Colrain250

Colrain's 250th Anniversary Celebration in 2011

2011-11-14T05:15:00.000-05:00

The celebration of the 250th Anniversary of Colrain is complete. See the Bygone Events page for a look at what we did.

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Thank you Letter
October 10, 2011

Colrain was busy celebrating its 250th birthday when Tropical Storm Irene decided it was time to shake things up. Our town is strong and people stepped forward to clean up the mess. Thank you to all who pitched in from the start of the storm and the ones who are still on the job. On September 17, the Old Home Day parade marched proudly down the street past damage and rubble. We celebrated our town in grand fashion! It is important to keep old traditions and create new memories; these sustain us when times are hard. Countless people worked diligently this year to present events to highlight Colrain and celebrate its anniversary.

Many thanks to everyone who contributed physically and monetarily to our very successful events-local hikes, Historical Society programs, Evening in the Orchard, Celebration at the Arthur A. Smith Bridge, Brick School Open House, Readings on Chandler Hill, Strawberry Supper, Farm and Garden Tour, Grain Festival, Inaugural Ball Game and the new town field, Fire/EMS weekend, re-lighting of Glowing Glory, Hymn Sing at Second Baptist Church, and Old Home Day. Fireworks were a fantastic ending to the Old Home Day celebration.

It was through dedication and the generosity of many that we were able to celebrate our 250th in grand style without the use of tax dollars. We, the 250th Committee, take great pride in knowing that all of the funding came from sponsorships, fundraisers, donated labor, materials and supplies, as well as funds earmarked by the 225th committee as start-up money for 250th.

As we come to the end of our anniversary year, our celebration of all things Colrain isn’t finished yet. On Saturday, November 5 and Sunday, November 6, Colrain will host two of the Cider Days events and on Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13 is the annual Crafts of Colrain tour. Join us. You won’t be disappointed.

Colrain 250th Committee

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Colrain's Town Flag

Bygone 250 Events

2011-11-14T05:10:00.000-05:00

A look back at what we did in 2011 to celebrate Colrain's 250th Anniversary.

Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13

Crafts of Colrain Annual November Studio Tour. A self-guided tour to visit 17 Colrain artists, artisans and farmers. Please see the Crafts of Colrain website for more information: http://www.craftsofcolrain.com/

Saturday, November 12

Colrain Central School's Annual PTO Craft Fair at the school on Saturday, November 12th from 10am-3pm. Crafts, raffles, bake sale, lunch, coffee, children's shopping room. More information.

Saturday, November 5 and Sunday, November 6 - Colrain will host four of the CiderDays events. (Download the CiderDays Event Schedule.)

Cider Making Workshop on Saturday morning at 9:00 am at Pine Hill Orchards; $75 registration fee covers instruction and materials to make your first batch of cider
Cider Mussels Cooking Demo with Chef Michael Collins, Saturday, 10:30-11:30 am at the Green Emporium Restaurant
Cooking with Cider Demo with author Amy Traverso, Saturday, 11:00 am to noon at the Green Emporium Restaurant
Orchard Rides will be given at Pine Hill Orchards on Saturday at 11:15 am and Sunday at 11:00 am.

Saturday, October 22 - Forts of Colrain Hike

With Muriel Russell, hike leader. Meet at Chandler Cemetery (junction of Greenfield and West Leyden Roads) at 9:30 am and carpool to the site of Fort Morrison, now the Avery farm. Here Muriel will give participants a brief overview of the several French and Indian Wars-era forts in Colrain. Returning to our starting point, we will then begin a hike to South Fort Morris (near Pine Hill Orchards), then down Jurek Rd to Fort Lt John Clark, also known as Fort Lucas, and finish up at Fort McDowell. Bring your lunch and wear comfortable clothes. This moderate hike is free and will last about four hours. To register, call Muriel at (413) 624-3311. This hike is sponsored by Greenfield Community College's Pioneer Valley Institute. (Rain date Saturday, October 29)

Friday, October 7 - "One Town…Many Stories"

Join us around the campfire (weather permitting) behind the library from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm for a Fall Celebration at the Griswold Memorial Library. "One Town…Many Stories" with Rebekka Tippens, stories from Colrain & villages near and far... Free hot chocolate, hot cider, and popcorn. A fun chance to spend time with family and friends! Remember to bring your chairs. In case of inclement weather, storytelling will move inside. Stay for Game Night ‘til 9:00 p.m. For more information call 624-3619 or visit the library.

Sunday, September 25 - Hymn Sing

Highlighting one of Colrain’s oldest churches as part of the town’s 250th celebration, a hymn sing will be held at the Second Baptist Church on Christian Hill (near the intersection of Ed Clark and Thompson roads) on Sunday at 3 p.m. Guest violinist and hymnologist Don Lundgren of Amherst will explain the origin and meaning of some of the old favorites. Musicians will include Dennis Ainsworth on the organ and Seth Ainsworth and Mickey Butler on violin.

