Over the past few weeks a number of Leedsians have reported eagle sightings. The reservoir seems to be the most likely permanent setting for this amazing 7 foot…YES!… 7 foot wingspanned bird. The thinking is that a nest could be in the back corner of the reservoir towards newly paved Kennedy Road. Several other sightings have been reported as well. The ball players at Leeds School witnessed the eagle flying overhead as did several folks along the upper Mill River above the Top Dam. This sighting, particularly nice – an arching white birch tree, its leaves yellowed, the eagle perched, facing upstream in search of its main diet – fish and trout which are still observable in our very own Mill River and caught from time to time by those who know the nooks and crannies of one of Leeds’s most precious resources.
So, get yourselves outside and take a look around, up and down, and you’ll be surprised at what you just might find.
by Jim Mias
http://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.png00justinhttp://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.pngjustin2013-11-20 22:54:562013-11-20 22:54:56High Flying in Leeds
It was funny that Linda Butler’s pie, the first-place prize for the pumpkin carv- ing contest, went to Jim Montgomery. That’s because Jim is Linda’s husband. His pumpkin, called “self-portrait,” had garlic for teeth and pears for cheeks. (His pumpkin didn’t really look like him, but it was cool).
There were 41 pumpkins entered. Tom and Amy Quinn’s Leeds hot air balloon won second place, and Jim and Robin Mias came in third with their forest trick or treaters. In the kids’ category, Mason Tait and Siggi tied for first. In the youth category, Curtis Casey won first place, and Ryan Cheevers-Brown came in second. Mari- sah Helems won a jar of candy corn because she made the closest guess of the number of candy corns in the jar (there were 436).
Shawn Gundersen gave rides to the kids on a quad in the new Beaver Brook development, where it was dark and bumpy, but fun.
There was a pumpkin roll, and Leo Geis and Celia Goldsmith won that contest. All the kids who participated in the pumpkin roll got goody bags of stuff like Leeds buttons and Halloween rings.
Shawn Gundersen also built a catapult with pumpkins for ammunition aimed at pumpkins painted like pigs from “Angry Birds.” The targets didn’t get hit, but the ammunition smashed on the pavement and exploded.
There were all kinds of soups, breads, and sweets to eat. There were Halloween music, a fire pit in the Ever-Hale’s yard, and a Burning Man made and set on fire by Jim Montgomery, who does not really have garlic teeth and pear cheeks.
http://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.png00justinhttp://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.pngjustin2013-11-12 15:43:442013-11-12 15:43:44Pumpkin Party Wrap Up
Over the past few weeks a number of Leedsians have reported eagle sightings. The reservoir seems to be the most likely per- manent setting for this amazing 7 foot…YES!… 7 foot wing- spanned bird. The thinking is that a nest could be in the back corner of the reservoir towards newly paved Kennedy Road. Several other sightings have been reported as well. The ball players at Leeds School witnessed the eagle flying overhead as did several folks along the upper Mill River above the Top Dam. This sighting, particularly nice – an arching white birch tree, its leaves yellowed, the eagle perched, facing upstream in search of its main diet – fish and trout which are still ob- servable in our very own Mill River and caught from time to time by those who know the nooks and crannies of one of Leeds’ most precious resources.
So, get yourselves outside and take a look around, up and down, and you’ll be surprised at what you just might find.
http://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.png00justinhttp://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.pngjustin2013-11-10 15:47:212013-11-10 15:47:21High Flying in Leeds
Saturday evening, October 26th (rain date 27th), the place to be between 5:00 and 9:00 is where Upland Road meets Chestnut Ave. in Leeds. It is the place where pumpkins rule and pumpkins roll. It is the spot where creativity, community and really nice people meet and have a great time. It is the spot of the 2013 Great Leeds Pumpkin Fest!
There will be home made soups, baked potatoes, cider and sweet treats to enjoy, all of which are provided by generous volunteers. There will be a bit of haunting music provided by another wonderful volunteer who will be our mc for the evening.
It has been a long-standing tradition that last years’ first prize winner bakes next years’ first place prize. I am not certain that last years’ winner, Jim Montgomery, is a pie maker, but I know for certain that his lovely wife, Linda Butler, is an excellent pie maker! Along with several tasty prizes there will be funny and practical ones too.
The party starts at 5:00 with the kid’s pumpkin roll which is hilarious and heartwarming to watch if your not a kid and a ton of fun if you are a kid. Eating, meeting and laughing happens throughout the party. Voting begins at 6:00. Vote tally is at 7:30. This year there will be three categories: KIDS (ages up to 6), YOUTH (ages 7-12), ADULTS (ages 13 and up).
