Summer in New England

May 2021 - It is hard to believe we have been home a month now. I was asked to cover for my replacement at Church on the Hill for 3 weeks while he made a movie, so why not? A little extra travel money can’t hurt. Given our vast experience as Extras, both Rich and I were asked to be Featured Extras in the same movie (Skelly to be released in October) as Unitarian parishioners. Rich had an appointment in New York the day of the shoot so I was on my own. It was 4 hours and $50 just 20 minutes down the road, so why not? Same answer. I am told it will be on Netflix, but who knows. It sure is fun observing the behind the scenes workings of making a movie - so many experts responsible for so many things. 

 

We decided to take a ride on a Sunday that I was not working, singing, or watching the kids’ sports. It was quite the trip "around the block” - N. Adams, Mohawk Trail to Greenfield, 91 to Rt 10 in North Hampton, through all the Hamptons and on to Westfield to take Rt 20 home. It was a backroad kind of day and we were wiped out when we landed. It only took 5 hours (including lunch and ice cream!) and we drove my car. Don’t know why we were tired…

Lovely home in Shelburne Falls, MA

 

The pool is open and waiting for summer fun… 

Just a few interesting points about Berkshire County:

 

Lee Park Fountain - The fountain (featuring Chief Konkapot’s face sculpture) was dedicated in memory of Amelia Jeannette Kilbon of the Loyal Temperance Legion, who sought to make public drinking water accessible to the Lee community. Kilbon led the fundraising for the fountain, but died before its completion and dedication on November 17th 1899. The final result was more elegant than initially planned, thanks to the artistry of Daniel Chester French, whose Chesterwood studio is located in nearby Stockbridge. The dedication ceremony noted how the project brought together the community. The fountain was moved several times to allow for automobile parking and is now in the town park owned by the First Congregational Church. 

Verne Tower executed every detail of the fountain’s restoration from his studio in Richmond. To be sure the fountain does not look entirely new, it still bears the marks of wagons and harnesses that scraped against it while horses sought refreshing drinks. At every step he brings a broad knowledge of chemistry, physics, and engineering to his task. In turn he brings a very special gift - the renewed fountain for everyone to treasure in years to come. 

Mahican-Mohawk Trail is an imagined re-creation of the original “Indian Trail” (as the English called it) that was a trading route between the Connecticut River (near Deerfield) and the Albany area. The “Indian file” referred to walking through the woods in single file - probably the easiest way to walk through difficult places. It is a mystery why the winding automobile route from Greenfield to North Adams was called the “Mohawk Trail” since the Mohawks did not live around here, but over on the other side (to the West) of Albany. 

Elizabeth Freeman in Ashley Falls, MA - In 1781, a jury in Great Barrington found in favor of "Mum Bett," a black woman who had been a slave in the home of Colonel John Ashley for at least 30 years. Listening to her master's friends discuss the newly ratified Massachusetts Constitution, she concluded that if all people were born free and equal, so was she. She found a young lawyer to represent her, and he persuaded a Berkshire County jury to declare her free. Two years later, in a case involving Quok Walker, a slave in Worcester County, the Chief Justice of the state's highest court declared that "slavery is inconsistent with our own conduct and Constitution." Massachusetts had been the first colony to legalize slavery; now the legal system helped to end the institution in the state.

Keystone Arched Bridges in Chester, Middlefield, and Becket, MA enabled the movement of trains and by 1833 eliminated canals. There were 10 bridges which took 10 crews working simultaneously 2 1/2 years to build with no mortar!

June 2021 - This is the month that we planned to "get things done" in the yard and house before we take a couple of trips and I go to work at Tanglewood. Ha! The main thing we got done was making and managing Rich’s art. He keeps drawing and painting and I keep cataloging and filing them. A local pet store has purchased a fair amount of his dog and cat note cards. A consignment shop in Lenox has purchased cards and put a number of 11 x 14 mattes on consignment. Several people have commissioned him to draw homes, pets, cars, etc. 

 

Schuylerville, NY - we took an alternate route home from a Whitehall trip in order to see the Schuyler sisters summer home - you know, the one they visited to escape the politics and bustle of New York City. Aliza’s husband, Alexander Hamilton, did not go often as he was too busy writing policies and letters, et al.

Bandstand in Great Barrington - went to see Lucky Bucket Band! They were great - the singers are 2 former Earth Angels and it was like a reunion with a lot of past performers on the lawn to listen and enjoy. 

Fresh Paint in Springfield - Sister Cindy and her hubby, Jimmy, joined us for a ride on a double decker bus to view all of the murals that have been painted around Springfield, MA. The beauty of this project is that people in the community show up to paint sections that are already drawn by an artist and will be adhered to the side of a building. The artists travel around the country in an effort to bring people together. What a wonderful concept!

 

50th Wedding Anniversary - Debbie (high school friend) and Richie Mougin are friends of mine who had their 50th anniversary in April before things lightened up regarding Covid 19. Their daughter, Monica Zanin, held a picnic in her backyard to celebrate. It was supposed to be a surprise, but they showed up early to help thinking the gathering was to celebrate her newly acquired doctorate degree (YAY!). So much for the surprise. Friends came from New Jersey and Sagamore Beach, MA to honor them. I commissioned Rich to draw a picture of their home of 39 years. They were beyond happy… 

Broken arm - my grandson, 11 year old Jacob, broke both bones in his left forearm!! He was jumping over a chain and caught his toe… the rest is history. They tried to set it and let it heal for a week to see if it would take. No such luck - he had a rod inserted in each bone which will have to stay in for 8 weeks. So much for summer vacation in the water. He didn’t cry when it happened, but he cried when he thought he would miss 6 weeks (if the set had taken) of his eight week vacation. He cried harder when he learned about the surgery which was 4 days before they left for the lake house in Maine. Oy! He is handling it well and trying to make the best of the situation. 

Multi-purpose plastic garbage bag. 

Zachary had a broken wrist last summer vacation but it was a waterproof cast! Good to go this year.

Mommy and Daddy had the good sense to go in with brother Randy and family for a 3 seater SeaDoo to provide fun for all on the water. 

All aboard! 

Cousins Step Up to Middle School - Leanna Driscoll and Jacob Clark “stepped up” from elementary to Lee Middle and High School. It was tough year for all and we are so proud that they were able to cope and finish the year successfully!

Ballet Recital - Miss Lily Driscoll performed in her recital with Canterella Dance Studio. She had every step down pat…

Cape Ann - Gloucester, MA - the Colomb Camping Crew endured the heat wave for days followed by a cold and very rainy front for a few more days. Weather doesn’t put a damper on these veteran campers though. There was a 9th birthday party for PJ, trips to local eateries, a train ride to Boston’s Chinatown for dim sum, scorching hot days at the beach, and finally cool enough to light a fire and toast marshmallows…

Big bro teaching little bro how to solve Rubik’s Cube!

Yucky weather doesn’t bother Miss Lily!

To be continued…