Photos by Patrick duBreuil of the Second Baptist Church in late winter: http://www.patricdubreuil.com/gallery/dub3/050303/index.htm

The following information is taken from "History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, Volume II," by Louis H. Everts, 1879 (http://www.franklincountyhistory.com/colrain/everts/12.html): "The Second Baptist Church was organized in 1786, and some time thereafter a house of worship was erected just north of Christian Hill, where there is now a neat and substantial edifice. Some of the early ministers were Rev. Edmond Littlefield (who preached eighteen years), Rev. Edward Davenport (who served nearly thirty-five years), and Revs. Mr. Smith, Arad Hall, D. H. Grant, Nathaniel Ripley, E. L. Baker, and A. W. Goodenow. For some time past the church has been without regular preaching."

Saturday, September 17 - Old Home Day
A grand parade kicks off at 10 am, followed by an Old Home Day Gala Celebration with entertainment, food and booths of all kinds on the grounds of Colrain Central School at 22 Jacksonville Road, and at the Pitt House and Memorial Hall on Main Road in Colrain Center. The day culminates with a fireworks display.

10:00 am - Parade - from the Colrain Fire Station to Colrain Central School - Grand Marshalls: Lillian and Larry Shearer

Events at Colrain Central School - Rain or Shine!

11:30 am - Colrain City Cloggers

12:00 pm - Opening Ceremony

     -Master of Ceremonies-Eileen Saugaveau

     -Opening remarks

     -Song-James Stewart

     -Flag raising

     -Poem-Bekki Tippens

     -Remarks by State Representative Paul Mark and State Senator Stan Rosenberg

     -Ringing of school bell

12:30 pm - Wright Brothers Two with Lenny Zarcone

1:30 pm - Jody Scalise

2:30 pm - Celtic Heels Dance Troupe

3:00 pm - Dusti Dufresne

4:00 pm - Colrain members of the Wholesale Klezmer Band

6:00 pm - Zydeco Connection

8:00 pm - Fireworks (raindate Sunday, September 18)

Strolling Barbershop Quartet

Festivities throughout the day

-Tours - Pitt House and Colrain Historical Society (8 Main Road in Colrain Center)
-Book Sale - Griswold Memorial Library's Annual Book Sale (10 am - 3 pm) at two locations: Memorial Hall (17 Main Road, across from the Post Office) and in front of Colrain Central School (22 Jacksonville Road)

On the school grounds

-Student Agricultural Exhibit

-Children’s Games: bead bracelet making, balloons, dunking booth, bubbles, lawn twister, sack race, water balloon toss, egg and spoon race

-Storytelling Tent

-Vendors

-Colrain Fire and EMS

-Demonstrations

     Morrell Metalsmiths

     Mud Man Pottery
     Wood Turnings on a lathe with Kenny Noyes

Food Fair

-Coffee and donuts in front of the Pitt House

-Colrain Community Club Hamburgers & Hotdogs

-Hager’s Fried Dough

-Halifax Ice Cream

-B-B-Q

-Scoop Shack

-...and more!

Free Parking and Shuttle Bus

Free Parking is available at the former Truss Shop on Foundry Village Road near the intersection of Rt. 112, at the Brick Meetinghouse at the intersection of Rte.112 and Greenfield Road, and at the Fire Station at 55 Main Road. Free Shuttle Bus service (9:30am-4:00pm) between all parking areas and the school. Handicap parking is available behind Colrain Central School at 22 Jacksonville Road.

Sunday, September 11 - Re-lighting Glowing Glory

Re-lighting of the Glowing Glory Flag at the Shearer farm at the intersection of Greenfield Road and Coombs Hill Road at 8:00 pm. (more information)(photos of the repairs and renovations of Glowing Glory)

Saturday, September 10 - Catamount Hike

The Deerfield River Watershed Association offers a hike on Saturday, Sept. 10 in the Catamount Hills of Colrain. This is a new hike which was scheduled for the Spring but had to be cancelled because of rain. This a loop hike and hikers should be prepared to hike the four and a half miles of easy terrain. Hikers should meet at 10:00 at the end of East Catamount Road. From Rte. 112 in Griswoldville, Colrain, take Adamsville Road to Lively Road, then quick left onto East Catamount Road (steep and dirt) to end where there is parking. Bring unscented bug repellent, and lunch to enjoy at McLeod Pond. Please register with Muriel Russell 413-624-3311.

Thursday, September 8 - Forts of Colrain

Colrain's historic forts will be discussed in a program presented at the meeting of the Colrain Historical Society at 7:30 pm at the Pitt House on Main Road in Colrain. The focus is on an early period of the town’s history when, during the French-Indian Wars of the 1750s, the town built and maintained four forts for the protection of its isolated and vulnerable frontier citizens.

Liz Sonnenberg and Muriel Russell will describe the four forts, two fortified farmhouses and two palisaded block houses, the Indians who lived in the area and events of the war in this area. They will also relate stories involving the forts.

This is a free program. A business meeting will be at 7 p.m.

Refreshments will be served. The public is invited.

For further information, call 624-3453.

Saturday, September 3 and Sunday, September 4 - Chili Festival

Held at the Green Emporium. Special dishes featuring chilis harvested from Tony's garden will be served.

Saturday, September 3 and Sunday, September 4 - African Inspired Events at the Roundhouse

Songs, stories, dancing, food and open air market of homemade crafts. Held at the Roundhouse on Van Nuys Road in Colrain.

Sunday, August 28 - Hymn Sing

This event was cancelled due to the weather forecast (Tropical Storm Irene).

