Wine, Beer & Chocolate Tasting to Benefit AYJ Fund

11:07AM / Friday, October 24, 2025Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The AYJ Fund will hold its popular fundraiser featuring "Wine, Chocolate and Craft Beer Tasting" on Sunday, Nov. 2, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Freight Yard Pub.

All proceeds will support children with cancer in the local community and beyond. For a $30 donation, attendees can enjoy a selection of craft beers from Wandering Star Craft Brewery, Bright Ideas Brewing, Berkshire Brewing Company, and Grazie. Guests can also partake of samples from Chocolate Springs, the Village Chocolate Shoppe and cookies from Gimme Some Sugar.

There will also be the popular wine pull, silent auction, music and more, all to support the AYJ Fund and children with cancer.

The AYJ Fund provides "Smiles" packages and fun experiences for children with cancer, technology to keep them connected to friends, school and family, and funding for research to find effective treatments and, one day, a cure.

The fund has provided over 5,900 Smiles and more than $1.5 million to advance brain cancer research.

It was created in honor of Anna Arabia, who was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer her first year at Drury High School and died at the age of 16. Throughout her 3 1/2 years of treatment, she was always interested in helping others who were having a difficult time and the AYJ Fund continues to share her love and support.

To learn more check out AYJ Fund on Facebook or www.AYJfund.org.

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North Adams Housing Authority Director Steps Down

Staff Reports09:16AM / Friday, October 09, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Jennifer Hohn, the longtime executive director of the North Adams Housing Authority (NAHA), has stepped down after 24 years with the agency.

The Berkshire Eagle reported that Hohn resigned from her position on Thursday. The NAHA Board of Commissioners is currently developing a transition plan.

Her resignation follows rising tension between Hohn and the tenants association. Residents—particularly at the Spring and Ashland Park apartments—have raised specific concerns regarding building security, drug activity, and trespassers.

This summer, Tenants Association President Corey Fortin posted a video on social media demonstrating that door alarms in some of the buildings were not functioning.

Shortly after the video was posted, the tenants association's office was locked. Members alleged Hohn locked the space in retaliation, while Hohn maintained it was a matter of tenant safety. Hohn also stated that NAHA does not officially recognize the association because it has yet to go through official channels for certification—a claim the tenants association disputes.

The dispute culminated in plans for a formal grievance hearing between Hohn and the association. Both sides agreed to hold a meeting on Oct. 3, but the hearing had not yet been scheduled at the time of her resignation.
During her tenure as director, Hohn oversaw significant changes at NAHA, including expansion and the dissolution of Housing Opportunities Incorporated, a program founded over 30 years ago to assist first-time homebuyers. Most recently, she led efforts to transition NAHA properties from traditional public housing models to the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. She also directed the rebuilding of a Greylock Valley Apartments building after it was severely damaged by a fire.

The NAHA Board of Commissioners meets monthly, typically on Mondays.

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