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
Farm & Garden Tour
- Brochures - Eric Goldstein, Keldaby, Mike Purington, Jim Graves
- Posters - Russell and Sandy Coombs
- Gift basket -Pine Hill Orchards
Amy Herzig, for making the Quilted Wall Hanging for the raffle .
Ball Field Thanks: Delta Sand and Gravel for donating 80 cubic yards of infield soil for the new ball field behind the Fire Station.
The Colrain 250th Anniversary Committee thanks the following donors for their contributions:
- Slowinski Families and Farm
- James Slowinski Electric
- Slowinski Wood Products
- Slowinski Contracting
- Barnhardt Manufacturing Company
- Dillon Chevrolet
- R. Gary Stetson
- Alber Hearing Services
- Greenfield Savings Bank
- OESCO, Inc.
- People's United Bank
- Colrain Central School PTO (for fireworks)
- Mirick Insurance Agency
- Austin Design Inc
- Channing Bete Company
- Snow & Sons Landscaping
- Sandri
- Kostanski Funeral Home
- Johnson Funeral Home
- Shelburne Farm & Garden
- Smith Kelleher Funeral Home
- James Collins DDS
- Lanoue Tree and Landscape Service Inc. for the work at the Fire Station
- Hartnett Plumbing
- Marty's Repair
- West County Cider
- Pine Hill Orchards
Cabot Cheese
Coombs Hill Farm |
The Coombs & Herzig Families