image description — Santa himself had the honor of pulling the raffle winners.

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North Adams Holds First Veterans' Christmas Breakfast

Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
06:07AM / Saturday, December 21, 2024Print Story | Email Story

Samson and Bonnivier organized the breakfast.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Nearly 80 veterans gathered at American Legion Post 125 over scrambled eggs and pancakes to swap stories and enjoy each other's company before Christmas.

Veterans' Agent Assistant Tina Samson, who organized the event, said she and local chef Chris Bonnivier wanted to do something special for the veterans this holiday season.

"Every year at City Hall the veterans come in, and we give them their check and a gift bag," she said. "This year we thought we should do more. Chris said, 'Why don't we do a breakfast?' This is a great thing, and I think it should happen again."

Veterans tried their luck with various raffles featuring items donated by local businesses. Santa made an appearance to pull the winners' names, but only after mingling with some of the attendees.

Bonnivier, who was busy in the Legion's kitchen, said that as a business owner, it is important to give back.

"We try to be helpful in the community. We want to be part of the solution," Bonnivier said. "As a business, we take from the community. So it is important for us to give back. It's not just about taking...I want to give back, especially around the holidays."

Bonnivier brought in the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office to help in the kitchen, noting that all those present were working on their day off. He said that giving back is "contagious" and was thankful for their support.

Later in the morning, local singer-songwriter CJ Field performed after the Legion commander awarded Samson a certificate of appreciation.

Each veteran left with a gift bag.

Tags: american legion, breakfast,

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Berkshires Remember First Responders, Military Personnel Lost at 9/11 and Aftermath

By Jack Guerino & Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:30PM / Friday, September 11, 2026

North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey, with Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre speaks at Friday's memorial.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The county's two cities held memorials on Friday morning to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Great Barrington was scheduled to hold a dedication of piece of steel from the World Trade Center at 6 p.m.

North Adams held its ceremony in the fire station's side garden starting at exactly 8:46 a.m., the time Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower.

The small square of grass was packed with police officers, firefighters, wire and alarm personnel, dispatchers, and Northern Berkshire EMS employees, and city employees, officials and community members.

After the ceremonial tolling of the bell, an honor guard presented the colors.

Mayor Jennifer Macksey said it felt odd welcoming people to a very solemn event.

"What happened 25 years ago put a mark on emergency services. It put additional pressure on police, fire, EMS, and dispatchers," Macksey said. "While we remember those who lost their lives during 9/11, and those who ran to help as many as they could during 9/11, we have to pause and appreciate those who continue to serve despite that awful threat that occurred 25 years ago."

She said it was a direct attack on the United States and all of its people.

"It was a question of our freedoms and our ability to be safe in our communities," the mayor said. "I can say today that here in North Adams, it could happen to us, but I know with the professionalism of our Fire Department, Police Department, EMS, and our dispatch team, we are a better community; we are a safer community than we were 25 years ago."

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