Sheffield Times

2006·2.5 MB·English

52
1
BUSHNELL-SAGE LIBRARY
Sheffield
36983005240390
Community News for Sheffield & Ashley Falls, MA SECOND GENERATION Vol.V. Issue 3 jan./Feb. 2006
NEW TOWN WEB SITE SET TO DEBUT BY FEBRUARY
I
Sheffield's new website, under construction for the last few
months, is scheduled to be up and running by Feb. 1. The site,
developed in conjunction with Virtual Town Hall, a specialist
in building small-town web sites, will provide Sheffield resi-
dents with an easy source ofinformation about town govern-
TownDepartments 8»AV.Qfl>THgftOABSfltlHEAW8NOl««i ment. It will also provide many new conveniences, ranging from
Bo3rd»X,Commtssions 37mTownofSh&fftGtdisaptcturesouertow£hQ&odvRb</<!locatedio a handy Sheffield weather forecast to the ability to download
M*aftste»crtUwfiSeiZtrtif.oB7m/k}«thRirjrfv£*Cio8u/fnstlyrsw«or*((*»rhffotef7-»<wK«S0t0ftweWotffeWoeuif5fffceotwf*VwTh8otrthrodIn forms such as building permit applications. The address for the
Sushnatl-SsgeLibrary o1f7d2$d.auTgrhitoefro.lHiaor&mngeahf,jrttonkgeheoprheotutstermfdortohtWme.slTthfeoltdotwnndshbirpoufgwhdtMhismstp*uler*cthnayseeadr new site will be www.townofsheffield.com.
] fromChlerKontapotnndotnorSlockbrtdgotnotanstn1T24.Purchasepricewas
Forms&Oecusments m4S&4esPocuenndtse,retdnroanetbta*rrHeolussoaftcotndfcnrRahntdert.hirtyquartsofrum. Ucoveredanarea19 Town Administrator Robert Weitz, Assessor Tammy
LsjjialNotices Blackwell and Town Clerk FelecieJoyce are the point people
in Town Hall for organizing and implementing most ofthe
Linksofinterest site, and will be the ones who will implement changes moving
forward. Nancy Hahn, head ofthe Library, is in charge ofthat
Sheff3i5el"dF,MA portion ofthe site, and Susan Rathbun is in charge ofthe Police
Dept.'s section.
The home page features the town seal with the Great Elm,
along with photos emblematic ofthe town. There's a paragraph
ofhistorical information that begins, "The Town ofSheffield is
a picturesque New England village located in Massachusetts.
The first English settler to cross the hideous howling wilder-
ness' into Berkshire County was Matthew Noble ofWestfield
The homepagefor www.townojsheffield.com in development. who arrived in 1725..." Continued on page j
POLIKOFF RD. GRAVEL PIT APPLICATION DENIED
On Nov. 7, the Board ofSelectmen voted unanimously to reject sures would be insufficient. Nor were the proposed dust control
the application for an excavation permit for a gravel pit on measures sufficient to control dust from the mining operation
PolikofFRd. in Ashley Falls because ofthe significant adverse and the hauling ofsand and gravel along the road.
impact the pit would have on the neighborhood. Based upon these findings, the board voted to deny the per
The board cited several specific reasons for making the mit because ofthe detrimental effects the project would have on
decision. It noted that the increase in heavy truck traffic would the neighborhood and the safety ofthe inhabitants ofSheffield.
have a significant adverse effect on traffic safety in the Polikoff From comments made by the Selectmen, it was clear
Rd. neighborhood. The project would also cause significant that this was not an easy decision for the board to make given
damage to the road itself, which was not designed or construct- the respect with which Bob and Rose Cronk are held in the
ed to handle the proposed volume offully loaded dump trucks community and the natural deference given to landowners in
and 18-wheel tandem trucks. choosing what to do with their land. Town by-laws, however,
Additionally, the heavy trucks, stump grinders and other were established to ensure that public health, safety and welfare
equipment that would be used in the mining operations would as well as individual owners' rights arc taken i—nto consideration.
generate significant noise and the proposed noise control mea- Peter Rowntrce
In This Issue
Community Village Green Organizations & Business
Property Sales in Sheffield 4 Selectman Minutes 1 Graney Metal 18
Celebration of New Ministry 6 Town Clerk Profile; Selectmen Meeting Historical Society 19
Community Health News; Changes; Building Inspector 14 Kiwanis News; DruryTribute 20
School News; Classes at Dewey 7 Town Clerk; Fire Department; Careers Class FieldTrip 2
Milestones 8 Tax Rate 1 Real Estate Transfers 22
Church News 9 Planning Board; Assessor's Office 16 Calendar Page 23
Library News 10
Town
of Sheffield Ice Skating
Berkshire School Rink
—
Sunday Evenings - December through February - 6:00pm 8:00pm
(no skating Feb 5.)