I hope this build up has gotten you excited to carve. You have plenty of time to start thinking about what to carve, collage or paint on a pumpkin. Anything goes in this event and every pumpkin displayed adds to the heart of the party. Your creations and your neighbors’ will be lined up and on display. They will be lit, highlighted and numbered…and they will all be oooohed and aaahed over.
Happy carving!
http://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.png00justinhttp://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.pngjustin2013-10-01 21:59:502013-10-01 21:59:50Great Leeds Pumpkin Festival Marks 20 Years!
if you are the chef that made the pasta salad for the Block Party and are looking for the beautiful bowl you served it in, look no more. It is safe and sound at 8 Upland Road. Please call Heidi at 585-9923 or email heidi@heidistevens.com to arrange a time to pick it up.
http://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.png00justinhttp://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.pngjustin2013-10-01 21:58:382013-10-01 21:58:38Bowl left at Block Party
Yum! Who doesn’t like homemade preserves! And when opened on a cold winter day the delicious bounty of summer comes rushing back. If you made pickles, jams or preserves this summer, please bring a labeled jar or two to the block party and swap it for something different. For those of you who don’t make jams, you may be able to buy a jar of homemade. Jams and preserves will be displayed on the “Jam Table” until the trading begins at 5:30ish.
Everyone who brings a homemade jar of preserves will get a chance to win the Energy Grab Bag, a selection of useful and environment-friendly items.
http://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.png00justinhttp://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.pngjustin2013-09-21 16:46:222013-09-21 16:46:22Homemade Jam Trade at the Block Party
Caring for our seniors is important work whether done at home, out in the neighborhood, or in a care facility, The LCA and Linda Manor are reaching out to the community inviting you to share some time and something you like to do with the seniors who are convalescing in this excellent facility. Linda Manor won the coveted Gold Award from the American Health Association this year. Only 17 facilities nationwide have earned that distinction!
I spent several hours this summer visiting with a friend at Linda Manor. Walking down the halls, I was consistently met with smiles and greetings from the nursing, therapy, and service staff. The atmosphere was both relaxed and efficient. A distinct effort is made to make families and friends feel welcome and patients comfortable. Linda Manor would love to have volunteers from Leeds. They are looking for people to call bingo, take residents outside for walks, and next spring hope to create a garden.
If you can share an hour or so of your time with the folks at Linda Manor, I encourage you to contact:
Pam Hamberg, Activities Director phamberg@bhs1.org
Your trash could be someone else’s treasure so, gather up all the things you want to sell and put them out on Saturday morning, June 22nd!!
The LCA will advertise the 8:00am -12:00pm “Village Wide Tag Sale” in the Gazette and Hampshire Life. A large sign,“Village Wide Tag Sale Today” will be placed at the beginning of Florence St. (Rt 9 entrance). Families and neighborhood groups who plan to be part of the village tag sale should put up additional signs and arrows at each entrance to your street.
The Village Wide Tag Sale is a perfect impetus to clean out closets, basements and attics!
http://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.png00justinhttp://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.pngjustin2013-06-11 12:20:042013-06-11 12:20:04Village Wide Tag Sale June 22!
For the fourth year in a row riders came out and enjoyed a scenic bike ride through Western MA towns which began in Leeds and ended in Leeds. All routes traveled over the historic Hotel Bridge where riders saw a freshly painted thank you sign. We thanked them for taking part in the fundraising efforts and riding a 10, 25, or 50 mile route on their bikes. In return they went home with an awesome Tshirt with our Leeds Hotel Bridge graphic designed by Heidi Stevens. About 55 riders, age 8 through 72 took part in the event. The weather was perfect for biking, cool and no rain! At the top of a long climb about 13 miles into the ride, cyclists laughed and chatted as they were greeted by Bob Riddle who had snacks and drinks ready. Back at Chartpack more volunteers worked registration tables checking in and out riders. Thank you Stephy Cho, Deb Jacobs, Alisa Klein, Amy Stamm, and Sue Carbin. Registration was well organized by the set up crew of Joel Emrick, David Rondina, and Tom Silliman. Photographing the smiles all day was Joel Emerick with a camera ready at every turn!
