250TH CELEBRATION JULY 27-29

In typical small-town fashion, Sandisfield will host a weekend-long celebration featuring an old-fashioned country fair complete with pie-eating contest, three-legged race, craft demonstrations and a host of vendors, refreshments and entertainers.  All are welcome to join in the fun starting Friday evening, July 27 and running through Sunday afternoon, July 29.  Most activities take place at Carr Field on Route 57 in Sandisfield (Look for the big red barn at 47 Sandisfield Road).

Sandisfield is Berkshire County’s largest and most rural town with a vital history that has just been documented in a 528 page book called “Sandisfield Then & Now: 1762-2012.”   Copies of the book and other 250^th commemorative keepsakes will be available during the celebration weekend.

Festivities kick off at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening, July 27 at the Sandisfield Arts Center with “Rascals and Others,” a community theatrical production that dramatizes the “real story” of Sandisfield.  Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 14 and under.  Following the performance, Sandisfiield’s own Lewis family, owners of Berkshire Fireworks, will put on a fitting display at Carr Field.

On Saturday, July 28 at 9 a.m., local and regional dignitaries, school children, soprano, Jean Atwater-Williams, and the American Legion will lead the community in commemorative speeches, the pledge of allegiance, the singing of the Star Spangled Banner, and the raising of the flags.  Sandisfield resident, Reverend Donald Peet, will give the invocation. 

Following the fair on Saturday, Sandisfield’s Fire Department will host a BBQ at the American Legion Pavilion followed by a dance featuring Connecticut rockabilly band, Harm’s Way.

On Sunday, the fair continues with the addition of Yankee Street Rods’ Classic Car Show. Some of the many events planned during the weekend include an open house at local farms, walking tour of the New Boston Cemetery, and a Clam River ramble led by the Berkshire Natural Resources Council.  A complete schedule of activities is located online at www.sandisfield.info.

SANDISFIELD HISTORY BOOK COMPLETED

Sandisfield Then & Now: 1762-2012, a hefty history of the Town of Sandisfield, is now available, just in time for the town’s 250^th birthday celebration in July.

The author of the book, Ron Bernard, spent over two years working day and night to complete the project for this anniversary year.  In true Sandisfield fashion, much of the community was involved in the making of this impressive tome.   Over 100 “founding sponsors” supported the project with donations while a committee of residents and contributing authors met monthly to discuss content, fundraisers, and marketing.  Two dozen residents and second homeowners volunteered their time to proofread and hundreds of residents met personally with the author to share stories and photographs. 

A brief review of the Table of Contents shows nearly 200 pages devoted to general history with chapters on everything from dance halls, stagecoaches, and taverns to subjects unique to Sandisfield such as the Suicide Hill ski run, famous residents, and the Baptist Church turned orthodox Synagogue (now the Sandisfield Arts Center).  Another 300 pages cover each section of town and the historic houses within, as told through the people who lived there throughout the centuries.  Maps, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia can be found among the hundreds of historic photographs.  Images from more recent times are laid out for comparison, aptly illustrating the “then and now” concept.

The book was edited by local historian, Bernard Drew, and designed by local artist, Tina Sotis.  Copies are available for $40 while supplies last.  Visit www.sandisfieldthenandnow.org or call (413) 269-0012 to order.  

Happy Birthday to Us!

NEW BOSTON INN HOSTS 250TH CELEBRATION

“Great party” was the phrase of the afternoon, much to the delight of organizers from the 250^th Anniversary, history book, cookbook and Sandiswall committees.  The day itself was a gift -- brisk and clear with plenty of sunshine.  News of our ‘little town’s big anniversary’ appeared in The Berkshire Eagle, The Berkshire Record and the Advocate, while closer to home, email reminders went out to residents along with a copy of the Proclamation issued by Governor Patrick’s office. 

People started gathering at the red, white & blue festooned New Boston Inn at 4pm, glad to see their neighbors out and about after a long, but not-so-hard winter.  In true small-town fashion, a bounty of hors-d’oeuvres appeared to complement the giant sheet cake adorned with a 250^th anniversary logo designed by Fred Swartz.  Barbara Colorio, the Inn’s owner, graciously served hot coffee and retrieved stack after stack of dessert plates for the 100 or so people who showed up in honor of our “Sestercentennial.”

Ron Bernard, author of the soon-to-be-published history book, read the Governor’s proclamation with great aplomb and was acknowledged by rousing applause.  He repeated his new act an hour later for the 2^nd and 3^rd wave of visitors.  Meanwhile, little girls in dresses, who had consumed way too much sugar, were bouncing delightfully around the room and brave seniors sought out chairs to rest or hold court in.  Norton Fletcher got a surprise when Sylvia German’s son, Steve, and his wife, Lorraine, generously donated the historic Sears Family Tree (framed) to the Sandisfield Historical Society.  It has to be seen up close and in person to be appreciated for its complexity and detail. 

Richard Migot documented the event with his camera and Kathy Jacobs used her i-phone to record the reading of the Proclamation which she hopes to post on Facebook if she can find a teenager to assist.  Eventually, photos of party antics will be posted online where you will see everything from Selectmen Barrett and Gray mugging for the photographer to Fire Chief, Ralph Morrison, with 4-year old Alice Barrett glued to his hip.  We even sang “Happy Birthday to Us!” -- And made a wish for fabulous weather during the July celebration.