Hymn Sing at the Second Baptist Church on Christian Hill (near the intersection of Ed Clark and Thompson Roads). Sunday August 28th at 4 p.m. Guest violinist-Don Lundgren. Experience Colrain history with music!

Photos by Patrick duBreuil of the church in late winter: http://www.patricdubreuil.com/gallery/dub3/050303/index.htm

The following information is taken from "History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, Volume II," by Louis H. Everts, 1879. (http://www.franklincountyhistory.com/colrain/everts/12.html): "The Second Baptist Church was organized in 1786, and some time thereafter a house of worship was erected just north of Christian Hill, where there is now a neat and substantial edifice. Some of the early ministers were Rev. Edmond Littlefield (who preached eighteen years), Rev. Edward Davenport (who served nearly thirty-five years), and Revs. Mr. Smith, Arad Hall, D. H. Grant, Nathaniel Ripley, E. L. Baker, and A. W. Goodenow. For some time past the church has been without regular preaching."

Saturday, August 13 and Sunday, August 14 - Colrain Fire/EMS 250th Celebration Weekend
Colrain Firefighters' Association Facebook page

Saturday August 13th

10 am - 3 pm Open House at the Fire Station, 51 Main Road, Colrain (map)
Hands-only CPR training throughout the day (Colrain is a Heart Safe Community! The Fire Department is giving hands-only CPR training both days this weekend to increase the numbers of people who can lend a helping hand.)
12 pm – 3 pm Fire Association Chicken BBQ (chicken breast, corn on cob, and potato salad - $12)
3pm Softball game (Colrain vs. Halifax, VT)
5 pm - 9 pm "Tracy and Company", playing a mix of Classic Rock/Country/Southern Rock
8:30 pm Bonfire
Quilt raffle tickets will be sold

Sunday August 14th

9 am Fire/EMS Parade Lineup
10 am Parade (starting at Colrain Central School and ending at Fire Station)
11:30 am Firefighter’s Muster (5 or 6 teams will compete)
11 am - 7 pm Colrain Community Club Food Booth
11 am Open House at the Fire Station (map)
12 Noon CPR Mass Training
1 pm Kubota Trak Demo and Fund Drive
CPR machine demo and Fund Drive
2 pm Softball game (Colrain vs. Charlemont Fire/EMS)
6 pm Shelburne Falls Military Band Concert
Quilt raffle tickets will be sold

Thursday, August 11 - “Reminiscences of a Barefoot Boy”

An account of growing up on Catamount Hill in the 1830s by Dr. Ammon Davenport, will have a dramatic reading at the meeting of the Colrain Historical Society Thursday at the Pitt House in Colrain Center. Davenport was born on Catamount Hill in 1827 to a family of six, three of whom became physicians. His account, written in 1900 for a meeting of the Catamount Association, recalls family life, school and community customs in “the tallow candle age,” before such conveniences as electricity, cook stoves or even friction matches reached Meadow Place, his childhood home. Christmas hardly existed, but there was plenty of excitement on the annual Muster Day in Colrain City. Jesus McClean, curator at the Brookline Historical Society and a professional actor, will give the reading, which is suitable for children as well as adults.

The program will start at 7:30 p.m. after a 7 p.m. business meeting.

The public is welcome, and refreshments will be served. Donations will help the Colrain Historical Society present more programs celebrating our region’s history.

For further information, call Belden at (413) 624-3453.

Dr. Ammon Davenport

Saturday, July 16 - Softball Games

Inaugural softball games at the new ball field behind the Fire Station at 51 Main Road, Colrain.

3 p.m. Colrain Women vs. Halifax

4:30 p.m. Colrain Men vs. Franklin County All-Stars

Bring your own picnic and lawn chairs. Parking is available in the area between the Fire Station and the Salt Shed.

Friday, July 15 - Colrain Grain Festival

Join us at the Colrain Grain Festival to share knowledge and skills for small-scale grain growing, saving seed and traditional harvest arts. Discover the delicious almost-lost heritage wheat varieties that nourished 1800s New England, that yielded the highest at our UMass trials over three years. Learn how to build a traditional brick oven, how to cook delicious foods in a wood-fire oven, brew home-made beer, and how to bake artisan bread. Bring your favorite dish for our potluck dinner - yumm! Don't forget to bring home-baked bread and the recipe to share for a community tasting.

This event is part of the year-long celebration of Colrain, inspired by the traditional arts and community values of rural life in New England of yesterday that can inspire a sustainable future for tomorrow.

July 14 - UMass Farm, 89-91 River Rd, north off 116, Deerfield,
July 15 - Colrain Seed Farm, 400 Adamsville Rd, Colrain
See growseed.org for more information and a detailed event schedule for both days.
Contact Eli Rogosa: growseed@yahoo.com

Thursday, July 14 - History of the Cary Cider Mill and beekeeping

The Colrain Historical Society's July meeting will include a presentation about the history of the Cary Cider Mill and beekeeping.The meeting will be held at the Cary Cider Mill at 63 Foundry Village Road in Colrain at 7PM, hosted by Jonathan Lagreze and Judith Roberts. Refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public. Call 624-5534 for more information.

