Autumn in the North Cemetery.

Sixty miles west of Boston, Massachusetts there is the small New England town of Sturbridge. Located at the junction of I-90 (The Mass Pike), and I-84 it has become known as the "Crossroads of New England". The town was first settled over 300 years ago, and like other small New England towns it has grown just enough over the years to be in a difficult place today. How do we embrace the future without forgetting how we got to our present? How do we attract the right kind of growth, and maintain who we are? And, what about our culture out here in Central Massachusetts?



These pages will cause one to think about how to protect what we have, our future direction, and how to move on in the very best way.


Those thoughts, and other ramblings, will hopefully inspire more thought, conversation, action, and occasionally a smile...

...seems to be working so far

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Old-Fashioned Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rally at Old Sturbridge Village Feb. 5

Antique Ice Skate Club Presentations; Olympic Medalist, Commentator Dick Button to Attend

STURBRIDGE, Mass. (Jan. 14, 2011) – Old Sturbridge Village celebrates the history and the joys of two favorite winter pastimes on Saturday, February 5 with an old-fashioned horse-drawn sleigh rally and antique ice skate exhibits and presentations by the Antique Ice Skate Club. Both events are open to the public and free with museum admission. For all details: 800-SEE-1830; www.osv.org.
Antique horse-drawn sleighs – many of them 80-120 years old – will converge on the Village for the sleigh rally, which will begin at 11:00 a.m. and will feature dozens of drivers competing in a variety of categories, including the popular “Sleigh Dog” and “Currier & Ives” divisions. Sleighs participating will include Bob Sleighs, Portland and Albany Cutters, Racing Sleighs, Freight Sleighs, and more. Bob Sleighs have “Bobs,” which are double runners that make them more maneuverable and easy to turn sharply.  Single runner sleighs can tip over if turned too sharply.
Old Sturbridge Village is also exhibiting antique ice skates on loan from Antique Ice Skate Club member Karen Cameron, who will discuss “The History of Skates and Skating,” and “The Joy of Collecting” at 1:00 p.m. followed by a presentation on “Antique Ice Skate Patents” by club member Bob Gates. Former Olympic ice skating champion and television commentator Dick Button, who is himself a club member and skate collector, will attend and answer questions from the audience. Button was the first U.S. figure skater to win an Olympic medal, winning gold in 1948 and 1952.  He was also the first skater ever to land a triple jump – the triple loop.
Other activities at Old Sturbridge Village include ice skating (bring your own skates), horse-drawn sleigh rides around the Common, and sledding on 1830s-style sleds (weather permitting). After enjoying the museum’s outdoor winter activities, visitors can warm up indoors beside one of the Village’s many cozy fireplaces and take part in hands-on crafts and activities. Children can also spend time “pretending” in Old Sturbridge Village’s popular “KidStory” indoor play area.  For times and details: 800-SEE-1830; www.osv.org.

Submitted by OSV
Scribbled by on

No comments:

Post a Comment



Anonymous comments not accepted, and will be rejected. Please use your full name. Choose "Name / URL" and enter your name, and your name ONLY. Leave "URL" blank.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)