BUCKLAND — Buckland Historical Society this Sunday, will hold a “living exhibit” of Buckland life as it was lived long ago. Step into the past at the 1775 Wilder Homestead and sample activities from the colonial era: Open hearth cooking, oxen, folk painting, weaving, spinning, basket making, Morris Dancers, cider pressing, 1700’s music.
The event takes place from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Wilder Homestead, 129 Route 112 (Ashfield Road). Admission is $3 per adult, $1 per child.
COLRAIN — A guided autumn hike through the picturesque Catamount Hills will be led by town historian Muriel Russell on Saturday, Oct. 15, beginning at 10 a.m. This hike, on the southern end of the Catamounts will use old roads to pass the sites of historic Colrain families. After having lunch at the large foundation of the former Shippee family homestead, huikers will go to the monument where an American Flag was flown over a schoolhouse for the first time in the nation, in 1812.
Also, there will be a tour of early mill sites. According to Russell, making a living in the rocky soils of the Catamounts was difficult, so mills provided added income for some familties.
The walk, sponsored by the Deerfield River Watershed Association and the Catamount Hill Association, is about three miles long, over hilly ground with at least one stream crossing. The walk is free, but hikers should bring water, lunch and extra socks. Hikers are to meet at the intersection of Route 112 and Charlemont Road, then carpool to the start of the hike. For more information, and to register for the walk, call Russell at 413-624-3311.
BUCKLAND — Absentee ballots for the Nov. 8 general election are now available at Town Clerk Janice Purington’s office.
Purington will be out of the office Thursday and Monday, Oct. 10. Otherwise, her regular office hours are: Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closed for lunch from 12:30 to 1 p.m.