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October 23, 2004
  Articles on this page: • Clubs & Organizations Clubs & Organizations Dalton is blessed with a number of service organizations whose memberships and services often reach beyond town borders. Many groups raise funds that support athletic teams and provide scholarships. Others benefit neighbors who are in need of a helping hand. Most groups can be found in the phone book but some operate by word of mouth with little publicity. American Legion 258 North Street 684-9716 Benjamin Sullivan Post 155, organized in February of 1920, has 560 members. The first meetings were held in the Community House until 1957, when the present post on North Street was built. The post conducts their monthly membership meetings on the first Tuesday of each month and Executive Committee meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month, both at 7:00 p.m. The building has a meeting hall, a dining hall, which is often rented for receptions and is smoke-free (except for the bar area). There is a newly renovated oak bar and cocktail lounge. The meeting rooms can be used by local and civic organizations. There are bowling alleys, and a large ball field, where a carnival and a circus are set up during the year. There is also a picnic area and pavilion, also available for private parties. The post donates use of the ball fields for all local youth baseball, softball, soccer and football activities. They sponsor American Legion baseball, Babe Ruth and Little League Teams. The picnic area includes a pond where an annual children's fishing derby is held. The group and its Ladies Auxiliary sponsor local youth to attend Boy’s State and Girl’s State programs. Grounds are also used by the Dalton Fire Department for training and annual firemen’s muster. Hanging in front is a painting of the town's favorite son, Jeff Reardon, a former Red Sox pitcher who is now retired. On all national holidays, the Legion displays flags honoring deceased members and others. Post Commander is Robert Dassat. In 1997, this Post re-established a charter for a Son's of the Legion which currently meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. and has 79 members. Anyone interested in eligibility can call Post Commander Robert Dasset at 684-9716. It is a great way to honor a veteran whom you were related to. For those who were never in the service and had a Veteran in their family, they are entitled to join this organization. There is also a very active Women's Auxiliary Unit who’s current president is Gloria Schilling. This group has won many state awards and is ranked as one of the best units in the state. Berkshire Talking Chronicle 8 Depot Street tel/fax: 413-684-0880 btc@berkshire.net www.talkingchronicle.org The Berkshire Talking Chronicle is a western state affiliate of the Massachusetts Radio Reading Network. Founded in 1984, BTC provides local radio programming for visually impaired and print handicapped citizens of the Berkshire Region with a concentration on information not available to our listener base through other media services. We read newspapers, magazines, books and create local program specials. BTC broadcasts over a sub frequency of WBEC-FM 105.5 Pittsfield, through cable access, over audio stream on the web at www.talkingchronicle.org, and on the FM radio dial at 104.3 WRRS LPFM/Pittsfield (in 2005). Over sixty volunteers read on the air seven days a week from our broadcast studio at 8 Depot Street in Dalton. For information on our free service or volunteer opportunities, please contact the Executive Director, Jeanette Thomas at 684-0880.
Boy Scouts 684-3542 kmstritzinger@earthlink.net Dalton has two Boy Scout troops. Troop 4, founded in 1996, was at one time the largest Boy Scout Troop in the world. Troop 4 meets at the Congregational Church and is led by Steve Ivanowsky. Troop 12 meets at St. Agnes' School Hall and is led by Edward Munch. Community service projects include delivering the annual town report to all households, maintaining portions of Route 9 under the Adopt-a-Highway program, collecting food for the needy each spring, numerous civic projects that fulfill requirements for Eagle Scouts and collecting deposit bottles and cans. Residents may bring bottles and cans to the drop-off point at the transfer station on the first Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Equipment, books and badges for area leaders and scouts are sold at the Great Trails Council headquarters located on Old Windsor Road near Wahconah High School. Current Topics Club Current Topics Club was established in 1913 by Adelaide Jackman as an organization of young women interested in social and cultural activities. The group meets on the third Monday of each month to discuss topics of current interest. The club donates to selected charitable organizations. Its Christmas meeting is dedicated to wrapping gifts which have been selected by members for a needy family. 