Final North Adams Contra Dance of the Season Set for Sept. 12

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — North Berkshire Community Dance will host its final North Adams event of the season on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the All Saints Episcopal Church Community Hall, located at 59 Summer St.

The event schedule and details include:

• Pre-Dance Calling Playgroup: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., open to callers and dancers of all experience levels.

• Introductory Lesson: 7:15 p.m., designed for beginners and families.

• Main Dance: 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Maggie McRae will call the dances, starting with beginner-friendly steps and teaching new skills throughout the evening. Live New England jigs and reels will be provided by local musicians Eric Buddington, Jimmy Bergin, Seamus Connor, and Drew Zuckerman.

Attendees do not need to bring a partner, as participants traditionally switch partners throughout the night. Entry should be accessed via the door closest to the post office.

Admission is pay-as-you-can, with a suggested sliding scale of $12 to $20, though no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Further information is available at www.NorthBerkshireDance.org.

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."