Ber„ksh,ir«e .Sc'ho«ol,is again providing free open skating hours for Sheffield and Ashley Falls residents
at their indoor skating rink.
Free Skating Rules:
Sheffield Town Residents only (Bring proof of residency) Children under 14 years of age must be ac-
;
companied by a parent; Skaters must be under control at all times. No horseplay; No hockey playing. No
hockey sticks, pucks, etc.; No speed skating; Skaters should be courteous to other skaters and give a
wide berth to young children and beginner skaters
Advertise in a hometown paper! HOW TO SUPPORT THE SHEFFIELD TIMES
YOUR COMMUNITYNEWSLETTER
The Sheffield Times accepts Submit articles, news items, photos or illustrations
advertisements... Have an idea for a story? Taken a great picture of an interesting
From Sheffield businesses Sheffield scene? Have a new business venture? Let us know! Send
and residents suggestions and submissions to the P.O. box or e-mail address below.
From businesses and ser- News briefs can be one or two sentences, short articles between
vices outside of Sheffield that 1 50 and 450 words. For feature stories, please run suggestions by the
benefit Sheffield residents editors first.
No editorial or political adver-
Tell us about your events
tisements
Calendar items should be directed to the attention of the Calendar
Editor and include a contact name and number in case there are
Contact Tara White at 229-7754 questions.
or
[email protected] for Advertise
rates and more information. We
accept ads for services and products connected with Sheffield.
Eighth-pages to half-pages available.Ad policy is in box below. Contact
TaraWhite at 229-7754 or [email protected] for rates or
more information.
Sheffield
TIMES
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Community Newsletter for
& MA
Sheffield Ashley Falls, The SheffieldTimes is provided free at distribution sites throughout
& Sheffield. It's only partly supported by advertising.When you make a
Issue Editors: Kathy Orlando donation,you help make future issues possible and you get the Sheffield
Andrea Scott; Library Editor: Peter
Times in the mail. See the form page 23.
Rowntree; Design and Layout: Cassie
Lynch; Advertising Sales: Tara White;
SheffieldTimes
Staff: Sandy &. Dale Alden, Rae East- Mar./Apr.
man, Fred Gordon, Gillian Hettinger, P.O. Box 1 339
MA Deadline: Feb. 15
Ellen Rowntree, Judy Schumer, Ellen Sheffield, 01 257
Weiss, Barbara West, John Wightman E-mail: [email protected]
Published by: SUBMISSION TIPS FROM VOLUNTEERTYPIST
The Sheffield Association A contact name and phone number at the end of the article are very helpful in
P.O. Box 1339 case there are questions.Typed submissions are best and greatly appreciated, since
MA
Sheffield, 01257 these can be scanned, which means that even lengthy typed articles are easy for
me to turn into usable copy for editing. (For those who don't have computers or
Photo credits:John Wightman,page 6; Beth typewriters at home,there are computers at the library that anyone can use.) Ifa
Bartholomew & Dave Macy, page 8; Ellen submission can't be typed,the name and number are even more important in case
Rowntree,pages 14 SBSRD and Kathy handwriting is hard to decipher. Print is better than—script
;
Orlandopage 17; Gary Schumer,page 18 DaleAlden,volunteer typist
in
Continuedfrompage 1
One feature ofthe home page is the ability to highlight
town emergencies such as hazardous snow conditions.
People will also be able to sign up for"news and notices,"
which will automatically send e-mail with notices ofpublic
hearings or announcements.
Every page shows the current weather, thanks to a
Calendar
partnership with Weather Underground. Clicking on the JanuaryJ00*
aminos*
weather icon takes you to Weather Underground's site, *
where more detailed forecasts are available. «&£&.-'.V Ms*&K :; %)«9$gf $*&&*&* Vv&x&ff
The site is organized into major categories, with easy
one-click navigation on every page. The categories are town
departments, boards and commissions, regional schools,
Bushnell-Sage Library, forms and documents, legal notices,
calendars, and links ofinterest. Information on most pages
is also available in a printer-friendly version.
The 14 town departments covered range from Animal
Control Officer to Veterans Agent. Each page provides
contact information and other information, which might
include a description of the department's duties, answers to
frequently asked questions, employment opportunities in -TmA&Sffi®BXi:BsKSfc;-'-'
town, directions to the transfer station, or the date of the
Fire Dept.'s annual Mother's Day Breakfast. Departments «•YMviamwnHaF
might also list links such as downloadable permit forms or
the web sites of relevant state agencies. The new website will include a calendar oftown events
The pages for the 13 boards and commissions, from the
Ashley Falls Historic District Commission to the Zoning
Board ofAppeals, are similarly rich with information, links,
and downloadable forms. Minutes of meetings may eventu-
ally be available as well.