Riders who braved the hilly 50 mile route were greeted by George Merriam at the Conway covered bridge with much needed snacks. A big thank you to Alisa Klein for her expertise in advertising our ride, although we had many returning riders, she got the word out and new faces were riding too! Justin O’Connor made online pre-registration available so sign ups were quick and easy the morning of the ride. All in all, the event was successful, riders had fun, there were no injuries, and a profit was made toward restoring the Leeds Hotel bridge. Our next step will be to meet with DPW to get an update on the progress of restoration plans. Thank you to all who came out and to sponsors…Stop & Shop, River Valley Market, Walmart, Staples, B.J.s, and Joe’s Garage.
http://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.png00justinhttp://www.leedscivic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LCAlogotrans2.pngjustin2013-05-28 06:56:372013-05-28 06:56:37Fourth Annual Hotel Bridge Ride by Alice Badecker
High Flying in Leeds
Over the past few weeks a number of Leedsians have reported eagle sightings. The reservoir seems to be the most likely permanent setting for this amazing 7 foot…YES!… 7 foot wingspanned bird. The thinking is that a nest could be in the back corner of the reservoir towards newly paved Kennedy Road. Several other sightings have been reported as well. The ball players at Leeds School witnessed the eagle flying overhead as did several folks along the upper Mill River above the Top Dam. This sighting, particularly nice – an arching white birch tree, its leaves yellowed, the eagle perched, facing upstream in search of its main diet – fish and trout which are still observable in our very own Mill River and caught from time to time by those who know the nooks and crannies of one of Leeds’s most precious resources.
So, get yourselves outside and take a look around, up and down, and you’ll be surprised at what you just might find.
by Jim Mias
Pumpkin Party Wrap Up
by Rowan Hodgson
There were 41 pumpkins entered. Tom and Amy Quinn’s Leeds hot air balloon won second place, and Jim and Robin Mias came in third with their forest trick or treaters. In the kids’ category, Mason Tait and Siggi tied for first. In the youth category, Curtis Casey won first place, and Ryan Cheevers-Brown came in second. Mari- sah Helems won a jar of candy corn because she made the closest guess of the number of candy corns in the jar (there were 436).
Shawn Gundersen gave rides to the kids on a quad in the new Beaver Brook development, where it was dark and bumpy, but fun.
There was a pumpkin roll, and Leo Geis and Celia Goldsmith won that contest. All the kids who participated in the pumpkin roll got goody bags of stuff like Leeds buttons and Halloween rings.
Shawn Gundersen also built a catapult with pumpkins for ammunition aimed at pumpkins painted like pigs from “Angry Birds.” The targets didn’t get hit, but the ammunition smashed on the pavement and exploded.
There were all kinds of soups, breads, and sweets to eat. There were Halloween music, a fire pit in the Ever-Hale’s yard, and a Burning Man made and set on fire by Jim Montgomery, who does not really have garlic teeth and pear cheeks.
You can view some photos of the event here.
High Flying in Leeds
by Jim Mias
Over the past few weeks a number of Leedsians have reported eagle sightings. The reservoir seems to be the most likely per- manent setting for this amazing 7 foot…YES!… 7 foot wing- spanned bird. The thinking is that a nest could be in the back corner of the reservoir towards newly paved Kennedy Road. Several other sightings have been reported as well. The ball players at Leeds School witnessed the eagle flying overhead as did several folks along the upper Mill River above the Top Dam. This sighting, particularly nice – an arching white birch tree, its leaves yellowed, the eagle perched, facing upstream in search of its main diet – fish and trout which are still ob- servable in our very own Mill River and caught from time to time by those who know the nooks and crannies of one of Leeds’ most precious resources.
So, get yourselves outside and take a look around, up and down, and you’ll be surprised at what you just might find.
Great Leeds Pumpkin Festival Marks 20 Years!
Saturday evening, October 26th (rain date 27th), the place to be between 5:00 and 9:00 is where Upland Road meets Chestnut Ave. in Leeds. It is the place where pumpkins rule and pumpkins roll. It is the spot where creativity, community and really nice people meet and have a great time. It is the spot of the 2013 Great Leeds Pumpkin Fest!
There will be home made soups, baked potatoes, cider and sweet treats to enjoy, all of which are provided by generous volunteers. There will be a bit of haunting music provided by another wonderful volunteer who will be our mc for the evening.
It has been a long-standing tradition that last years’ first prize winner bakes next years’ first place prize. I am not certain that last years’ winner, Jim Montgomery, is a pie maker, but I know for certain that his lovely wife, Linda Butler, is an excellent pie maker! Along with several tasty prizes there will be funny and practical ones too.
The party starts at 5:00 with the kid’s pumpkin roll which is hilarious and heartwarming to watch if your not a kid and a ton of fun if you are a kid. Eating, meeting and laughing happens throughout the party. Voting begins at 6:00. Vote tally is at 7:30. This year there will be three categories: KIDS (ages up to 6), YOUTH (ages 7-12), ADULTS (ages 13 and up).
