Backyard Deer Photos

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See you at the Leeds Block Party

Invite your Leeds neighbors and friends and join us on the Village Green for a fun filled late afternoon barbeque. There will be free burgers and hotdogs, music an

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d games! If you can, bring a side dish or dessert to share, and a chair for relaxing. Soak up the neighborhood vibe while eating, gossiping, limboing, and laughing.

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State Police Barracks in Leeds

By Joel Emrick

A little known chapter in the history of Leeds was when the MA. State Police Barracks (Troop B) was stationed in the Shepard House which lies between the Grove Hill mansion and the Grammar School. In the early 1920s the State Police were based in the Armory on King Street but were forced to relocate due to the expansion of the National Guard which needed more of the Armory building. The decision to move the barracks in May of 1923 to the Shepard House was partly made due to the existence of a big barn behind the house where the troopers could keep their horses and motorcycles.

On March 28th, 1931 a fire started in the barn. Due to the low water pressure on the hill and the nature of the old wooden structure, the barn didn’t stand a chance. Even though fire trucks from Leeds and Florence arrived promptly their efforts were limited by this lack of pressure. By the time the “Seagrave”, the only good fire truck in the city, showed up from Northampton the barn was a complete loss. My father was seventeen at that time and told of running to the barn with others and dragging some of the motorcycles out of the barn. Unfortunately, the four horses were stabled in the back of the barn where the fire started and they all perished. Two patrolmen, Sergeant John Barnacle and State Trooper Edward McColgan, received bad burns trying to get to the animals. The barracks (the Shepard house) was spared only because they had just cut the tall grass that was between the barn and the house. Some believe that if it hadn’t been cut recently the house might also have been lost.  In the summer of 1931, Troop B moved to their present location near Laurel Park in Northampton, but for 8 years we had the State police in Leeds.

Emmy Award for Leeds Neighbor

Julie Akeret of Grove Avenue, an independent producer/director of Akeret Films, was awarded a Regional Emmy in the Outstanding Cultural/Historical Program category for her work on the documentary “Theatre on the Edge: Growing Art and Community at Double Edge Theatre.” The award was presented on June 2 at the 35th Annual Boston/New England Emmy Awards Ceremony from the Boston/New England Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

Congratulations Julie and thanks for bringing a little piece of Hollywood to Leeds!

Bradford Scholarship Winners Announced

Three senior students from Northampton H.S,  Torsten Johnson, Abby Lieberman and Deanna Peterson, were awarded  scholarships to continue their education by the Bradford Memorial Trust. The Trust also provided smaller $100 awards to JFK and the Leeds Grammar School for their general fund. The Bradford Memorial Fund was established in 1993 to acknowledge the civic efforts of Leeds residents Mark and Patricia Bradford who died suddenly in Mexico while on vacation. The Trust has provided approximately $20,000 in educational scholarships and donations and will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this January. For more information on this unique Leeds charity, a component of the Leeds Civic Association, contact Richard Greene at 585-5525.

Movies Under the Stars

Come watch a movie on a 12 foot screen with theater sound under the stars after 8:00 pm in the back yard of 32 Upland Road on July 7th!

Bring your blankets, chairs, snacks, drinks, and pj’s.  We provide the popcorn!

Posters with the movie for all ages can be seen around the village.

LCA Treasurer’s Report: June, 2012

Balance  5/ 8 /12 $3,040.94
INCOME EXPENSE
Household Membership 0  @ $10 Collective Copies $53.00
Household Membership 0  @ $5 American Cancer Soc. (1) $25.00
Business Membership  0  @ $25 Gazette $24.48
Donations Florence Village Flower (2) $50.00
Postage 0  @ $3
MONTHLY INCOME $0.00 MONTHLY EXPENSES $152.48
Balance   6/ 12 / 12 $2,888.46
Hotel Bridge Special Acct Balance $3,534.46 (1) In Memory Pat Wagner
(2) Memorial Wreath
Active Members to Date:
Households 103
Businesses 10

Leeds Photo of the Month – June 2012

Lora’s Handy Work –Bradford Park. Do you have a great photo that was taken in Leeds? Read more

LCA Minutes: June, 2012

In attendance: Deb Jacobs, Alice Badecker, Sue Carbin,  Stephy Cho, Joel Emrick,  Jason Johnson,  George  Kohout (notes),