The library section of the web site has links to the
on-line catalog. One click from the home page takes you to
the Southern Berkshire Regional School District web site,
itself recently redesigned.
Downloadable forms and documents range from
the zoning map of Sheffield to sign-permit applications.
There's a listing of recent legal notices that will alert the
town to hearings to be held by the Board of Selectmen,
Conservation Commission or Planning Board, for example.
The calendar notes town meetings, holidays and events
such as town skating evenings at Berkshire School, in both
calendar and list form.
"Links of interest" connects quickly and simply to other
Sheffield-related sites, such as that of the Historical Soci-
ety, Land Trust or the Berkshire Visitor's bureau.
The site allows easy e-mailing ofvarious contacts. It in- CATERING
cludes a"contact us" button and a"questions and comments"
button that make it easy to give feedback about the site or All Size Parties
otherwise comment to town officials. There's also a search
function.
"We're very excited to have this site ready to go," says
Tammy Specialized Sandwiches,
Blackwell."This site will provide an important
communication link with the townspeople. It should make Soups, Salads & Homemade Foods
work easier for citizens to access information and forms
from Town Hall. Our intention is to make this a 'user Lottery Beer Wine Groceries
friendly' site and to create easy access to public information.
We look forward to some feedback so we may improve as 139 South Main St., Sheffield, MA
we
go."
413-229-6610
-- Andrea Scott
Community News
ANALYSIS OF PROPERTY SALES IN SHEFFIELD
Every issue, the Sheffield Times pub- are an equal number of sales above The largest land sale in the four
lishes recent real-estate transactions in and below. Medians are the number years was $835,000 in 2003, which wa;
town, as supplied by Barbara West in typically used in describing real-estate an Agricultural Preservation Restric-
the Assessor's Office. The lists provide trends because they are less vulnerable tion on Hewins St. and Maple Ave, a
a lot ofdata on sales ofhouses, sales to being skewed by a few very big or farm with more than 150 acres.
ofland, and transfers ofproperty with very small sales. Most house sales in the four years
little or no money changing hands. When the average and the median of the analysis were for less than
To see what kind ofpicture it would values are fairly close together, it's a $400,000. In 2005, for instance, 47 of
give ofproperty sales in Sheffield if sign that the data being analyzed are the 64 sales were below that amount.
the data were analyzed, we entered fairly consistent. The farther apart the Over the four years, sales ofhouses
four years' worth of transactions into two values, the less "continuous" the below $200,000 have declined, from 3:
a spreadsheet. (Transactions for 2005 data are likely to be. in 2002 to 18 in 2005, while sales of
were through Dec. 8, the latest data Here are highlights ofwhat we houses above $400,00 have increased,
available.) found. Details for each year are in the from 7 to 17.
The transaction listings don't pro- boxes on the opposite page. Most land sales were under
vide many details about the sale. We The number of transactions per $100,000. In 2005, for instance,
followed these rules to interpret them: year has decreased somewhat, from 31 of the 41 land sales fell into this
Ifa sale had an address listed ("prop- 170 in 2002 to 159 and 157 in 2003 category with seven being parcels sold
erty at 55 S. Main St."), it was counted and 2004 to 149 in 2005. Not count- as part of the Hulett Hill development
as a"home/business" sale. If there was ing transfers, sales in the four years for $45,000 to $90,000. In 2005, 10
no street number ("property at Cooper were lowest in 2004. parcels sold for more than $100,000,
Hill Rd."), it was counted as a"land" The median price ofa home/ from $134,000 to $400,000.
sale (acreage is not part of the list- business in Sheffield rose from Many of these small sales are
ing). Transfers are often noted as such, $212,000 in 2002 to a high of around Berkshire Lake Estates off
and we also included in that category $275,000 in 2004. The median de- Route 41. In the four years analyzed,
transactions of less than $1,000. For clined in 2005, to $262,000. Nation- there have been more than 20 sales in
all sales, we rounded off to the nearest ally, the median price ofa home is that part of Sheffield, most for less
thousand. $215,000. than $10,000 and some for as little as
Even without considering the The largest sale recorded in the $1,000 and $2,000. As visible on the
transfers, the number ofsales ex- four years was $2,250,000, for prop- Town assessors maps that area was
ceeds the number ofactual properties erty on Galvin Farm Trail, Hulett Hill long ago divided into hundreds ofvery
because sometimes the same parcel Rd. and New Marlborough. Million- small parcels, some no more than an
changes hands more than once, some- dollar sales were recorded in 2002, eighth or quarter of an acre.
times on the same day. 2004 and 2005. Three ofthe eight
We calculated the average price of such sales were of the same property, Note: This is not related to assessment valua-
— Many
sales for homes and for land that is, the parcel on Boardman St. that was tions. ofthe sales used in this analysts
are not utilized by the Assessors in their
the total value divided by the number once owned by Douglas Trumbull and
of sales. We also calculated the median the Visionaries and now by Sheffield revaluation ofproperty values which is done
in accordance with specific Dept. ofRevenue
price, which is the value at which there Arts Space. regulations.
