Sheep Gal

Relief for West County

Stillwater at the Bridge of Flowers & Iron Bridge, Shelburne Falls, MA (photo by Ben Barnhart, 2009)

I'm posting for the second time today in response to a reader comment on my earlier post (thank you Marcy for your thoughtful question). I learned that a fund has been established locally to provide relief to those in Franklin county whose homes and businesses were severely damaged by the storm (please read to the end of this post if you would like to contribute).

I just returned from a trip to the village. After a stop at the P.O. and the bank, I took a stroll over the Iron Bridge, stopping to speak with several business owners along the way. On their behalf I'd like to relay the message that many shops and restaurants are open in the village this weekend. 

The gardners are hard at  work mending the lovely gardens on the Bridge of Flowers as I type (which I hope means the bridge will soon be open for pedestrian visitors). Shelburne Falls is lovely and visit-worthy, even in its altered state. I'm sure the businesses would be glad to see you!

(note: If you're planning to visit Franklin County Mass. this weekend, please read this travel advisory.)

 

Information I received earlier today from the Shelburne Falls Business Association:

West County Relief Fund:

Shelburne Falls Area Business Association Organizes West County Relief Fund

 The Shelburne Falls Area Business Association (SFABA) with the support of the Central Connecticut River Valley Institute (CCRVI) has established the West County Relief fund to receive funds from the public to be used for relief from the damage caused by Hurricane Irene. Funds will be given out to individuals, families, and businesses to fill needs not met by funds from Federal, State and non-profit sources. Funds raised will be distributed by a committee established by the SFABA.

Donors can make donations (please make checks payable to West County Relief Fund) at any branch of the Greenfield Saving Bank, WHAI, McCusker's Market, Mocha Maya's, Keystone Market, and other area businesses.) Checks made out to West County Relief Fund may be mailed to CCRVI, 6 Warren Court, Shelburne Falls, MA, 01370, to the SFABA, PO Box 42, Shelburne Falls, MA, 01370. 

Shelburne Falls and the West County area are still very much here - please support our towns, families, and businesses by coming to visit and patronizing our shops, galleries, and restaurants.
The 3rd Annual Salmon Falls Street Fest is 12-7 PM September 17, 2011, and is dedicated to the recovery of West County. Come and enjoy the festivities in our beautiful village!

 

Thanks for reading,

Barb

The Strolling of the Lambs

Thanks to our Sheep Shares members and your guests (more than 50 of you!)  who traveled from far and wide to share a super-fun day with sheep. For those of you who could not be with us, I'm posting many images of the day (divided into two posts to make loading easier).

Enjoy!

MA Sheep & Wool Festival - No Kidding!!

It's stopped raining for two days which means we are crazy behind on outdoor tasks. We are scrambling to play catch-up with the grass - it's thigh high in most places which makes it impossible to set up temporary fence for grazing without mowing down a swath of grass to set the fence. The sheep have their work cut out for them.

In the midst of it all, I took a little 2-day field trip to visit the critters shown in this post. It was a fascinating excursion - more on that later. Can anyone guess what they are?

Add to that the business of show prep. We've been dyeing roving and yarn for the Massachusetts Sheep and Wool Festival which is this weekend at the Cummington Fairground.

The van is packed and in about twenty minutes I'll head to the fairground. Foxfire Fiber & Design's booth will be heavily fortified with Cormo blend roving, yarn and some delicious hand-painted delights. We are located in the stalls, under the grandstand and hope you'll stop at the booth to say hi. Join us Sunday at 1 for our group cast on for our Cormo Flock Sock yarn Knit Along.

Sheep Shares CSA members - please join us for the Strolling of the Lambs next Saturday, June 4, 11-3 (raindate Sunday, June 5).