PITTSFIELD — On the sidewalk outside the Ralph J. Froio Senior Center in Pittsfield, six men congregated around a Pittsfield Fire Department mister fan. This block of North Street is slightly more shaded and the fan provides additional cooling — if you stand directly in front of it.
The Ralph J. Froio Senior Center is one of the city's designated cooling centers in Pittsfield. On Wednesday, it was closed in observance the Juneteenth holiday.
Jeff Van Kleef, 62, likes the heat, but Wednesday's temperatures seem to be even getting to him — he’s moved a block down from his usual spot, which is now in full sun. Normally, if cold drinks don’t do the trick to cool him down, Van Kleef steps into the Senior Center for an air conditioned interlude. But on Wednesday its doors, like those of most of Berkshire County’s designated cooling centers, were locked in observance with the Juneteenth holiday.
As temperatures climb into the mid-90s for the second time this week, Berkshires residents like Van Kleef were on the hunt for spaces where they can escape the heat. Those willing to shell out $8 to $15 might tour the air-conditioned rocks and minerals gallery at the Berkshire Museum, or catch "Inside Out 2" at The Triplex Cinema. Others often find relief in the air conditioned — and free — lobbies of community centers, churches, libraries and senior centers, many of which are designated as cooling centers by their respective towns.
The fire department has set up misting fans.