06/06/2007
Category: General
The Changing Face of a Community
Pioneer Valley Institute Plans Free Day-long Program
On Saturday, June 9th, come and enjoy a day long program of events exploring the history of Turners Falls and learn about some of the many ways the community is undergoing revitalization. This Pioneer Valley Institute program is free and open to residents as well as those who want to learn more about the community, how it's dealing with growth, and what changes are on the horizon. The program consists of a morning presentation and discussion at the Shea Theater, and a choice of three different walking tours in the afternoon followed by an opening reception and art show at the Great Falls Discovery Center. People are free to go to either the morning or afternoon events or to both. Get the full day's schedule here.
The program begins at the Shea Theater at 10:00 AM with a slide show that town administrator Frank Abbondanzio has assembled tracing the history of Turners Falls as a planned mill town up to the present. This opening presentation will be followed by a panel discussion with Abbondanzio, the Shea’s Deb J’Anthony, Lisa Davol from RiverCulture and realtor Mark Abramson, who will talk about the changing face of businesses in town, the history of the Shea Theater and Colle Opera House, and the issues and challenges that arise with growth. Audience participation will be encouraged.
From 12:00 to 1:30, people are free to explore the town and have lunch at one of several local spots, a list of which will be provided. Then at 1:30 PM, the afternoon portion of the program begins at the Great Falls Discovery Center, where participants will gather and choose from one of three walking tours. Steve Winters, environmental educator, will explore the geology of Turners and the Connecticut River from the time of the dinosaurs to the present. Sue Sansoucie, librarian and historian, will lead a tour along Avenue A and its side streets to discover the history of the town through its architecture. Artist Jack Nelson will lead a group to galleries and studios of artists and craftspeople and to the Hallmark Museum of Contemporary Photography. Each walk will last approximately an hour and a half and will be held rain or shine with provisions made for afternoon indoor talks in the event of heavy rain.
The day will conclude with an opening reception at the Discovery Center from 3 until 5 o’clock for the winners and honorable mentions of last year's Pioneer Valley Institute's Great River Art Show. Refreshments will be provided, and the Falltown String Band will be performing. The artists whose work will be featured are Christine Labish, Steve Wilda, and JoAnn Denehy.
This program is sponsored by the Pioneer Valley Institute at Greenfield Community College. The Pioneer Valley Institute has been bringing talks, field trips and exhibits celebrating the past, present and future of the Connecticut River Valley since 1989. The program is partially supported by a grant from the Montague Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. For more information about the event, call (413) 775-1671.
The program begins at the Shea Theater at 10:00 AM with a slide show that town administrator Frank Abbondanzio has assembled tracing the history of Turners Falls as a planned mill town up to the present. This opening presentation will be followed by a panel discussion with Abbondanzio, the Shea’s Deb J’Anthony, Lisa Davol from RiverCulture and realtor Mark Abramson, who will talk about the changing face of businesses in town, the history of the Shea Theater and Colle Opera House, and the issues and challenges that arise with growth. Audience participation will be encouraged.
From 12:00 to 1:30, people are free to explore the town and have lunch at one of several local spots, a list of which will be provided. Then at 1:30 PM, the afternoon portion of the program begins at the Great Falls Discovery Center, where participants will gather and choose from one of three walking tours. Steve Winters, environmental educator, will explore the geology of Turners and the Connecticut River from the time of the dinosaurs to the present. Sue Sansoucie, librarian and historian, will lead a tour along Avenue A and its side streets to discover the history of the town through its architecture. Artist Jack Nelson will lead a group to galleries and studios of artists and craftspeople and to the Hallmark Museum of Contemporary Photography. Each walk will last approximately an hour and a half and will be held rain or shine with provisions made for afternoon indoor talks in the event of heavy rain.
The day will conclude with an opening reception at the Discovery Center from 3 until 5 o’clock for the winners and honorable mentions of last year's Pioneer Valley Institute's Great River Art Show. Refreshments will be provided, and the Falltown String Band will be performing. The artists whose work will be featured are Christine Labish, Steve Wilda, and JoAnn Denehy.
This program is sponsored by the Pioneer Valley Institute at Greenfield Community College. The Pioneer Valley Institute has been bringing talks, field trips and exhibits celebrating the past, present and future of the Connecticut River Valley since 1989. The program is partially supported by a grant from the Montague Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. For more information about the event, call (413) 775-1671.
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