Rare Quilt from Sandisfield Now on Display

For the first time in more than 10 years, antique quilts from the Old Sturbridge Village collection are out of storage and on display to the public in a newly opened exhibit, More Beautiful Than Any Other: Quilts from the Old Sturbridge Village Collection. Rare quilts from all over New England are featured, along with a variety of period quilted garments, including petticoats, hoods, coats, and period sewing tools and accessories.

The oldest quilt on display in the Old Sturbridge Village exhibit is a 1793 wholecloth wool quilt from the family of Elizabeth Mather of Sandisfield, Mass. At the time this quilt was made, the practice of displaying beautiful, high quality quilts demonstrated the owner’s wealth and taste. Quilts adorned beds in the best room of the house -- a room that was used for dining and entertaining as well as for sleeping.

Quilted with an allover floral vine (rococo style) with leaves and cross-hatched flowers, the quilt features a pineapple motif at center bottom. The handwritten label attached to the quilt reads, "Made by Miss Elizabeth Mather at Sandisfield Mass. in 1793. Was married to Constant Bosworth Jr. 1795 and died in Lowville NY 1811. It was then left to her daughter Elizabeth (Betsey) Bosworth who died in Cambridge Penn aged 74. Then left to her niece Elizabeth Mather Read-Spencer born in Lowville NY 1823 died in Oshkosh March 29 1908. Then to her great granddaughter Jessie Elizabeth Strand-Peck born in Oshkosh in 1861. Then to her great great granddaughter Frances Elizabeth Peck born in Chicago Ill 1894." Along the side is written "Descendent of Cotton Mather. Constant Bosworth Jr. born 1769 died 1859."

The exhibit is free with museum admission, and will be open through June, 2011. However, since the fragile quilts can be displayed only for a limited time, a new group of the museum’s antique quilts will replace those currently on exhibit in February, 2011. The overall Old Sturbridge Villager artifact collection of more than 60,000 artifacts. The museum celebrates New England life from 1790 – 1840, and is one of the oldest and largest living history museums in the country, with 59 antiques buildings, three water-powered mills and a working farm. The museum is open year round, but hours change seasonally. For details: www.osv.org ; 1-800-733-1830.

BOB IN THE TREES PREMIERS AUG 14

Dear Friends,

We are delighted to invite you to the premiere screening of our latest short film, "Bob and the Trees", Saturday August 14th at 8:30pm at the Sandisfield Art Center.

The film was shot this spring in our adopted town of Sandisfield, and narrates the daily life of Bob, a fifty year-old logger who has a soft spot for golf and hardcore rap.

The film is about 30 minutes long. We'll have a little Q&A after the screening and for those who are thirsty, we'll head down to Tucker's Pub for refreshments, afterwards.

Diego Ongaro

LOBSTER SUPPER FUNDRAISER FOR SANDISFIELD’S 250TH

SANDISFIELD – On Saturday, August 28, the Town of Sandisfield’s 250th Birthday Committee will host its first 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 in July 2012. The cost of the meal, which includes lobster (or ribs), corn on the cob, salad, coffee and dessert, is $25 per person. Steamers will be available for an extra $5 and a 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) 258-4688 or 413 258-4816 to reserve or obtain more information.

Other celebratory activities include a comprehensive history book edited by Bernard Drew, a community cookbook organized by the Sandisfield Historical Society, and a town-wide celebration weekend in the summer of 2012 featuring a parade, dance, and tractor pull, among other events.

Photo: Richard Migot
Caption: Steve Harasyko and Richard Campetti created their own giant lobster steamer for a Yanner Park fundraiser in 2007. They have agreed to reprise their roles for the Town of Sandisfield 250th Birthday Celebration fundraiser.

The Sandisfield Times Launches April 1

SANDISFIELD – A group of Sandisfield residents has decided the town needs a vehicle for communication and will launch a monthly newsletter called “The Sandisfield Times” in April. The mission of The Sandisfield Times is to connect the community through reliable, regular and relevant information.

Sandisfield has been without a monthly newsletter for over two years. The editors of The Sandisfield Times intend to cover serious local issues, events, history and politics as well as literature and lifestyle topics such as gardening and birding. Founding members include author, Simon Winchester and his wife, Setsuko, a former producer for NPR, as well as several other full-time residents and second home-owners. Local artist and graphic designer, Tina Sotis, will design the publication.

