I am a writer, long interested in history and genealogy, so working with the Ashfield History Project seemed a natural choice. Since my experience is with Web technologies, I have been trying to harness a bit of the power of the Internet to help us collaborate, communicate, generate ideas, and soon, edit and publish the third volume of Ashfield History.
My first project was to create a Web site for the project. You can find us at http://www.ashfieldhistoryproject.org. It's a simple Web site, designed to be easy to navigate with up-to-date information about the project. It is the door to several collaboration tools which I would like to introduce to you.
First, most of the Web site is now generated with "Wiki" software. It sounds exotic, but what it means is that the whole community can help us create the Web site. While there are some protected pages, mostly for administrative purposes, other pages, like the Ideas page, are open to anyone who would like to jot down their inspirations. By having a public venue for posting ideas, we hope to encourage many more people to participate—and to inspire their neighbors! As the project progresses, the wiki will also allow us to edit the outline together, add and edit entire stories, and more.
To add your idea, click "Ideas" on the main Web site. Then click the Edit button at the bottom of the page. Then add your ideas and click Save. That's all there is to it.
Next, we're using "blog" software to keep a diary online about the progress we've made so far. You can see our Blog by going to the News section of the Web site (or by going to ashfieldhistoryproject.blogspot.com) We welcome your comments. Just click on the "comments" link at the bottom of each post to tell us what you think.
Third, we have an email list that we use to share comments, scheduling, ideas, and the like. Having an email list makes it easy to make sure that everyone in the group gets the message. And while the list is pretty low-traffic, you can also choose to view messages only online in order to keep your inbox free. If you're interested in working with the Ashfield History Project, please consider joining the list. You can get more information about how to join by clicking Join Us on our home page, or by going to http://groups.google.com/group/ashfieldhistoryproject
Finally, we're using Flickr, a photo-sharing site, to share images and photographs that we hope will either spark ideas for articles, or help illustrate the final book. Our Flickr group can be found at http://www.flickr.com/ashfieldhistoryproject
Friday, February 29, 2008
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Indexing the Ashfield News
We at AHP are fortunate and grateful that Anne Eberle, a professional in the art of indexing, has graciously offered to act as consultant and to assist in any way she is able with our plans to index the entire 31 years of the Ashfield News. Don Robinson will be working on this effort covering the major areas of Town business and trends, but there are countless, precious other subjects, people, events and creative output that would not fall into the larger categories. We are hoping that there are some who would find it exciting to comb through the old newspapers and categorize it all into an index that would allow researchers to find what they seek at their finger tips. The only newspaper in the area whose archives are fully accessible, is the Shelburne Falls Independent. Our achievement will result in an extremely valuable resource not only for our history project but for the whole region.
We have all the old issues of the Ashfield News, right from the start, in our office at the Ashfield Memorial Park barn. It is a comfortable, roomy place, where those wanting to indulge in this activity, may work in an undisturbed, quiet place without the activities of others competing. Ms Eberle is particularly interested in having the opportunity to instruct people of all ages including young people. This is a great opportunity for us all.
We have all the old issues of the Ashfield News, right from the start, in our office at the Ashfield Memorial Park barn. It is a comfortable, roomy place, where those wanting to indulge in this activity, may work in an undisturbed, quiet place without the activities of others competing. Ms Eberle is particularly interested in having the opportunity to instruct people of all ages including young people. This is a great opportunity for us all.
E. Leete's Life in Ashfield
We’ve received the first two of Elizabeth Leete’s Ashfield remembrances, beginning with her wedding to her husband Gurdon in 1963. She describes the occasion, which was held at the home of Ernie Wyatt in colorful prose. Ernie was pretty colorful himself; Elizabeth characterizes him as “an iconoclast, womanizer, drinker, leftist, anarchist even, retired sailor.” Ernie re-did his house on Town Farm Road to make it look like a ship - port holes and all.
In her second piece Elizabeth reminisces about acquiring her home, “Blueberry Hill,” in Apple Valley (found by Ernie,) and some of the people who figured in her life then: Donald Graves, Ted Howes and Cecil Bolton. We're looking forward to many more of her memoires.