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ara Morgan &]ude Kent Experience the Difference!!
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Community News
A CELEBRATION OF NEW MINISTRY FOR ANNIE RYDER AT CHRISTCHURCH
Christ Church Episcopal and the Rev.
Anne Ryder both have something to
Annie Ryder,
celebrate. After the Rev. Susan Crampton
was
retired in 2003, Christ Church began a officially
confirmed
search for a new rector. With the blessing
as the new
ofthe Diocese ofWestern Massachusetts,
they called Rev. Ryder to be"Priest in rector of
Christ Church
Charge."This is a three-year agreement
Episcopal, on
between a congregation and a priest where
November 2.
both"try each other out"to see ifthere is a
— —
fit. At the end ofthat time or before if
both agree, the church may call that person
to be their permanent rector.
It didn't take three years for Christ
Church and Annie, as she prefers to be
called, to agree it was a good match. Annie
arrived on Feb. 1, 2004. Less than two Vancouver. In the summertime, the Christ bridge. She likes to be able to walk down-
yheoasrtsedlataerC,eolenbNraotvi.o2n,o2f0N05e,wthMeincihsutrrcyhand aChmuorncthhcionmtmhuencihutrychw'osrsmheimposrioaultsgiadredoenn.ce tAomwonnagndhefreehlosbhbeieiss aarmeobnigkifnrgieinndst.he
she became the church's new Rector. She also has instituted a Wednesday eve- summertime, reading, crocheting, hiking
Before coming to Sheffield, Annie
ning Eucharist. and travel. Last summer she was delighted
had been servingas Rector ofSt. Patrick's Last summer and then again in when her church sent her to Salzburg for a
Episcopal Church in Pagosa Springs, CO. December she hosted a service at Christ week with the Berkshire Choral Festival.
She had been happy there, but wanted Church in theTaize tradition (interac- It is clear that Nov. 2, 2005, was in-
to be closer to her daughter, Megan, and tive services including scripture, prayer deed a Celebration ofNew Ministry—not
granddaughter, Molly, who live in Ports- and music). She had experiencedTaize in just for Christ Church, but the town of
mouth, NH. She then interviewed with
France."Bad food, bad beds, but fabulous Sheffield as well.
six New England dioceses before she chose worship," she recalls. Her intention was —John G. Wightman
Sheffield. to provide a time andplace where, with
Some ofher reasons were practical. prayers and music, people could relax,
She was lookingfor a community that was and discover a deeper spirituality. She is KWIK
rural, but not isolated. She appreciated the especiallygrateful to Mari Enoch, Christ
fact that Sheffield was only 1VS hours away Church's music director, for helping to PRINT
from the diocesan office in Springfield and make this possible. She hopes to offer INCORPORATED
2Vi hours from Manhattan. She appreciat- Taize services again in Lent.
ed the cultural offerings ofthe Berkshires. Concerned about the many painful From while-you-wait duplicating
Annie likes small churches. In particular, divisions ofour time, one ofAnnie's pas- to web offset printing...
she liked the people ofChrist Church and sions is to bring reconciliation between
found their physical plant very attractive. people, and thus also between people and ColorCopies• FaxServices• Laminating
But some were deeper. A very spiritual God.To that end the church provides Photocopies•Resumes•SpiralBinding
person, Annie wanted"to listen to God free meals for the whole community once Books• Brochures•BusinessCards
and not an agenda." In short, she felt she a quarter. OnJan. 20 it will offer a dinner Envelopes• Flyers• Letterheads• Menus
had a calling to Christ Church. in support ofthe restoration ofits neigh- Newspapers•Newsletters•NCR/CarbonlessForms
Since coming, she has made her pres- bor church, First Congregational (Old Posters•Programs•Tickets•WeddingInvitations
ence known in many quiet, spirit-filled Parish). She also serves as a part-time
ways.There is a"good news"qualityto chaplain for Hospice in South County Typesetting/GraphicDesign•MacandPCCompatible
Annie, whether she is leading worship, and administers The Good Samaritan DigitalPlateMaker•Barcoded MailingServices
playing her guitar or counseling. Clearly fund, which has existed for many years to COLOR COPIES
she cares deeply about people and her assist people in need.
