September - Whately Historical Society

SCOOP
Volume 12❖ Number 4 ❖ September, 2015 ❖ Whately, Massachusetts
Our 12th Year and going strong. Thanks to you!
Whately Historical Society
By Dee Bardwell
The Whately Historical Society hopes you will
attend the Fall Festival September 27 from 10-2 at the
Center School Museum. The Milk Bottle will be
entertaining as will Davis Bates, well-known
storyteller. Plan to enjoy our grilled food, home
baked desserts and ice cream. Harvest produce and
mums will be available as well as Craft/Tag Sale
tables.
I am still begging interested people to become
involved in our programs. We have so much to do.
Our future is unknown, but no matter what direction
is taken, there is a need for volunteers. Please contact
me if you can help in any way.
We hope to continue our Oral History Series. If
you are willing to share your stories call me at
665-3837 to be put on our program calendar.
We appreciate the donations we receive that
preserve Whately's history. Thank you for
remembering us when you consider throwing things
away.
Have fun and learn to paint - plus help support The
Scoop!
Thursday Oct 1, 2015 6-9pm
2 Hobbie Road, South Deerfield
$35 per person
We will laugh, chat, sip beverages and eat
snacks while Local Art Teacher Bette Sokolowski
guides each participant in creating and finishing
a 16”x20” painting to take home. You will be
amazed at what you’ve painted, even if you have
never created a painting before! Bette supplies
everything - paint, brushes, easels, canvas,
smocks - you simply bring $35 and a beverage.
The Scoop will receive $10 for each participant.
Preregistration required - call Bette at 665-4039
or email [email protected] if you are
interested.
Friends of the Library:
by Sheila Powers
I hope all of you have been enjoying your summer
so far. Some have come out to participate in the
ongoing programs available. We’ve had a fun summer
of programs thanks to the energy and organization of
Wendy Peppercorn. From “Frozen” to the Summer
Super Hero program, the concerts at the library and
Elementary School, to the sound of chimes and
monthly movies we hope we’ve provided something
for everyone. As well the library still has passes to
sign out free to patrons for Historic Deerfield, Clark
Art Museum in Williamstown, and a National Parks
pass which admits a car and its occupants to any
National Park in the region! (including the
Seashore…)
We’re looking forward to seeing the community at
the Fall Book Sale and Circus on Sunday, September
9. If you take in the Fall Historical Society Fete please
stroll down the walk and visit us!
We are planning our first Annual Tree Lighting
Community Tree Lighting/Hot Cocoa & Music
evening on Friday, December 6, 4:30 pm at the
Library! We will be selling raffle tickets and “lights” at
the Library through December. Even if you are not a
reader, we encourage you to buy a light for the
community tree, or raffle tickets for prizes awarded
that night.
It may seem a long ways away but we’ll be using
those funds ahead of time to purchase raffle items,
holiday gifts, refreshments, strings of lights, and a
grand Holiday Gift Basket. Don’t be shy about
stopping early to help kick off our FOL Tree Lighting
festival. We need your help for this wonderful event!
Wishing all a fun Fall and thanks to everyone for
showing up, helping out, and supporting the Town
Library. We couldn’t do it without you.
A very special thanks to the late Kathy Smith for
support, guidance, time and leadership in helping to
move forward the Library’s place in the community.
Whately Library News.
by Wendy Peppercorn
Guest Speaker: George Forcier, new editor of the
Recorder- Tuesday, Sept. 1st at 6:00 pmGeorge Forcier is coming to Whately to hear from
the town what they would like to see in the paper.
“Our job is to reflect life in Franklin County.” says
George. Come and let your voice be heard.
Movie- Woman of Gold- Tuesday, September 15th at
3 and 6 pm
Six decades after WWII, an elderly Jewish woman
(Helen Mirren) returns to Vienna in order to reclaim
family belongings that were once seized by the Nazis
in this poignant drama based on a true story. Chief
among those items is the Gustav Klimt painting "The
Lady in Gold." With the help of her ambitious young
lawyer (Ryan Reynolds), the woman takes her fight
all the way from Austria to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Whately Library Book Discussion-Saturday, Sept 19
at 11:00-
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
For over a decade, Jenna Metcalf obsesses on her
vanished mom Alice. Jenna searches online, rereads
journals of the scientist who studied grief among
elephants. Hard questions and answers.