This is one of many sorts of contributions we hope a growing number of people will make to the Ashfield History Project, always enriching the texture of the Ashfield story.
In her second piece Elizabeth reminisces about acquiring her home, “Blueberry Hill,” in Apple Valley (found by Ernie,) and some of the people who figured in her life then: Donald Graves, Ted Howes and Cecil Bolton. We're looking forward to many more of her memoires.
This is one of many sorts of contributions we hope a growing number of people will make to the Ashfield History Project, always enriching the texture of the Ashfield story.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Getting the Kids involved
In July, we met with parents, teachers and school administrators at Belding Library to canvass possibilities for getting school children, teachers and administrators involved in the Ashfield History Project. The curriculum (“teaching to the test”) puts some limits on what we can accomplish during school hours, but those at the meeting were creative in thinking “outside the box.”
One idea that emerged was to set up an announcement board in the lobby of Sanderson Academy and advertise for “help wanted.” Last month in this column, we listed some of the ways students could join the Project: helping families sort through old boxes of letters, photos and other mementos; indexing old newspapers; interviewing older residents. On the board at Sanderson (and perhaps Mohawk), we will post specific assignments and invite students to reply. It might provide ways for students to learn specific skills from knowledgeable adults: working with Dave Fessenden operating video and other photographic equipment, with Phyllis Kirkpatrick and Don Robinson conducting an interview.
Another idea for welcoming children into the process was to invite them into conversation with older residents. We will offer the first of these conversations at the South Ashfield Library at 5 PM on Sunday, August 12. It will be entitled "When I was 10 in Ashfield."
Residents who grew up here will be invited to reminisce about summer days, school days, what you did on Saturdays, where you went sledding, how you spent time with your best friend, and any other memories that might illuminate our recent history and inspire today's kid-generation to do further interviews and written comparisons to their own lives.
We are hoping to have someone of somewhere-around-60 years old, a fifty-something year old, someone in their forties, a thirty year old, a twenty year old and a real live present day ten year old! (As you probably know, the new book will cover Ashfield history from 1960 to the present.)
If you think you'll be there, it would be great for us to know ahead of time. Please call Christina Gabriel, who is organizing the event, at 628-0204. It will be fun to get a picture of Ashfield from a child's perspective through the decades. PLEASE JOIN US, to share or just to listen, at the South Ashfield Library (corner of 116 and Burton Hill Road) on Sunday, August 12th at 5:00. Refreshments will be served!
by Don Robinson
One idea that emerged was to set up an announcement board in the lobby of Sanderson Academy and advertise for “help wanted.” Last month in this column, we listed some of the ways students could join the Project: helping families sort through old boxes of letters, photos and other mementos; indexing old newspapers; interviewing older residents. On the board at Sanderson (and perhaps Mohawk), we will post specific assignments and invite students to reply. It might provide ways for students to learn specific skills from knowledgeable adults: working with Dave Fessenden operating video and other photographic equipment, with Phyllis Kirkpatrick and Don Robinson conducting an interview.
Another idea for welcoming children into the process was to invite them into conversation with older residents. We will offer the first of these conversations at the South Ashfield Library at 5 PM on Sunday, August 12. It will be entitled "When I was 10 in Ashfield."
Residents who grew up here will be invited to reminisce about summer days, school days, what you did on Saturdays, where you went sledding, how you spent time with your best friend, and any other memories that might illuminate our recent history and inspire today's kid-generation to do further interviews and written comparisons to their own lives.
We are hoping to have someone of somewhere-around-60 years old, a fifty-something year old, someone in their forties, a thirty year old, a twenty year old and a real live present day ten year old! (As you probably know, the new book will cover Ashfield history from 1960 to the present.)
If you think you'll be there, it would be great for us to know ahead of time. Please call Christina Gabriel, who is organizing the event, at 628-0204. It will be fun to get a picture of Ashfield from a child's perspective through the decades. PLEASE JOIN US, to share or just to listen, at the South Ashfield Library (corner of 116 and Burton Hill Road) on Sunday, August 12th at 5:00. Refreshments will be served!
by Don Robinson
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Getting the Kids Involved
We are currently hatching a plan that we hope will result in Ashfield’s children becoming directly involved in the History Project. We are thinking about students from preschool, through elementary and high school, and perhaps even college-age. We have contacted a number of educators, and interested parents who are keen to explore the possibilities.