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completed a two-year course in spiritual the Appalachian Trail. She enjoys taking
direction in the PacificJubilee Program in her dog, Paddy, on walks to the covered
SCHOOL NEWS
JANUARY & FEBRUARY SCHOOL CALENDAR EVENTS
Performing Arts Department to
present"Kiss Me Kate." The Perform- For a detailed calendar of events, meetings and sports,visit the district's web site
ing Arts Department ofthe Southern at www.SBRSD.org.
Berkshire Regional School District will
present"Kiss Me Kate," a grades 7-12 1/05 School Committee Meeting, Library 7pm.
musical on Feb. 10, 11 and 12. With a 1/08 SADD/Sheffield Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, High School Cafeteria
brilliant score written by Cole Porter, 8am-12 noon.
1/19 School Committee Meeting, Library 7pm.
the musical includes such show-stop-
1/21 SADDWinterBall,7-llpm.
pers as"Another Op'nin', Another
SADD
2/03 Breakfast, Cafeteria, 6:45-8:00am.
Show,""Wunderbar,""So In Love," and
2/10 Kiss Me Kate, CPAC, 7pm.
"Brush Up your Shakespeare." 2/11 Kiss Me Kate, CPAC, 7pm.
The show is being directed by 2/12 Kiss me Kate, CPAC, 2pm.
,
Bryce R. Hill and CharlesJ. Coughlin, 2/15 BTF Plays Program Performance, CPAC, 7pm.
withJohn Sauer as the music direc- 2/17-19 Girls BasketballTournament, High School & Chamberland Gyms, all day
tor and Rick Blackburn, the orchestra 2/24-25 Boys BasketballToummanet, High School & Chamberland Gyms, all day
director. Robert Law is the artistic
director.
COMMUNITY HEALTH NEWS
Performances on Friday and
Saturday Feb.10 and 11 will be held
Lasagna dinner fundraiser. On Tues., Julie Bielmeierjoins the staffas family
at 7pm, and on Sun. Feb. 12 at 2pm in
Jan. 10, 5-8pm, the Barrington Brewery nurse practitioner. Bielmeier graduated
the Consolati Performing Arts Center
on Route 7 in Great Barrington will host from the University ofMiami School
at Mount Everett Regional School in
the sixth annual lasagna dinner and auc- ofNursing with a Masters ofScience in
Sheffield. Tickets are $8 for general ad-
tion to benefit Community Health Pro- Nursing and a Family Practitioner focus.
mission and $6 for students and senior CHP
grams. The cost for either vegetarian or Playgroup. Family Network
citizens. Tickets can be reserved by call-
meat lasagna is $8 for adults and $5 for invites all families with children up to
ing the Performing Arts Department
office at 229-8252. —Bob Law children. Admission to the auction is free age 6 to a weekly playgroup at the Old
ofcharge. The Barrington Brewery will Parish Church in Sheffield. Playgroups
CLASSES AT DEWEY generously donate all monies collected to offer adults an opportunity to social-
Community Health Programs. ize while their children play in a safe,
A
six-week session ofclasses on two Items up for auction include a signed comfortable environment. The playgroup
plays that are keystones of modern baseball from the Boston Red Sox, tickets will meet on Mondays, 9:30-1 1:30am,
drama will be sponsored by the Taconic to area events, and gift certificates. There except on school holidays and snow days.
Learning Center at Dewey Memorial will be over 50 auction items, with some- CHP Family Network also offers parent
Hall starting on Tues.,Jan. 31. The thing for everyone. education, and a variety ofparent/child
two-hour classes begin at 2pm. Community Health Programs is a activities at The Family Center and in
The first three classes will be mod- non-profit organization serving hundreds other locations. The Family Center has
erated by Robert Russell, who will lead ofchildren and families throughout Berk- a clothing exchange, lending library and
a discussion ofTennessee Williams' un- shire County and neighboring New York playroom. All CHP Family Network pro-
forgettable play Streetcar Named De- and Connecticut. Community Health grams are free ofcharge for parents and
sire. The second series ofthree classes Center ofthe Berkshires is located on the caregivers ofyoung children For more
will begin on Feb. 21, with moderators fourth floor ofFairview Hospital with information Family Network programs,
Carol Sica and Gillian Seidl leading a programs such as a Women's, Infant, and call The Family Center at 528-0721.
discussion of Chekhov's The Three Sis- Children's"WIC" food and nutrition
ters. Class participants will be expected program.
to read the plays before the discussions. For more information on the dinner. INDOOR MARKET
To register for these or other auction, or CHP contact Mary Feuer at
SAYS THANKS!
classes sponsored by the Taconic 528-0457
Learning Center, call 860-435-2922 or New staff. Community Health Thanks to all the patrons who
visit the website at www.taconiclearn- Programs has added two health care made our indoor market at
ingcenter.org. The center will gladly providers to the CHP Health Center at Dewey Memorial Hall a great
add you to its mailing list and send Fairview Hospital. success.We hope your holidays
you a list ofclasses. Lisa Sylvia, MD, a pediatrician, holds were enjoyable and that 2006
a BA from Boston University and gradu- is a vintage year for you and
We
BUY LOCAL! ated from Boston University Medical your family and friends. look
Our advertisers are local businesses. School in 2000. Previous CO her work forward to seeing you when the
Let them know you read about at Fairview, Sylvia was chiefresident at market reopens in the spring on
March 18.
them in the SheffieldTimes. Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklvn,
NY.
