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Friends of Windsor

1890 Route 9 Suite 8
Windsor, MA 01270
Phone Number

Cultivating community in the windy hills of western Massachusetts

Friends of Windsor

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    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Editorial Policy & Guidelines
  • Windsor Phone Directory
  • Our Past Projects
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    • 2021 Windsor Photographers' Gallery
    • 2017 Windsor Grown Festival
    • 2017 FOW Woodland Trail
    • 2016 Windsor in Fall
    • 2016 Celebrate Windsor!
    • 2015 Windsor in Fall
    • Windsor Phone Book Covers
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Blog Posts
The Old Stone Wall Gate
Sep 7, 2019
The Old Stone Wall Gate
Sep 7, 2019

Olive Volsky painted everything. She painted landscapes. She painted animals. She painted the house that she and my father George Volsky built in 1954, the year that I was born. She painted murals on the living room wall that you could see through the picture window from Route 9. She painted her friends into the Wild West mural that hung at the local bar.

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Sep 7, 2019
Welcome to Windsor!
Jul 1, 2019
Welcome to Windsor!
Jul 1, 2019

What a great turnout we had for our sign unveiling! About 60 community-minded folks came out to help us celebrate this new presence anchoring the “center” of our town. Before the big moment, we all huddled under the tent, out of the rain, enjoying homemade goodies, learning more about Windsor’s volunteer-driven organizations, and chatting with neighbors and friends, all while

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Jul 1, 2019
A SLIGHTLY MYSTERIOUS WOMAN IN WHITE
Jun 20, 2019
A SLIGHTLY MYSTERIOUS WOMAN IN WHITE
Jun 20, 2019

The official history of Notchview accords pride of place to Col. Arthur Budd, a much-decorated veteran of World War I (he even has a street named after him in France) who is credited with acquiring and uniting the many parcels of Windsor land that eventually became the Budd estate, aka Notchview.  Less well-known is the soft-focus figure of

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Jun 20, 2019
FUN FACT: FROM CHEESE TO GRAVEL!
May 24, 2019
FUN FACT: FROM CHEESE TO GRAVEL!
May 24, 2019

Windsor has a long history of multiple industries, such as farming, raising sheep and poultry, sugaring, and dairying. Cheese-making was one of the many activities Windsor had going on in the 19th century. The Windsor Cheese Factory (c. 1811-1910) was located at

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May 24, 2019
STEWARD HOMESTEAD: FROM HOME TO MUSEUM
May 6, 2019
STEWARD HOMESTEAD: FROM HOME TO MUSEUM
May 6, 2019

Windsor’s small but mighty museum did not serve as such throughout its long history. In fact, it was not always at its current location on Route 9 in the center of town!

 Originally known as the Steward House, the home was located on the southwest corner of the Savoy Hollow Road and Shaw Road junction, just west of the Notchview property. The property was assembled in the early

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May 6, 2019
Benny “Fingers” Kohn: The Epic Evolution of a Windsor Pianist
Apr 30, 2019
Benny “Fingers” Kohn: The Epic Evolution of a Windsor Pianist
Apr 30, 2019

Anyone who knows anything about the Berkshire music scene knows who Benny Kohn is.  Arguably the best jazz pianist in the Berkshires and beyond, I first met Benny in 2008 when I was given the opportunity to play with a group of local jazz legends. I was immediately taken with his playing.  The man behind the piano is

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Apr 30, 2019
NOTCHVIEW FUN FACT: Keeping Order in Helenscourt
Apr 26, 2019
NOTCHVIEW FUN FACT: Keeping Order in Helenscourt
Apr 26, 2019

After Helen Budd and her husband, Arthur Budd, built Helenscourt and came to live there full-time, the estate also became home to employees, some of them housed in former homesteads on the property (such as the one that

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Apr 26, 2019
FROM NORMAN’S FARMHOUSE TO HELEN’S MANSION
Apr 8, 2019
FROM NORMAN’S FARMHOUSE TO HELEN’S MANSION
Apr 8, 2019

As one of approximately 20 homesteads that eventually made up Notchview’s 3000 acres, the Norman Miner Place began as a farm and became the nucleus of Notchview’s property after

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Apr 8, 2019
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Mar 13, 2019
NOTCHVIEW FUN FACT: Shelter Trail Logs
Mar 13, 2019

Notchview has several shelters on its property where skiers can take a break, enjoy the view, and spend time with other skiers! The Pierce Shelter (built in memory of

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Mar 13, 2019
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Mar 6, 2019
Butter Bates Homestead
Mar 6, 2019

The 200-acre Butter Bates Homestead, which is located at Notchview on Bates Rd, past Bates Field on the northeast side, was owned by Herman L. Bates. Bates bought the land from his father, William, for an 1847 price of….

