Rotary Club of Pittsfield, MA

06/08/2026

We presented our Student Scholarships at our luncheon last week. Pictured are our scholarship recipients along with John Hudnall, Scholarship Committee Chair. Congratulations to:
Kelsey Boillat
Jazmin Gregory
Tahira Valentina Chimmaro
Precoius Kpofolo
Ellen Klepetar
Koby Cross

06/03/2026

Student Scholarships were presented at our luncheon last week!

THE JEFF WHIITEHOUSE - PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP
The Paul Harris Fellows Scholarship was the brainchild of our very own Jeffrey Whitehouse and was created in 2003 for the purpose of distinguishing and providing financial support to an often overlooked but deserving student. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that on its 20th Anniversary the Club retitled the scholarship in Jeff's name to honor his many years of service to our club and his strong commitment to this scholarship and its well-deserved receipients. Jeff was a 47 year member of the club and sadly passed away last year after a hard fought battle with cancer. This scholarship will serve as a lasting legacy to Jeff's commitment to the service of rotary and to the students wanting to better themselves through further education and service. The Jeff Whitehouse-Paul Harris scholarship was awarded to 2 very deserving students:

Congratulations to:
SPOZHMAI MANGAL
JOSHUA TAN DOH

NASH FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
Many of us knew Ken Nash well...but for those who didn't, here's some insight. A Rotarian for 32 years, Ken was a local businessman, adventurer and philanthropist. He passed away in 2012. Ken loved the Berkshires, Travel, Art, and Music ... He was an imposing man of few words ... Ken was a doer ... not a talker. Ken had somewhat of a gruff exterior ... but those who knew him knew he had a gigantic heart and a soft spot for helping those in need. Ken was passionate about flying and was a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight ... an organization that transported sick children and adults for treatment and care they needed anywhere in the country. He and his wife Suzanne founded this scholarship to support students who had an interest in aviation, music and just plain needed some assistance to accomplish the goals that they have.

Congratulations to:
Brendan Bayles

THE LYON FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship was established this scholarship in memory of Lynn Lyon. A husband, father and grandfather taken from them at the early age of 60 in 2003. While I didn't know Lynn personally ... ! understand that he was a down to earth guy, who himself struggled with academics ... and was unable to get involved in extra-curriculars and activities due to cost, work and family responsibilities. What Lynn lacked in grades ... he made up for with hard work and determination. Lynn started his career as an apprentice and became a master electrician.
He earned his pilot's license at the age of 20, became a certified flight instructor and managed the Pittsfield Airport for over 20 years. Lynn earned numerous aeronautical credentials including a top-level civilian pilot ranking. In 1980, Lynn founded Lyon Aviation ... still family owned, it is one of the largest private jet charter operations in the Northeast ... and flies corporate and private clients all over the country and overseas. Lynn was a truly accomplished man that came from rather humble beginnings. The Family has asked us to find a student that exhibits similar qualities to Lynn ... hardworking and determined to succeed ... and if interested in developing a particular skill or craft ... so much the better.

Congratulations to:
Mason Manning

SHERYL BARON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP THRU PITTSFIELD ROTARY CLUB FOUNDATION
The Sheryl E Baron Memorial Scholarship Endowment was established first in March 2018 by Sheryl's father Dr William Baron and his wife Joanna Baron at The Viscardi Center and School in Long Island , an institution Sheryl was enrolled in up until Junior High School. The SDcholarship still exists and is being expanded to include a yearly scholarship presented by us via Pittsfield Rotary Club Foundation. Sheryl attended the Henry Viscardi elementary School in the 1980's. She then attended Junior High School and High School in Long Island and graduated college with a teaching degree from Hofstra University. Sheryl is remembered fondly by staff, teachers, peers and all who knew her as a very happy person who loved life and enjoyed helping children as she got older.
Despite physical obstacles , in her youth she frequently competed in the Nassau County Empire State Games for Physically Challenged where she won many gold medals. She enjoyed wheelchair tennis and softball, as well as swimming and bowling. When she graduated Elementary School , Marie from Sesame Street was guest speaker and after spoke at length with Sheryl. She was so impressed with her and mentioned Sesame Street had always wanted to do some shows showing how wheelchair bound and physically challenged children interacted in life and with other children. She asked Sheryl if she would be interested in starring in their show. She said yes. She joined the Actor's Guild and then Sesame Street Children's Workshop. In late 1990 and early 1991 Sheryl was the star of 2 Sesame Street Shows. While in High Schoql she was a member of the High School Bowling Team. While attending Hofstra University she joined a Service Sorority and went about teaching children how to deal with physical challenges and also teaching others how to interact with those physically challenged. She naturally gravitated towards teaching. As an adult she did volunteer work for the Nassau Chapter of Pulmonary Hypertension Society. Throughout her life, Sheryl was a beautiful warm, kind, courageous, generous, strong determined person with an amazing heart for others She left footprints of Courage, Love Kindness and Humor that even now, that she is gone, leave a trail for others to follow. She had unshakeable willpower. =She saw sunlight in what was often a bleak horizon In summary Sheryl Baron had a child's innocent passion for life and an adults sensitive maturity to approach it and accept her situation with resolve She would be extremely pleased to know that her caring for others is being continued through this scholarship.