Belden Merims wrote in Colrain: A History: "Cider was the beverage of choice in early New England, sweet or fermented, and Colrain had numerous cider mills. The most successful of these was the Cary Cider Mill in Foundry Village. In 1879 Cary produced 1,000 barrels of cider, marketing the beverage and vinegar from Springfield to Boston to New York. The mill employed local men through the 1950s."

Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10 - Farm and Garden Tour

Farm and Garden tour with workshops and storytelling. Sixteen family farms and gardens will be part of the tour. Download a Colrain Farm and Garden Tour brochure and map from the 'Our Town!' Colrain Massachusetts website: brochure and map. The Green Emporium will be coordinating food events with a lavender flavor. Cabot Cheese samples will be available for tasting at the Coombs Hill Farm.

Thursday, June 30 - 250th anniversary of the incorporation of Colrain in 1761

Saturday, June 18 - Readings on Chandler Hill, followed by a Strawberry Supper

Readings on Chandler Hill (3:30pm) -- Come to Chandler Hill, site of the town's first Meeting House (map). We will be celebrating the Incorporation of the Township of Colrain, beginning with a reading of the Declaration of the Town of Colrain by Paul Mark, State Representative of the 2nd Berkshire district in Massachusetts, followed by readings of letters and petitions written during the 1750s to government officials. The letters were pleas for help sent during the French &amp;amp; Indian Wars. Hugh Morrison (fort),Rev. McDowell (fort), and Joseph McKown, who was taken captive, and committees representing the settlers sent letters to military leaders and Governor Shirley, the General Court, and the House of representatives of Massachusetts Bay Province.

This program will be presented at the site where the first church stood on Chandler Hill just above the cemetery at the corner of Greenfield and West Leyden Roads. If it is raining, the program will be held at the East Colrain Chapel near Green River Bridge on West Leyden Road.

Parking: Except for handicap, parking is limited up at the old church site, so cars should be left in the lot across from David Nims’ house at the top of the hill. Please bring lawn chairs and low-scented bug dope. After the presentation, we invite people to take a stroll through the Chandler Hill Cemetery.
Strawberry Supper (5:00pm-7:00pm) -- A Strawberry Supper benefiting the Colrain Community Club will be served under a tent outside the East Colrain Chapel (map), rain or shine. Enjoy music in the Chapel, and storytelling and exhibits in the Four Corners School.

Sunday, June 12 - Catamount Hike
Muriel Russell will lead a hike on Catamount as part of the RiverFest celebration. This event is co-sponsored by the Deerfield River Watershed Association and the Colrain Town 250th celebration committee.

Please meet at 1 pm at the pullout next to the bridge at the corner of Rt 112 and Charlemont Rd on the South end of Catamount in Shattuckville. (Meeting location map)

We will walk up South Catamount Rd, cross Broadhurst Bridge, and then follow Houghton Brook looking for plants and wildlife that depend upon wetlands. After reaching the road again, we will investigate a large beaver pond and cross the dam if it looks passable.

Catamount is known for the 1812 Schoolhouse Flag raising, so we visit that site (photo of the memorial stone marker) before turning East on the West end of the Adnah Bass trail which will take us to MacLeod Pond. From there we will walk down Holden Trail to the Holden homesite, and then down to the cars.

Moderate hiking difficulty; about 3 - 4 hours.Please bring non scented bug dope, extra socks, a snack if you need it, and ski poles for walking the dam.

Call Muriel Russell at 624-3311 for information and to register.

Saturday, June 11 - Open House at the Brick Schoolhouse
Open House at the Brick Schoolhouse (map) (photos of the schoolhouse on Facebook) (Shelburne Line Road, Colrain) from 2 pm to 4 pm. Photos of the event on Facebook.

Margaret Smith (Jones), who taught at the Brick Schoolhouse from 1931-1932, will be there to talk and answer questions. She also taught at the South Schoolhouse during WWII and at the Center School sometime after WWII.

Call Muriel Russell at 624-3311 for more information. The Brick Schoolhouse is located on Shelburne Line Road in Colrain, slightly south of the intersection with East Corain Road.

Thursday, June 9 - Colrain's old neighborhood schoolhouses

Colrain Central School's 3rd and 4th grade students will report on Colrain's old neighborhood schoolhouses at a meeting of the Colrain Historical Society at 7 pm in the Abbey behind the Pitt House on Main Street in Colrain Center. The class has been studying Colrain history and recently visited some of the old one-room and two-room schoolhouses. The Colrain Historical Society will have its business meeting following the children's presentation. refreshments will be served and the public is invited to attend. For further information call 624-3453.

Saturday, June 4- Colrain Boundary Marker Hike
Hike with Muriel Russell to the three boundary markers delineating the border between Massachusetts and Vermont in the northwest corner of Colrain. This event is co-sponsored by the Deerfield River Watershed Association and the Colrain Town 250th celebration committee.

Meet at 10:00am at the Brick Meeting House in Colrain Center (map) (intersection of Main Road and Greenfield Road). We will drive from there to a parking location near the H. O. Cook State Forest where the hike begins. Moderate hiking difficulty; about 4 - 5 hours. Please bring non scented bug dope, extra socks, and a lunch.

Call Muriel Russell at 624-3311 for information and to register.