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Mar 6, 2019
A Musician in Our Midst
Feb 28, 2019
A Musician in Our Midst
Feb 28, 2019

In 2008, my family realized dreams of pine scented breezes, woodland creatures coming to visit, snowshoeing by light of a full moon and spectacular starlit skies. Indeed, it was love at first sight when we found our paradise in Windsor, just past the Peru town line.  I was THRILLED to learn..

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Feb 28, 2019
NOTCHVIEW FUN FACT: Budd and His Dogs
Feb 22, 2019
NOTCHVIEW FUN FACT: Budd and His Dogs
Feb 22, 2019

After retiring from the Army in 1932, Arthur Budd lived on the property at Notchview until his death in 1965. A career Army man, Budd was well known for his love of dogs (who appeared in many pictures with him), as well as hiking his property barefoot and in a straw hat and short pants, no matter the weather. —Rachel Niswander, Terra Corps Intern

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Feb 22, 2019
Windsor Club Cellar Hole
Feb 9, 2019
Windsor Club Cellar Hole
Feb 9, 2019

Windsor Club, a social and sporting group, was located in a two-story brick building built around 1824. Activities included weekend hunting, fishing, get-togethers, and summer picnics. The picnics were held a

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Feb 9, 2019
Build a Bee Hotel: Wed., Feb 21, 2 pm, Windsor Town Hall
Feb 19, 2018
Build a Bee Hotel: Wed., Feb 21, 2 pm, Windsor Town Hall
Feb 19, 2018

Did you know that there are thousands of different species of native bees in North America? It's true! Together they form our most important group of pollinators. And according to Bee City, USA, "90% of all wild plants and trees rely on pollinators for the survival of their species." Come help us kick-off our community-wide, yearlong effort to protect Windsor's pollinators by building your very own Bee Hotel! All ages are welcome. If you happen to have an empty half-gallon milk carton (wax or plastic), bring it along. We've got spares, and will provide everything else. You’ll go home with a Bee Hotel and we’ll suggest the best places to locate it in your garden. If you have any questions, please call or email Val Kohn: 684-1731 valckohn@verizon.net. —Patty Crane

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Feb 19, 2018
WINDSOR GROWN: Live, Local Music All Day!
Jul 13, 2017
WINDSOR GROWN: Live, Local Music All Day!
Jul 13, 2017

There are so many reasons you won't want to miss the WINDSOR GROWN celebration this Saturday, July 15, 10 am - 4 pm at Notchview. And one of them is THE MUSIC!! Scroll down for a sampling from each of our performers, in reverse order of their stage appearance: One Part Luck (10 - 11 am); Benny Kohn (11 - 12 noon; and 2 - 4 pm with Misty Blues); Moonshine Holler (12 noon - 2 pm), and Misty Blues Band (2 - 4 pm):

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Jul 13, 2017
Windsor Grown Celebration!
Jul 3, 2017
Windsor Grown Celebration!
Jul 3, 2017

In case you've been hiding under a rock and haven't heard the news: on Saturday, July 15, from 10am-4 pm, we're having a HUGE shindig to celebrate this community and place. Local food vendors! Local beer! Music all day! Kids' activities! Drumming! A raffle of locally crafted items! We'll have over a dozen of Windsor's own craftspeople and growers displaying and selling their goods, and Windsor's volunteer fire squad showing off an engine or two and handing out water. And wait till you see the fabulous new Friends of Windsor Woodland Trail, which is sure to delight kids and young-at-heart adults alike! You won't want to miss this event! Rain or shine.

