image description — BFAIR clients and employees deliver donated supplies to the Veterans Services Office in North Adams.

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BFAIR Supports North County Veterans With Donations

Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
12:09PM / Monday, September 08, 2025Print Story | Email Story

Donations were made through the month of August.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — BFAIR's Community Based Day Support (CBDS) program made a special delivery to City Hall on Friday and helped stock the Veterans Services Office's food pantry.

"I am totally overwhelmed. I was in awe when they said they were going to do this," said Tina Samson, office's administrative assistant. "BFAIR, they help in the community. This is wonderful, and this is always needed. 100 percent."

Kris Neep, director of the day program, said she saw one of Samson's call for donations posts on Facebook. She quickly got the BFAIR (Berkshire Family and Individual Resources) community behind the cause.

"We got all of our offices involved," she said. "I think this is great and says a lot about our community. Just look at all the stuff we got? We just like to give back."

BFAIR clients and employees heeded the call, donating hygienic supplies, non-perishable foods, and other items needed for the pantry during the August collection drive.

"There is everything in these bags, and people were very generous, especially nowadays when prices are so high," Neep said.

While she didn't have an exact count of donations, the donations filled the back of the van used for transport. She said everything was organized for easy storage.

CBDS employees and clients offloaded the supplies with the help of some veterans.

Tags: BFAIR, veterans services,

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Boutique General Store Opens on Holden Street in North Adams

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:36AM / Tuesday, October 27, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A newly opened boutique general store on Holden Street offers local and regional products along with a curated selection of gifts, wines and artwork.

"It's just a lot of my favorite makers and small brands that I've, in my mind, collected over the years because I've wanted to do this for I don't even know since forever," owner Hannah Blazejewski said. "I'm trying to keep as much of the product at least local to New England as I can."

The name for the Diving Horse at 26 Holden St. was inspired by one of her favorite movies, "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken," the story of a girl who joins a diving horse stunt show during the Depression.

Blazejewski found the current space earlier this year before moving back to the county in March. It was formerly North Adams Yoga, so when she moved in she repainted the place and also worked with Outlook Builders to build the shelving and her dream "mousehole" wall.

The store showcases local goods from throughout New England, and she described it as a general store and gift boutique built around a personal collection of favorite makers, small brands, and hard-to-find products.

Her shop also includes children's items, artwork, stickers, home decor, cheeses, non-perishable items, wines and a selection of Scandinavian candy.

She said she hopes to contribute to the local economy, connect with other businesses and artists, and respect the city's history and culture.

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