I want to let you know about my pottery classes that are starting up in June.
It is a fun and creative class where you can learn to throw pots on the wheel or hand-build beautiful pieces.
Make mugs, plates, bowls, night-lights, pitchers, butter dishes and casseroles. Learn surface decoration, altering, and glazing.
I hope you can join in this class or can pass it along to someone you think might enjoy it.
1) Tues. Mornings 10:30am-1:00pm
June 2nd- July 21st
2) Wed. Evenings 6:00-8:30
June 3rd - July 22nd
Joy Friedman Pottery
Fall Studio Sale!
Sat. Nov. 15th 10-4pm
Joy's studio at
Leverett Crafts & Arts
13 Montague Rd. Leverett, Ma. 01054
413-548-9673
Micro-wave and dishwasher safe pottery!
Good low studio prices!
Refreshments and drinks will be served.
Get ready to race in the Montague Soapbox Derby on Sunday, September 22nd, 2013!
Visit our website www.MontagueSoapboxDerby.com to sign up for one of the 100 available racing slots. We've kept the advance racer fees at the same rate to make it affordable. Sign up right now! As an incentive, the first 25 racers will get some free derby shwag.
We are also looking for race day volunteers; please let us know if you can help. We've got t-shirts and other collectibles for volunteers, and will provide refreshments.
Good News For Local Businesses
We are working with many local public access TV stations so we can air the race live on more area cable access stations this year in addition to Montague, including Greenfield, Shelburne, and very likely Bernardston / Northfield and the Deerfield area as well. We can offer some great publicity to the fine local businesses who have sponsored the Derby as well as some new ones. Space is limited, so if you know of a business that would like to be a sponsor, please let us know. All sponsors will not only have a hay-bale banner at the race, but will be mentioned on the air by the announcer, as well as showing up in print on the screen. Don't miss it.
We will also be listing sponsors on our Facebook page as they come aboard. Please check it out, like it, and pass it on.
For those of you who participated last year, note that we will have 2 reliable back-up generators to avoid any electrical interruptions. We apologize for last year's long interruption and will conduct intensive public relations to boost attendance.
If you have questions, please visit the website. All will be answered there.
The 2011 Montague Soapbox Derby will be held on Saturday afternoon, September 17th, in Unity Park, Turners Falls. Race Applications are available on the website, as are the Race Rules. Deadline for entry is Wednesday, August 31st.
Due to the overwhelming enthusiasm for the race last year, and the potential to have more racers than can be handled, the committee is capping the number of entrants to 100. If you plan to enter you are urged to get your application in early. Racers who raced last year may apply for the same racer number, and may also enter the same cart if they wish. Racer fee: $25.
Looking for some serious fun this Saturday? It's finally here!!
Mutton and Mead Medieval Festival
The Renaissance Faire in Montague, MA, tucked away in the pastoral hills of Western Mass!
Theme: "Thieves of Honor" Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest
Saturday, June 18, 2011, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
* * * RAIN OR SHINE * * *
On the grounds of Millers Falls R&G Club
210 Turners Falls Road Turners Falls, MA, 01376 http://local.google....setts+01376&t=h&z=16
Adults: $15 at the gate
Kids and Seniors: $10 at the gate
DISCOUNTED TICKETS: Mutton and Mead is a fundraiser for the Foodbank of Western Mass. Donations of non-perishable food at the gate will get you $1-off the ticket price for each two items, up to $3 total.
The first annual Mutton and Mead Medieval Festival is coming to Turners Falls on the grounds of the Millers Falls Rod and Gun Club on Saturday, June 18, 2011. The festival, traditionally known as a Renaissance Faire, will bring together fun, food, and entertainment with a medieval flair. This will be a day for everyone, kids, teens, and adults alike. Dressing up in period costumes is not required, but it will heighten the experience for everyone.
The theme for the inaugural year is Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest, "Thieves of Honor." Many characters from the legend, including Robin and his band of Merry Men, will be making appearances in the woods around the faire along with a varied assortment of entertainers, craftspeople, and other vendors from across New England. There will also be jousting, eagles and falcons, knife throwing, archery demonstrations and contests, various food vendors selling contemporary and period-authentic foods, as well as artisan crafts and medieval merchandise.
Be transported through time
So travel back in time with us to the early 13th Century. The Mutton and Mead Tavern is holding their annual summer festival, and collecting food for the poor. The shire folk are worried the Sheriff of Nottingham will come and exact tax payment on the collected food, but are confident that Robin Hood will swoop in and save the day!
Are you or someone you know talented? Mutton and Mead, the upcoming Robin Hood-themed Medieval Festival in Montague, MA, aims to provide a venue to showcase your talents as a performer, educator, crafter or artisan. We have stages and we have streets and we are looking to pack them with talent!