Monday, May 30 - Memorial Day Parade and Services

Memorial Day Parade and services at the West Branch Cemetery (map). The parade begins at 10:00 am at the West Branch Cemetery and will proceed down Adamsville Road to the bridge, and back into the cemetery, where Memorial Day exercises will be held.

Julie Olearcek, a Colrain resident and U. S. Air Force Reserve pilot, will participate in a flag-raising ceremony with an American flag that was flown in Afghanistan.

U.S. Flag hanging in a plane in Afghanistan. Julie Olearcek is standing at the far right in the photo,

At the completion of Memorial Day services the parade will reform and march down Foundry Village Road to Lyonsville Road and then across the Arthur A. Smith covered bridge. The Mohawk Middle School Marching Band will perform, followed by a community picnic. Plenty of food will be available for sale: the Colrain Community Club will be providing hot dogs, hamburgers, onion rings, and French fries, the Baker’s Oven will be there with their portable wood-fired pizza oven, and Halifax Ice Cream will be served. Al Ladd and his band will play music. Ed the Wizard will perform. The Colrain Firefighters' Association will have their large tent set up to provide a shady area to enjoy the festivities.

The West Branch Cemetery is located at the intersection of Adamsville Road and Foundry Village Road. The Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge crosses the North River on Lyonsville Road between Foundry Village Road and Route 112.

Saturday, May 14 - Hike on Catamount's East Loop
Hike on Catamount's East Loop, lead by Muriel Russell. Featuring spring wildflowers, a cave, and the lake (MacLeod Pond). We will also visit the vernal pools that we didn't hike to on April 23 due to the slushy snow. This hike is offered by the Deerfield River Watershed Association and is free of charge.

Meet at the top of East Catamount Hill Road, Colrain at 10 am.

To reach the trail head from Route 112 in Griswoldville, Colrain, take Adamsville Road to Lively Lane, then a quick left onto East Catamount Hill Road (steep and dirt) to the end where there is parking. (Meeting location map)

Moderate hiking difficulty; about 3 1/2 hours. Please bring a flashlight, extra socks, unscented bug dope,and lunch.

Call Muriel Russell at 624-3311 for information and to register.

Thursday, May 12 - An Evening in the Orchard

A celebration of apple trees in bloom and a wine and cheese tasting at Pine Hill Orchards, 248 Greenfield Road, Colrain, from 7-9:30 pm. Pine Hill Orchards and West County Winery will provide ciders and wines. The Hillman Farm goat cheeses will be available. Dancing Sheaves Farm Bakery and The Bakers Oven will provide breads baked in their traveling ovens. The event will include music by Co-op Jazz, a six-member band, and stories of Colrain's apple orchard history, cider-making and our collective love of apples. Wagon tours will be offered in the orchard. This event is a fundraiser for the Colrain's 250th Anniversary Celebration. The cost is $15 per person. Tickets are on sale now at Pine Hill Orchards, World Eye Book Shop, and Boswell's Books. Call 413-624-3378 or 413-624-5140 for more information.

Saturday, April 30 - Colrain Cares: Community Pride Day.

(Update 5/11/2011) Colrain Cleanup a Success

The town’s 250th anniversary year began with a massive spring cleaning, as 40 residents turned out on Saturday, April 30 to “clean up Colrain.” One of the organizers, Mo Grossberger, said at least 75 large trash bags were filled with litter and debris gathered along town roadsides.

The town’s salt shed was painted by Ellen Weeks, Jonathan Lagreze and Susan Wyant. Also, flowers were planted in front of the Town Offices and near the Arthur A. Smith covered bridge.

The day ended with a potluck supper, attended by at least 20 of the volunteers.

The Shelburne Farm and Garden Center donated annuals and the town Highway Department provided the dump truck and the stain and tools for the salt shed fix-up. Pine Hill Orchards donated fresh-from-the-oven donuts and a flat of beautiful flowers.

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Projects will include painting the Highway Department building and the salt shed doors, cleaning up around all of the town buildings, planting flowers at the library and town buildings, picking up trash along roadsides — and the list is growing, according to organizer Mo Grossberger.

Volunteers are being asked to bring work gloves and tools if they have them. Volunteers may sign in at the Fire Station (map) between 8 and 9 a.m.

Rain date is Sunday, May 1.

A potluck supper will be held afterwards, at 6 p.m. at the Colrain Community Church (map). Diners are asked to bring their own place setting and something to share: appetizers if the last name begins with A-E; entrees for those whose names begin with F-O; salads and side dishes for those whose names begin with P-T; and desserts for those whose names begin with U-Z.

For more information, or to volunteer for a particular project, call Mo Grossberger at 624-3954 or email: mo.grossberger@gmail.com.

Saturday, April 23 - Catamount Vernal Pool Hike
This event was cancelled due to the 2"-3" of slushy snow that fell in the morning.
Hike to the vernal pools on Catamount, lead by Muriel Russell. Sites of interest include several vernal pools, MacLeod Pond, Devil's Oven and Dens. This hike is offered by the Deerfield River Watershed Association and is free of charge.

Meet at the top of East Catamount Hill Road, Colrain at 10 am.

To reach the trail head from Route 112 in Griswoldville, Colrain, take Adamsville Road to Lively Lane, then a quick left onto East Catamount Hill Road (steep and dirt) to the end where there is parking. (Meeting location map)

Hike distance is about 4 1/2 miles. Moderate hiking difficulty; about 5 hours. Please bring a flashlight, extra socks, unscented bug dope, and a lunch.

