Headlines

THE MOHAWK TRAIL ASSOCIATION NEEDS YOU

Help us secure state funding for Fiscal Year 2011!

We are requesting your help in sending a letter to the Massachusetts State Legislature in support of line item #7007-1000 to request a $6 million appropriation for Fiscal Year 2011 for the Regional Tourism Councils. Last year, the visitor industry generated $250.7 million in public revenue through the room tax alone. As you know, the Tourism Industry continues to support over 128,000 jobs in Massachusetts from the food servers, tour guides, hotel employees, taxi drivers and so many, many more that are impacted by tourists who visit our state of Massachusetts, and it's extremely important that we secure funding for the upcoming fiscal year.

Read more: THE MOHAWK TRAIL ASSOCIATION NEEDS YOU

PATRICK-MURRAY ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES FREE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING PARTNERSHIP WITH MICROSOFT

26,000 vouchers for on-line technology training and testing accessed through the 37 One Stop Career Centers

(4/4/10) Governor Deval Patrick joined Microsoft Vice President of State and Local Government Gail Thomas Flynn at the JobNet Career Center in Boston to announce Elevate America, a major public-private partnership between the Commonwealth and Microsoft to provide 26,000 free vouchers for technology training and certification to residents across the Commonwealth.

Read more: PATRICK-MURRAY ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES FREE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING PARTNERSHIP WITH MICROSOFT

Memorial Hall Annual Report

Memorial Hall Takes Quantum Leap

(3-15-10) Memorial Hall continues to provided outstanding events for  the community. On February 20th the Memorial Hall Association's Board of Directors held their Annual Meeting. The 2009 Annual Report begins with "Shelburne Fall's Memorial Hall has, to say the least, taken a quantum leap forward this year."  To read the report in its entirety go to Memorial Hall Annual Report.

Bid Awarded to the Bridge of Flowers 10 K

It's the New England 10K Championship for 2010!

The Bridge of Flowers Classic 10k Footrace has been honored, for the fourth time in it’s thirty-two year history, as one the 2010 New England Grand prix Championship Series races. The series is comprised of six events ranging from 5k to the marathon.

The August 14th USATF New England Championship 10k in Shelburne Falls is sponsored by the Bank of Western Massachusetts and is one of the perennial favorite footraces in the Pioneer valley.

The spectator friendly, Shelburne Falls Area Business Association’s figure eight shaped course, will have it’s usual start on the Historic Iron Bridge before runners assault the famously ferocious Crittenden Hill and circling back, by way of Mohawk High School. The SFABA is anticipating more than 1,000 runners and joggers from throughout the northeast. Race organizers are also looking for volunteers as well as 501 © 3 non profits to partner with.

A simple application for that purpose is available now at www.bridgeofflowers10k.com.  On line registration is now open.

Shelburne Falls Mosaic Mural Project

Mosaic Mural Project Update

My name is Cynthia Fisher and I am a mosaic artist living in Buckland and I specialize in creating public art installations and conducting school residencies and community public art. I have done installations from Maine to Florida, and thought how wonderful it would be to offer what I do elsewhere to my own community. The idea was first proposed to the Shelburne Falls Village Partnership and received a positive response.  The Shelburne Falls Area Civic Beautification Association has graciously offered to sponsor the project,  the 501 c-3 non-profit status being necessary to apply for some of the grants funding the endeavor. To date, $19,650 has been raised, and more grants are still outstanding. Generous support has been received from the Ella Lyman Cabot Trust, the Highlands Communities Initiative, and the Massachusetts local cultural councils for the towns of Ashfield, Buckland, Charlemont, Conway, Plainfield and Shelburne. The murals will be situated on the facades and sides of buildings on both sides of the river in Shelburne Falls. (For those of you on the SFABA who are building owners, I introduced you to the project last fall…)

As for project specifics, I will be working with students and community residents to create 10 3’ x 3’ murals that depict each of the ten hilltowns of West County, and a group of murals that highlights the Deerfield River environment, including the glacial potholes, flora and fauna, Native Americans’  historical use of Salmon Falls, current power production on the river etc. Since the project’s inception I have been busy organizing all the myriad details of the project, from fundraising to generating interest and excitement by prospective participants. I have met with art and classroom teachers and in April will be generating ideas for mural content from elementary students in grade 3 (they have a curriculum unit on the local area). While the ideas for imagery to be included will come from the students, I will be doing the drawings and designing all the artwork. After sketches are done, students in grades 3-6 at the elementary schools will assemble the mosaics. The Deerfield River mosaics will be worked on with middle and high school students as well as members of the community at large in workshops at the Shelburne Senior Center. Steel frames will be constructed by students at
Franklin County Technical School in Turners Falls.

If you have any questions or comments, or are interested in participating, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 625-8204 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can view my work at my website, BIGBANGMOSAICS.com.

14th Annual SFABA Auction

SHELBURNE FALLS AREA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION SPRING AUCTION

(3-10-10) The Shelburne Falls Area Business Association (SFABA) will host its annual auction on Saturday, March 27th at 5PM Stillwater’s Restaurant, 1745 Mohawk Trail, Charlemont. A panoply of donated items from local artisans, agriculturalists and family businesses will be auctioned by Doug Wilkins. All are invited to enjoy an evening of music and merrymaking with your friends in the hills. Hors d’oeuvres of stuffed mushrooms, assorted cheeses and crisps, meatballs, hummus, turkey medallions, apple crisp and more. Tickets are $25 at the door. Purchase at The Bank of Western Massachusetts in Shelburne Falls (625-6001) or Mary Vilbon at SFABA (625-2526).  


 

Local Voice Recognized In Industry

 Read All About It: Women Are Taking Over The Industry!!

(1/12/09) Imagine News, the Boston industry journal about all things ‘Film, Television and New Media in the Northeast’, has dedicated this issue to ‘Women Who Work In The Industry.”

Read more: Local Voice Recognized In Industry

Think Summer - Riverfest 2010

It's Not That Far Away

(1/11/2010) Forget these dark, cold days of winter for a while, and warm your spirit with thoughts of a major summertime event in Shelburne Falls: RiverFest. On Saturday, June 12, the village will host the Deerfield River Watershed Association’s 22nd annual celebration of the waterway that flows through town and the surrounding countryside.

Read more: Think Summer - Riverfest 2010

The SFABA's New Facebook Fan Page is On-Line

Social Media Allows Members to Connect

(11/16/09) The SFABA is now sponsor of a new fan page on Facebook. This technology provides an open, easy to use social space on Facebook for friends of the village and area to meet and mingle. Photos, videos, discussions, links, and events can all be shared in the freewheeling style of Facebook.

Read more: The SFABA's New Facebook Fan Page is On-Line

Shelburne Falls Booksellers Opens Shop

Collaboration Brings New Book Offerings to Village

(11/10/09) A small group of used and antiquarian booksellers have collaborated and formed the Shelburne Falls Booksellers which will showcase quality offerings of the three founders. 

Read more: Shelburne Falls Booksellers Opens Shop