Refreshments provided by the Friends of the
Library
Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale-Sunday,
Sept 27th -10:00am -2:00pm
Fill up your bags with loads of adult and children
books, audio books, and DVD’s.
Preserving the Herbal Bounty--Tuesday, September
29th at 6:30 -7:30pm
Its harvest time in the Pioneer Valley. Join the folks
from Stockbridge Farm and learn all about how to
preserve herbal flavors so you can enjoy them all year
long. Dried herbs, vinegars, oils, syrups, butters, and
herbal pastes are only some of the methods that can
be used to keep flavors alive throughout the winter.
Enjoy a cooking demonstration with tastes of all
foods prepared, and go home with a copy of all
recipes. Sponsored by the Whately Cultural Council
Whately Library Book Discussion-­‐Saturday, October 17th at 11 am-­‐Wojtek the Bear: Polish War Hero This is the inspiring and charming true story of one
of the Second World War’s most unusual combatants
– a 500 pound brown bear. Originally adopted as a
mascot by the Polish Army, Wojtek soon took on a
more practical role, carrying heavy mortar among
other heroic things.
He’s attracted a huge amount of media interest that
shows no sign of abating almost 50 years after his
death. Copies available at library! Halloween Spooktacular! - Saturday, October 24th at
10:30 am
Join a wacky witch in your favorite Halloween
costume. Stories, music, craft, games, treats and a
costume parade through the library!
Movie Tuesday-October 27th – To be announced
Apples of New England with Russell Steven PowellWednesday, November 4th at 7:00 pm
Author Russell Steven Powell will discuss his new
book,"Apples of New England”, and will present some
of these heirloom varieties for tasting. Author Visit and Book Discussion with Jeannine
Atkins- Saturday, November 14th at 11 am
Join Whately’s own, Jeannine Atkins, for a
discussion of her brand new book, The Little Woman
in Blue. Books will be available for purchase and
Hillside House
Bed and Breakfast
60 Masterson Rd
Whately, MA 01093
413-665-5515
Web address: www.hillsidehousebb.com
signing.
Guest Speaker-Chris Collins-FCAT’s New General
Manager- Tuesday October 20th at 7:00 pm
Chris will speak about his career as a political
journalist and some of his more interesting/
challenging interviews and stories he has followed.
He will also speak about his move to Frontier
Community Access Television and his vision for its
future.
Transfer Station News
by Fran Fortino
The annual household hazardous waste collection
is Saturday, October 3, at GCC Main Campus and
the Orange Transfer Station. This event is a once a
year opportunity to safely dispose of hazardous items
like leftover oil-based paints, stains, thinners,
household cleaners, pesticides, pool chemicals, motor
oil,
trash into. We are sorry any inconvenience and ask
for your patience during this long overdue repair.
Town Administrator Updates
by Mark Pruhenski
With the summer coming to a rapid close, so too
are many of our ongoing projects in town. In the
spring edition of the Scoop, I mentioned our Mill
River Stabilization project, our consolidation of town
offices, and our cemetery stone restoration projects,
all of which have continued to make great progress.
antifreeze,
fluorescent lamps, automobile batteries, and other
household chemicals.
For a list of acceptable items and to register, please
go to www.franklincountywastedistrict.org/
hazwasteday.html.
COLLECTIVE HOME CARE
Providing support to our communities’
elders and peace of mind for families
since 1999.
Call 397-9933.
Our Mill River restoration project is going out to
bid next week, with an anticipated construction start
in early October, and completion in early November.
This long overdue project has been incredibly
PURE YOGA & WELLNESS STUDIO To participate, residents must pre-register by
September 25th, either online or by phone: 772-2438.
Our next bulky waste collection will be Saturday,
October 24, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at the transfer station.
Whately residents can get rid of bulky items,
including, old rugs, furniture, mowers, metals, TV’s,
computers, sinks and toilets, BBQ tanks, tires and
more. Fees charged for most items to cover cost.
If you would like to volunteer for the Oct. 24 bulky
day, please contact Fran Fortino at 665-4561.
