North Attleborough Historical Society

October 2011 Newsletter

October
Meeting

            On Monday, October 17 at 7:30 pm we will help the
First Congregational Church of Oldtown, founded in 1712,  celebrate their
300th birthday. We are on the road for this program, meeting at the church.
Please park in one of the church lots and use the ramp
entrance.

She's Back

            In two Smoke Signals of the past months,
the call has gone out for one of you to step forward to chair our holiday fair.
Sandi Burns did step forward again. She will coordinate all the happenings in
the schoolhouse on the Sunday afternoon before Thanksgiving. But she is only a
co-chair. She is counting on all of us to co-chair with her. So, when your
caller id says she is calling, please answer with
enthusiasm.

Welcome

            To our new members: Diane Ward of Lakeville and Betty and Greg Lee of North Attleborough. We hope to see all of you at our
monthly meetings.

Doll Exhibit

            The Society will be having an exhibit of
antique dolls on Sunday afternoon, October 30, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Bring your
friends and family to see the collections of some of our members. Dolls will be
displayed in both buildings. Should you have an antique doll to contribute, you
could  bring it to the schoolhouse prior to 1:00 that day. There
will be a $2.00 cost for all attending.

Thank You

            To Briggs Nursery for the donation of a
mum for our September raffle. And the winner was...Claire Harrison. And thanks
to the Morin family who not only presented a highly enjoyable program in
September but also donated items for our fair raffle
table.

 

 

Yard Sale

            The next yard sale is Saturday, October
22.  Reserve a space by calling Bob at 508-695-6649. They go quickly.

A Lady Alone

            On October 20, the North Attleborough and
Taunton chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star will
be presenting "A Lady Alone" with Linda Grey Kelly portraying the life of
Elizabeth Blackwell, the first female doctor in the United States. $20.00
tickets need to be reserved through Joan Tinkham (508-695-9346) by October 17. The presentation will be at
1:00 pm at the Masonic Lodge, North Attleborough.

Other Happenings in the
area

Oct. 6, 7:00  pm - Boyden Library, Foxborough - "Northern Hospitality" - Reservation
required

Oct. 10, 7:30 pm. - Mansfield Historical Society - "100 Years Ago in
Mansfield"

Oct. 13, 5:00 - 8:00 pm - Taunton Library - "Salem Witchcraft Trials" - Dr.
Gary Hylander

Oct. 17, 7:30 pm - North Attleborough Historical Society - "Happy 300th
Birthday, First Congregational Church of Oldtown
(1712)"

Oct. 18, 7:00 pm - Richards Memorial Library - Dr. Gary 
Hylander - "Vietnam War Part 2" - Reservation required. 

Oct. 18, 7:30 pm - Norton Historical Society - "Villages of Norton -
Norton Reservoir"

Oct. 20, 6:45 pm - Attleboro Historic Preservation Society - "Attleboro in
the Civil War" -Rick Foster at Attleboro Area Industrial
Museum

Oct. 22, 9:00 am to 2:00  pm -
North Attleborough Historical Society
Yard Sale

Oct. 26, 7:00 pm. - Johnston Historical Society - "Rhode Island
Disasters"

Nov. 5, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm - Baptist Church - "Presentations on the local 7th
Massachusetts Unit in the Civil
War

Nov. 18, 7:00 pm - Richards Memorial Library - "Civil War Artillery" -
Mike Vigorito

                Recent correspondences sent
to you have contained unfavorable news. The tide may have turned because I have
some good and some better news to report. There was no goal for the sponsorship
program. The proposed budget you received did show a nearly $5,000. deficit but,
because the program was a first time event, anything received was greatly
appreciated.

                It is obvious that the
membership took the informational packet and studied it because the responses
have been forthcoming. In just the first month, nearly half the deficit has been
eliminated. But, before you donated, you did ask some appropriate
questions.

                While we all agree and
support the third grade program, it was asked if the North Attleborough School
Department contributes. In recent years, the schools have sent a significant
contribution. Now, there is exploration taking place as to having each student
contribute a small amount towards their own day. When compared to the cost of
field trips today, the few dollars thay may be asked of each student is a
bargain. Plainville did make a smaller but
similar contribution for their third graders, but, regrettably, the town decided
to terminate their program with us.

                You also asked if the public
was solicited or just the membership. The Society received a gift to cover any
costs incurred with the mailing. This cost allowed for the mailing of 230
letters. Interestingly, half of that number is our membership. So, half to the
members and the other half to selected public entities that might support our
mission. Not surprisingly, the monies received have mostly come from members.But
we have received public donations and have word that more is coming. Some
members and non-members have asked to wait until 2012 to make donations. There
is no time limit to this program, so whenever it arrives, it is welcomed. Also,
some have designated as to what event the donation should be directed while
others have come undesignated.

                A member suggested that if
the public did contribute, the Society could offer an electronic membership to
them. This would cost the Society nothing and might be a future renewal. What a
great idea, and it has been offered. Now, I make the same offer to any of you.
Obviously, you do not need such a membership because you are reading this. But,
should any of you have already, or in the future plan to, make a donation of any
size, I will offer an electronic membership for the remainder of our 2011-2012
year. You could use it as a gift for someone. For those who have contributed
already, please make your intentions known to me.

                The Society and I 
are very appreciative of your thoughts and actions. Let us not forget the
October  meeting at the First Congregational Church, the November
meeting in our schoolhouse, the Doll exhibit on October 30, the Civil War event
on November 5, and of course, our fair and open house on the Sunday afternoon
before Thanksgiving. Busy times, indeed.

               
Jim

Posted by rlanpher on 10/06/2011
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