Giving Thanks

THANKSGIVING

Berkshire Senior , October-November 2021 Elder Services’

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BERKSHIRE COUNTY LEGISLATORS

UNITED STATES CONGRESS Congressman Richard Neal

50 Independence Ave. SW Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-5610 Senior aide: William.tranghese@mail. house.gov 300 State Street Springfi eld, MA 01105-1711 (413) 785-0325 Aide: Matthew.russett@mail.house.gov

Senator Adam Hinds

24 Beacon Street, Room 109E Boston, MA 02133 (617) 722-1625 District Offi ce: (413) 344-4561 Adam.hinds@masenate.gov

Rep. Smitty Pignatelli

24 Beacon Street, Room 473F Boston, MA 02133 (617) 722-2210 District Offi ce: (413) 637-0631 Rep.smitty@mahouse.gov

Rep. John Barrett, III

24 Beacon Street, Room 237 Boston, MA 02133 (617) 722-2305 District Offi ce: (413) 743-8300 John.barrett@mahouse.gov

Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier

24 Beacon Street, Room 156 Boston, MA 02133 (617) 722-2240 District Offi ce: (413) 442-4300 Tricia.farley-bouvier@mahouse.gov

Rep. Paul Mark

24 Beacon Street, Room 160 Boston, MA 02133 (617) 722-2304 District Offi ce: (413) 464-5635 Paul.mark@mahouse.gov

Lots to Be Thankful For….

by Susan Guerrero

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Lots of folks dream of upcoming Thanksgiving dinners. There will be bites of tender turkey, luscious gravy, mounds of whipped potatoes, jiggly cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, and, of course, warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream. Many families also adopt a tradition of having each dinner guest tell at least one thing he or she is thankful for. It’s a good lesson in gratitude and helps people concentrate on the real meaning of Thanksgiving.

Jim Clark, director of the Pittsfi eld Council on Aging said, “I am thankful for the military and veterans and the freedoms they have protected. Also the ability to gather and enjoy the companionship of others, especially here at the Frioio Center.”

Christine Jordan, a Lenox resident, said she is thankful for a lot of things.

“I’m thankful for my beloved Collies,” she said. Their names are Galen and Levi. They are beloved fur babies to her and Christine loves to spoil them to the hilt. Christine also said she’s thankful for her “lovely home” and being able to decorate it for each season and “the wonderful friendship with my sister, Bernadette,” “And I’m thankful my husband (George) is still with me.” They celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary in September.

Diane Stetson, a Pittsfield native, lives clear across the country in Mission Viejo, in southern California. She sang in the choir at St. Mark’s Church in Pittsfi eld and also belonged to the Town Players in the day. She sang on a television program that was quite popular, called “Teenage Barn.” Her voice and piano teacher was Estelle Alphonse whose second floor studio was in a building on North Street near St. Joseph’s Church. Diane went on to also become a music teacher, taught for several decades, and is now retired. Living in Mission Viejo, she does not miss New England winters at all. “As far as what I’m thankful for, “she said, “It’s having made it to almost into my 80’s and the place I live. I LOVE the climate, rec center pool, beach and mountains and little towns on the shore of the Pacifi c. My home is very close to the church, shopping mall and several stores.” That’s what I am thankful for besides friends and family.”

Mary Belcher of Pittsfield, said she’s thankful for her life and still being alive. At age 15, she was in a severe car accident and was not expected to survive. Originally from Williamstown, she spent many months in the hospital. “I’m thankful for the life I have and that I can walk,” she said. Mary said she’s also thankful for many people in her life, especially a childhood acquaintance, Valerie Coons, who lived on Maple Street in Williamstown. She was totally blind and Mary used to visit her when she was about seven years old. “She was so sweet to me,” she recalled.

Mike Sheehan, a social studies teacher at Pittsfi eld High School said, “I am thankful for my job where I get to work with people in the community I grew up in. I am also grateful I get to work in such an historic building.”

“Family and friends will always be top priorities for me,” said Jana Jurczyk Polly, now of Rome, Georgia. “Next to them come the love and the devotion twelve fur babies have given me over the years I was fortunate to have them bless my life. ’She added, “I am very thankful for the people who worked endless hours to develop a vaccine to protect the world from this endless and relentless virus. The doctors and nurses and health care workers are not to be forgotten either for the lives they have worked countless hours to save.”

Think about all the things for which you are thankful in your own life. When one starts counting, it’s often possible to reach a large number. Being thankful helps a person to appreciate all that has been given and to have a better, more refi ned and quality life.

This Thanksgiving, why not make a really serious attempt to practice gratitude?

Not everyone is blessed to have made it this far in life. Embrace those around you, give hugs, and truly appreciate every moment of life, including eating Tom Turkey.

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