Please register for the hike by calling Muriel Russell at 413-624-3311

PTO Craft Fair

2011-11-03T06:30:00.000-04:00

Come to Colrain Central School's Annual PTO Craft Fair on Saturday, November 12, 2011 from 10 am to 3 pm in the school's gymnasium and cafeteria. The school is located at 22 Jacksonville Road (Route 112) (map) just north of the center of Colrain. If you are in town for the Crafts of Colrain tour you will be driving by the school - please stop in!

There is plenty of free parking near the gym entrance, and hot coffee, lunch, and bathrooms are available.

Many craftspeople will have their wares for sale. There will also be raffles and a Children's Shopping Room where the young ones can buy special gifts for their loved ones.

Crafts: decorative paintings, quilts, knitted & crocheted items, soaps, cards, hand woven baskets, wood turned bowls, pens etc..., sterling silver jewlelry, pickles, children's items, beanie babies
Craft Raffle - the PTO receives one item from each craft vendor for the raffle. Proceeds are used by the PTO for their ongoing support of the school.
PTO Bake Sale - delicious goodies from some of the best bakers in town
6th Grade Basket Raffle - themes are Sports, Games/Movies, Kitchen, Car, and Dinner. Proceeds are used by the 6th grade class to fund their trip to Washington, D.C. (Link to last year's D.C. Trip Blog: http://dctrip-2011.blogspot.com/ )
Children's Shopping Room - an assortment of gift items at very reasonable prices for young shoppers only. Gift wrapping will be available.
Lunch - 6th grade students and their parents will be serving corn chowder, chicken noodle soup, grilled cheese sandwiches and hot dogs. Served with chips and a drink. There will also be an assortment of cookies and brownies for dessert. Proceeds will be used for the D.C. trip.

People who are in town for the Crafts of Colrain tour should look for our flyer with the "Free Coffee Coupon" attached. We hope to see you at our PTO Craft Fair!

About the PTO

The proceeds from the Craft Fair and other PTO fundraisers are used to support both present and past students. The Colrain Central School PTO supports our school community by sponsoring events that celebrate our rural community and that bring families together.

This fall we sponsored children's games and fireworks at Colrain's Old Home Days and the Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Fair. We celebrated our first Trunk or Treat the day after the Halloween storm and we traditionally sponsor a Sock Hop in the spring. We provide refreshments for the school wide Winter Frolic and lunch for Field Day, and last year we lent financial support to "Project Safeguard" which is hosted at Mohawk.

Different years bring different events. Some years it is "Math Night", some years it is Movie night. The largest part of the money we raise goes to fund two $500.00 scholarships awarded annually to former Colrain students who are pursuing higher education.

Part of our mission is to reach out to our greater community, so our Annual Cookie Walk proceeds are entirely donated to a local cause or a Colrain family that may be in need. We also try to instill a sense of giving in our children, so we host events such as the 1000 pairs of Socks campaign that benefited our greater community.

We also sponsor a "Citizenship Award", which is given to two 6th graders at graduation.

We thank all the families, friends and neighbors who generously support our events both with their presence and with their wallets.

Colrain City Cloggers

2011-10-03T09:45:00.000-04:00

This essay about Colrain's Old Home Day and celebration of the town's 250th Anniversary is posted here with permission from the author, Kelsey Klerowski.

The Colrain City Cloggers

When I tell people I’m from a small town, I usually make a joke that we have more cows than people in our population. . . which might just be true.

We have dirt roads, depend on our vegetable harvest to help with the food bill, try to fix things ourselves with some duct tape and W-D40 (Olive oil works too by the way) and most everyone listens to country music.

Colrain was hit pretty hard by Tropical Storm Irene. We’re still finding bales of hay and farm equipment miles from their homes, roads collapsed and houses swept away. My little world survived and we had minimal damage on Church Street, but you still feel the pain for your neighbors. Around here, their struggle is your struggle.

Partly for this reason, and partly because I felt the need to get to know the people I run past on a weekly basis, I decided to attend the annual town fair this past Saturday – which was quite the "to-do"because it was Colrain’s 250^th anniversary. I heard a rumor that the fair might not happen this year. There was so much damage from the storm that there was a question if we would be on our feet enough to have a party.

The powers that be (and I agree) felt it was exactly what we needed.

The elementary school field was set up to look like a mini fair without the rides. But the familiar smell of fried deliciousness wafted through the air, and that’s all you really need to qualify something as a fair.

Read the rest of the essay and see Kelsey's photos on her Holy Pajamas! blog:
http://klerowski.blogspot.com/2011/09/colrain-city-cloggers_21.html.

Get Involved!

2011-09-22T06:20:00.000-04:00

Meeting Schedule:

Colrain 250th committee wrap-up, Thursday September 29, 2011, 7:00 pm at Joan's house.

Glowing Glory Relighting

2011-09-05T18:00:00.002-04:00

Please join us on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 8:00 pm at the intersection of Greenfield Road and Coombs Hill Road.