2004 marks the 92nd year of the Current Topics. The Current Topics Club will present a book to the Dalton Library every year. This year the book is Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation, by Journalist and Author, Cokie Roberts. Dalton Art Guild 997-2555 The Dalton Art Guild was organized in 1997 and sponsors a spring membership show each year which is their main event. Their 6th Annual show will be held in the spring of 2005. The public is invited to attend the show's opening and to view the artwork. All students in Berkshire County between the ages of 12 to 18 are invited to enter the judged show with no entry fee, courtesy of the Dalton Art Guild. Monetary awards and ribbons will be presented during the Gala Reception. Some of the pieces will be available for purchase during the reception and viewing hours. The guild meets on the first Tuesday of the month in the Community Room at the Berkshire Mall. Anyone interested in joining or seeking further information should call: Pat or Hank Most at 997-2555. Dalton Community Cable Association 151 Park Avenue 684-4441 A group of volunteers who manage the public access programming for Dalton Community Television, shown on Saturdays, on Channel 16 which is affiliated with Time Warner Cable in Pittsfield. Members assist with broadcast, taping and producing a variety of programs such as the Light Up the Holidays Luminary Festival, the Select Board meetings, Town Meetings, the Council on Aging program and Science in the Berkshires plus a variety of others. Two new additions are cooking programs, Happy Cookers and All in Good Taste. Its real focus is to teach others how to use the equipment to continue to provide and perhaps increase the kinds of programs that would be of interest to the cable viewing community. Volunteers are always welcome and are needed, according to John Ostresh, president of the board. The association office and studio is located at 151 Park Avenue. Dalton Cultural Council 684-3023 The Dalton Cultural Council is responsible for allocating funds received from the Massachusetts State Lottery for cultural projects proposed by organizations and individuals for the cultural benefit of Dalton; also, we are supposed to inform Daltonians about our efforts. These funds are paid out to successful applicants on a reimbursement basis. We are kept abreast of the other programs available to Dalton that the Massachusetts Cultural Council sponsors. In fiscal 2004 the following allocations were approved: • Music for Seniors Concert – Patty Carpenter • Square Dancing – Cliff Brodeur • Christmas Parade/Summer Concerts – Dalton Civic Arts Committee • Radio Reach Out – Berkshire Talking Chronicle • Playwright Mentoring Project – Barrington Stage Company • When I am old I will wear purple – Alma Rose Center for the Arts • Chamber Music Concerts/Music Education – Music Works in the Berkshires • Nessacus Cultural Enrichment Program – Nessacus P.T.O. • Kreative Kids – Dalton Arts & Crafts Guild • Arrowhead Staged Readings – Berkshire County Historical Society • Ashfield Community Theatre Play Production – • Ashfield Community Theatre, Inc. • The Unicorn, the Gorgon & the Manicore – Paula Nuss • Housatonic Rivershed Program – Mass Audubon Society/Berkshires • Senior Citizen Holiday Concert – John Root • Choral Music Performances – Hilltown Choral Society • Writing for Performance Project – Becket Art Center of the Hilltowns The current members of the DCC are: Kathleen Desmarais; Michelle Furlong; Donald Harris; Marjorie Limburg; Monica Montferret; Deborah Parkington; Margaret Plumer; and Joan Roy. The Dalton Historical Commission 684-3312 The Historical Commission still continues its' most important position of preserving and protecting of artifacts that are entrusted to us. At the moment the Historical Museum has been closed. The Designers Committee is still an ongoing procedure, this committee and the town voters will then come to a conclusion as to where a new Senior Center, Library and our Historical Museum will be housed. The Commission is still accepting donations pertaining to the town and all are carefully cataloged and safely placed. As in the past the Commission will continue to have special programs with people coming to share their knowledge and love of our Berkshire County. These events are free and opened to the public and are prominently posted. The Historical committee meets every second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Crane Room in the Town Hall and these meetings adhere to the open meeting laws of Mass. The Commission is always receptive to anyone who would be interested in becoming a member; they may call the Dalton Town Hall or 684-3312 for additional information. The Dalton Lions' Club 684-0252 The Dalton Lions' Club, chartered in 1961, has 34 members. The club has a dinner meeting on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.at the VFW in Dalton. They are looking for new members and invite men and women to join the club. The Lions Club raises money for local, state, national and international sight and hearing programs. Money is also raised for local scholarship programs and other community programs. Members donate their time to raise these funds. Some annual activities are: The Dalton Carnival (June), the Dalton Circus (July) and the Dalton Golf Tournament (April or May). A year-round project is the eyeglasses program. Anyone having unwanted or unused eyeglasses may deposit them in the box located at the Dalton Post Office Lobby. These glasses are collected regularly and redistributed to those in need. The President of the club for 2004-2005 is Duane McIlquham. Anyone wishing to visit a meeting or join may call Bob Bishop at 684-0252.
