COLRAIN – Everyone has a pile of stuff they need to fix but never get around to doing it — until this weekend.
Colrain’s Griswold Memorial Library is sponsoring an event to help residents fix a variety of broken home goods on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Colrain has a wealth of innovative, skilled fixers that will be put to work,” said Nancy Rich Turkle, chairwoman of the library’s board of trustees.
People of all ages will run workshops and tables for repairing items. Skilled darners will fix holes in socks and sweaters and a bike expert will be on hand to repair bike problems. Small furniture repairs will be available as well.
“This event educates new and age-old ways of fixing things,” Turkle said.
There have been two successful fix-it events in the past at the library. There has not been one in several years due to the pandemic, but Saturday’s event is expected to have lots of attendees.
“The income level is low but wealth in skills, creativity and grit is high,” Turkle said.
The library’s mission is to be a community hub, as well as a place to loan books, according to Turkle. The fix-it event can be a great way to connect with people in a public space, she said.
In year’s past, knife sharpening has been the most popular station at the event with long lines of people. Knife and tool sharpening will return with two volunteers working through the afternoon.
Additionally, a children’s table for taking apart broken goods will be available. This table is a hands-on educational space for children to learn about how household items work using exploratory learning.
Repairs will have to be small for the three-hour event, but experts are able to look at equipment, and diagnose problems without fixing them at that moment.
Ben Eastman, a Selectboard member and auto repair shop owner, will be at the event fixing weed wackers. He also will be available to answer questions about motors.
“We used to be self-sufficient,” Turkle said. “We are losing that skill.”
Also at the event will be the band 133Skeele, featuring Mohawk Trail Regional School District Superintendent Sharyl Stanont and Bobbie D, while hotdogs from Steve O’Hare’s new food truck will be sold as well.
The library will display how-to guide books and self guided repair video URLs for people to fix things themselves.
Anything unfixable will be turned into a lamp at the event, repurposing items and keeping them out of landfills.
“Things made overseas are so expensive right now,” Turkle said. “There are so many things we can do ourselves.”
Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.