Kudos to my fellow committee members Kathy Jacobs, Linda Riiska, Barbara Cormier, Bethany Perry and Ron Bernard for putting on a heartwarming event, and to the other committees for their enthusiasm and participation:  Josephine & Barry Freedman, Theresa Bills, Maxene Kupperman, Don Peet, Bob Royce, Laurie Green, Steve & Lorraine German.   Special thanks to Laura Castro who donated the guest book but who could not be with us as she was manning the polls for the Presidential Primary at Town Hall.   -- Liana Toscanini (Photo: Richard B. Migot)

March 6: Happy 250th Birthday Sandisfield!

SANDISFIELD, MA – The official date of Sandisfield’s 250^th birthday is March 6, 2012.  To celebrate, the town’s 250^th birthday committee is hosting an open house at the historic New Boston Inn (The oldest continuously run inn in Berkshire County).  The public is welcome between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.  to enjoy cake, coffee and a reading of the  Proclamation issued by Governor Patrick’s office to mark the occasion.

Sandisfield was still a “howling wilderness” in 1694, but that was precisely the reason this land became one of four Housatonic Townships shaped by Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1735. Boston powers saw settlement as the best way to improve the roads, diminish Indian attacks, and improve commerce with Albany.  Farming families filtered in sufficiently by the 1750s that the town was incorporated on March 6, 1762. Township No. 3 became Sandisfield, in honor of Samuel Sandys, Lord Sandys, who in 1761 was made first Lord of Trades and the Plantations.  (See photo below)

The Town of Sandisfield will host a three-day celebration July 27-29 featuring an opening ceremony, country fair, classic car show, colonial encampment, children’s games, demonstrations, a cookout and dance.  The town’s historical society produced a commemorative cookbook called “Sandisfield Eats,” featuring 270 recipes, old photos, memoirs and other historical material.

Another commemorative project in the works is the publication of a 500-page history book authored by Sandisfield resident, Ron Bernard, with editorial contributions from many residents and local historian, Bernard Drew. 

For more information about the town-wide celebration visit www.sandisfield.info.

A NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT IN SANDISFIELD

On Saturday, December 10^th at 5pm, an assortment of performers will take the stage at the Sandisfield Arts Center in celebration of the holiday season.  Revelers include entertainers Jeffrey Folmer and Karl Finger, Berkshire Pulse dancers, a trumpet solo, an original story by local author, Val Coleman, and even a glow-in-the-dark Hula Hoop number. 

Now in its ninth year, “The Holiday Extravaganza” features plenty of audience participation including the singing of traditional Christmas carols.  In fact, “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” was written in 1849 by Pastor Edmund Sears, a native of Sandisfield. 

Admission to the Holiday Extravaganza is $5 for adults, with children under 14 admitted free.  Traditional holiday refreshments will be offered at intermission.  The Sandisfield Arts Center is located on Hammertown Road off Route 57 in Sandisfield.  For information and directions visit www.sandisfieldartscenter.org. (Jeff Folmer pictured above)   Photo:  Richard B. Migot

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TINA SOTIS EXHIBITION MIRRORS HER EXTRAORDINARY YEAR

Painter, Tina Sotis, presents “Year of Grace,” an exhibit of new paintings at the Sandisfield Arts Center on Saturday, November 5^th from 3-5 P.M.

Her first exhibition in four years, Sotis’ work evokes mystery, personal transformation and introspection.   She explains that the title of the show, 'year of grace,' and the body of new work “….is a summing up of an extraordinary year of pushing my boundaries, exploring the world and reaping the inner rewards of taking those risks."

Artist and fellow Sandisfield resident, Susie Crofut, praises Sotis’ unfailing sense of color, soft evocative brush strokes and extraordinary imagination which both sooth and provoke.  Artist, Larry Zingale, is also a fan of Sotis’ style stating, “The work is always sparse, uncluttered and therein lies its purity and power.”

The Artist Reception and exhibit are free to the public.  “Year of Grace” will be on display through December 10.  The historic Sandisfield Arts Center building is located on Hammertown Road off Route 57 in Sandisfield.  For directions and information visit www.sandisfieldartscenter.org.

Photo:  "Clarity" 4'x4' oil on Canvas, Copyright 2011 Tina Sotis

BECOME A SPONSOR OF THE HISTORY BOOK

The research and writing is almost done for “Sandisfield Then and Now: 1762-2102,” a history book being produced in celebration of the Town’s 250^th birthday next year. There is a wealth of information out there including wonderful old photos, facts and anecdotes. We know you will cherish the 500-page hardcover book full of historic images as well as stories of our industries, famous and infamous people, and old homes, to name just a few of the topics covered.

Right now, we need your help to fund the final stages of the book. We hope you will consider becoming a FOUNDING SPONSOR at one of these three categories:

Silver Sponsor $100 – your name will appear at the beginning of the book as a founding sponsor

Gold Sponsor $200 – Your name will appear in the book and you will receive a signed and numbered copy of the book

Platinum Sponsor $500 – your name will appear in the book, you will receive a signed and numbered copy of the book, and 40 limited edition Sandisfield postage stamps.

Your tax-deductible donation is crucial in allowing us to hire a local graphic designer as well as a professional editor, Bernard Drew, who has written 30 Berkshire town histories, including the 1999 Great Barrington history. Your donation also underwrites the copying, scanning and digitizing of important historical documents for future use by all. Our other expenses include everything from copy paper, to a post-office box, to the purchase and licensing of rare photos.

The history book committee is a sub-committee of the Town of Sandisfield’s 250^th birthday committee so all checks should be made out to the Town of Sandisfield with a note specifying “history book donation.” We are indebted to the Town of Sandisfield and the Historical Society for providing assistance with this important project.

We thank everyone who has taken the time to speak with us and provide photos and stories and to our committee members and consultants as well for their dedication to this enormous project. Call Liana (413) 441-9542 or Ron (413) 269-0012 with any questions.