GREENFIELD — Among the bartenders from local establishments participating in the annual bartender shootout at Taylor’s Tavern, there were several new teams who joined the event to honor the late Janice Bohonowicz.

Bohonowicz was a longtime resident of Greenfield, a distance runner, spin class instructor, mother, book club leader and a local nurse. She died in September from brain cancer and her family and friends from many parts of her life formed teams and participated in the shootout, which will benefit the Greenfield Public Library in Janice’s name.

“She was a special person. We all loved and respected her, she was our center of gravity,” said Frank McDonald, one of Bohonowicz’s friends who was in a morning running group with her.

The Bartender’s Shootout is an annual event in which competitors slide mugs of beer down a 10-foot bar and try to get the beer to stop closest to the edge without tipping over. Each competitor gets two attempts, and the top 20 advance to the finals, with the top 10 receiving prizes ranging from Taylor’s Tavern gift certificates, snowboards and trips.

The proceeds from Sunday’s shootout will go toward the Greenfield Public Library to assist with programming and events at the library, according to Karen Larabee, co-president of Friends of the Greenfield Public Library.

Kristina Bergeron, Bohonowicz’s daughter, said the family has been overwhelmed with support from the community. The family, along with some of Bohonowicz’s friends formed a team, “Be Hoppy,” and competed in the shootout on Sunday.

“It’s been mixed emotions, it’s been a tough year for us,” she said. “But we’re so grateful for just being in this community. People care so much and have just shown us so much love and support for my mom.

Larabee said that reading was a passion of Bohonowicz and that she ran a book club with her friends. Before she died, she asked family and friends to organize a fun run to raise money for the library. Larabee said Sunday’s event was a continuation of sorts for that event.

Tom Blanchard, bartender at Taylor’s Tavern, said that he was a friend of Bohonowicz and it was an easy decision to donate funds from the event to the library in her honor for this year’s event.

Each entry costs $20 and included a T-shirt and two beers. The event is sponsored by Harpoon Brewery.

Reach Miranda Davis
at 413-772-0261, ext. 280
or mdavis@recorder.com.