NEW BOSTON INN HOSTS 250TH CELEBRATION
“Great party” was the phrase of the afternoon, much to the
delight of organizers from the 250th 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 250th 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 2nd and 3rd 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)
