North Attleborough Historical Society

November 2008

Nov 11, 2008

November Meeting

On Monday evening, November 17th, George Shelton, of the Attleboro Industrial Museum, will tell us about the "Great Attleboro Fire of 1898." Through a collection of pictures, maps and clippings, George will take us through that great fire and discuss its lasting effect on the Attleboro area. The meeting will start at 7:30 in the Little Red Schoolhouse.

Day at the Schoolhouse

The Plainville third graders have finished their day at the schoolhouse. Now they have memories that will last their lives. Five classes visited during October. The program becomes quiet through the next three months. It starts again in February for North Attleborough.

Holiday Fair

Believe it or not, much discussion took place at the last Board of Trustees meeting over the Holiday Fair and Open House to be held on Sunday, November 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The holiday season is upon us, seemingly quicker than many of us expected. What will be your contribution? Will it be a donation of time? Maybe a donation of goods? Do you have a donation for the Christmas Item table? To the Book Table? To the Jewelry table? How about an item to be raffled or a donation of your favorite baked goods? Please say "yes" when the call comes within the next few weeks.





Thank You

The property grounds were certainly busy during the two Saturday Fall yard sales. Over twenty spots were rented for each sale. Thanks to Bob Lanpher and his crew of helpers for overseeing the sales.

Suggestion

Somewhere, on your "holiday-to-buy-for" list is that one person over whose gift you agonize every year. Consider giving an annual membership to the Society. Gift memberships are used on a yearly basis by a few Society members. Think about presenting one to a lucky recipient this year.

Suggested Day Trip

Is there anything that kicks off the holiday season more than a visit to one of the many area holiday fairs? The local papers frequently have listings of fairs that are happening. Many of these end with dinners at night. What grand events these are! Please consider attending a fair or two. You could choose a fair which you have never attended. While coming through our fair in recent years, some have expressed that our fair is "stop number three" on their lists of stops for that day. Make yourself a list, and make sure a stop at 362 North Washington Street is on that list.



President's Message

I have a quiz question for you: what do Ray Lanpher and I have in common besides an interest in local history? We both hang onto the practice of wearing shorts for as long as possible! Ray, I know, never puts his totally to rest because he does spend time in the south over the colder months. But, at some point, I acknowledge to myself that the end of the practice has arrived for the year, and I give in. However, there was a day this past week when I wore them, probably for one of the remaining times. That is one reason why I love New England . However, three weeks ago, I joined a handful of residents at the Mann Burial Grounds off Draper Ave. as the Historical Commission explained its plan to hopefully bring some restoration to the grounds. That was a bitter October afternoon and I couldn't wait to get back to the warmth of being inside. I am one of those lifelong residents of North Attleborough who visited this burial ground for the very first time on that afternoon. I criticize myself.

Now, all of us know someone who has lived in the area for a long time, and has never seen our Garrison House nor been to our Christmas Fair. I challenge us all to bring that person to our properties on Sunday, November 23. The aromas of the mulled cider in the schoolhouse and of the turkey roasting the Garrison House are worth the trip. Bring a child! Bring a senior! Most of all, bring your family and yourself.

I will see you on the 23rd.



Jim



What Else is Happening This Month

Nov. 15 - 1:00 P.M. - Old Colony Historical Society - "The Collecting Antique Bottles"

Nov. 17 - 10:00 A.M - Attleboro Council on Aging - "History of the Attleboro Town Seal" - (sign-up required)

Nov. 18- 7:30 P.M. - Norton Historical Society - "Great Attleboro Fire of 1898" - George Shelton

Nov. 20 - 10:30 A.M. - Norton Library, Pilgrim Hall - "Thanksgiving In America, Fact and Fiction - Peggy Baker

Nov.. 20 - 7:00 P.M. - Old Colony Historical Society - "Streetscapes of Taunton".

Nov. 23 - 10:00 am to 4:00 P.M. - North Attleborough Historical Society Christmas Fair

Nov. 29 - 10:00 am to 2:00 P.M. - North Attleborough Historical Society Second Chance Fair.