Girl Scouts 800-462-9100 ext. 21 How does your daughter want to spend her time? Making new friends? Exploring new adventures? Becoming involved in her community? There is no limit to what a girl can do in Girl Scouting. Girl Scouts is the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to creating an accepting and nurturing environment so girls can build character and skills for success in the real world. Girl Scouts of Western Massachusetts is dedicated to helping girls become caring, confident, capable young women. Volunteer Opportunities in Girl Scouts Whether you were a Girl Scout yourself and want to share your experience with new girls, or you are new to Girl Scouting but desire to make a difference in girls' lives, there is a place for you with Girl Scouts of Western Massachusetts (GSWM). Volunteer opportunities include: * Be a mentor * Train adults * Lead a troop/group * Serve on the board of directors * Plan a program activity * Share your expertise If you have one hour – or ten – to give, you can make a real difference in the life of a girl in your town. No matter what your schedule, skills and interests, whether you're a teacher, a college student, retiree, businessperson, mom or dad – you can help girls thrive. To learn more about becoming a volunteer, call Shirlee Hartley at (413) 584-2602, ext. 21 or (800) 462-9100, ext. 21 or e-mail shartley@gswma.org . Globe Lodge A.F.& A.M. 45 North St. 684-0631 Since 1801 Masons have been recognized in the Hinsdale area. At one time Hinsdale was part of Partridgefield and the first lodge in the vicinity was Sincerity Lodge of Partridgefield. Meetings were held in Moody's Tavern on Maple Street in what is now the home of the Zeitler family. In 1869 dispensation was given by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to organize Globe Lodge which was chartered in 1870. Globe's jurisdiction included Dalton, Windsor, Cummington, Peru, Washington, Becket and Hinsdale Housed in the Birmingham Block, Hinsdale, for the first four years, the lodge moved to the Robinson Block in 1870 and remained there for 127 years until 1997, when the building was remodeled by a new owner. Globe Lodge then moved to the Masonic Building at 45 North Street, Dalton, where it meets regularly on the first Monday of the month. Long active in the civic life of the region, members have served as selectmen, fire and police chief, school committee and assessor. Globe Lodge is a prime supporter of the Hinsdale Food Pantry which one of its members, a former prisoner of war, was instrumental in organizing and which serves families in the central Berkshire district, Globe has introduced the Childhood Identification Program (CHIP), wherein youngsters up to age 18 are interviewed on video tape, and a fingerprint, tooth imprint, and DNA swab are taken and given to parents for use in case of disappearance. William J. Corbett III of Hinsdale is Master, Cortney Wheeler of Cummington is Senior Warden and Miguel A. Lopez of Hinsdale is Junior Warden. Edward A. Goddard is Secretary. Grange 684-2440 Flintstone Grange 353 of Dalton, was founded in 1916. Sidney Bancroft is master. There are 14 members. Knights of Columbus 684-3511 The Knights of Columbus Columbia Council 411 was formed in 1899 with 29 members. The group originally provided insurance for its members and a burial fund for poor Irish Catholics. Today the programs are based on charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. There are over 100 members who meet in the library of the St. Agnes' School the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Grand Knight is Ralph Young. The group assists Pastor Christopher Malatesta, who videotapes his 4 p.m. Masses which are later broadcast on community cable stations around the county. The Knights of Columbus also host an annual Father-Daughter Dance for Valentine’s Day and a Mother-Son Dance for Mother’s Day. The council provides assistance to elderly residents who are no longer able to perform odd jobs around their homes. Members of the Handyman Committee have various talents and can help with such small chores as changing a light bulb to filling an oil burner boiler to putting on a small roof. Council members also distribute toys and dinners at Christmas time to needy children in Dalton and the other towns in the Central Berkshire Regional School District. The Rotary Club of Dalton 655-8891 As Rotary International begins a year long celebration of the 100th anniversary of the organization, Dalton Rotarians are ready with some new Centennial service projects, such as attractive Bus Shelters, placed near the housing for the elderly, and a Literacy project to put books in our school libraries. A celebration of our organization will be a dinner dance held in February. Other local Rotary Club will also participate. The Rotary Club of Dalton was chartered in 1946. It is a member of Rotary International, a service organization with more than 1.5 million members in 187 countries and territories. The membership is made up of business and professional men and women whose lives are such, that having achieved many of their goals, they have the desire to "give back" to humanity. The most significant achievement of Rotary is the eradication of the dread disease Polio Myelitis. Polio remains in less than 1% of the world because of the efforts of more than 31,000 