As part of its mission to promote the creative economy in town, a new nonprofit organization calling itself Music and Arts South Hadley (MASH) is hosting CraftsFest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Plains Elementary School, 267 Granby Road (Route 202).
This will be one of a half dozen events the group sponsors during the next year, according to the organization’s president, Ira Brezinski. MASH incorporated late last year after having functioned successfully as what he called an “ad hoc organization,” most notably organizing a free music festival with marquee acts called FallsFest for the last three summers.
That won’t be one of the events on the schedule this year, said Brezinski, but it will be back next year. FallsFest “grew into a really big operation in a very short time,” said Brezinski.
This summer, the organizers have other personal commitments that prevent them from devoting the time and energy it requires, he said. “We struggled mightily with whether to move forward with FallsFest this summer, but ultimately we decided to be conservative.”
Instead, they are going to focus on a series of smaller events such as the arts and crafts fair this weekend. At least 40 artisans are expected to sell their wares, including Spindled and Crimped, Itty Bittys Creation, Marilyn Webb’s Quilted Bags, S & V Jewlery, and Sugarbush Photos.
There will also be face painting and the South Hadley Lions Club will sell hot dogs and root beer floats. Proceeds from CraftFest will benefit future MASH events.
Brezinski said his organization met recently with Jeffrey Bianchine, the creative economy director for the city of Holyoke, to discuss teaming up with neighboring communities for future events and to learn more about how the arts and local efforts at economic development can support each other.
“He gave a great presentation and we are looking forward to seeing the chemistry that happens when, through the creative economy, you marry the business and entrepreneurial communities with the arts community,” said Brezinski.
With the terms of roughly one-third of South Hadley’s appointed officials due to expire in June, the Select Board is seeking residents to fill vacancies on the town’s 23 boards and committees.
Panels with openings include the Council on Aging, Cultural Council, Golf Commission, Master Plan Implementation Committee, Sustainability and Energy Commission and the Youth Commission. There are no special requirements for any of the boards other than a willingness to serve.
In September 2014, the Select Board adopted a new policy for annual appointments that requires openings due to expired terms to be advertised and available to all interested candidates rather than automatically filled by reappointment of incumbents. However, incumbents with expiring terms who wish to continue serving will be considered.
A full list of openings is online at www.southhadley.org/692/Board-Vacancies.
The Select Board will conduct interviews in May and June and make annual appointments at its June 21 meeting. The terms of new appointments begin July 1.
There will be a screening of a new documentary on one of Mount Holyoke College’s most prestigious alumni in Gamble Auditorium at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The film, titled “Frances Perkins: Fire and Ice,” includes never-before-seen footage of the first woman in the U.S. cabinet who served as secretary of labor from 1933 to 1945.
Following the screening there will be a discussion with filmmaker Mick Caouette. Friends and family of Perkins will also be part of the evening’s program.
Eric Goldscheider can be reached at eric.goldscheider@gmail.com.