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Jul 3, 2017
Community Video Shoot & Bonfire!
Jun 18, 2017
Community Video Shoot & Bonfire!
Jun 18, 2017

WED, JUNE 21, 8 pm - 9 pm, WINDSOR TOWN PARK - What would a video celebrating Windsor be without lots of Windsor faces in it? And what better way to celebrate the summer solstice than with a campfire, marshmallow roast, and some homegrown music? Join us at Windsor Town Park and help videographer Kyle Dempsey get

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Jun 18, 2017
A Spirited and Spiritual Windsor Woman
May 7, 2017
A Spirited and Spiritual Windsor Woman
May 7, 2017

Euphemia Drysdale came to Windsor in 1923 -- the first woman to serve as minister of the Windsor Congregational Church. At the time, many congregations were reluctant to embrace the relatively novel idea of a woman preacher.

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May 7, 2017
Many Hands, Indeed
Dec 23, 2016
Many Hands, Indeed
Dec 23, 2016

Adorned with the colorful hand-prints of a dozen of Windsor's youngest citizens, our Library's Book Drop is now back in its rightful place outside the Town Offices. From the children who traced their own hands to the bigger folks who seized an opportunity to make a bright difference, this was truly a community project: sponsored by Friends of Windsor, supported by the Library, embraced by the kids' parents, and made possible by the generosity, ingenuity, and hard work of Tim Crane and Bob and Steven Meyers. Stop by and check out o

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Dec 23, 2016
5th Annual Hilltown Blue Christmas Service
Dec 9, 2016
5th Annual Hilltown Blue Christmas Service
Dec 9, 2016

Tuesday, December 13 at 7 pm, Windsor Congregational Church. Not everyone is "joy-filled" during the holiday season. This is a different kind of service for those who are stressed, lonely, or hurting. The main theme is "Moving Toward Pinpoints of Light." There will be area musicians performing hopeful, healing music, as well as an opportunity to sing. Also: the things about Christmas you thought you weren't allowed to think! All are invited. Clergy from Cummington, Plainfield, West Cummington and Windsor will officiate. Questions: Rev. Alex Hunter (cell/text: 413-344-6690; revalexhunter@gmail.com)

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Dec 9, 2016
2nd Annual Blafield Children's Concert!
Dec 8, 2016
2nd Annual Blafield Children's Concert!
Dec 8, 2016

This Saturday, December 10 at 1PM, you won't want to miss the joyful voices of the Blafield Children's Chorus singing international holiday tunes at Windsor's Congregational Church! It's FREE of charge, and open to all in the community. Those who

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Dec 8, 2016
Christmas Trees, Crafts & Caroling!
Dec 6, 2016
Christmas Trees, Crafts & Caroling!
Dec 6, 2016

There is so much to do in the hilltowns this Saturday, December 10! Travel to Notchview in Windsor to cut down your own Balsam or Fraser Fir carefully grown for the occasion! From 1-1:45PM kids can learn about winter tree identification with Tamarack Hollow Naturalist Aimee Gelinas!  Afterwards, stop by

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Dec 6, 2016
Thanksgiving, 1950s Style
Nov 18, 2016
Thanksgiving, 1950s Style
Nov 18, 2016

 Wake up early, make popovers for everyone, and then get down to the REAL work of cooking a Thanksgiving feast...that's the holiday envisioned by the editors of Progress,

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Nov 18, 2016
Cheshire South?
Oct 21, 2016
Cheshire South?
Oct 21, 2016

After a couple of centuries, we're kind of used to the name. But why Windsor? Turns out Windsor was not the first choice for our second name, as local history enthusiast Barry Emery explained

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Oct 21, 2016
Calling All Windsor Kids!
Oct 20, 2016
Calling All Windsor Kids!
Oct 20, 2016

The Windsor Library’s Book Drop is getting a makeover, and we need your help. Thanks to Bob Meyers and Tim Crane, the old box has been de-rusted, given a new latch, primed, and painted a handsome deep blue. And now it’s ready for the final touch...or, touches: bright little handprints! We plan to use stencils made from outlining our children’s hands to decorate the box. A hand tracing station will be set up at

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Oct 20, 2016
Touches of Color
Sep 30, 2016
Touches of Color
Sep 30, 2016

Here's to the many people behind these colorful personal touches that brighten our small town. Even the bedraggled, going-by blooms of summer give off a warm glow that can lighten

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Sep 30, 2016
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Aug 2, 2016
Picture Perfect: Bates Field
Aug 2, 2016

These photos were taken this afternoon, and it doesn't get any better than this: freshly mown paths, late summer wild flowers, and a stunning view! Whether you're walking, jogging, bird or butterfly watching, or seeking the ideal spot for a picnic, now is a great time to

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Aug 2, 2016

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