2nd Annual Blafield Children's Concert!

Blafield Children's Chorus at WCC Dec 2015

This Saturday, December 10 at 1PM, you won't want to miss the joyful voices of the Blafield Children's Chorus singing international holiday tunes at Windsor's Congregational Church! It's FREE of charge, and open to all in the community. Those who attended last year's concert can attest that bells were a-ringing and folks were singing along. Come one and all to share in the holiday spirit! Please bring canned goods to donate.

Christmas Trees, Crafts & Caroling!

Notchview, December 5, 2016

There is so much to do in the hilltowns this Saturday, December 10! Travel to Notchview in Windsor to cut down your own Balsam or Fraser Fir carefully grown for the occasion! From 1-1:45PM kids can learn about winter tree identification with Tamarack Hollow Naturalist Aimee Gelinas!  Afterwards, stop by the lodge to check out some locally made gifts from the hilltowns. Looking for something else to do in the evening?  Only 10 minutes down the road, stop by the Bryant Homestead in Cummington for An Old-Fashioned Christmas where you can see the festively decorated rooms of this historic house, enjoy holiday treats, and listen to carolers from 7:30PM-8PM in the parlor!

TREE SALE: 12PM-3PM; $25/tree
KIDS’ TREE ID: 1-1:45PM; Members: FREE, Non-members: $5

Thanksgiving, 1950s Style

Wake up early, make popovers for everyone, and then get down to the REAL work of cooking a Thanksgiving feast...that's the holiday envisioned by the editors of Progress, the monthly newsletter of the East Windsor Progressive Club, back in November of 1954. We've added three recipes from that issue to our online collection - one for the popovers, and two for different types of stuffing. Check them out, and if you get inspired to make those popovers, send us a photo!

Cheshire South?

After a couple of centuries, we're kind of used to the name. But why Windsor? Turns out Windsor was not the first choice for our second name, as local history enthusiast Barry Emery explained during an engaging talk at the Town Hall Internet Cafe on Wednesday Oct. 19th. (Though there remains a lingering mystery around the letter "d".)

Emery, who has written a number of books about Cheshire history, reviewed the situation in 1776, during the War of Independence: the town was anxious to shed its original name, Gageborough, which came from the hated British general Thomas Gage.

At the same time, our neighbors in what is now Cheshire were anxious to incorporate as a town -- the unincorporated area was known as New Providence.

New Providence and Gageborough agreed that New Providence be annexed to the town and sent a letter to the General Assembly asking that the annexation be approved and that the new town be named Cheshire, so that it would not "serve to perpetuate the memory of the destestable General Gage". 

But, the Assembly said no. Emery believes this was possibly a case of religious discrimination, New Providence having been settled by Baptists from Rhode Island.

In 1778, Gageborough tried again to shed the hated name, asking to change it to Winsor (without a "d"). The General Assembly agreed, but changed the spelling. Why? There's no record of that, but Emery wonders if the big city legislators just assumed the rubes in the hills didn't know how to spell it. In fact, there are several towns named Winsor-without-a-d in the UK and elsewhere. Though of course Windsor-with-a-d, as in Windsor Castle, is a place name with a bit more luster.

Emery ended with a suggestion: that someone research whether any of our town's early settlers hailed from Winsor as a possible explanation for the choice.

(Cheshire, by the way, did not receive permission to incorporate until 1793.)

Calling All Windsor Kids!

The Windsor Library’s Book Drop is getting a makeover, and we need your help. Thanks to Bob Meyers and Tim Crane, the old box has been de-rusted, given a new latch, primed, and painted a handsome deep blue. And now it’s ready for the final touch...or, touches: bright little handprints!

We plan to use stencils made from outlining our children’s hands to decorate the box. A hand tracing station will be set up at the Library from now through Saturday, November 20th. Stop by anytime during our regular hours: MON 5 – 7:30 pm, FRI 12 noon – 5 pm, SAT 10 am – 12:30 pm. It will only take a minute.

The handprints will be stenciled in an array of bright colors, and the book drop will be installed outside the library. The kids will have fun trying to identify which hand is theirs; and those of us who grew fond of that beat-up postal mail box sitting outside the town offices collecting rust, wasp nests and mouse droppings, will get to experience its rightful reincarnation.

Patty Crane, Friends of Windsor
Beth Webb, Windsor Library
Sandie Zink, Windsor Library

Touches of Color

Here's to the many people behind these colorful personal touches that brighten our small town. Even the bedraggled, going-by blooms of summer give off a warm glow that can lighten your mood. As Ralph Waldo Emerson so famously said, "The earth laughs in flowers."