Congratulations to:
Logan Williams
Olivia Angeline McMahon

06/02/2026

The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive leadership training program for young people ages 14–30. Sponsored and fully funded by local Rotary clubs, our participants attended a full day seminar this past Saturday with other students and representatives from Rotary District 7890 where they worked together to develop communication, problem-solving, and team-building skills. Thank you to our PDG Vin Marinaro for transporting our group to and from the seminar!

05/14/2026

I hope you will join us Saturday at Balderdash Cellars for this huge community diaper drive!!!

05/11/2026

PITTSFIELD ROTARY
PAUL HARRIS AWARD RECIPIENT

Edward Forfa has been awarded the Pittsfield Rotary Club Paul Harris Award. The first Award was given in 1976, each year the tradition continues of distinguishing a Club Member whose achievements and contributions are viewed as both significant and commendable.

Forfa joined Rotary in January 2000, proposed by former President and CEO of the Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, the late Conrad Bernier.

He served as Club President 2007-2008, Vice President 2006–2007 and has been on the Board for two three year terms. He has also served as a Board Member and was President of the Rotary Club of Pittsfield Foundation in 2011-2012. He currently serves as Kagan Committee Co-Chair, which he has done for 14 years. Other notable committee participation includes Benevolence Committee Member, Sparks Reporter, Program/Speakers Committee Chair, Golf Committee, Food Drive Committee Co-Chair for 3 years, Pittsfield Rotary Club Member Cruise, Communications & Media Committee and worked to launch the Club’s first website.

In the community, he is part of the Pittsfield Anti-Tuberculosis Association, as a Board Member, Investment Committee Member, Treasurer for 6 years and Vice President since 2008, he is a member of the Berkshire County Estate Planning Council and served as a Board member for 6 years with Elder Services of Berkshire County. He has also volunteered extensively in his hometown of Lee with youth sports.

He holds an undergraduate degree in Sports Medicine and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Professionally, he has worked to transform the landscape for senior care, beginning in 1995 when his focus shifted from sports to healthcare, taking the helm at Berkshire Place in 1999 and turning the once failing independent non-profit nursing home into one of the highest rated nursing facilities in the country. Berkshire Place has one of the finest designs and reputations for consistent quality of care in the country with Medicare 5 Star Ratings, US News & World Report Ratings, recognition by the American Health Care Association for national quality and even the Berkshire Eagle Reader’s Poll as regularly voted the Best of the Berkshires!

The new Berkshire Place continues to have separate and distinct programs for long-term care, certified dementia care, short-term skilled nursing & rehabilitation and outpatient rehabilitation. He worked to repurpose the former Berkshire Place at 89 South St. with a complete renovation into senior independent living in the cultural arts district between the Colonial Theatre and the Berkshire Museum.

Most recently with the conclusion of the Residences at 89 South construction, a Continuing Care Retirement Community, known as a CCRC was created with the Residences at 89 South (independent living), At Home with Berkshire Place (home care) and with Berkshire Place services.

Kelly Marion, Paul Harris Committee Chair said, “Ed’s work spanned over 27 years of his career and these accomplishments are amazing, inspiring and created a culture for caring at the highest level for those in need in the Berkshires in addition to 26 years of providing service above self as a Rotarian are the reasons he was chosen to be recognized in this our 50th year bestowing this recognition on a member of our Club.”