Even though we already have a good-sized list of ways our kids can get busy, we want your input as well. Here are some of our ideas, most of which would be with adult support: Taking photographs, filming; being interviewed and helping to interview others; doing a research project with other students; assisting older researchers (organizing, typing, filing, etc.); helping families and individuals sort through the proverbial shoe boxes of letters, photos, mementos; indexing; using computer skills; examining ways school experiences have changed; finding old newspaper articles; reporting on current events at school (perhaps awards for writing;) map making; fund-raising efforts. This is just a start.
Summer is a good time to start getting acquainted. We believe that a strong student effort could make a huge contribution to this project. We plan to hold a meeting at the Library probably within the first or second week of July. When we have the date set, we will post it with the Town Clerk and put notices around town. All are welcome.
I’ve been looking through the large beautifully bound folio given to me by the staff of the ASHFIELD NEWS upon my retirement as Editor in 1983. It contains all the issues of the first seven-plus years of publication. The NEWS was crude in the beginning, heaven knows, but it pulled up its socks pretty quickly and began looking smarter, as it continues to do to this digital age.
I was looking for something as I become increasingly despairing over the effects of our laxity as a nation over global warming and the environment in general. I was remembering that Ashfield, more than 30 years ago, was not asleep and not as lax as was much of the world. I found what I was looking for in the May 1977 issue in news of the recent Town Meeting results. Young Roger Harris (Stuart’s brother) had brought before the Town the idea of establishing an “Energy Commission.” Its defeat was later lamented by former resident Steve Judge in his monthly column “View from Baptist Corner.” Yet scarcely a month after the defeat, Roger was writing a column about energy and conservation - including a gloomy view of the future if nothing was done - under the heading of the “Energy Conservation Committee.” His column, containing all the tips, advice, statistics and warnings that we are now suddenly hearing everyday from every corner, continued for at least another 5 years. I wrote a scathing editorial in the Nov. 1978 issue about the Town’s unwillingness to recycle, Henry Warger, then Dump Master, had his say too. Then it all came together little by little to be what it is today.. “From Dump to Transfer Station” is a great story and would be joy to do.
Our town boasts a fascinating record of environmental awareness and action. This, like, all our stories, needs to be told. But remember, the creation and success of our new history book really does depend on you.
by Phyllis Kirkpatrick
Even though we already have a good-sized list of ways our kids can get busy, we want your input as well. Here are some of our ideas, most of which would be with adult support: Taking photographs, filming; being interviewed and helping to interview others; doing a research project with other students; assisting older researchers (organizing, typing, filing, etc.); helping families and individuals sort through the proverbial shoe boxes of letters, photos, mementos; indexing; using computer skills; examining ways school experiences have changed; finding old newspaper articles; reporting on current events at school (perhaps awards for writing;) map making; fund-raising efforts. This is just a start.
Summer is a good time to start getting acquainted. We believe that a strong student effort could make a huge contribution to this project. We plan to hold a meeting at the Library probably within the first or second week of July. When we have the date set, we will post it with the Town Clerk and put notices around town. All are welcome.
I’ve been looking through the large beautifully bound folio given to me by the staff of the ASHFIELD NEWS upon my retirement as Editor in 1983. It contains all the issues of the first seven-plus years of publication. The NEWS was crude in the beginning, heaven knows, but it pulled up its socks pretty quickly and began looking smarter, as it continues to do to this digital age.