We are looking for musicians, singers, bards and other performers or entertainers to put the “festive” in “festival.” Are you or someone you know a singer, musician, bard, juggler, dancer, storyteller, puppeteer, sword fighter, acrobat, tumbler, fire eater, stilt walker, sword swallower, juggler, rope walker, ventriloquist, or otherwise talented person? We are looking for both professional and novice performers. Send them to www.MuttonAndMead.com where they can find out how to get involved.
We are also looking to tap into New England talented community of artists, artisans and crafters. Likewise, if you or someone you know is a painter, jewelry maker, wood artisan, sculptor, weaver, metal worker, glass worker, or otherwise makes or sells something visitors of Mutton and Mead might want to buy, please send them to www.MuttonAndMead.com
Open Auditions: Call for Talent
To be held Sunday, January 23rd, 2011 at the Montague Grange hall
For Immediate Release
Montague Renaissance Faire Seeks Talent
Mutton and Mead, Montague's Medieval Festival, seeks Actors, Singers, Dancers, Minstrels, and other creative types at an audition and open house on Sunday, January 23rd, 2011, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Montague Grange hall, for "THIEVES OF HONOR" a Robin Hood-themed Renaissance Faire to be held on June 18th in Turners Falls, MA.
Actors should come with a two-minute monologue and be prepared to participate in some improvisational activities. Not looking for a major role? We are also seeking extras for "depth and color" and will provide training. If you sing or play an instrument please bring it and a song to present.
Not an actor, but still interested in helping bring our medieval village to life? Mutton and Mead is also seeking volunteers, crafts-people, merchants, theater crew, designers and carpenters, independent acts, interns and staff. Just contact us or stop by on audition day. There are several Managerial spots available as well, for those who like to work on these types of events.
Are you some other creative type? Our hope is that Mutton and Mead will provide a venue for the community. We welcome your ideas on how we can make that happen. We hope to see you or hear from you too.
Auditions and Open house to be held at the Montague Grange hall, 34 Main Street, Montague Center, on Sunday, January 23, 2011, from 10:00 AM through 4:00 PM.
Montague Race Entry Deadline Extended to August 30th
Turners Falls - People wishing to enter the Montague Soapbox Races who haven't yet sent in their entry form now have an extra two weeks to get them in. The new entry deadline is Monday, August 30th, 8:00 PM.
The Montague Soapbox Races, the first of a new annual event, is a fundraising event for Montague Community TV, and will be held on Sunday, September 19th, from high noon till the last cart goes down the hill. Winners will be handed real metal trophy cups in a winners ceremony at the end, hosted by Russ Brown, State Senator Stan Rosenburg, and Montague Selctboard chair Pat Allen.
Entry forms are still coming in to the TV station every day. The race will stop at a maximum of 150 racers. The race entry fee is $25. Spectators attend for free.
Race entrants who need technical assistance putting their cart together will be invited to a cart building party on Sunday, August 29th, in Turners Falls. Some of the Race Inspectors and Race Officials will be on hand as well to give professional advice.
Racers should bring whatever they have already completed, as well as all parts and supplies they intend to use, including bolts, screws, nails, wood, concept drawings and their own tools (very important). the build party host has a large supply of bicycle parts and wheels to provide for free. All racers under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Race rules and applications can be downloaded from the official race website and printed. If you don't have a printer you can pick up a pre-printed application at the Montague Town Hall clerk's office, any of the three Montague public libraries, or the TV station itself, at 34 Second Street in Turners Falls.
The race is still looking for vendors, either to sell food or wares, or distribute their information or fundraise. Please contact Nancy Paglia (413) 548-9015.
The race is also looking for sponsors and hay bale advertisers. Please contact Doug Fontaine (413) 522-8382.
WesternMA Connect, Inc. July 2010 Broadband Update
MBI Application Successful!
On July 2, 2010, Governor Deval Patrick and members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation announced that the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) had been awarded $45.4 million of federal ARRA funds. These funds will be used to construct over 1,100 miles of fiber-optic middle-mile infrastructure in western and north central Massachusetts. The award was formally announced at a ceremony held on July 8 at Greenfield Community College. Event attendees included U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, U.S. Senator John Kerry, Governor Patrick, and Congressmen Richard Neal and John Olver. Both Senator Kerry and Congressman Olver recognized Connect for its decade-long support for the creation of an advanced telecommunications landscape throughout the region. All speakers made reference to the many letters received in support of the application. Your compelling stories definitely impacted the application outcome. Thank you to everyone who submitted letters and congratulations to the MBI!
What Does This Mean For You?