The Sandisfield Times is an independent, non-profit organization that will fund publication through sponsorships from regional and local businesses and residents. Speaking on behalf of the Town of Sandisfield, Selectman, Patrick Barrett, welcomed the news of the launch. Said Patrick, “We are sorely in need of a way to find out what’s going on in town and hope this publication, along with a new town web site planned for later this year, will really improve communication and bring people together.”

For more information, visit www.sandisfieldtimes.org. To listen to a four-minute piece by Simon Winchester for BBC Radio, click on http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4/fooc/fooc_20100306-1219a.mp3 about 22 minutes into the broadcast. Photo of editorial team by Richard B. Migot

SANDISFIELD TO PRODUCE HISTORY BOOK

SANDISFIELD -- A committee is forming in the town of Sandisfield to guide development of a commemorative book which will honor all those who have helped shape this largely rural community from its founding in 1762 until today. Slated for completion in 2012, the town’s 250th anniversary, this comprehensive history will cover the principal institutions, historical personalities and key events that influenced everyday life through the years and created the Sandisfield we know today.

Bernard A. Drew, a highly respected and well-known local historian, will edit this book, provisionally entitled “Sandisfield Revisited: 1762-2012.” The book is intended to be the definitive historical reference for Sandisfield, preserving the heritage for future generations and fostering pride among old and new residents. The committee aims to create a high-quality product with lively text and abundant photographs to be treasured as a keepsake in every home.

The committee is seeking material for the book including histories of Sandisfield institutions, businesses, and civic groups as well as sketches about the everyday life of Sandisfield’s ‘old-timers,’ new-comers and colorful personalities. “Then and now” chapters will feature older homes, farms and distinct sections of town. Important traditions such as the roles of farming, religious communities, immigration, news events and town government will also be featured. Residents and others are requested to submit old photos of houses and people and recollections of bygone days.

If you would like to contribute photographs or family history, or are interested in being on the Commerative Book Committee, contact Ron Bernard at 413 269-0012 Ronbernard@aol.com or Liana Toscanini 413 441-9542 liana@communityaccesstothearts.org . Photo: RIchard B. Migot

CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA DECEMBER 5TH

On Saturday, December 5 at 7 p.m., the Sandisfield Arts Center will host its annual Christmas show. Now in its seventh year, the event features a wide range of performers, from toddlers in tutus dancing to the Nutcracker Suite to venerable authors and actors lending their skills to present original material or classics with class.

This year, Dawn Lane & Co. will perform “Kings Reign: Queens Rule,” a music visualization of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" in which dancers perform original sign language for each lyric of this choral work. Choreographer, Dawn Lane, is joined by dancers Lorimer Burns and Jane Goodrich in this humorous piece that includes audience participation.

Elizabeth Petty, music teacher at Farmington River Elementary School in Otis, will conduct a small choir of her students and also accompany the audience in Christmas caroling. Other performers include singer/songwriter, Jeffrey Folmer, who doubles as Executive Director of Ventfort Hall, and author, Val Colman, reading an original short story called, “Christmas in Louisiana.”

Tickets for this popular event are $5 for adults. Children are admitted free. The Sandisfield Arts Center is located on Hammertown Road off Route 57 in Sandisfield. For directions and more information, visit www.sandisfieldartscenter.org or call (413) 258-4100.

October Line up at Sandisfield Arts Center

Movies, music and art are scheduled throughout the month of October at the Sandisfield Arts Center. The historic building was once a Baptist Meeting House and orthodox synagogue, and is now home to year-round cultural and educational programming.

The Friday night film series is in full swing starting on October 2nd with Truffaut’s “Stolen Kisses.” Other films include “The Widow of St. Pierre” on October 9, “The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp” on October 16, “Bed and Board” on October 23rd, and “Focus” on October 30th. Each film starts at 7:30 p.m. and is hosted by a local film enthusiast including author, Simon Winchester, filmmaker, Diego Ongaro, and naturalist, Bonner McAllester.

On Saturday, October 3rd, the work of artist, Erica Crofut will be on display with a reception from 4pm-6pm. The art will remain in the gallery through November 1st.

Guitarist, Joel Brown, returns to the Sandisfield Arts Center on October 17th, this time with his father, Frank Brown, on clarinet. Father and son will present an evening of jazz, classical and beyond.

For more information and directions, visit www.sandisfieldartscenter.org or call (413) 258-4100.