I was looking for something as I become increasingly despairing over the effects of our laxity as a nation over global warming and the environment in general. I was remembering that Ashfield, more than 30 years ago, was not asleep and not as lax as was much of the world. I found what I was looking for in the May 1977 issue in news of the recent Town Meeting results. Young Roger Harris (Stuart’s brother) had brought before the Town the idea of establishing an “Energy Commission.” Its defeat was later lamented by former resident Steve Judge in his monthly column “View from Baptist Corner.” Yet scarcely a month after the defeat, Roger was writing a column about energy and conservation - including a gloomy view of the future if nothing was done - under the heading of the “Energy Conservation Committee.” His column, containing all the tips, advice, statistics and warnings that we are now suddenly hearing everyday from every corner, continued for at least another 5 years. I wrote a scathing editorial in the Nov. 1978 issue about the Town’s unwillingness to recycle, Henry Warger, then Dump Master, had his say too. Then it all came together little by little to be what it is today.. “From Dump to Transfer Station” is a great story and would be joy to do.
Our town boasts a fascinating record of environmental awareness and action. This, like, all our stories, needs to be told. But remember, the creation and success of our new history book really does depend on you.
by Phyllis Kirkpatrick
Friday, June 1, 2007
Focus Groups (from Ashfield News, June 2007)
At the History Project's kick-off party on April 22, Walter Zalenski reminded us that the police department has not existed forever. It was created in the mid 1960s. Walter himself was the first chief of police in Ashfield, and for many years our sole paid officer. (Elected constables had always attended to certain responsibilities, as they do to this day.)
This summer, following up on the energy displayed at the kick-off party, we will organize several focus groups. Each group will have a scribe who will take notes and write up a summary. Meetings will be posted, and we will try to insure that key people are invited. But we strongly encourage anyone interested in a topic to attend these meetings.
One such group will be devoted to the police department. What led to its establishment? How were duties handled? What kinds of crimes were most common then? How has the situation evolved.? When and how did policing become professionalized? What growing pains were experienced? How did we cope with them?
Another group, taking Phil Nolan the Younger's suggestion, will consider the town dump (or whatever euphemism you prefer). We recently obtained some file cases there, left by some kind soul for recycling. Where did trash go before we had a dump? (Why do we have so much more of it now?) When were fees introduced? When was it regionalized? How did the dump begin to serve as a meeting place, a book exchange, a place for fund-raising for Mohawk's sports teams?
Several people have expressed interest in “Save the Hills,” the project that blocked the Pentagon's plan to build guidance towers on potato fields on the Ashfield-Hawley line. The citizen uprising was reminiscent of Daniel Shays' rebellion. We need to make a record of that event.
Schooling is a huge topic. We would like to start by looking at the emergence of a preschool toward the end of the 20th century. What created the need for such a school? Who organized it? How did it evolve? How was it financed? What skills did the teachers bring? How would we measure its success?
No doubt other groups, following other stories, will begin to emerge, more or less formally. Let us know if we can help. Together we can build a strong archive, the basis for the history of the past 50 years we will soon begin to compose.
by Don Robinson
This summer, following up on the energy displayed at the kick-off party, we will organize several focus groups. Each group will have a scribe who will take notes and write up a summary. Meetings will be posted, and we will try to insure that key people are invited. But we strongly encourage anyone interested in a topic to attend these meetings.
One such group will be devoted to the police department. What led to its establishment? How were duties handled? What kinds of crimes were most common then? How has the situation evolved.? When and how did policing become professionalized? What growing pains were experienced? How did we cope with them?
Another group, taking Phil Nolan the Younger's suggestion, will consider the town dump (or whatever euphemism you prefer). We recently obtained some file cases there, left by some kind soul for recycling. Where did trash go before we had a dump? (Why do we have so much more of it now?) When were fees introduced? When was it regionalized? How did the dump begin to serve as a meeting place, a book exchange, a place for fund-raising for Mohawk's sports teams?
Several people have expressed interest in “Save the Hills,” the project that blocked the Pentagon's plan to build guidance towers on potato fields on the Ashfield-Hawley line. The citizen uprising was reminiscent of Daniel Shays' rebellion. We need to make a record of that event.
Schooling is a huge topic. We would like to start by looking at the emergence of a preschool toward the end of the 20th century. What created the need for such a school? Who organized it? How did it evolve? How was it financed? What skills did the teachers bring? How would we measure its success?
No doubt other groups, following other stories, will begin to emerge, more or less formally. Let us know if we can help. Together we can build a strong archive, the basis for the history of the past 50 years we will soon begin to compose.
by Don Robinson
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
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.
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.
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