Learn how to reduce your heating bill, ditch the window air conditioner and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time! HeatSmart Northampton is the latest City program to help residents and businesses save on their heating and cooling costs by providing discounted pricing on cold climate air source heat pumps. Learn more about heat pumps and generous state and utility rebates that reduce installation costs, meet Northampton’s competitively-selected installer, hear from your neighbors on their experiences with heat pumps, and get your questions answered!
The City of Northampton will collect eclipse viewing glasses through September 15, 2017 for reuse. Drop off locations are at Northampton City Hall, 210 Main Street, and at the Northampton Department of Public Works (DPW), 125 Locust Street.
Pioneer Valley residents are encouraged to bring their usable eclipse viewing glasses to City Hall or to the DPW.
Transfer Station permit holders may also drop them off at the Glendale Road Transfer Station on Wednesdays from 8:00am – Noon and on Saturdays from 7:00am – Noon, or at the Locust Street Transfer Station, Monday through Saturday 7:00am – 4:00pm.
Collected glasses will be donated to Astronomers Without Borders, which will arrange for them to be reused in South America and parts of Asia, both of which are anticipating eclipse events in 2019.
Glasses that are torn, scratched, or are otherwise rendered unusable can be recycled by removing and discarding the dark lenses and recycling the paper- board portion.
http://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.png00justinhttp://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.pngjustin2017-08-27 13:33:352017-08-27 13:33:35Eclipse Glasses to be Collected for Reuse
The title is The Mill Project and the performance invites the audience to place themselves in history while imagining our shared future.
The Mill Project, presented by Theatre Truck, is an original new play featuring five local actors and was devised by the ensemble using historical research. The result is an exploration of the first generation of American women who worked away from home: their freedoms and exploitations, their strengths and the dangers they faced, and the expectations society held for them.
The play deconstructs the historical record, remembering women’s experience of labor in the textile mills of nineteenth century New England through a “performance-collage” drawing on letters, newspapers, pamphlets and etiquette books. Woven in a tapestry of original music and movement, the play puts the “mill girls” of factory towns like Leeds into relationship with the experience of American women today. The rebellion of these early female communities against exploitation led to the early labor movement in the United States.
There will be four performances, June 22, 23, 24 and 25 at 7:30pm on the Leeds Common across from the historic Nonotuck silk mill. The audience is invited to bring a blanket or chair and a picnic in the tradition of outdoor Summer theatre. This performance is recommended for ages 14 and up. Parking is available in the Chartpak lot. In the event of heavy showers or storms, Rain Date Friday June 30.
Theatre Truck is a collaborative of multidisciplinary artists crafting mobile and site-specific performance, sustainably and playfully. Their inaugural production, The Emily Dickinson Project (2015), took place in the house and grounds of the poet’s Amherst homestead. The Water Project (Immersive) took place in New Salem, MA last September and was set to live music.
Oh sing me the song of the Factory Girl! The honest and fair and true! — J.H. Warland, 1846
______ Tickets available at Brown Paper Tickets:
$20 in advance, $15 students/seniors in advance
$25 cash only at the door, $20 students/seniors at the door. For more info contact: www.theTheatreTruck.com
Collage Art by Nancy Meagher
http://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.png00justinhttp://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.pngjustin2017-06-19 10:07:482017-06-19 10:07:48Outdoor Theatre Production in Leeds
Renee (Mac) LeVay, a life long resident of Leeds served in WWII as a paratrooper. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, helping to defeat Germany in their last major offensive of that awful war. When Mac returned home from the war he married his Leeds’ sweetheart, Annette Bachand, and raised three children. Mac was the very first custodian to work at Leeds Elementary School. In fact, in 1953, it was Mac who opened the doors for the first time to students and staff!
Did you know that the Veteran’s Memorial was once located on the Leeds Main Street Green? It was Mac LeVay who took care of that Memorial, raising and lowering the flag, year after year. Unfortunately, the Green became a hang out for wild kids–graffiti and vandalism ensued, so Mac formed a committee with his brother Brad, a Korean War veteran, and other veterans of other wars to research and record the names of all Leeds residents who served their country. Working with the LCA and City Council they relocated an updated Memorial to the current location across from the Leeds School.
