Silver Cane Award recipient Evelyn Degen and junior recipient Lucia Socha. They were presented with the canes at this year's annual award ceremony and luncheon at the Millhouses of Adams. Maintenance Supervisor Jody Goff, left, Senior Property Manager Danielle Senecal, award recipient Evelyn Degen, junior recipient Lucia Socha, Assistant Property Manager Jennifer Rose, maintenance technician Greg Alexander Sr.
ADAMS, Mass. — The Millhouses of Adams has been recognizing its eldest residents for more than three decades with the presentation of silver canes.
Wingate Companies, the operator of the affordable housing facility, held its 35th annual Silver Cane Award Ceremony on May 22. The ceremony is celebrated every May in conjunction with Older Americans Month and honors residents who are 80 years and older.
The 2025 recipient is Evelyn Degen, 92, and the junior recipient is Lucia Socha, also 92.
Senior Property Manager Danielle Senecal, Assistant Property Manager Jennifer Rose, Maintenance Supervisor Jody Goff, and maintenance technician Greg Alexander Sr. presented flowers to all that attended.
The decorated silver cane was presented to Degen as her proud daughter, Martha Labbee, looked on. The luncheon was catered by Boston Sea Foods and balloon making was provided by Millhouses of Adams very own Walter Timoney.
The first silver cane was presented in 1989 to Emma Levesque as the Millhouse Senior Association Award. Levesque, born in 1899, won the cane each year to 1997, when she was 98.
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Letter: Christine Hoyt is the best choice for the Adams Select Board on May 4th.
Letter to the Editor
To the Editor:
I am a proud resident of Adams, and it's clear that our town is moving in a positive direction. From the revitalization of the Adams Theater to the opening of the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center, we are seeing meaningful progress take shape.
Christine Hoyt has been a driving part of this momentum since 2017. During her time on the Select Board, she has worked to address critical priorities, such as infrastructure improvements (like the $6.5 million wastewater treatment upgrades), economic development, and the preservation of essential town services.
Re-electing Christine to a fourth term ensures continuity in this important work. Her role on the Local Government Advisory Commission (LGAC) enables her to advocate directly for Adams at the state level, helping secure general government aid, Chapter 90 funding, and support for public education. She also brings valuable leadership experience through her service as president of the Berkshire County Select Board Association, District 1 representative on both the Massachusetts Select Board Association and the Massachusetts Municipal Association Board of Directors, and her work with the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association. This level of experience and representation is an asset our town cannot afford to lose.
Christine has proven she has the vision and the work ethic to lead Adams for another three years. I hope you will join me in voting for her on Monday, May 4, and keep the momentum going.
The election will be held on Monday, May 4, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Adams Memorial Building, 30 Columbia St.
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