image description — Adams Lions Club President Peter Tomyl, left, with 85th anniversary grant recipients Adams Forest Wardens Chief Griffin Willette, Mary Parker of Adams Beautification, Adams Children's Librarian Emily Brannan, and Fire Department 1st Assistant Engineer David Lennon.

Adams Lions Club Makes Anniversary Donations

02:25PM / Friday, November 22, 2024Print Story | Email Story

ADAMS — To celebrate the 85th anniversary of receiving its charter, the Adams Lions Club awarded a total of $8,500 — $100 for each year of the club's existence — to four local organizations.

These awards are in addition to the club's annual donations, such as for scholarships for local high school graduates and events for children and senior citizens.

Adams Beautification, Adams Fire Department, Adams Forest Wardens, and Adams Free Library received the awards, which were presented at an 85th anniversary celebration Nov. 21 at the Bounti-Fare restaurant.

"The motto of Lionism is 'We Serve,'" Adams Lions Club President Peter Tomyl said. "What better way to celebrate our anniversary than serving local organizations in need of support?"

Adams Beautification will use its grant to purchase flowers, mulch and other supplies for the public areas, such as the Route 8 rotary, Visitors Center and Adams Train Station, that it decorates seasonally to make the town more welcoming and attractive.

The Adams Fire Department and Forest Wardens will use their grants to upgrade equipment through the purchase of smooth-bore nozzles that reach farther than current nozzles and are easier for firefighters to handle, said Fire Chief John Pansecchi.

The Adams Free Library will use its grant to present two of the seven events scheduled as part of its 2025 summer reading program for children. The Science Heroes will present its Experiment Lab program for readers in Grades 6 to 12, and a former competitor in the Rubik's Cube World Championship will offer a workshop for kindergartners and up about how to crack the code of the Rubik's Cube.

The Adams Lions Club has more than 60 members. It is part of Lions Clubs International, the largest membership-based service organization in the world, with 1.4 million members in more than 49,000 clubs serving in 200 countries and geographic areas. Since 1917, Lions have improved health and well-being, strengthened communities and supported those in need, locally and globally.

Tags: anniversary, donations, Lions Club,

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Letter: Supporting Organizations That Keep Our Communities Strong

Letter to the Editor06:05PM / Monday, October 26, 2026

To the Editor:

Berkshire County is home to many cultural gems, and the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum (BSRM) is certainly one of them. Its Hoosac Valley Train Ride has become a cherished holiday tradition for families from near and far, offering a unique opportunity to experience our region's history, beauty, and sense of community.

It was heartbreaking to learn of the fire and the damage it caused. At the same time, it has been encouraging to see the determination of the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum's team as they assess the damage, work toward repairs, and do everything possible to get the trains back in service and honor scheduled rides. Their commitment to rebuilding and moving forward is a testament to the passion and perseverance that keep BSRM alive.

The impact of the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum extends well beyond the tracks. Here in Adams, the organization is an important part of our local economy. With approximately 10,000 riders annually, the Hoosac Valley Train Ride brings thousands of visitors to our community. Many of those visitors also spend time exploring our cultural attractions, dining at local restaurants, shopping at our businesses, and filling their gas tanks before heading home. That ripple effect matters, particularly to a small community like Adams.

I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Adams Fire Department for its work to fight the fire. We are fortunate to have dedicated firefighters who respond when our community needs them most. Their service is a powerful reminder of the importance of the people who give their time, energy, and expertise to protect our neighbors, our history, and our community.

Volunteer organizations are often the backbone of our towns. Whether they are responding to emergencies, preserving our history, or creating meaningful experiences for families, these organizations bring people together and help make the Berkshires a place we are proud to call home. They deserve our recognition, our gratitude, and our support — not just in times of crisis, but throughout the year. I am grateful to the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum for its determination and commitment to rebuilding, and to the Adams Fire Department for its service to our community.

I hope we will all do what we can to help the railway recover and continue sharing this special piece of Berkshire County history with future generations.

Christine Hoyt
Adams, Mass.

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