The 2017 Memorial Day Ceremony will have a special dedication by Brad LeVay to honor the service of his brother, Renee (Mac) LeVay. Please bring your family and join your Leeds neighbors to honor all who served our country so bravely. Jane Bowie, VA nurse, will be the speaker. There will also be a color guard and a wreath laying ceremony. Hope to see you on Sunday, May 28th!
http://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.png00justinhttp://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.pngjustin2017-05-16 20:31:452017-05-16 20:31:45Local to be Hero Honored at Leeds Memorial Day Ceremony – May 28, 1:00
On February 8, 2017 from 7:00-8:15pm in the Leeds School Music Room, Leeds author, John I. Clapp, will read from his latest book, The Lost Village of Roberts Meadow: Northampton’s Forgotten Settlement. John will reveal the little known history of the small village of Robert’s Meadow that was located in the northwest corner of Northampton on Kennedy, Sylvester and Chesterfield roads. John will read selected parts from his book, discussing some of the early history, industries and characters that inhabited this small community. These individuals include Colonel William Edwards who was the grandson of Jonathan Edwards, the famous and controversial minister of Northampton in the 1730s and 40s. Edward’s large tannery helped put Northampton on the map by trading finished leather with Boston. Nathaniel Edwards III, cousin of William, owned Edward’s Tavern, a popular stop-off for the stagecoach traveling the turnpike from Boston to Albany. Nathaniel Edwards III hosted a banquet for General Lafayette during his return tour of the United States in 1825. Another colorful character who frequented this tavern was Captain Elijah Ayers; his documented stunts included riding his horse into the bar as he called for a drink.
Every winter the Leeds Civic Association organizes a pizza party and raffle to cheer up the neighborhood and benefit the Civic Association. One way you can help with this event is by doing a winter cleaning before or after Christmas and donating any new or almost-new items to the raffle. If you find something someone else in the neighborhood might love or you receive a gift that you cannot use, you can donate it to the Leeds Civic Association! If you knit, sew, or otherwise create items, those items are welcome, too. If you’re a local business, please consider donating a gift certificate to the cause. The LCA crew of post-Christmas elves will artfully arrange items into themed baskets, and those attending the pizza party will purchase raffle tickets in hopes of winning one of the many prizes on display. Recycling gifts you don’t need not only diverts items from the waste stream, but also benefits the many projects of the Leeds Civic Association, including the Historic Bridge Preservation Project, the Mulberry Street Garden Project, the Leeds newsletter, and the many neighborhood parties that take place throughout the year. For drop-off information, please call 585-9923.
http://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.png00justinhttp://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.pngjustin2016-12-04 15:58:102016-12-04 15:58:10Presents for Leeds
The Leeds Civic Association created supply lists, decided on voting categories and prizes. Advertising was designed, printed, posted and delivered. Pumpkin entry give-aways were ordered (LED flare copters and glow necklaces), logistical details were reviewed. A call for volunteers for food contributions and other help went out via neighbor to neighbor, the LCA newsletter, website, and email blasts.
ON THE EVE OF THE PARTY…
6 people were busy stringing colorful lights along Chestnut Ave. Thank you: Steve McDonough, Tom Quinn, Penny Geis, David Rondina and his dad.
ON THE MORNING OF THE PARTY…
12 people were prepping the pumpkin roll course and party site.
(Loading up, transporting and setting up tables and grills, numbering 98 pumpkins). Thank you: Marc Freedman, Jason Johnson, Steve McDonough, David Rondina and family, Brenda and Jim Ryan, Justin O’Connor, and Tom and Amy Quinn.
SOMETIME ALONG THE WAY…
47 people in Leeds were busy carving a pumpkin entry to share. Thanks! Without you, it wouldn’t be a pumpkin party.
1 person was carving the Lollipop Raffle Pumpkin.
Thank you Jaiden Marney
5 people were busy baking pies for prizes. Thank you: Nancy Cheevers, Jason Johnson (x3), Ananda Lennox, Tom Quinn and Chad Marney.
15 people were making a big pot of their favorite soup or chili to share. Thanks: Julie Akeret, Joshua Birk, Sarah Casey, Leslie Chalmers, Ruth Ever, Marc Freedman, Jason Johnson, Alisa Klein and Amy Stamm, Susan Torrey, Steve McDonough, Carol Patterson, Alison Wood, Amy and Tom Quinn.
6 people were readying breads to share. Thank you: Leslie Skantz-Hodgson, Kevin Hale, Linda Butler, Kim Wojcik, Rachel Agoglia and Sarah Hines.
2 people baked dozens of potatoes with all the fix-ins to share.
Thank you Brenda and Jim Ryan.