This month Transfer Station Repairs should
complete construction to upgrade the pad
underneath the trash compactor area. During
construction, a rubbish container will temporarily be
placed at the end of the recycling walkway to drop
Offers Yoga, Fitness, Reiki, & Massage
Early Bird Yoga & Nutrition workshops this Fall!
www.pureyogawellness.com
info&pureyogawellness.com
Contact Jody Fontaine (413)824-9435
complicated to navigate with the need for local, state,
and federal permits and funding. We’re fortunate to
have a great team with many years of experience in
place to ensure a smooth project later this fall.
Town Office consolidation also continues to move
ahead, with an expected closing date for the Western
Massachusetts Regional Library building in late
September. The Municipal Building Committee has
As always, please feel free to call or stop into my
office at the Center School at any time. My door is
always open.
Town Clerk and Interim Treasurer Collector
by Lynn Sibley
worked hard to finalize conceptual plans and will
need your support at our next Special Town Meeting
on September 29th to utilize the savings from the
conceptual phase, for building-ready renovation
plans. The latest plans for our new town offices are
listed on our homepage www.whately.org
The first phase of our cemetery stone restoration
project at the Center and West Whately cemeteries
wrapped up last week ahead of schedule and on
budget. Roughly 95 stones were re-set, restored, and
cleaned with a combination of Community
Preservation and grant funding. With the first phase
behind us, we hope to apply for more funding this
winter and continue the project next summer. I
would like to thank the Cemetery Commissioners for
taking the lead on this.
Finally, two key town positions are vacant at the
time I write. We are actively seeking replacements for
the vacant Treasurer-Collector position, as well as the
South County Senior Center Director position. Until
further notice, tax payments can be made at the
Center School offices during the following hours:
Mondays 8am to 7pm, Tuesdays from 9:30am to
6pm, Wednesdays from 8am to 4pm, and Thursdays
from 8am to 4pm.
A Special Town Meeting is scheduled for
September 29, 2015. The last day to register to vote to
be eligible to participate in this meeting is Saturday,
September 19, 2015.
The Town Clerk’s Office will be open on September
19, 2015 from 2 – 4 p.m. and 7 – 9 p.m. to register
voters. You may also register by mail by downloading
a form from the town’s website www.whately.org and
mailing it with a postmark on or before September
19th. See forms and scroll to Town Clerk to find the
voter registration form.
You may also register online by going to
www.whately.org and go to the Town Clerk page.
There is an icon to the Register online site. If you are
already registered to vote there is no need to register
again.
If you have any questions please contact Town
Clerk Lynn Sibley at 665-0054.
The Interim Treasurer/Collector will have the
office hours shown below at the Center School
Offices to conduct both Town Clerk and Treasurer/
Collector Business.
The Treasurer/Collector’s office has moved
temporarily to the Center School Office building at
218 Chestnut Plain Road. If you have handicapped
access issues to this building, please call 665-0054
and we will make other arrangements.
Monday
8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday
9 a.m. – Noon
You may also pay tax bills to Interim Assistant
Treasurer/Collector, Maryellen Cranston at the
Center School Office on Tuesday and Wednesday
from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. You may call the Treasurer/
Collector at 665-0054. These hours are subject to
change once a permanent Treasurer/Collector is
hired.
News from the Whately Church
by Cynthia Crosson-Harrington
ever tasted! Tickets (which can be purchased through
LaSalle’s or from any church member) are $12 and
the meal of chicken, baked potato, corn on the cob, a
beverage and dessert is well worth it.
We worship every Sunday at 10 am and all are
welcome. Sunday School begins on September 20th
with a pot luck lunch and fellowship following the
service.
Please come and join us. Whoever you are and
wherever you are on your faith journey, our doors are
open to you.
We have had a wonderful summer worshipping in
the West Whately Chapel where we joined with the
Conway church as we have done in previous
summers.
On September 6th, we will return to ‘the big church’
in town to commence our worship for the year
ahead.
On Sept 7th, we hope that you will all join us for our
yearly barbecue featuring the best chicken you have
Watermelon Wednesdays
by Paul Newlin
There are still some tickets left for Wednesday,
September 23, The Bee Eaters plus Mike Barnett and
Jake Jolliff. Show begins at 7.30pm. For tickets and information, go to
www.watermelonwednesdays.com.