In 2008, Governor Patrick and the Massachusetts Legislature established the MBI with the mission to extend affordable high-speed Internet access to ALL residential, commercial and public places across the Commonwealth. This new federal award will be combined with the $26 million of state funding already in place to make this a reality. Internet service providers have stated that once the MBI's network is complete, it will become more cost effective for them to bring high-speed Internet access to those who currently have none.
What's Next?
In the coming months, the MBI will continue to be very busy designing and engineering the network, negotiating access to state-owned assets, forming partnerships to support network deployment, and encouraging the telecommunications industry to be prepared to provide services and invest in the region. Meanwhile, the MBI has contracted with Connect to work collaboratively with regional planning agencies, local municipalities, and other organizations to ensure that this network is constructed as quickly, cost-effectively and efficiently as possible. Under the terms of the federal grant, two-thirds of the project must be built by 2012 and the network completed in 2013. This is a huge undertaking. Although you may not visually see progress right away, be assured that the MBI and many others are working diligently to meet the federal timeline and requirements set.
How Can You Help?
If you have not already done so, please visit http://www.massbroadband.org/mapping/survey.html and complete the online survey. Encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same. This information will assist the MBI in its effort to more accurately map where broadband does and does not exist. If you are an elected official or local department head, please respond to outreach conducted by the MBI and Connect. This network cannot succeed without your participation!
MONTAGUE TO HOST SOAPBOX RACES, SEPTEMBER 19th, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONTAGUE TO HOST SOAPBOX RACES, SEPTEMBER 19th, 2010
First Local Soapbox Race in Decades
Montague will host the first Soapbox Race in Franklin County in decades on Sunday, September 19th, 2010. The gravity-fed race will take place at Unity Park in Turners Falls on the 1st Street hill. Racers must be at least 8-years. All carts must be made from scratch, not from kits or pre-fabricated, and must include no propulsion of any kind.
The entry fee is $25 per racer and only 150 applications will be accepted. There will be three age brackets: kids, teens and adults. Yes, adults may race! The application deadline is August 15th. Racers may obtain sponsorship to help defray the cost of building their vehicle.
Racers in each age bracket will win real-metal trophy cups based on distance or creativity. The event will be free to watch, and it is hoped families will come out to picnic with the many local food vendors.
Race Director Mik Muller remarked “Unity Park is a perfect location for a downhill race: the 1st Street hill is quite steep and the bend at the bottom requires some skill, both in vehicle construction and driving; the wide lawns in the park are perfect for spectators to gather and cheer; there is plenty of room for vendors to sell their food and wares; and of course there is the Connecticut River spanned by the Turners Falls Gill Bridge as a beautiful backdrop, an icon for Turners Falls.”
This is the first derby since the Old Home Days derbies of the mid-1960’s in Montague Center, and before that the 3rd Street derbies of the late-1940’s in Turners Falls.
Vendors interested in having a table at the race should call Nancy Paglia at (413) 548-9015. Those wishing to advertise, sponsor or underwrite the race please call Doug Fontaine at (413) 522-8382. Anyone wishing to volunteer on race day (free staff t-shirt!), please call Mik Muller at (413) 320-5336.
Race rules, all required forms, and more information can be found on the official race website.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
NORTHFIELD DRIVE IN
NOW SHOWING: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 4th, 5th, & 6th
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST SHOWING: 8:35 pm
Marmaduke
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 4th, 5th, & 6th, PG rated Family, Comedy film. Starring: Owen Wilson, Judy Greer, Lee Pace, William H. Macy
Marmaduke, the world's most lovable Great Dane, leaps from comic strip fame (appearing in 600 newspapers in over 20 countries) to big screen stardom in this family comedy event. A suburban family moves to a new neighborhood in Orange County, California with their large yet lovable Great Dane, who has a tendency to wreak havoc in his own oblivious way. But its not all living large for the Duke, who finds that fitting in with his new four-legged friends - and a potential romantic interest - isn't always easy for a super-sized teenage dog.
SECOND SHOWING:
Robin Hood
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 4th, 5th, & 6th, PG-13 rated Action, Adventure. Starring: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Max Von Sydow, William Hurt
A bowman in the army of Richard Coeur de Lion, virtuous rogue Robin Hood rises from an unlikely background to become a hero to the impoverished people of Nottingham and lover to the beautiful Lady Marion (Cate Blanchett).
Gates Open at: 6:30pm
Snack Bar opens at 6:30pm with a FULL MENU
No credit cards please. The Northfield Drive-in does not accept plastic.
We look forward to seeing all our faithful drive-in movie goers for another great double feature as enjoy our fifth week of the 2010 season. Thank you for your continued support.