11 people were preparing desserts to share. Thank you: Vin and Beth Perotta, Lynn Shumann-Hobbs, Greg and Tricia Reidy, Penny Geis, K. Chambers, Heather Punska, Pamela Cobb, Melissa Ratcliffe and Deb Jacobs.
1 person was prepping his play-list and equipment. Thank you Shawn Gunderson for being our Emcee.
DURING THE PARTY…
By the time 4:30 rolled around the party site was teeming with people, some eagerly awaiting the start of the pumpkin roll, some checking-in their pumpkins, some dropping off food contributions. Fifty-four kids rolled pumpkins hoping to win one of two prize gift cards to A to Z. The lucky winners were Lucas Tikkala-Cutler and Ryan Wade.
After the Pumpkin Roll, folks checked out the pumpkin entries, enjoyed the food and hot cider. As the warm night darkened and pumpkins lit up, voting began. Folks filled out ballots, choosing their favorite Funny, Gross, Scary, and Classic pumpkin. They also chose a favorite from the Master category, which was a special $5 buy-in category for people who really get into carving. Votes were logged into an Excel spread sheet for faster tallying (Thank you Amy Quinn for setting that up and Amy Stamm and Alisa Klien for logging in the votes of 90 people!) Thank you to Pamela Cobb for taking photos during the party, and thank you to anyone else who brought an item to share.
The winners in each category were called out and their pumpkins were brought up to the winners table to be ahhhhed over and applauded. Each winner chose a home-made pie to take home, the Master winner also won half of the buy-in dollars. The other half went to the Hotel Bridge Fund.
AFTER THE PARTY…
Many folks helped make swift work of breaking down the party. Tablecloths have already been washed and stored with the rest of the party supplies. Grills and tables have been returned to owners. The trash has been sorted and brought to the reclamation center. The lights are neatly coiled for the next LCA event (see article below). As you can see from reading the lists of people who contributed in some way, it takes participation to make a party successful. You also may take away from the lists that more than enough people are helping. That is not the case (note the same names listed multiple times.) We would love to have new volunteers! If you were unable to contribute, maybe next year you can carve out some time (pun intended) and join in!
http://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.png00justinhttp://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.pngjustin2016-11-03 20:44:582016-11-03 20:44:58Pumpkin Party – Leeds Community at its Best!
Volunteers are needed before, during and after the party. The 1st planning meeting was held on September 30th. A second planning meeting date to be determined.
The Pumpkin Party has become a Leeds tradition. Given that the party will fall just two days before Halloween, there should be no excuses for arriving empty handed without a pumpkin to add to the display. Imagine seeing 100 pumpkins glowing on October 29th?!!
If you would like to help out in some way please call Jason Johnson at 413-320-3386 or email cookjohnson@comcast.net.
http://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.png00justinhttp://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.pngjustin2016-10-07 13:10:282016-10-07 13:10:28Leeds Pumpkin Party will be held on Saturday, October 29th.
It’s a bit hard to describe Robert Lyman. He was a wanderer during the 1600’s, spotted everywhere. Many people thought he was a bit strange. And in truth he was a member of a prominent Northampton family and he was not poor. He had extensive land holdings in New Jersey and rode down to check them every so often. He also sold land and bought land. Robert is not mentioned much in the Lyman family history, most likely because he was thought to be “odd,” men of his station with a lineage back to England were not expected to be wanderers in the woods! However, Robert loved being outside in the woods and meadows. His favorite place was the “Long Division,” what most of Leeds was called way back then. After trips to check on his holdings he would return to his house lot on, what today is, Pomeroy Terrace, and soon head out with his dog and gun or fishing rod to the Long Division. He’d come up over his favorite hill (Robert’s Hill) and hunt or go down into the meadow and fish in the many little streams. He often wandered over into the Mineral Hills. On one of his adventures in the Mineral Hills he stumbled onto the Lead Mines, most likely his only claim to fame in Westhampton history.
In 1691 Robert sold his holdings in New Jersey and other places. When he returned he transfered all of his local property to his wife and eldest son. Court records indicate that Robert could no longer manage his affairs, but that didn’t stop him from wandering up into the Long Division. Its fascinating that these beautiful places in Leeds, Robert’s Hill, Robert’s Meadow, Robert’s Meadow Brook carry not the Lyman family name, but simply the wanderer’s first name, Robert. Robert Lyman died somewhere between 1691 and 1693. Still, after more than 320 years his name still graces some of the most beautiful areas in Leeds. Robert’s life ended while hunting in the place he loved best, Robert’s Hill.
http://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.png00justinhttp://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.pngjustin2016-10-05 13:25:182016-10-05 13:25:18Who is the “Robert” in Roberts Hill Conservation Area?
