Hello neighbor.
Trolley No. 10, the beautifully restored 1896 trolley operated by the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum, will begin its 2017 season on Saturday. The trolley, which was built by the Wason Manufacturing Co. of Springfield, was state-of-the-art at the time it was built.
It originally operated between Shelburne Falls and Colrain, carrying passengers beginning on Nov. 1, 1896. Then, for the next three decades, it carried passengers, freight, school children and mail between the two towns until it ended service in 1927.
According to the Trolley Museum, freight originally received in Shelburne Falls hauled by horse and wagon to the terminal, which is where the museum is today, but after a few years, the company built a bridge for the trolley to cross the Deerfield River. That allowed the trolley to complete its trip to the passenger-freight station where other trains arrived and departed to and from other parts of the country. That bridge is know known worldwide as the Bridge of Flowers.
After the Shelburne Falls and Colrain Street Railway ended its service in 1927, the trolley sat in a farmer’s yard in Colrain until it was donated to the museum in 1992. The trolley was restored to its original condition and returned to service on Oct. 9, 1999.
This season marks the 18th year of its return, with it located in the same yard where it originally operated, and museum visitors are now able to take 15-minute rides back in time. While doing so, they get a short talk about its history.
There’s also a visitors center that offers several displays and a gift shop. For younger visitors, there’s a special area with electric and wooden trains, and a red caboose is open for exploration.
The museum is operated by volunteers. It is open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each week from Memorial Day weekend through the end of October. It is also open holidays, and in July, it is open Monday from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for children ages 6 to 12 ; children under 6 are free.
For more information, visit: www.sftm.org.
JUST SO YOU KNOW, I’m going to try to write a Neighbors column once a week, but I don’t know at this time which day it will run – I tried Wednesday, but that hasn’t worked well, yet. So, when I know more about a permanent day, I’ll let you know. Until then, please bear with me. Thank you, all!
WHAT’S YOUR WEDDING STORY? Did you get married on the beach? In a meadow? In the back yard? Was it a destination wedding? Was yours a second-time-around or senior celebration? Was it nontraditional? Was the proposal unique? Do tell! We’d like to write about it for other readers to enjoy. Call Chris at 413-772-0261, ext. 265 or email: charris@recorder.com
MONADNOCK TRI-STATE DANCE will hold a dance on Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m. in Elmm Community Center, 21 Durkee St., Winchester, N.H. Music by Playin’ Possum. The cost is $8 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Everyone is welcome.
THE FARLEY FIVE comes back to Turners Falls Saturday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Greenfield Savings Bank, 282 Avenue A. Listen to the talented group with its unique, country sound. The event is free and open to the public. There will be light refreshments provided by the bank.
“SIT ON IT!: Bicycle Cabaret” will be held Wednesday, May 31 and Thursday, June 1, from 8 p.m. to midnight at 12 Federal St. in Greenfield. The cost is $28 and includes one drink and appetizers. Tickets are available at The People’s Pint. There will be music, a clown, shadow puppetry, drag and more. Twenty-One-Speed-Tour-de-Force brother emcee duo, Billy and Spyder, will guide you through an experience that will make you pedal and leave you panting. You must be 21 years old or older.
RELAY FOR LIFE TEAM Campers Against Cancer #29 will hold a fundraiser tag sale on Saturday and Sunday at Old Deerfield Country Store on Routes 5 and 10 in Deerfield. The tag sale will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society.
BUCKLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY will hold its annual program and pie sociel on June 2 at 7 p.m. in Buckland Public Hall, Upper Street in Buckland. Kathy Lytle of Buckland will talk about how a local tragedy impacted the care of the metally ill during “The Caged Man of Buckland (1786-1867). Kathy has researched the life of Josiah Spaulding Jr., the son of Rev. Josiah Spaulding, the first minister of Buckland’s Congregational Church. Through the family’s letters, she has been able to illuminate the religious and social mores of that period, bringing to life Josiah Jr. Her presentation will give a glimpse into this early history of Buckland and causes us to see parallels in today’s society. The program will be followed by the pie social. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for students age 12 and younger.
GREENFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY will celebrate Wonder Woman Day on Saturday, June 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The celebration will feature exhibits, activities, freebies, screenings of the original “Wonder Woman” TV show and more. All ages are welcome for this free event, which will take place throughout the library.
DAKIN HUMANE SOCIETY is asking the public for help in stocking the shelves for Nick’s Nursery, its kitten intensive care unit. Starting in June, Nick’s will begin its seasonal operation of treating ill, underage and/or orphaned kittens with the goal of getting them healthy and adoptable. For more information, call 413-781-4000, ext. 122.