05/05/2026

The Donald Butler Award, named in honor of the late Don Butler was established in 1983 to honor a very special Pittsfield Rotarian. This award is presented annually as near as possible to March 27, which was Don's birthday. The recipient is the Rotarian who best represents those ideals of service to Rotary and the community, which were exemplified by Don in his lifetime. At our meeting last week, John Hudnall did a deeply moving tribute to the late Jeff Whitehouse and who was inducted into the club by his uncle Don. After a short biographical overview of Don was presented, President Eric Ungewitter announced that Amy McNally was this year's award recipient. As a relatively new member, Amy has stepped up to exemplify service above self. Amy has stepped up to co-chair the Rotary Foundation dinner, was an active member of the Auction Commitee, volunteered to represent the club at multiple events and organized fundraisers for community non-profits. As an aside, that award comes with a $200 stipend payable to the charity of Amy's choosing in his honor.
Attending for the presentation were Jeanne Butler Boino, Jeff's sister Debbie and nephew Michael, along with Jeff's good friend and longtime Rotarian Dr. James Hashim and his wife, Peg.

03/27/2026

The stage is set, the gourmet food is being prepared, the Auction is ready to go!

Check out the official program here:https://www.pittsfieldrotaryauction.com/_files/ugd/f3fdb0_8dff640309274f59ac6158f59b79fae1.pdf

Grab your last minute tickets here: https://www.pittsfieldrotaryauction.com/event-details/2026-pittsfield-rotary-auction

It all begins Saturday (03.28) at 4:30 PM, Berkshire Hills Country Club, Pittsfield.

03/15/2026

Grab your complimentary tickets to this amazing event at www.pittsfieldrotaryauction.com

03/04/2026

Our guest speaker last week who filled us in on all the happenings with the Berkshire County House of Correction and Second Street Second Chances.

Jason Cuyler is a lifelong resident of Berkshire County and was raised on the westside of Pittsfield. He attended both public and private schools before graduating from St. Joseph Central
High School and going on to attend the University of Massachusetts where he earned his bachelor's degree in Sociology, along with a certificate in Criminology.

Following graduation, Jason began his professional career at Hillcrest Educational Center, later working for the Department of Social Services, before joining the Berkshire County Sheriff's
Office in 2000 as an entry-level Case Manager. Over the past 25 years, he has worked his way through the organization and currently serves as the Assistant Deputy Superintendent of
Community Engagement.

Jason strongly believes in the importance of community and collaboration. He previously served on the Berkshire United Way Board and currently serves on the Christian Center Board of
Directors, Hillcrest Educational Centers Board of Directors, Berkshire Community College Board of Trustees, Mill Town Capital Advisory Board, Berkshire Health Systems Community
Benefits Advisory Committee, the Berkshire County Sheriff's Charitable Foundation, and the Second Street Second Chances Board of Directors.

Jason is married to Brianna Cuyler and has three daughters, Nyla, Brooklynn, and Emerson.

01/20/2026

We are thrilled to be part of the Biggest Souper Bowl ever!!!
Can we count on you? Every little bit helps!
Please see details below...

Can you imagine if everyone who is able contributed 1 or 2 or a few items to this massive SOUPER BOWL community food drive!?!?! Please help us break some records! We have several drop off sites including a big Balderdash Cellars finale on Feb 7! SHARE!! 🤍🍜 🫕

SOUPER BOWL! Participating Civic Organizations:
Kiwanis Club of Lee
The Berkshire County Jimmy Fund
Rotary Club of Pittsfield, MA
Zonta Club of Berkshire County
Help us fill over a dozen local food pantries!!!!

SOUPER BOWL! Participating drop off businesses:
Balderdash Cellars
Berkshire Fitness and Wellness Center
Berkshire Mazda
Carr Hardware
Haddad Toyota Subaru Hyundai
Olde Heritage Tavern
Johns Building Supply & Johns Ace Hardware
L'io Beauty & Wellness
The Locker Room Sports Pub
L.P. Adams Co., Inc.
Radiance Yoga
Ready Set Learn Preschool
Zucchinis Restaurant
Lee Bank
Also thanks to
Your Color Connection, Inc.ly