Advancing the social, educational, civic and economic interest of the village and it’s inhabitants
LEEDS CIVIC ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 114, Leeds, MA 01053
LeedsCivicAssoc@gmail.com
OFFICERS
President, Penny Geis
Vice President, Jason Johnson Treasurer, Karyn Nelson
Secretary, Marc Freedman
BOARD MEMBERS
Sue Carbin
David Rondina
Earl Meunier
Tom Quinn
Steve McDonough
Carving up a Storm…The Great Leeds Pumpkin Contest
The new venue at Upland and Chestnut was ideal for the large gathering of Leeds folk who really know how to get into the spirit of Halloween. Cheering kids followed their pumpkins down the hill to see if theirs crossed the finish line first. Neighbors young and old criss-crossed the roadside pumpkin gallery to take in the creativity on display by our community and vote for their favorites. They saw four pumpkins transformed into a punk rock band, a space alien, a discoteque, a Las Vegas Elvis Presley, a gorilla face, a Good Night Moon Mouse House that offered a view through the window to a fully furnished room with a happy mouse family munching on
gummy bears and enjoying the glow of a working fireplace! One pumpkin was turned into a gorgeous full lipped lady with an autumn leaf hairdo, another an upside down pig face, five carved pumpkins stacked became a totem pole while eight in a row spelled out “Frankenstorm.” Pumpkin party revellers enjoyed homemade soups, baked potatoes with the fixins’ and other treats while listening to Shawn Gundersen’s line up of spooky tunes and comic banter.
Jim Montgomery of Grove Avenue won first prize for his delightful mousehouse and went home with the coveted rosemary apple pie baked by Ananda Lennox. The adorable trick-or-treating ghost with glowing eyes and mouth, and carrying a tiny pumpkin filled with candy corn was made by Anna Rosen and won first prize in the youth contest. Each and every pumpkin carved, decorated and displayed was ooohed and ahhhed over…including the RAT!
Thanks to the many helping hands and pumpkin carvers for making this event so fun!
A complete list of pumpkin winners and photographs can be viewed here.
Photo galleries of this event can be found here.
Beautiful Skies Over Fun Block Party
September 9th Block Party. Badminton, ping pong, hula hooping and limbo kept the young at heart entertained. New neighbors made new friends, kids had their faces painted, and people caught up on neighborhood news.
See the event photo gallery here.
A Day at the Races – Saratoga, NY
On a hot Friday, August 3rd, when most people should be at work, fifty one folks from Leeds, the VA, Northampton Country Club, and as far away as Burgy, Bay State, and Florence headed up in a cool air-conditioned bus to Saratoga Springs’ Civil War era horse racing track. With high hopes of winning cash, the 2 1/2 hour bus trip zipped by as riders chatted through the miles.
A quick side trip to a casino near the race track took just an hour and was a hit for most. The group arrived at the race track at noon for a 1:30 post time (10 races in all). You might have thought you were at Look Park with the natural and casual setting, beach chairs, picnic ta
bles, coolers all allowed. Red and white striped tents, umbrellas and petunias prevailed and then of course there were the horses – the best of the best! Their beauty, strength and grace something to note, not to mention the pageantry of it all: fancily dressed owners, jockeys in their silks, and the excitement as the horses galloped to the finish line.
The bus headed back to Leeds after the final 6:00 race. We didn’t hear about a lot of winners, but most wanted to reserve a seat for next year. Saratoga day trips have a lot of charm. Next year the LCA hopes to have a trip in late July and late August.
See the photo gallery here.