First Meeting News

It was a beautiful Ashfield day (perhaps the best so far of the year) for being outdoors, for being in the garden or walking or just basking in the Sunday sun. But more than fifty of us chose to go to Elmer's in the afternoon instead, to talk about writing our new history book. And talk we did, and we listened too.
Over coffee and cake folks eagerly got right down to the work of filling in the answers to a clever pop quiz that Don put together based on facts about Town elections. It was pretty tough, but a lot of fun. We had invited Ruth Craft, Susan Todd, Aaron Clark, Roland Taylor and Arnold Jones to speak, which they did, giving us brief perspectives on long experience in their varied fields: farming, Fall Festival, town government and history and, town buildings. Paul Lacinski volunteered to give us his own view of exciting new approaches to farming today.
Then we got down to lively discussion. Some folks were there to find out more about what we've been doing so far, but most had some very specific and creative ideas about how the third history of our town should look, feel and be structured. It was gratifying to know how much thought has been given to the venture. There was general agreement that the book should be a full and forthright picture of everything that has touched and shaped us since 1965, and that it is important to get this work done.
We handed out a survey asking people to flesh out their suggestions and to let us know where they might fit in to the effort. We got some extremely interesting feed back, which we are now poring over. For those of you who were there, we heartily thank you for taking time out of the afternoon to show us how much you care about the project. We know there were quite a few of you who had intended to come, but life, as it has a habit of doing, intervened. We hope to catch up to you too and get your ideas. More surveys will be placed around town shortly. We ask that those of you who haven't had a chance to express yourselves yet, will do so. We need as many of us to come on board as we possibly can get. There are many, many ways that you can be part of this adventure.
We're also pleased to offer a charming set of note cards featuring Mimi Pieropan's original drawings for the second history of Ashfield, published in 1965. She has graciously offered them to us for use in raising funds for the project.
You will see them on sale in the village.