“American Pickers” will return to Massachusetts next month to film episodes of The History Channel hit television series, and show producers are looking for leads.
The documentary series explores the world of antique “picking.” The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques.
Viewers who have or known someone who has a unique item or story to tell, and is ready to sell, are encouraged to reach out to the show. If interested, send a name, phone number, location, and description of the collection with photos to: americanpickers@cineflix.com, or call 646-493-2184.
The pickers do not pick stores, flea markets, malls, auction businesses, museums, or anything open to the public. They are looking for historically significant or rare items, in addition to unforgettable characters and their collections. As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, they are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. The goal is to give historically significant objects a new lease on life while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way.
NORTHAMPTON — Planning is underway for Northampton Neighbors’ second DoozyDo Parade, set for Sept. 23. The parade — billed as a celebration of Northampton — will feature music, entertainment, and teams of marchers from many community groups. It’s a light-hearted extravaganza with a purpose: to raise awareness and financial support for NN’s programs and activities for older adults.
Sharon Martula, 80, of Florence, is one of the volunteers making it happen. She’s reaching out by phone and email to share her message with others — that the parade will be a family activity that generations can enjoy together. That’s what she discovered at last year’s debut DoozyDo, which she remembers as a day “of joy and excitement.”
Her daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and George Delaney, helped push her wheelchair along the downtown Northampton route, while her granddaughter, Angelena Delaney, joined Martula as she waved at the crowd.
“This year it’s really important to me to give back,” Martula said as she talked about her effort to form an expanded team of grandparents and grandchildren. It’s her way of thanking Northampton Neighbors. Volunteers have helped her, she said, by providing rides to doctors’ appointments and grocery stores. Equally important, she’s met new friends through NN, expanding her social world.
Knowing her grandmother is in safe hands and good company when a family member can’t be there is huge, said Angelena Delaney: “It’s been a way for her to form new friendships and interact with a new community.”
For more information: northamptonneighbors.org and doozydo.org.
WESTHAMPTON — The Blueberry Supper will again be held at the Westhampton Congregational Church, located on Tob Road on Saturday, Aug. 5, at 5 p.m. The menu features Virginia baked ham, pineapple slices, potato salad, sliced cucumbers, green beans, blueberry muffins, assorted beverages, and blueberry pie for dessert.
The price is $15 for adults and $6 for those 12 and under. Reservations are due before Saturday, July 29. Securing reservations early is encouraged as there is only one sitting and it usually sells out. Reservations can be made at 413-584-9360 or lynnesallee@comcast.net.
SHUTESBURY — Residents of the Lake Wyola watershed in Shutesbury and Wendell are invited to share and show their concerns about water quality and stormwater management in and around the lake with Franklin Regional Council of Governments staff on Saturday, Aug. 12.
The field visit will be a mixed walking and driving tour of the watershed starting at 10 a.m. from the Lake Wyola Association Hall at 6 Shore Drive in Shutesbury. For more info about the event and watershed-based planning for Lake Wyola, visit the town of Shutesbury website. For questions about the field visit, contact Tamsin Flanders: tflanders@frcog.org.