HeatSmart Northampton Kickoff Event
Tuesday, September 12 from 7-8:30 pm
Northampton Senior Center at 67 Conz St.
Learn how to reduce your heating bill, ditch the window air conditioner and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time! HeatSmart Northampton is the latest City program to help residents and businesses save on their heating and cooling costs by providing discounted pricing on cold climate air source heat pumps. Learn more about heat pumps and generous state and utility rebates that reduce installation costs, meet Northampton’s competitively-selected installer, hear from your neighbors on their experiences with heat pumps, and get your questions answered!
For more information go to: HeatSmartNorthampton.org.
Eclipse Glasses to be Collected for Reuse
The City of Northampton will collect eclipse viewing glasses through September 15, 2017 for reuse. Drop off locations are at Northampton City Hall, 210 Main Street, and at the Northampton Department of Public Works (DPW), 125 Locust Street.
Pioneer Valley residents are encouraged to bring their usable eclipse viewing glasses to City Hall or to the DPW.
Transfer Station permit holders may also drop them off at the Glendale Road Transfer Station on Wednesdays from 8:00am – Noon and on Saturdays from 7:00am – Noon, or at the Locust Street Transfer Station, Monday through Saturday 7:00am – 4:00pm.
Collected glasses will be donated to Astronomers Without Borders, which will arrange for them to be reused in South America and parts of Asia, both of which are anticipating eclipse events in 2019.
Glasses that are torn, scratched, or are otherwise rendered unusable can be recycled by removing and discarding the dark lenses and recycling the paper- board portion.
Outdoor Theatre Production in Leeds
The title is The Mill Project and the performance invites the audience to place themselves in history while imagining our shared future.
The Mill Project, presented by Theatre Truck, is an original new play featuring five local actors and was devised by the ensemble using historical research. The result is an exploration of the first generation of American women who worked away from home: their freedoms and exploitations, their strengths and the dangers they faced, and the expectations society held for them.
The play deconstructs the historical record, remembering women’s experience of labor in the textile mills of nineteenth century New England through a “performance-collage” drawing on letters, newspapers, pamphlets and etiquette books. Woven in a tapestry of original music and movement, the play puts the “mill girls” of factory towns like Leeds into relationship with the experience of American women today. The rebellion of these early female communities against exploitation led to the early labor movement in the United States.
There will be four performances, June 22, 23, 24 and 25 at 7:30pm on the Leeds Common across from the historic Nonotuck silk mill. The audience is invited to bring a blanket or chair and a picnic in the tradition of outdoor Summer theatre. This performance is recommended for ages 14 and up. Parking is available in the Chartpak lot. In the event of heavy showers or storms, Rain Date Friday June 30.
Theatre Truck is a collaborative of multidisciplinary artists crafting mobile and site-specific performance, sustainably and playfully. Their inaugural production, The Emily Dickinson Project (2015), took place in the house and grounds of the poet’s Amherst homestead. The Water Project (Immersive) took place in New Salem, MA last September and was set to live music.
Oh sing me the song of the Factory Girl! The honest and fair and true! — J.H. Warland, 1846
______
Tickets available at Brown Paper Tickets:
$20 in advance, $15 students/seniors in advance
$25 cash only at the door, $20 students/seniors at the door. For more info contact: www.theTheatreTruck.com
Collage Art by Nancy Meagher
Local to be Hero Honored at Leeds Memorial Day Ceremony – May 28, 1:00
Renee (Mac) LeVay, a life long resident of Leeds served in WWII as a paratrooper. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, helping to defeat Germany in their last major offensive of that awful war. When Mac returned home from the war he married his Leeds’ sweetheart, Annette Bachand, and raised three children. Mac was the very first custodian to work at Leeds Elementary School. In fact, in 1953, it was Mac who opened the doors for the first time to students and staff!
Did you know that the Veteran’s Memorial was once located on the Leeds Main Street Green? It was Mac LeVay who took care of that Memorial, raising and lowering the flag, year after year. Unfortunately, the Green became a hang out for wild kids–graffiti and vandalism ensued, so Mac formed a committee with his brother Brad, a Korean War veteran, and other veterans of other wars to research and record the names of all Leeds residents who served their country. Working with the LCA and City Council they relocated an updated Memorial to the current location across from the Leeds School.
