CHESTERFIELD — Stuck in hibernation? Sunday will feature good reason to get outside when runners and walkers will line up in the Chesterfield Gorge to support conservation.
The 21st annual Gorge après Gorge 5k and Family Fun Walk is traditionally held the Sunday after Thanksgiving after its founding in 2005. Local runners Leslie Charles and Tanya Rapinchuck started the recurring event as a way for families, friends and neighbors to experience nature during a time when New Englanders enter into their own kind of hibernation and prefer to remain indoors.
Now, the run is organized by Hilltown Land Trust and Beast Coast Trail Running and raises funds to support the land trust’s conservation work in the region. There will be prizes offered to those who cross the finish line, including cookie medals for all finishers, hand-knit and crocheted hat awards, raffle prizes from local businesses, and a community potluck.
“We love hosting this special Hilltown tradition that brings together friends and family in nature,” said Hilltown Land Trust Executive Director Sally Loomis. “Our conservation work celebrates the special relationship between people and land, and we love how the Gorge après Gorge brings the community together in a gorgeous natural place.”
The family fun walk begins at 9:30 a.m. and the 5k race starts at 10:30 a.m.
Village toy drive
HUNTINGTON — An “incredible” number of businesses, schools and organizations are coming together to collect toys and winter clothing to benefit local families through It Take a Village, the Hilltown’s free community closet that offers children’s clothing, diapers and other essential supplies.
This time of year, essential supplies also include toys and Christmas gifts. Last year, the Village Closet welcomed over 600 families between Thanksgiving and Christmas, distributing over $80,000 in toys, books and winter clothing.
“The holidays are always a busy time for us,” said Lisa Goding, program director at It Takes a Village. “And this year we expect even more families to need this support.”
Inflation and supply chain issues continue to impact family staples including groceries, diapers and baby formula, she said.
“If we can provide a coat and a toy or two for the holidays, that’s one less thing a parent has to worry about,” said Goding.
Families will be able to shop for toys for free at the Village Closet during the week of Dec. 18.
Groups participating in the drive include the Huntington Fire Department, where people can drop off toys. Other locations collecting toys and coats include the Northampton Key Club Toy Exchange, Jacey Anastasio Photography in Dalton, the Chester and Blandford Police Departments, Williamsburg Hair and the Dollar General in Russell.
New Hingham Elementary School and Done Right Chimney in Williamsburg will be collecting coats.
Donors may contact any of the groups involved, or donate directly to the Village Closet at 2 East Main St. in Huntington during their open hours, Sundays and Mondays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the first Tuesday of the month from 5 to 7 p.m.
Williams Boltwood House update
GOSHEN — Massachusetts has no shortage of old stuff, but Goshen’s Williams Boltwood House, built in 1779, makes the distinguished list of one of the “endangered historic resources” in the state.
This month, the Williams-Boltwood house made a short list of a dozen other properties in the state to be identified as endangered historic resources by Preservation
Massachusetts, the statewide nonprofit historic preservation advocacy organization.
“Breathing new life into historic places requires both vision and commitment,” said Jessica Rudden-Dube, executive director of Preservation Massachusetts. “Each of this year’s listed properties holds tremendous potential to serve its community through thoughtful preservation and rehabilitation.”
Originally a small building on one of the Boston-Albany post roads, the house served as the first town meeting space and school during the earliest days of the town of Goshen. The structure grew significantly with future additions including a tavern, inn, general store, post office, and stagecoach stop.
Williams physically moved the entire structure circa 1822 when plans were announced that the route of the post road would be changed. Williams’ descendants remained the sole owners of the property throughout its existence, with the last descendant in residence passing in 2001.
Much of the store, post office, and tavern remain untouched since the time of the Civil War.
“This place continues to amaze me,” stated Project Director Kam Oborne, who called the house a “well preserved time capsule” due to the mounds of untouched original log books, letters, and personal belongings still in the house. She said these items tell the story of how small towns, like Goshen, came into being and struggled to survive after the Revolutionary War.
“The Williams- Boltwood house is likely the last remaining site of its kind still standing in the U.S., but we are still relatively unknown. Being identified as one of Massachusetts’ Most Endangered is such an honor. This designation gives us legitimacy and visibility to connect with the resources that can help us save this
treasure.”
A deed restriction currently bars the building the building from being demolished and relocated, and the restoration project is being overseen by the Williams Boltwood House Trust, a non-profit. Progress to restore the building has been made as a new roof and other updates have been made with the help of some 100 volunteers since 2021 and will the financial boost of grant distributions.