Community News
SHEFFIELD MILESTONES
Dana Bartholomew
the Kiwanis Club and boards oflocal
Dana Bartholomew, a"favorite son" of
banks, Dana had a unique perspective
Sheffield, descendant ofa long line of
about Sheffield, its people, environ-
Sheffieldians dating to the 17th cen-
ment, commerce and government. His
tury, died suddenly in early November
attitude toward sharing was the basis of
at Berkshire Medical Center.
An ardent supporter ofnumerous his community spirit.
Dana Bartholomew was a gener-
activities, Dana served as an advisor to
ous and fun-loving person. One could
the Sheffield Association, which is the
see his award-winning automobile
publisher ofthe Sheffield Times and
restorations on Undermountain Rd.,
one of the sponsors of the Sheffield in
sparkling with pride. He and his wife,
Celebration days and the 2004 Shef-
Beth, marked holidays with pumpkins
field River Day. Dana could be counted
and other festive decor in front oftheir
on for good ideas and thoughtful advice
home. His friends shared countless
on ways to gather support for activities memories ofjoy at his services. He
that would benefit Sheffield.
was one ofthe morning regulars at PJ's
His background as Selectman for
known as the"Coffee Club."
three terms (he was chair for most
The Sheffield Association extends
of those years) made him a valuable
sympathies to his wife and all the fam-
cionnctlruidbinugtoirdetaosSohenffhioelwd'tsoMeansstuerre Pcllaena,n ily. We know that his spirit will always
grace our beautiful town, and he will Dana Bartholomew
water and preserve our natural beauty.
smile at the many contributions he has
To preserve one ofthe most beautiful
vistas in Sheffield, he created the 427- made to Sheffield —
Sharon Gregory
acre"Bartholomew Farm Preserve" with
The Nature Conservancy on Under-
He sold Macy's Garage in 1988, after
mountain Rd. (Route 41). As presi-
Phil Macy which he drove the school bus for the
dent ofthe Sheffield Water Company,
Phil Macy, a lifelong Sheffield resident, Massini Bus Co. part-time. He was also
one-time manager of Sheffield Plastics
died in November at his home on Bow a Mason, a member of the Cincinnatus
and a long-standing active member in Wow Rd. He was 80. Lodge in Great Barrington.
It was a familiar sight these last few In early 2003, he gave up his other
years: Phil's handsome figure, ambling activities to take care ofAnn, who, hav-
through Sheffield, having a word with ing overcome other dreadful physical
each ofhis friends as he went, catching troubles, was being consumed by cancer.
up with the gossip at PJ's, dropping in Together they determined to keep her
at the Senior Center to scold us into strong enough to see her Maryland
— —
getting a new computer or at least a grandchild, due that spring and she
cordless phone. did enjoy time with the new grandson.
In 1943, Phil enlisted in the U.S. Phil and Ann had been married for
Navy and became a flight instructor. 53 years. With her gone, Phil made an
After his discharge in 1947, he enlisted effort tojoin in on activities. He took
in the Air Force so he could continue a cruise, he went dancing. He accepted
to do thejob he liked so well. He had a position on the Advisory Council at
attained the rank ofMajor by the time Elder Services. A prayer opened and
he was separated from the Air Force in closed his day, and he took solace in fre-
1985. He then took over his father's quent attendance at his church. Cancer
garage back in Sheffield with his wife, claimed him too, having held offlong
Ann, as bookkeeper, while they raised enough to let him take care ofAnn.
their two sons, David and Daniel. Together, Phil and Ann entered
Over the years Phil served Shef- wholeheartedly into Sheffield life and
field in many capacities: as Town Trea- enriched it immeasurably. They were a
surer, member ofthe Planning Board, gallant pair and we s—hall miss them.