The 2017 Memorial Day Ceremony will have a special dedication by Brad LeVay to honor the service of his brother, Renee (Mac) LeVay. Please bring your family and join your Leeds neighbors to honor all who served our country so bravely. Jane Bowie, VA nurse, will be the speaker. There will also be a color guard and a wreath laying ceremony. Hope to see you on Sunday, May 28th!
Annual Pizza Party
Book Reading & Author’s Signing
On February 8, 2017 from 7:00-8:15pm in the Leeds School Music Room, Leeds author, John I. Clapp, will read from his latest book, The Lost Village of Roberts Meadow: Northampton’s Forgotten Settlement. John will reveal the little known history of the small village of Robert’s Meadow that was located in the northwest corner of Northampton on Kennedy, Sylvester and Chesterfield roads. John will read selected parts from his book, discussing some of the early history, industries and characters that inhabited this small community. These individuals include Colonel William Edwards who was the grandson of Jonathan Edwards, the famous and controversial minister of Northampton in the 1730s and 40s. Edward’s large tannery helped put Northampton on the map by trading finished leather with Boston. Nathaniel Edwards III, cousin of William, owned Edward’s Tavern, a popular stop-off for the stagecoach traveling the turnpike from Boston to Albany. Nathaniel Edwards III hosted a banquet for General Lafayette during his return tour of the United States in 1825. Another colorful character who frequented this tavern was Captain Elijah Ayers; his documented stunts included riding his horse into the bar as he called for a drink.
Presents for Leeds
Every winter the Leeds Civic Association organizes a pizza party and raffle to cheer up the neighborhood and benefit the Civic Association. One way you can help with this event is by doing a winter cleaning before or after Christmas and donating any new or almost-new items to the raffle. If you find something someone else in the neighborhood might love or you receive a gift that you cannot use, you can donate it to the Leeds Civic Association! If you knit, sew, or otherwise create items, those items are welcome, too. If you’re a local business, please consider donating a gift certificate to the cause. The LCA crew of post-Christmas elves will artfully arrange items into themed baskets, and those attending the pizza party will purchase raffle tickets in hopes of winning one of the many prizes on display. Recycling gifts you don’t need not only diverts items from the waste stream, but also benefits the many projects of the Leeds Civic Association, including the Historic Bridge Preservation Project, the Mulberry Street Garden Project, the Leeds newsletter, and the many neighborhood parties that take place throughout the year. For drop-off information, please call 585-9923.
Pumpkin Party – Leeds Community at its Best!
WEEKS IN ADVANCE OF THE PARTY…
The Leeds Civic Association created supply lists, decided on voting categories and prizes. Advertising was designed, printed, posted and delivered. Pumpkin entry give-aways were ordered (LED flare copters and glow necklaces), logistical details were reviewed. A call for volunteers for food contributions and other help went out via neighbor to neighbor, the LCA newsletter, website, and email blasts.
ON THE EVE OF THE PARTY…
6 people were busy stringing colorful lights along Chestnut Ave. Thank you: Steve McDonough, Tom Quinn, Penny Geis, David Rondina and his dad.
ON THE MORNING OF THE PARTY…
12 people were prepping the pumpkin roll course and party site.
(Loading up, transporting and setting up tables and grills, numbering 98 pumpkins). Thank you: Marc Freedman, Jason Johnson, Steve McDonough, David Rondina and family, Brenda and Jim Ryan, Justin O’Connor, and Tom and Amy Quinn.
SOMETIME ALONG THE WAY…
47 people in Leeds were busy carving a pumpkin entry to share. Thanks! Without you, it wouldn’t be a pumpkin party.
1 person was carving the Lollipop Raffle Pumpkin.
Thank you Jaiden Marney
5 people were busy baking pies for prizes. Thank you: Nancy Cheevers, Jason Johnson (x3), Ananda Lennox, Tom Quinn and Chad Marney.
15 people were making a big pot of their favorite soup or chili to share. Thanks: Julie Akeret, Joshua Birk, Sarah Casey, Leslie Chalmers, Ruth Ever, Marc Freedman, Jason Johnson, Alisa Klein and Amy Stamm, Susan Torrey, Steve McDonough, Carol Patterson, Alison Wood, Amy and Tom Quinn.
6 people were readying breads to share. Thank you: Leslie Skantz-Hodgson, Kevin Hale, Linda Butler, Kim Wojcik, Rachel Agoglia and Sarah Hines.