On Sunday, September 11, red, white and blue neon will again light the Glowing Glory flag in Colrain, originally constructed in the fall of 2001 after the events of 9/11 and recognized as a local landmark. The neon lights became nonfunctional about two years ago and since that time money has been raised locally with the aim of having the flag relit by the 10th anniversary date. The relighting is also among many featured events celebrating Colrain's 250th anniversary.

Ken Shearer of Colrain, who was inspired to design and construct the flag atop his property's 450-foot hill overlooking Greenfield Road, again directed the project, working with Western Mass Electric, Atlantic Neon of Portsmouth, NH, and several area residents. Most of the $7,100 raised for the project came to Shearer and artist Pacifico "Tony" Palumbo, who designed the neon work in 2001, through the efforts of the nonprofit Mohawk Ramblers Motorcycle Club of Montague. "We're grateful that the Mohawk Ramblers considered this project a worthy cause and brought in through their fund-raising efforts most of what we needed to accomplish our goal," said Shearer.

After overcoming several technical challenges and finding neon bender Jake Rosenfield, who created the new neon glasswork and designed and led its installation this past week, Shearer and the project crew are ready to throw the switch around dusk on Sunday evening. "My job was to get this flag relit and I'm pleased to say that it's done, thanks to many generous people who contributed their time, talents and money to see this happen," said Shearer. "We completed the neon installation last Friday night and cheered when all the lights came on in our first test."

Shearer and Rosenfield spent two days installing the neon along with electrician Jeff Zachesky of Maine and Lori Regienus of Colrain's 250th Anniversary Committee, who also compiled a photo journal of the project. On Saturday, Shearer and Joseph Saladino of Jacksonville, VT, completed the work to replace the fluorescent lighting behind the flag's stars. "We also want to thank Gettens Electric of Greenfield for donating part of the cost of the fluorescent lighting," Shearer added.

Everyone is invited to gather in the field near the road below the flag on Sunday evening at 8 p.m. for the official relighting, which will be led by Palumbo and Shearer. State Representative Paul Mark will participate in the ceremony.

NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO CLIMBING THE HILL TO THE FLAG. WE WILL GATHER IN THE FIELD BELOW THE FLAG AND WE WILL HAVE PATROL DIRECTING PARKING.

Colrain's Irish Namesake

2011-06-05T05:20:00.000-04:00

Colrain, Ma was named after Coleraine, Ireland in 1743 by the first settlers. Coleraine in Ireland, 55 miles northwest of Belfast, has an ancient history dating back to the earliest evidence of human settlement in Ireland. In the Mountsandel Forest of Coleraine can be found wooden houses dating from 7000 BC. The Tripartite Life of Saint Patrick* records how Coleraine got its name. When St Patrick arrived in the area, he was received with great honour and hospitality by the local chieftain, Nadslua, who offered him land next to the river Bann on which to build a church. The land was overgrown with ferns so the area was called Cúil Raithin ('nook of ferns').

*from Early Irish History and Antiquities and the History of West Cork, by Rev. W. O'Halloran published 1916

(Written by Eli Rogosa)

More information about the history of Coleraine, Ireland may be read on the website of the Coleraine Historical Society.

Memorial Day Photos

2011-06-02T11:00:00.003-04:00

The parade steps off from the northeast corner of the
West Branch Cemetery at 10 am.

Mohawk Middle School Marching Band

Colrain Community Church Pastor Robert Szafran leads a prayer.

Celebration begins at the Arthur A, Smith covered Bridge.

Food from the Colrain Community Club and Halifax Ice Cream.

Ed the Wizard entertains.

Pizza from the Baker's Oven.

Town Seal

2011-04-28T09:00:00.007-04:00

Town Seal
Adopted at Annual Town Meeting
March 3, 1902

"...the seal of a town should in its construction be suggestive of certain features of valor and virtue that are prominent in its origen and development."

Quotation from the Town Clerk's minutes of the March 3, 1902 Annual Town Meeting.

Judy Sullivan, Colrain's Town Clerk, uncovered the origins of Colrain's Town Seal about ten years ago while doing research for another project. Click this link to read Judy's report (pdf file).

Colrain's Town Flag

2011-03-27T08:30:00.006-04:00

The Colrain Town Flag was designed and made by Mildred F. Scranton in 1994. It has seven images on a white background. The flag may be viewed in the Colrain Town Office located at 55 Main Road. The flag is 58" wide by 36" high.

Upper left corner: The first raising of a United States flag above a school occurred on Catamount Hill in 1812.

Upper right corner: The Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge crosses the North River in Lyonsville, connecting Main Road (Rt. 112) to Foundry Village Road. Built in 1875, and recently renovated at a cost of about 2.1 million dollars, the bridge is now open for foot and bicycle traffic. The bridge is noted for its unusual design incorporating a Burr Truss. Photos of the bridge before its recent reconstruction may be seen at http://www.coveredbridgesite.com/ma/smith.html

Lower right corner: The historic Brick Schoolhouse (built in 1812) in East Colrain on Shelburne Line Road near the intersection with East Colrain Road.

Lower left corner: The Harp Elm Tree grew on the edge of the North River Cemetery beside Rt. 112. A memorial marker stone may be viewed at the site of the tree, which was killed by Dutch Elm disease in the 1970's.