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Picture Perfect: Bates Field

These photos were taken this afternoon, and it doesn't get any better than this: freshly mown paths, late summer wild flowers, and a stunning view! Whether you're walking, jogging, bird or butterfly watching, or seeking the ideal spot for a picnic, now is a great time to experience one of Notchview's finest features. Bates Field is also the site of Upland Farm (c. 1905 - 1957), one of the 24 historical site markers we installed as part of our Windsor Landmarks Project. The sign can be found on Shaw Road in front of the stone pillar entrance to the field. You can learn more about Upland Farm and Notchview in FLASHBACKS, Vol. 2.

Notchview is a property of The Trustees. Maps and more information can be picked up at the Visitor's Center. Carpe diem!

Windsor Celebrated!

We did, indeed! We're still reeling from last weekend's festivities. You can read all about it in our special write-up of the event, Celebrate Windsor. And be sure to check out our Celebrating Windsor Photo Gallery. There was standing-room-only in the East Windsor Chapel, with close to 90 names in our guest book. While folks mingled and browsed the wonderful historical photo displays, Benny Kohn kept the rhythm (& blues), playing soulful, original tunes, old-time favorites, and a very moving rendition of his late father's song, "Windsor Now & Then." Colin Harrington engaged the crowd in a spirited story-telling period prompted by reading entries from our "Favorite Windsor Memories" box; Jim Kierstead shared his abundant knowledge of the East Windsor landmark sites by leading a guided walking tour; and Dick Jacobs took home the gorgeous table handcrafted & generously donated by Scott Brockway for a benefit raffle, which brought in an amazing $465 for Friends of Windsor. The new phone books and stunning Windsor Landmarks Maps were a big hit; and the chapel was filled to brimming with summer flowers, homemade goodies, and a contagious feeling of excitement and connection. We'd like to thank all of you—volunteers and guests alike—for helping us make this day special! And, if you haven't already, be sure to check out the two-page spread in the Berkshire Eagle that ran the following day.

The Phone Book is Here!

It's true! And we'll be distributing the all-new directory at the Celebrate Windsor! festivities this Sunday, July 17, 2-5 pm at the East Windsor Chapel. Come pick up your copy and join us for an afternoon of live music, refreshments, and laid back fun. Perched on the banks of Westfield Brook, the chapel is one of Windsor's hidden gems, with its iconic bell tower and spare beauty. We'll be displaying a lovely selection of photos from the Windsor Historical Commission's archives, and offering a short guided walking tour of the East Windsor landmark sites. Plus, a whole lot more. Hope to see you!

Raffle to Benefit Friends of Windsor

This beautifully handcrafted entryway/sofa table was generously donated by Scott Brockway to benefit Friends of Windsor and add to our Celebrate Windsor! festivities on Sunday, July 17, 2-5 pm at the East Windsor Chapel. Scott, the owner of Berkshire Wood Products, made the table from locally harvested maple that has a unique wavy grain pattern (“tiger maple”) prized by fine woodworkers. It measures 30” h x 42” l x 12” d. Raffle tickets are now on sale at Sangar’s, Friendly Fred’s, and the Town Offices: $5 for one ticket, $20 for five. The drawing will be held on the day of the event. Come join us on the 17th to celebrate Windsor’s past! We’ll have fabulous music by Windsor keyboardist Benny Kohn; a fascinating historical photo display; walking tours of the East Windsor landmark sites; and refreshments. And we’ll be handing out the latest Windsor Phone Book, as well as showing off our new Windsor Landmarks Map. There will be lots to see and do, including winning yourself a beautiful, locally made table!

Windsor Jams

That's not a typo! Take out the "b" in Windsor Jambs and you get Windsor's own Piano Man, Benny Kohn, playing a jazzy blue tune featured on his newly released CD, Fingers First. Click on the arrow to listen! You can hear Benny play live during our Celebrate Windsor! festivities on Sunday, July 17, 2-5 pm at the East Windsor Chapel. Come enjoy the music, refreshments, and a walk down Windsor's memory lane with historical photo displays, walking tours of East Windsor's landmark sites, and good conversation with neighbors and friends. You'll have a chance to buy raffle tickets for Scott Brockway's beautifully handcrafted sofa table, pick up your new Windsor Phone Book, and admire our fabulous Windsor Landmarks Map. Be there or be square!

Celebrate Windsor!