2 people baked dozens of potatoes with all the fix-ins to share.
Thank you Brenda and Jim Ryan.
11 people were preparing desserts to share. Thank you: Vin and Beth Perotta, Lynn Shumann-Hobbs, Greg and Tricia Reidy, Penny Geis, K. Chambers, Heather Punska, Pamela Cobb, Melissa Ratcliffe and Deb Jacobs.
1 person was prepping his play-list and equipment. Thank you Shawn Gunderson for being our Emcee.
DURING THE PARTY…
By the time 4:30 rolled around the party site was teeming with people, some eagerly awaiting the start of the pumpkin roll, some checking-in their pumpkins, some dropping off food contributions. Fifty-four kids rolled pumpkins hoping to win one of two prize gift cards to A to Z. The lucky winners were Lucas Tikkala-Cutler and Ryan Wade.
After the Pumpkin Roll, folks checked out the pumpkin entries, enjoyed the food and hot cider. As the warm night darkened and pumpkins lit up, voting began. Folks filled out ballots, choosing their favorite Funny, Gross, Scary, and Classic pumpkin. They also chose a favorite from the Master category, which was a special $5 buy-in category for people who really get into carving. Votes were logged into an Excel spread sheet for faster tallying (Thank you Amy Quinn for setting that up and Amy Stamm and Alisa Klien for logging in the votes of 90 people!) Thank you to Pamela Cobb for taking photos during the party, and thank you to anyone else who brought an item to share.
The winners in each category were called out and their pumpkins were brought up to the winners table to be ahhhhed over and applauded. Each winner chose a home-made pie to take home, the Master winner also won half of the buy-in dollars. The other half went to the Hotel Bridge Fund.
AFTER THE PARTY…
Many folks helped make swift work of breaking down the party. Tablecloths have already been washed and stored with the rest of the party supplies. Grills and tables have been returned to owners. The trash has been sorted and brought to the reclamation center. The lights are neatly coiled for the next LCA event (see article below). As you can see from reading the lists of people who contributed in some way, it takes participation to make a party successful. You also may take away from the lists that more than enough people are helping. That is not the case (note the same names listed multiple times.) We would love to have new volunteers! If you were unable to contribute, maybe next year you can carve out some time (pun intended) and join in!
Leeds Pumpkin Party will be held on Saturday, October 29th.
Volunteers are needed before, during and after the party. The 1st planning meeting was held on September 30th. A second planning meeting date to be determined.
The Pumpkin Party has become a Leeds tradition. Given that the party will fall just two days before Halloween, there should be no excuses for arriving empty handed without a pumpkin to add to the display. Imagine seeing 100 pumpkins glowing on October 29th?!!
If you would like to help out in some way please call Jason Johnson at 413-320-3386 or email cookjohnson@comcast.net.
Who is the “Robert” in Roberts Hill Conservation Area?
by Sue Carbin
It’s a bit hard to describe Robert Lyman. He was a wanderer during the 1600’s, spotted everywhere. Many people thought he was a bit strange. And in truth he was a member of a prominent Northampton family and he was not poor. He had extensive land holdings in New Jersey and rode down to check them every so often. He also sold land and bought land. Robert is not mentioned much in the Lyman family history, most likely because he was thought to be “odd,” men of his station with a lineage back to England were not expected to be wanderers in the woods! However, Robert loved being outside in the woods and meadows. His favorite place was the “Long Division,” what most of Leeds was called way back then. After trips to check on his holdings he would return to his house lot on, what today is, Pomeroy Terrace, and soon head out with his dog and gun or fishing rod to the Long Division. He’d come up over his favorite hill (Robert’s Hill) and hunt or go down into the meadow and fish in the many little streams. He often wandered over into the Mineral Hills. On one of his adventures in the Mineral Hills he stumbled onto the Lead Mines, most likely his only claim to fame in Westhampton history.
In 1691 Robert sold his holdings in New Jersey and other places. When he returned he transfered all of his local property to his wife and eldest son. Court records indicate that Robert could no longer manage his affairs, but that didn’t stop him from wandering up into the Long Division. Its fascinating that these beautiful places in Leeds, Robert’s Hill, Robert’s Meadow, Robert’s Meadow Brook carry not the Lyman family name, but simply the wanderer’s first name, Robert. Robert Lyman died somewhere between 1691 and 1693. Still, after more than 320 years his name still graces some of the most beautiful areas in Leeds. Robert’s life ended while hunting in the place he loved best, Robert’s Hill.