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.

ICED TEA & TALK AT HISTORIC HOME JULY 30

Saturday, July 30th 3pm-5pm at 100 Silverbrook Road, Sandisfield

At the Manacher Family home, formerly the c. 1770’s Joseph Wolcott House and the residence of Madame Karinska, costume designer for George Balanchine.

Sample fare by professional chef, Adam Manacher, learn about the home’s earlier inhabitants, and stroll the beautiful gardens with views.

RSVP to Adam (617) 645-6525.

LOBSTER SUPPER FUNDRAISER FOR SANDISFIELD’S 250TH

SANDISFIELD – On Saturday, August 27, the Town of Sandisfield’s 250th Birthday Committee will host a fundraiser -- a lobster supper at the American Legion Pavilion on Route 8 in Sandisfield. Proceeds from the supper will help fund the town’s 250th celebration weekend July 27-29, 2012. The cost of the meal, which includes lobster (or ribs), corn on the cob, salad, coffee and dessert, is $25 per person. A veggie burger meal and children’s hotdog meal will be offered for $8. Reservations are required for the two seatings at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Call (413) 258-4816 to reserve.

The 2012 town-wide celebration will feature an opening ceremony and country fair with craft and food vendors, games and contests, and demonstrations of all types. Other events include a barbeque, dance, pancake breakfast, antique car show, history lecture, and talent show. Also in production – a comprehensive history of Sandisfield edited by Ron Bernard and Bernard Drew and a community cookbook organized by the Sandisfield Historical Society. For more information, visit www.sandisfieldthenandnow.org.

AWARD WINNING JAZZ PRODIGY TO PLAY BENEFIT IN SANDISFIELD

19-year-old Grace Kelly, saxophonist, composer, and Jazz artist of the year (Boston Music Awards 2008 and 2010), will entertain luncheon guests at a fundraiser for Sandisfield’s history book project on Sunday, June 26^th at Noon. Held in the nationally acclaimed rare specimen and rock gardens of the late Geoffrey Charlesworth and Norman Singer, the event features summer lunch fare, garden tour and historic talk by Ron Bernard, Sandisfield history buff and lead author of Sandisfield Then and Now: 1762-2012. The history book is scheduled for release during the town’s 250^th anniversary next year.

Speaking of Grace Kelly a few years ago, David Was of NPR said, "What if I told you that the future of jazz rested in the hands of a 16-year-old Korean American saxophonist named Grace Kelly?” Grace will be joined by jazz pianist, Doug Johnson, and trumpeter, Jason Palmer. Tickets are $15 per person or $25 per couple with reservations strongly suggested. Proceeds from the event will help Sandisfield produce a comprehensive history of the town.

For more information or to make reservations, call Betsy Polatin at (413) 258-2820 or (617) 277-2224 during the week. For a sample of Grace Kelly’s music, visit www.gracekellymusic.com.