Aug. 25 - 6-8PM | Party in the Park: Critical Mass | Noel Field (N.Adams)
Aug. 26 - Dusk | Movies Under the Stars: Sonic the Hedgehog | Colegrove Park (N.Adams)
Aug 27 - 2-6PM | Classic Car Cruise-in Concert for Motorama | Noel Field (N.Adams)
Aug 28 - 9AM-3PM | Motorama Car Show | Downtown (N.Adams)
Aug. 31 - 6:30-8PM | Concerts at the Lake: Sky Full of Dippers| Windsor Lake (N. Adams)

Do you know of public events happening this summer in Adams, Clarksburg, Cheshire, Florida, North Adams, Savoy, or Williamstown? Contact us with the details and we’ll add it to the list for next month! 
Click here to see what's going on at nbCC in August!