Pittsfield MA July 4th Annual Parade Running since 1977 (when I graduated from 8th grade as did other now 55-year-olds!) Keep in mind many celebrate the weekend Before the 4th with Fireworks and More.

Catch the Big Pittsfield MA Live This 4th of July 2018.The Star Spangled Banner was sung clear as a bell by Linda Billow. Well over a hundred groups will be marching represening much of the Berkshires. I have gotten to the parade twice and really had a special time. I did some outreach about my late teen son Kaelan  Palmer Paton who passed saving friends from the Housatonic River in Fals Village and Salisbury Ct in June 2009. I wanted to reverence the many connections, mostly wonderful and positive that happen for people along the banks of the same river.

The many families who have lived here for many generations, such as The Deming Family, which had ties to the Native Americans (a Sarah Deming I believe helping smooth transactions) from Pittsfield and also being one of the first families to own a large tract of land in Ashley Falls MA and into the northwest corner of CT. Then there is the history of people from the Housatonic River MA/CT areas who served in wars and provided support on many levels, from cannons and cannon balls (made on the river banks of Falls Village which had a train that crossed over the river back in the days.)

Those services were key to helping win wars that shaped out country's identity. Over more than two centuries the towns that have flourished depended on many leaders, townspeople and others pulling together their time and efforts whether in their homes and farns as well as in small businesses, industries and other ventures. Now we appreciate the schools as key components for educating youth and creating friendly community climates for families and wider circles of the community.

Let's celebrate the personal and professional aspects of our culture, our state and country protections and programs to keep everyone working in a positive hopeful mode throughout their lives. More citizens are realizing their efforts are needed. Every day, and sometimes every hour and moment holds great meaning. Sadly during a recent Pittsfield Parade a young girl who was supposed to perform did not show up.

Her father who had struggled with addiction and had managed to get clean for years had relapsed, with dire results for himself as well as his daughter. We can remember her and the many children and others who are too often left in harm's way without enough networking and steadfast supervision to prevent danger of all kinds. Let's put our best foot forward as this 2018 Independence Day takes off with our best intentions and many special efforts and celebrations.

Support local businesses and efforts as much as possible in your area and the next town or state over. There will be a wonderful Falls Village Car Show on July 8th, 2018, and a special Service of Remembrance happens annually at the Falls Village Congregational Church near Memorial Day or soon thereafter. Keep all in your thoughts and good intentions as we craft new safety plans and remember the legacy of all who are on our team, on earth, on heaven and those coming into our lives, especially the new humans incarnating and hatching out to brighten our lives and help us all appreciate the gift of life. Hopefully everyone can practice the freedom and wider sense of love and care to plan for safe sensible relationships with support from others to keep things in balance and plan for one's life and family circles with a sense of teamwork and fair plan. Happy 4th and now it's time to Go Forth and Prosper Together!