Top center and bottom center : An apple and a Holstein cow represent the town's agricultural heritage and the continued importance of farming to the local economy. According to A History of Colrain Massachusetts by Lois McLellan Patrie (page 121) "Fruit trees were first grafted in Colrain about 1798. Barnabas Porter grew the first Porter apple and brought the first Baldwin grafts". There were 4,437 acres of apple trees and 3,111 acres of English Hay in Colrain in 1856.

Center: The official seal of the Town of Colrain.

__________________________________

The following message is displayed in Colrain's Town Office near the Town Flag:

FLAG DESIGNED & MADE BY
MILDRED F. SCRANTON

A request came from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for every town/city to have a flag representing their community for Flag Day on June 14, 1994. Said flag to be flown in the Hall of City Flags located in the Great Hall of the State House.

As time went by and no interest was in sight, Mildred said "Well, I'll do it". She wanted Colrain represented.

After she finished the flag and had it prepared for mailing to Boston, she thought Colrain should have one of their own. So, she made another which is displayed here.

Thank you, Mildred.

This photo of Mildred F. Scranton is displayed in Colrain's Town Office near the Town Flag.

Mrs. Scranton has the honor of being Colrain's oldest resident.
She celebrated her 101st birthday in March, 2011.

...

What do we call a 250th Anniversary?

2011-03-27T08:02:00.007-04:00

According to Wikipedia, the preferred term for a 250th anniversary is Sestercentennial. The number 2½ is expressed in Latin as "half-three". The term relates to being halfway from the second integer to the third integer. In Latin this is "Sestertius" which is a contraction of semis (halfway) tertius (third) - hence Sestercentennial.

Other terms that have been used include:

Semiquincentennial - Probably a modern coined term: semi- (half) × quin (5) × cen(t)- (100) × centennial (250 years).
Bicenquinquagenary - Used by Princeton University in 1996 and Washington and Lee University in 1999. It is a coined word for an anniversary of 250 years, but the elements of the word literally refer to an anniversary of 10,000 years, as follows: bi- (2) × cen(t)- (100) × quinquagenary (50 years).
Quarter-millennial - Meaning one fourth of one thousand years.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anniversary

What other towns and cities in Massachusetts are turning 250 in 2011?

History Grab Bag

2011-03-27T08:00:00.049-04:00

1812 - The first US flag raised over a schoolhouse

Book: Where the schoolhouse flag first floated : the story of Catamount Hill by Carol Purington. The beautiful and historically intriguing section of Colrain known as Catamount Hill is widely remembered for a unique flag-raising that took place in 1812. But there is much more to know about this area and its people, and in this 22-page prose booklet Carol Purington tells the story of a place fascinating for its natural beauty and unusual record of community life, as well as for its role in American history.
http://wmars.cwmars.org/record=b3497785~S14

Photo of the commemorative stone marker at the schoolhouse site on Catamount: http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/thc/5a44000/5a44000/5a44099r.jpg

Hugh McClennan (1743-1816)

Fought in the American Revolution; played a prominent role in Shays Rebellion; served in the Massachusetts Legislature from 1801-1810.
http://shaysrebellion.stcc.edu/shaysapp/person.do?shortName=hugh_mcclellan

Samuel Taggart (1754-1825)

United States Representative from Massachusetts (1803 - 1817); pastor of the Colrain Presbyterian Church; buried in Chandler Hill Cemetery.
http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=T000012

William Draper

Fought in a skirmish with the "king's regular troops" in Lexington on April 19, 1775.

His account was published in the supplement of THE MILITARY JOURNALS OF TWO PRIVATE SOLDIERS, 1758--1775, WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIVE NOTES TO WHICH IS ADDED, A SUPPLEMENT, CONTAINING OFFICIAL PAPERS ON THE SKIRMISHES AT LEXINGTON AND CONCORD.
POUGHKEEPSIE: PUBLISHED BY ABRAHAM TOMLINSON AT THE MUSEUM. 1855.

Read the complete document online at: http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/20636/pg20636.txt.

"LEXINGTON, _April 25, 1775_.

"I, William Draper, of lawful age, and an inhabitant of Colrain,
in the county of Hampshire, and colony of Massachusetts Bay, in
New England, do testify and declare, that, being on the parade of
said Lexington, April 19th instant, about half an hour before
sunrise, the king's regular troops appeared at the meeting-house
of Lexington. Captain Parker's company, who were drawn up back of
said meeting-house on the parade, turned from said troops, making
their escape, by dispersing. In the meantime, the regular troops
made a huzza, and ran toward Captain Parker's company, who were
dispersing; and, immediately after the huzza was made, the
commanding officer of said troops (as I took him) gave the
command to the said troops--"Fire! fire! damn you, fire!"--and
immediately they fired, before any of Captain Parker's company
fired, I then being within three or four rods of said regular
troops. And further say not.

"WILLIAM DRAPER."

Turning 250 Together

2011-03-27T08:00:00.034-04:00

Colrain is one of six Massachusetts towns or cities incorporated in 1761 and celebrating their 250th anniversary in 2011.

Belchertown http://belchertown250.blogspot.com/

Great Barrington http://www.gb250th.com/

Pittsfield http://pittsfield250.com/

Shutesbury http://www.shutesbury.org/250th

Ware http://www.ware250.org/

A complete list of Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates.