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

Friday, December 28, 2012

Early Winter Wanderings At Old Sturbridge Village

I like to take advantage of Old Sturbridge Village being just down the street whenever I can, especially if I'm home alone, and Mary is off at work.  It's a place we have always enjoyed together.  Today, it is 29 F, and I had some time, so turned into the village for a hike.  No matter how often I go, I am always finding something different.  Today, a group of school children came across the river from the day camp side.  They were dressed in period outfits from the 1830's. Some had metal lunch buckets, and others had wooden baskets.

As I passed a small group of girls, one looked up at me from under her quilted, cotton hat, and greeted me with a happy, "Good day!".  I wished her a good day in return, and smiled as I walked ahead of the crowd.  Her clothes of a long ago time, had given her permission to greet me as she had.  It would never have had happened in the parking lot of Walmart.  We have become to cautious with our interactions today, and we teach our children the same.

The day was bright, and the landscape glistened in the snowy frosting, but that wonderful greeting from such a happy little lady truly made my day.  It was obvious she was not only comfortable, she had been learning as well.  Salutations in the 1830's were very important, and showed good manners.  I wish the same could be said today.



Dirt road leading out of Old Sturbridge Village towards
the Quinebaug River.

School children spending their vacation in the 1830's
at Old Sturbridge Village.

Wool clothes and a metal lunch buckets, essentials of the
day.

A pair of girls scurrying across the common to catch up
with their friends.

It's always warmer in a flock of friends.



Scribbled by on

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