Come join us at the lovely East Windsor Chapel on Sunday, July 17th from 2-5 pm to celebrate Windsor's past, and the publication of our wonderful Historic Landmarks Map! The professionally designed full-color map highlights the locations of the 24 site markers Friends of Windsor erected last year as part of our Windsor Landmarks Project. Festivities will also include great music from Windsor's own Benny "Fingers" Kohn, historical photo displays, walking tours of the East Windsor landmark sites, refreshments, and the good company of neighbors and friends. We'll also be raffling a beautiful tiger maple sofa table handcrafted and donated by Scott Brockway. And, at long last, we'll be distributing the 2016-17 Windsor Phone & Community Directory! We look forward to seeing you and sharing stories, memories, and some good laughs.

The East Windsor Chapel is located on Old Route 9, a stone's throw east of where Old Route 9 intersects with Worthington Road.

Wildflowers!

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Don't you love Windsor at this time of year, when the spring wildflowers are nearing their peak? Now it's buttercups, daisies, irises, and ragged robin—to name just a few. Whether motoring, bicycling, or walking past, who could resist stopping for a longer look? These photos were taken on a recent evening bicycle ride. From left to right, top then bottom: Hume Field, Notchview; Bates Field, Notchview;  Drew's Field, Savoy Rd; Piekos Field, Savoy Rd. (Click on each for a larger view). At one stop, we came upon a local couple enjoying a picnic surrounded by blooms. Dinner out doesn't get any better than that! Piekos Field, as always, was a highlight with its stunning views, music-box-like calls of bobolinks, and the feeling that you're at the top of the world. We've got it good here. If you'd like to share your favorite Windsor wildflower photos with us, we'd love to create a gallery. Send your jpeg files to us at fowindsor@gmail.com.

Listening to Windsor Jambs

Thank you, Internet! While researching the history of Windsor Bush recently, I stumbled across a YouTube music video titled "Windsor Jambs." This is a piece of music unlike anything I have heard before. I can't promise you'll like it, but give it a try. The piece was written in 1980 by Earle Brown, a leading composer of American avant-garde music from the 1950s until his death in 2002.  Why did Brown name a composition for a wild and remote gorge off River Road? Just a brief dip in the Google ocean turned up this: "The title, Windsor Jambs comes from a road sign I saw somewhere in Connecticut or Western Massachusetts a few years ago. I liked the sound of it as a title and it has come to express somewhat the polyphonic juxtapositions and interweaving of melodic materials that occur in the work."

While I was disappointed to learn he had never actually been to Windsor Jambs, Brown's comment reminded me that when I lived in North Adams in the 1980s, I would often pass the sign for Windsor Jambs while driving in a hurry from one place to another. Each time I would promise myself to take a detour one day and see this wonderfully-named place.

Brown was born in Lunenberg, MA in 1926 and had a lifelong connection to New England. He was a guest composer at Tanglewood in 1968, and I like to think it was during this time that Windsor Jambs worked its magic. The Earle Brown Foundation has great information on his life and work. Susan Phillips

Who Remembers This Bus?

We love this picture of Windsor's sturdy school bus with driver and smiling scholars, back in the days of Crane Community School. It's part of the Windsor Historical Commission collection, but it isn't labeled with either a date or names.

Can you help? Recognize any of these faces? Windsor's schools -- there were 9 or 10 small schoolhouses at one time, followed by consolidation at the Crane school -- will be highlighted in upcoming issues of Flashbacks, so if you have memories to share please get in touch. Meantime, check out former resident John Boyle's memories of growing up in "downtown" Windsor.

Bloodmobile Comes to Windsor

Like all other regions of the United States, the Berkshires regularly experiences blood supply shortages. Since convenience is often a deciding factor in whether or not people decide to give much-needed blood, Friendly Fred's has offered to host a drive right here in Windsor. Berkshire Medical Center's Blood Donor Center, which operates the state-of-the-art bloodmobile, is committed to keeping donated blood in the Berkshires for use in local patients and aiding in efforts to decrease the cost of blood.

Approximately 38% of the population has O-positive blood and 34% has A-positive, with the remaining six blood types more rare. Only 1% of the population is estimated to have AB-negative blood. There is no successful substitute for human blood, which makes blood donation vital to each community. To sign up, please call Jen at 413-684-3371.

Show Us Your Barn!

Who doesn't love a barn?! Whether it's a relic of the past working its way back to earth, newly-built and still smelling of fresh lumber, or something in between, barns remind us of our connections to the land in ways that are hard to express. So, this is an invitation to show us your barn and help us create a Barns of Windsor Photo Gallery. Send Friends of Windsor your favorite photo, whether your barn houses equine, beat-up equipment, or swallows and wasps. Email images in jpeg format to fowindsor@gmail.com.