Phil Macy and president ofthe Council on Aging. Rae A. Eastman
8
CHURCH NEWS
CHURCHES & SERVICES
& A$m
Old Parish Christ Church fm$
Community Dinner to Benefit Old GreenwoodsCommunity Church (non-denominational)
Parish, Old Parish Church in Sheffield is 355 Clayton Road [phone]; parsonage [phone].
our town's most recognizable landmark as Sunday: 9:30am Sunday School (ages 3-adult); 10:30am Worship Service, nurserycare
well as the home, since 1735, to the First provided; Rev. Edward M. Eastman Jr., Pastor
Congregational Church. Last summer we Trinity Methodist(United Methodist)
all watched as major restoration work was 1156AshleyFails Road [phone]. Sunday: 9am Service. Pastor Betty LeGeyt
done to this venerable building, including
GREATBARRINGTON
shoring up the foundation and beautify-
CongregationAhavath Shalom (reconstructionist)
ing the exterior.
North Street [phone]
The people ofChrist Church Epis- Friday, 8pm & Saturday, 10am. Services are notheld everyweek. Schedulesare updated
copal, Old Parish's neighbor and friend weeklyon the answering machine, including special services.
since 1866, are hosting a community Hevreh ofSouthern Berkshire
dinner on Fri.,Jan.20, 5:30-7:30pm, at 270 State Road [phone]
Christ Church, to celebrate our past and Friday: 7:30pm Shabbat Service; Saturday: 10am Shabbat service & Torah study.
to raise funds to help offset the cost of Rabbi Deborah Zecher,Assistant RabbiAndrew Klein
the work done recently at Old Parish. Trinity Lutheran
An old-fashioned and delicious 198 Main Street
dinner is planned, reminiscent ofchurch [phone]. Sunday: 9am SundayWorship. Rev. Steve Edmiston
suppers ofyore, with baked ham, scal- Unitarian Universalist Meeting ofSouth Berkshire
loped potatoes, vegetables, baked beans Meetat the United Methodist Church, 198 Main Street (413) 5284850;
and apple crisp. There will be live mu- home [phone]. Sunday: 5pm. Rev. Kathy Duhon
sic and entertainment highlighting the
history ofour town and ofOld Parish,
Christ Church (Episcopal)
offered by members ofChrist Church
180 Main Street [phone]
and the community. Donations ofany Sunday: 8am & 10am Holy Eucharist; 10am Sunday School & childcare; Thursday: 10am Holy
amount will be gratefully accepted for Eucharist& Healing. Rev.Anne Ryder.
Old Parish's Restoration. Congregation ofJehovah's Witnesses
Come andjoin us for a fun evening, a Rte 7 & Kellogg Road [phone]. The public is welcome.
hearty meal, and the mingling offriends,
Faith Baptist
old and new, all for a very good cause. 640 North Main Street [phone] Sunday: 9:45am Sunday School; 10:45am
Christ Church Episcopal is on Route Worship Service; 6pm Bible Study; Wednesday: 7pm Mid-week Service; Pastor L.V. Morris.
7,just north ofthe Sheffield town green, Old Parish (Congregational)
on the corner ofMaple Ave. There is 125 Main Street [phone] Sunday: 10am Worship. Interim Pastor: Frances Ruthven;
parking behind the churchjust offof Sunday School. 10am
Maple Ave. For more information, call OurLady ofthe Valley (Catholic)
the church office at 229-8811. MapleAvenue [phone]; Saturday. 4:00pm Mass; Sunday: Sheffield 7:30am. 9am
Masses; Mill River 10:30 Mass. Rev. John S. Lis
Sheffield Chapel Sheffield Chapel (non-denominational)
Sharinggrief. GriefShare is a special 1970 N. Main Street, www.sheffieldchapel.org [phone] Sunday: 8am &
.
weekly seminar and support group for 10:45am Morning Worship; 9:30am Sundayschool forall ages; Tuesdays: 7pm Group Prayer
people who are grieving the death of Time; Thursdays: GriefShare and Support Group Seminar, 7am. PastorChet Howes
someone close to them. It's a place to be
around people who understand what you Church at 229-8173 or Marcia Brolli at the big chunk ofthe money we had to
are feeling. At GriefShare, you'll learn 229-2624. spend on a new freezer for the Food
valuable information about recovering Santa visited. Santa came to our Program. You can help, too, by sending a
from griefand renewing your hope for families with gifts for all the children in check to"Old Parish Church with"Food
the future. Thursdays, 7-9pm, at the the program. Christ Church adopted 2 Program on the memo line. Mail your
Sheffield Chapel on Route 7 across from families and Old Parish generously ad- contribution to the Sheffield Food Assis-
Berkshire GMC. For more information, opted the rest. The Kiwanis also desei tance Program, c/o Old Parish Church,
MA
call Sheffield Chapel at 528-2911 or a special place in our thanks for then Boa J87, Sheffield. 01257.
Nancy Ongley at 860-824-1265. gifts ofturkeys and fixings to rhe families
WQQQ
in the program. Radio station
BUY LOCAL!