1)    Treasurer’s Report (Sue C) spreadsheet handout

  • Current Balance                         $3040.94
  • Hotel Bridge account balance $3,534.46

2)    Newsletter

  • Discussed ideas and topics for the June/July issue including Thank You notes, Upcoming Events, Business Profile (Chartpak? – Sue), history article (Joel)

3)    Review of Bike for the Bridge Event

  • Sue distributed an income/expense report which highlighted a $1,400 profit for the Bridge
  • A total of 44 riders participated, 5 Bridge T-shirts sold
  • Stephy distributed a chart of items to be remembered for next year, a list of volunteers to thank, and also participating businesses.
  • Big round of applause for Stephy and Alice who managed the 1001 details and prep work.

4)    Tag Sale Details

  • Re-schedule from June 2 to Sat June 16 due to weather.
  • Sue has posted announcements and ads to the Gazette and other papers re: the new date
  • Not enough lead time to publish street numbers of sales ; maybe next year we’ll post these on web site and distribute a street map w/ starred locations

5)    Reviewed Upcoming Events

  • Sat Night Movies (David R) Sat July 7th – Upland Rd. / Sat July 28 – village green /  Sat Aug 11 – Upland Rd
  • Ice Cream Social – Deb O & Geo to confirm tentative dates in 1st week of Aug w/ Mt Tom’s owner. Sue to contact Champlain Cable or Chartpak re: sponsorship of $150 – $200
  • Saratoga Bus trip – Jim M rescheduled event to Fri Aug 3. King Ward bus to leave Leeds at 8 a.m. and return approx 9 p.m. Another trip later in August is possible

6)     Dinner on the Bridge Event

  • Discussed the logistics of providing a dinner to 50 people (two seatings) which is doable w/ good planning
  • Larger issue is getting approval from DPW re: this event or deciding to go w/ option #2
  • George K to draft letter to Mayor, At Large City Council and DPW re: the bridge situation and lack of activity re: the Engineering Study funded by the N’ton CPA. BoD and Officer to review and comment on letter nefore finalized.

7)    Other Updates / Old Business

  • Bradford Scholarships – Awards went to 3 N’ton H.S. students; Torsten Johnson ($300), Abby Lieberman ($200) and Deanna Peterson ($100). JFK and Leeds Grammar were also awarded $100 apiece
  •  Beaver Brook / Broad Brook Conservation Area – LCA approached by the Broad Brook Coalition to assist w/ the stewardship of this relatively new parcel on Rte 9 opposite St. Mary’s cemetery. Discussed the other Conservation areas the LCA also “stewards” George to invite BBC rep to Sept meeting to discuss this idea more.
  • Review of Memorial Day event – A crowd of approx 80 enjoyed the event. Everything went well including Gloria T’s keynote speech. Slight changes for next year include less speakers, only one or two Gettysburg Address readers and have the benediction end the event. The event is being replayed often on N’ton’s cable channel 15.

8)     New Business

  • Conservation  Commission Public Hearing  – On Thurs @ 5:00 the Cons Comm will hold a hearing on the City’s plan to clear large rubbish, re-grade and fill where necessary the old Tacy lot opposite the Hotel Bridge. The proposed plans also call for the use of herbicides to control invasives which the LCA opposes. Geo, Deb and Jason will attend the public hearing to voice the LCA’s concerns

Meeting adjourned at 8:40pm

Next Meeting                  

Tuesday August 14           7:00 p.m.         Stephy & Alice’s House, 91 Water St

 

Saratoga Bus Trip

Bus Trip to Saratoga, N.Y.
Jim Mias of Grove Ave will be coordinating a bus trip trip to beautiful Saratoga, N.Y. on FridayAugust 3
(postponed from the original date of July 24). The group will leave Leeds Grammar
school at 8:00 am, arriving at Saratoga about 10:30 am. The first stop will be at the Casino
for about an hour and then on to the spacious park in plenty of time for the first race at 1:00 pm.
Picnicking is encouraged as coolers, lawn chairs and food are allowed into park (no glass). The
bus will depart immediately after the last race and should arrive back to Leeds by 9:00 pm. The
full price of $35.00 includes the bus trip (a/c and bathroom – King Ward), tip to driver, raffles on
the bus and admission to the park. For more information on Saratoga and the famous Race Course
visit http://www.saratoga.com/
Call Jim Mias at 584-1623 for more details.  Saratoga trips have a tendency to sell out fast.