Simple Gifts Fund for Berkshire Youth

             Bill Crofut (1935 - 1999)

The Simple Gifts Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is offering grants of between $200-$800 for young residents (ages 13 to 21) of the Berkshire region who are interested in participating in summer enrichment programs for cultural and creative endeavors. Requests might be for funds to do an internship with a theater company, learn a new language or experiment in a new art form; essentially, to make it possible for you to participate in a program that will have significance in your life. Application deadline is March 15! To learn more and/or apply, contact Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation at info@berkshiretaconic.org or 413.229.0370

Bill Crofut, an accomplished international folk singer, had a deep understanding and empathy for the dreams and aspirations of young people. He wanted to do something that could help them achieve their goals and knew that even small amounts of money could help. In the last months of his life he made an extraordinary CD, “Dancing on a Moonbeam,” to raise money for the Simple Gifts Fund. He loved to foster small steps to further great passions.

Show Me the Green!

Windsor's initial Green Community grant was officially awarded this week at a celebration in Stockbridge honoring western Massachusetts towns that became Green Communities in the past year. Windsor's Select Board Chair, Tim Crane (center), and Green Committee members, Stu Besnoff and Bob Meyers (second and third from right, respectively), are shown accepting the mega-check from Department of Energy Resources Commissioner, Judith Judson (far left), and Green Communities Director, Daniel Knapik (far right). Our honorable and happy-looking State Senator, Ben Downing (second from left) shares a hold on the prize. Adams, Stockbridge and Monterey also received grants. Way to go Windsor!

"Russian Princes" in Windsor?

Serge MDivani with actress Pola Negri. Copyright "Bundesarchiv Bild 102-10764, Pola Negri mit Ehemann" 

While I was doing some research for the February issue of Flashbacks, I came across some intriguing lines in "Progress", referring to frequent visits to Windsor by young Russian Princes:

"At one time, when Z. Marshall Crane owned only his hunting lodge in Windsor, he brought the MDivani brothers up with him. They were Russian Princes, sons of Russian Czar, and Mr. Z. Marshall Crane had gotten them out of their country during World War I. There was Serge, the dark-haired one, and David, the red haired boy and their brother, Alexis. I don't seem to remember Alexis, but I remember the other two very well, as they came to our house many times...these boys all married movie stars and socialites...Prince Serge MDivani was married to Louise Astor Van Alen at the time he was thrown from his horse while playing polo and was killed; Alexis was killed in Spain in an auto accident, and I can't remember what happened to David."

With its homely air of truthful reminiscence surrounded by a bouquet of red flags -- such as the historical non-existence of any Czar M'Divani -- this called for further research. Ten minutes with Google and I had a few answers.

The MDivani brothers were in fact notorious fortune hunters. But they were not Russian, and while they were happy to be referred to as princes, this was a stretch. They were the children of a Georgian General, Zakhari MDivani. Z. Marshall Crane was a frequent visitor at the MDivani's mansion on the Black Sea between 1917 and 1920. The family fled to Paris after the Soviet invasion of Georgia in 1921.

Z. Marshall Crane did bring at least two of the five MDivani children to the U.S. He sent sons Serge and David to Phillips Academy in Andover. Serge, is listed as a 1924 graduate of Phillips Academy in Andover (referred to on the school website as "Prince" Serge Mdivani).

It was probably about this time that the brothers were visiting Windsor and making such an impression. They must have seemed romantic and sophisticated young men from a vanished world. Who knows what kind of impression Windsor made on them?

The boys returned to Paris after a few years, and then came back to the states once again, winding up, inevitably, in Hollywood. While they may have had claim to the title of "Count" in Georgia, a translation error in their social favor turned them into instant princes, and they did not object. They went on to become famous as "The Marrying MDivanis" -- for good reason. Eldest brother Serge (1903-1936) married actress Pola Negri in 1927. When she lost her fortune in the 1929 stock market crash, he abandoned her in favor of opera singer Mary McCormic, who divorced him. In 1936, he married the former Louise Astor Van Alen (yes, those Astors), who had previously been married to the middle brother, Alexis. Serge died that year after a polo accident.

Alexis (1905-1935) had married Louise in 1931. He divorced her to marry Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton, one of the world's richest women. He died in a crash in Spain, while driving a Rolls Royce at high speeds. He was rushing to take a beautiful Baronness, the 23-year-old Maud Thyssen, to catch a train to Paris. The Baronness was seriously injured but recovered, and attributed her survival to a relic -- a dried sardine guaranteed to prevent its holder from violent death -- she claimed had once belonged to Rasputin.

David (1907-1984) married actress Mae Murray. They had a son together. He spent all her money, she divorced him in 1933, and the ensuing custody battle left her completely destitute. He married Sinclair Oil heiress Virginia Sinclair in 1944. 

So, there it is...more truth than fiction in this fragmentary memory from Windsor's past. -- Susan Phillips