Food Program in Lakevillc donated hams and canned
Cold weather brings on need. Several vegetables and potatoes for each family. Our advertisers are local busi-
new householdsjoined us as the cold hit. Freezer fund. Thanks to generous nesses. Let them know you read
We hope that other families who can use frienus, the freezer fund has received about them in the SheffieldTimes.
our help will also call. Contact Old Parish $175. This has gone a long ways toward
THE BUSHNELL-SAGE LIBRARY
Library News (JUST OFF ROUTE 7 tN SHEFFIELD) 413-229-7004
HOURS
Tuesday-Thursday 10-S
WINCHESTER SPEAKS ON 1906 S.F. QUAKE Friday 10-8
Saturday 0-5
On December 3, about 60 people at- ing to exceed their authority and break Sunday 2J-5
tended a lively discussion led by noted the law to the extent necessary to sup- Monday Closed
author and Berkshire resident Simon press looters (by threatening to shoot
Winchester at the library. The subject them), contain the fires (by blowing up
was his new book, A Crack in the Edge buildings to create firebreaks), organize After his talk and a question and
ofthe World: America and the Great emergency services and food and other answer session, Winchester autographed
California Earthquake of 1906. supplies, house the homeless and other- copies ofhis book for eager buyers. This
Once again, Winchester has shown wise do what they could to bring relief was the third time that Winchester has
his particular talent for taking what to the survivors. The state and federal given a book talk at the Sheffield library.
many might think is an unpromising governments also played an important They are always popular events and we
subject for a book and turning it into a role (with the U.S. Congress voting on hope there will be man—y more.
fascinating best seller. His other books relieffunds at 4am). Peter Rowntree
include The Professor and the Mad- Winchester told his audience that
man (about the making ofthe Oxford the San Francisco earthquake was a real NEW SECTION
English Dictionary), Krakatoa and The tipping point in the way people reacted
Map that Changed the World. He stud- to natural disasters. Until then they The Sheffield Library has a new section,
A
ied geology at Oxford and many ofhis tended to be viewed as unfathomable First Chapter Books. First Chapter
works have important geological themes. acts ofGod. But this quake attracted Book is something for readers who are
The quake lasted for little more than the interest ofscientists who were done with picture books, but not ready
a minute, measured 8.25 on the Richter determined to learn from the event. In for long chapter books. [These books
scale and destroyed the center ofSan a sense, this quake led to the birth of can be found near the magazines in the
—
Francisco 490 blocks, a total of25,000 geophysics. children's section.]
—
My
buildings and its electricity and water Winchester devoted much ofhis favorite books in the First
systems. Three days offire (fed by talk to a short but informative course Chapter Book section were the Henry
broken gas mains) completed thejob, in geology, geophysics and, in particu- and Mudge books by Cynthia Rylant.
wiping out most ofthe rest ofthe city lar, plate tectonics. In case you did not Henry and Mudge books are about
that had been spared by the quake. More know, plate tectonics refer to the move- a boy named Henry and his big dog
than 700 people died and over 250,000 ment and interaction oflarge rigid plates named Mudge. Why I like them is be-
were left homeless. beneath the surface ofthe earth, distur- cause there is lots ofadventure and I like
In his talk, Winchester began by bances that cause most major geologic adventure stories. In one book, Henry
praising the quick, determined and effec- activity, including the creation ofoceans, and Mudge and the Secret Crackers,
tive response oflocal, state and national continents, mountains, volcanoes and Henry and Mudge find a spy kit and buy
—
officials which he said put the disorga- earthquakes. it. They find codes, Henry cracks them
nized, slow and slapdash response to last All will be glad to hear that he and they meet another boy and his dog.
year's Katrina disaster to shame. Key regards the Berkshires as a geologically I won't tell you the rest because I don't
local officials, including the local army stable place to live (unlike many other want to give it aw—ay. Read it, it's good.
commandant and the mayor, were will- areas he mentioned). Kristen Wolfe, age 8
LIBRARY COMING EVENTS
—
Jan.16 Annual family celebration ofthe Martin Luther
King holiday with the Sheffield Historical Society at Ipm.
Jr.
Horse Barn Classics —
Jan.21 Booktalk byTom Lewis onThe Hudson; a History,
Automobile and Truck Sales published byYale University Press in 2005."Spanning armies
and aesthetics,the versatile,fluid Lewis writes with affec-
tion for the river and its history," said Booklist. 2pm.
—
February 7 to 1 1 Photography exhibit of"Mary Lou's
41&229-2021
(office) Barns" by MaryT.Barnum.
413-292-7245(pager)
413-229-2028(home) 1080 S. Undermountain Road Three other booktalks are in the planning phase.Call 229-
MA
Sheffield, 01257 7004 for more information.
10