Rotary clubs. The Rotary Club of Dalton has contributed generously to this effort. Locally, Dalton Rotary has been involved in many service projects such as the Sunday Lunch Program, planting trees in Dalton and Hinsdale, Ident-A-Kid, and helping with Literacy by donating books to the Libraries of the Central Berkshire Regional Schools. The largest project, a large, lighted Rotary Pavilion, built by the Dalton Rotary club, with the aid and assistance of many local volunteers and tradesmen. It was donated to the town upon completion. Internationally, the Rotary Club of Dalton has provided a village in India with a water system, and will do a similar project this year, in another small Indian village with no water. The Club has built low cost houses for homeless in poverty stricken areas of Brazil; and sponsored a project to plant fruit trees in third world countries. The most recent international project is a matching grant with Dalton Rotary supplying the funds and our partner, the Rotary Club of Bamaco, Mali. This grant from the local club matched with funds from The Rotary Foundation will enable females to remain in school until grade 8 rather than leaving at age 8 or 9. The money for the Dalton club's service projects come from Fundraisers such as the Annual golf tournament and the Dalton Rotary Follies. Dalton Rotary meets each week on Thursday evenings from October until April and Wednesdays during the spring and summer, at Wahconah Country Club at 6:15 p.m. The Centennial President of the club for the Rotary year 2004-2005, (Rotary follows the calendar of the fiscal year), is Cimarron delMar. For more information, contact any member of the Rotary Club of Dalton. The Saturday Evening Club 684-2028 This organization is a limited membership club for men who are Dalton residents. The group celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1994. It meets from September to June (no meetings scheduled in July, August and December) with each member taking a turn as the host and delivering a program on a subject of his choice. There are currently 24 members. The president is Kenneth Whitestone, the vice president is Tony Doyle, and the secretary is Charles Kalis. The Scottish Rite, Valley of Pittsfield Masonic Building 45 North St. 684-3826 or 637-2687 Instituted in 1894 in Berkshire County, The Scottish Rite Masons meet on the third Friday of the month in The Masonic Building, 45 North Street. The club's mission is charity. Their Abbott Scholarships give financial aid to young men and women from Masonic families and Masonic-related youth groups to help with the costs of higher education. The National Heritage Museum in Lexington, Ma., serves as a repository of precious items and books and as an interpreter of the past. Admission is free. The Scottish Rite Schizophrenia Fellowships continue the pioneering work undertaken in 1934. The cure for schizophrenia remains a goal. In September of 1994, the group made a heartfelt and unwavering promise to dyslexic children, their families, and their communities. The Scottish Rite Masons, in 2003 are beginning to expand upon the 55 Learning Centers envisioned in 1994, so they can serve children, parents and communities in ways not previously attempted. Unity Lodge of Masons 45 North St. 684-0631 Organized 108 years ago, in 1897, by Byron Weston, Unity Lodge was an offshoot of Globe Lodge in Hinsdale. Members from Dalton used to take a train to lodge meetings in Hinsdale and, following their meeting, waited for the return train at 11:00 p.m. Because of crowded rooms and also the wait for the train, Dalton members established a separate lodge in Dalton, originally meeting in the Center Block. Byron's son, Franklin, was its first master. The lodge now meets in its own wheelchair accessible building at 45 North St., at 7:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month under the current leadership of Jack Sobon, Master; W. Rodney Maloney, Senior Warden; and Robert M. Fuster, Jr., Junior Warden. Applicants for lodge membership must be 18 years old. Planned this year are lectures and educational programs, many of which will be open to the public. Jack Sobon was the architect of a post and beam lodge room constructed in 1997. Included in the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Educational Fund are ten $5,000 renewable scholarships for a Mason's son, daughter or grandchild who pursues higher education in any health-related field. This amount is included in the $425,000 awarded annually by the Grand Lodge Educational Fund. Unity Lodge is a participant in the Council on Aging Sunday lunch program and is a strong supporter of the Hinsdale Food Pantry.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars 366 East Housatonic St. 684-9714 The Anthony J. DeAngelus Post 9566 was incorporated in 1947 and now has 410 members. The VFW hall at 366 East Housatonic Street was built in May of 1972 and is used for daily gatherings, post meetings, special events and is rented out. Commander is David Biggart. The group raises around $20,000 a year for various local charities, visits and arranges parties and gifts for veterans in area VA hospitals, and assists veterans' families. Members participate in Veteran’s funerals and send the Color Guard, if requested by families.  RETURN TO TOP |
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