Housemate Wanted
Conway Resident looking for responsible and
quiet housemate by Oct 1
Share 4 bedroom farmhouse. Beautiful views, peaceful , perfect for relaxing!
Female preferred. For more info contact Jody 413-824-9435 or
[email protected]
Meeting Schedule for Town Boards
Assessors- Most Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00PM, Town Hall
Board of Health-2nd Weds, 5:00PM, Center School
Conservation Commission-3rd Weds, 7:00PM, Town
Hall
Franklin Tech School Com..2nd Weds, 7:00PM, Tech
School
FRS School Committee - 2nd Tue, 7PM FRS
Historical Commission -3rd Mon, 7PM, Town Hall
Library Trustees - 2nd Tue, 7PM, Library
Planning Board - Last Tuesday, 7PM, Town Hall
Recreation Commission –2nd Mon, 7PM,WES/
Herlihy
Selectmen - 2nd and last Tue, 7PM, Center School
Water Commissioners - 1st Tue, 7PM, Center School
Whately School Committee -1st Monday, 7PM, WES
Zoning Board of Appeals - 1st Thu, 6:30PM, Town
Hall
Historical Society 1st Thursday, 7PM, Center School
Note: This schedule is provided for informational
purposes only. Meetings are also posted on the
Whately Bulletin Board, Channel #15 for cable
viewers in town and at the town’s website,
www.whately.org. Please check at the Town Offices
for official notification of meetings and hearings.
Donations from Pro Pel Plastech, Long Plain Road
and Rebecca Jones MD help cover the cost of
printing & mailing The Scoop…
Please see the ads from our many, long-time and
new sponsors who make this newsletter possible. Thank you all! To list your business in the Scoop, see details on back.
Town Directory
Assessors
Town Hall
Board of Health Health Agent
Animal Control
Emergency Mgmt.
Center School
FAX for Center School
665-9560
FAX for Town Hall
Fire Department
Burning Permits
Highway Department
Bldg Inspection Svs Courthouse
Plumbing & Gas
Courthouse
Wiring
Courthouse
Police (Dispatch,non-emergency)
665-3470
268-8404
665-8027
665-4400
665-5064
665-2230
625-8200
665-2983
772-2026x123
772-2026x125
772-2026x126
625-8200
Police (Station)
665-0430
Schools:
Whately Elementary
665-7826
Frontier Regional School
665-2118
Franklin County Technical
863-9561
Selectmen/Center School
665-4400
S. White Dickinson Library
665-2170
Collector/Treasurer Town Hall
665-2595
Town Clerk Center School
665-0054
Town Accountant
Town Hall
665-2595
Water Department Center School 665-3080
Assessors - Tue. 9a – 4p, Wed 9a – 3p
Library - M, 10a-5p,T, W, 1p – 8p, Sat 10a – 3p
Selectmen - M, W, Th 8a-4p, T 9:30a-6p
Town Clerk– M 12-7pm, Th 9a-4p, F 9a-12p
Treasurer/Collector M 11a-2p,T 10a-1p, Th 12-7p
Transfer Station - Tues 12–5PM, Sat. 7am–5pm
PRSRT STD
US Postage Paid
Northampton Ma
Permit no. 801
Whately Postal Customer
Whately, Ma. 01093
As summer winds its way to fall,
Lazy days will cease their call.
Swimming holes will be too chill
And birds will try to eat their fill
To ready for their southern flight
As day turns early into night
Schools will open up their doors
And kids will run along their floors
To meet their friends and see what’s new
And show off all the ways they grew
While teachers work with all their might
To see that children get it right
Seasons change, and so do we
And that’s the way it has to be
So welcome both the old and new
And always lean towards what is true
The Whately Scoop
If you misplace your copy of The Scoop, do not despair! You can always
find it on the resources page at whatelyhistorical.org.
The closing date for submissions to the December 2015 issue of the Scoop
is Wednesday, ????, 2015. Please email your literary contributions to
[email protected] before that deadline.
If you know any local businesses that you would like to see advertise in the
Scoop, let them know, and give them this contact information: Joyce Palmer
Fortune, [email protected], 665-6739. Individual donations from
readers are welcome, at the same address. Please make checks out to: The
Whately Scoop