I hope this build up has gotten you excited to carve. You have plenty of time to start thinking about what to carve, collage or paint on a pumpkin. Anything goes in this event and every pumpkin displayed adds to the heart of the party. Your creations and your neighbors’ will be lined up and on display. They will be lit, highlighted and numbered…and they will all be oooohed and aaahed over.
Happy carving!
Bowl left at Block Party
if you are the chef that made the pasta salad for the Block Party and are looking for the beautiful bowl you served it in, look no more. It is safe and sound at 8 Upland Road. Please call Heidi at 585-9923 or email heidi@heidistevens.com to arrange a time to pick it up.
Homemade Jam Trade at the Block Party
Yum! Who doesn’t like homemade preserves! And when opened on a cold winter day the delicious bounty of summer comes rushing back. If you made pickles, jams or preserves this summer, please bring a labeled jar or two to the block party and swap it for something different. For those of you who don’t make jams, you may be able to buy a jar of homemade. Jams and preserves will be displayed on the “Jam Table” until the trading begins at 5:30ish.
Everyone who brings a homemade jar of preserves will get a chance to win the Energy Grab Bag, a selection of useful and environment-friendly items.
Leeds Block Party 2013
Award Winning Facility
Caring for our seniors is important work whether done at home, out in the neighborhood, or in a care facility, The LCA and Linda Manor are reaching out to the community inviting you to share some time and something you like to do with the seniors who are convalescing in this excellent facility. Linda Manor won the coveted Gold Award from the American Health Association this year. Only 17 facilities nationwide have earned that distinction!
I spent several hours this summer visiting with a friend at Linda Manor. Walking down the halls, I was consistently met with smiles and greetings from the nursing, therapy, and service staff. The atmosphere was both relaxed and efficient. A distinct effort is made to make families and friends feel welcome and patients comfortable. Linda Manor would love to have volunteers from Leeds. They are looking for people to call bingo, take residents outside for walks, and next spring hope to create a garden.
If you can share an hour or so of your time with the folks at Linda Manor, I encourage you to contact:
Pam Hamberg, Activities Director phamberg@bhs1.org
Village Wide Tag Sale June 22!
Village Wide Tag Sale June 22!
Your trash could be someone else’s treasure so, gather up all the things you want to sell and put them out on Saturday morning, June 22nd!!
The LCA will advertise the 8:00am -12:00pm “Village Wide Tag Sale” in the Gazette and Hampshire Life. A large sign,“Village Wide Tag Sale Today” will be placed at the beginning of Florence St. (Rt 9 entrance). Families and neighborhood groups who plan to be part of the village tag sale should put up additional signs and arrows at each entrance to your street.
The Village Wide Tag Sale is a perfect impetus to clean out closets, basements and attics!
Fourth Annual Hotel Bridge Ride by Alice Badecker
For the fourth year in a row riders came out and enjoyed a scenic bike ride through Western MA towns which began in Leeds and ended in Leeds. All routes traveled over the historic Hotel Bridge where riders saw a freshly painted thank you sign. We thanked them for taking part in the fundraising efforts and riding a 10, 25, or 50 mile route on their bikes. In return they went home with an awesome Tshirt with our Leeds Hotel Bridge graphic designed by Heidi Stevens. About 55 riders, age 8 through 72 took part in the event. The weather was perfect for biking, cool and no rain! At the top of a long climb about 13 miles into the ride, cyclists laughed and chatted as they were greeted by Bob Riddle who had snacks and drinks ready. Back at Chartpack more volunteers worked registration tables checking in and out riders. Thank you Stephy Cho, Deb Jacobs, Alisa Klein, Amy Stamm, and Sue Carbin. Registration was well organized by the set up crew of Joel Emrick, David Rondina, and Tom Silliman. Photographing the smiles all day was Joel Emerick with a camera ready at every turn!
Riders who braved the hilly 50 mile route were greeted by George Merriam at the Conway covered bridge with much needed snacks. A big thank you to Alisa Klein for her expertise in advertising our ride, although we had many returning riders, she got the word out and new faces were riding too! Justin O’Connor made online pre-registration available so sign ups were quick and easy the morning of the ride. All in all, the event was successful, riders had fun, there were no injuries, and a profit was made toward restoring the Leeds Hotel bridge. Our next step will be to meet with DPW to get an update on the progress of restoration plans. Thank you to all who came out and to sponsors…Stop & Shop, River Valley Market, Walmart, Staples, B.J.s, and Joe’s Garage.