For the fourth year in a row riders came out and enjoyed a scenic bike ride through Western MA towns which began in Leeds and ended in Leeds. All routes traveled over the historic Hotel Bridge where riders saw a freshly painted thank you sign. We thanked them for taking part in the fundraising efforts and riding a 10, 25, or 50 mile route on their bikes. In return they went home with an awesome Tshirt with our Leeds Hotel Bridge graphic designed by Heidi Stevens. About 55 riders, age 8 through 72 took part in the event. The weather was perfect for biking, cool and no rain! At the top of a long climb about 13 miles into the ride, cyclists laughed and chatted as they were greeted by Bob Riddle who had snacks and drinks ready. Back at Chartpack more volunteers worked registration tables checking in and out riders. Thank you Stephy Cho, Deb Jacobs, Alisa Klein, Amy Stamm, and Sue Carbin. Registration was well organized by the set up crew of Joel Emrick, David Rondina, and Tom Silliman. Photographing the smiles all day was Joel Emerick with a camera ready at every turn!
Riders who braved the hilly 50 mile route were greeted by George Merriam at the Conway covered bridge with much needed snacks. A big thank you to Alisa Klein for her expertise in advertising our ride, although we had many returning riders, she got the word out and new faces were riding too! Justin O’Connor made online pre-registration available so sign ups were quick and easy the morning of the ride. All in all, the event was successful, riders had fun, there were no injuries, and a profit was made toward restoring the Leeds Hotel bridge. Our next step will be to meet with DPW to get an update on the progress of restoration plans. Thank you to all who came out and to sponsors…Stop & Shop, River Valley Market, Walmart, Staples, B.J.s, and Joe’s Garage.
Fourth Annual Hotel Bridge Bike Ride
For the fourth year in a row riders came out and enjoyed a scenic bike ride through Western MA towns which began in Leeds and ended in Leeds. All routes traveled over the historic Hotel Bridge where riders saw a freshly painted thank you sign. We thanked them for taking part in the fundraising efforts and riding a 10, 25, or 50 mile route on their bikes. In return they went home with an awesome Tshirt with our Leeds Hotel Bridge graphic designed by Heidi Stevens. About 55 riders, age 8 through 72 took part in the event. The weather was perfect for biking, cool and no rain! At the top of a long climb about 13 miles into the ride, cyclists laughed and chatted as they were greeted by Bob Riddle who had snacks and drinks ready. Back at Chartpack more volunteers worked registration tables checking in and out riders. Thank you Stephy Cho, Deb Jacobs, Alisa Klein, Amy Stamm, and Sue Carbin. Registration was well organized by the set up crew of Joel Emrick, David Rondina, and Tom Silliman. Photographing the smiles all day was Joel Emerick with a camera ready at every turn!
Riders who braved the hilly 50 mile route were greeted by George Merriam at the Conway covered bridge with much needed snacks. A big thank you to Alisa Klein for her expertise in advertising our ride, although we had many returning riders, she got the word out and new faces were riding too! Justin O’Connor made online pre-registration available so sign ups were quick and easy the morning of the ride. All in all, the event was successful, riders had fun, there were no injuries, and a profit was made toward restoring the Leeds Hotel bridge. Our next step will be to meet with DPW to get an update on the progress of restoration plans. Thank you to all who came out and to sponsors…Stop & Shop, River Valley Market, Walmart, Staples, B.J.s, and Joe’s Garage.
Hotel Bridge Deemed Unsafe for Walkers, Bikers
The LCA received notice on May 23, 2013, that the engineering group was out at the Hotel Bridge and noticed more deterioration on the decking of the bridge. The DPW has been directed to close the bridge to ALL TYPES of traffic. We are letting you know in case you normally cross the bridge by foot or bike. We expect something more permanent to be installed on the bridge. A meeting has been requested with Ned Huntley so that we can get some idea as to the time table and plan that is in place toward restoring the bridge.
Leeds Photo of the Month – May 2013
Return of the three bears. Photo By Pamela Cobb Read more
Annual Spring Clean Up
The Leeds Civic Association’s Annual Spring Litter Pick-Up Day will be Saturday, April 13, 2013. Registration is from 8:30 to 9:00 am in front of the Leeds Post Office. We work from 9am to 11am and the LCA will supply trash bags, a pick-up truck and a dumpster. Just choose a street or section of town to clean up then just pick up the trash and leave the bag (or bags) on the side of the road and our pick up truck trash crew will come along and haul it away to the dumpster. Bring a friend, a neighbor or a complete stranger along to help. And this is dirty work, so a pair of Garden/Work Gloves is strongly recommended.
Leeds Ride part of Massbike Baystate BIKE WEEK
Click to view poster
Rider Fees $30 Individual, $40 family of 3 or more
Supported Ride Food and Drinks Provided with Stops,
Waiver / Helmet Required
Registration + Start Location ChartPak Inc., 1 River Road, Leeds, MA (Parking lot is located on Mulberry Street across from the Leeds Post Office)
If you would like more info about this LCA sponsored ride or would like to help out at a station during the ride, please call Alice or Stephy at 860-803-0134.
100% of the May 19th bike ride proceeds will go toward preservation of the Hotel Bridge. The Historic Leeds Bridge, built in 1889, was first referred to as the Shanty Row Bridge by local residents. The Leeds Hotel was constructed at the foot of the bridge in 1885 to accommodate the growing industrial village and the new, more appealing name of the Hotel Bridge was born. The bridge was closed to vehicle traffic in 2004 due to safety concerns.
[button link=”http://www.leedscivic.org/bikeride” target=”_self” color=”default” shape=”rounded” size=”small” align=”right”]Register Online[/button]
Wanted…Youth Volunteers!
Leeds Civic Association is looking for young people interested in rounding out their resumes with some civic minded volunteering. We always need help planning, setting up and cleaning up for parties, putting up posters, clearing trails, newsletter submissions, etc. We also receive requests for volunteers from Leeds Elementary, Linda Manor, and neighbors to help with a variety of projects. If you would like to put your child’s name on the LCA youth volunteer list please contact Heidi Stevens at heidi@heidistevens.com or call 585-9923.
This could be a great opportunity for Leeds kids to gain experience and realize that their efforts can make a difference. Community volunteering also looks great on college and job applications!
Beat the Winter Blues Low Down – Jim Mias
Amidst a rambunctious, but joyful clamor of kids, parents happy not to have to pay for baby sitters and all other folks just wanting to be at another fantastic neighborhood event – the annual Beat the Winter Blues seemed to be fun to all 100+ that attended. Thanks to the last minute, step-up-to-the-plate efforts of Heidi Stevens and a core group of volunteers including the MC Shawn Gunderson and lots of donations from so many. The event continues to be three hours of fast, furious, funny – and just oh-so heartwarming when you come right down to it. Never take it for granted!
Meanwhile, those Christmas lights at Mulberry Street Park that we all love to see were still up as of mid-March. While it’s so much fun (and effort) to put ‘em up – it’s sort of a drag taking ‘em down, wrapping, boxing, etc. But kudos to 4 year old Zachy Roberge and one adult… two hours later, lights were down and ready to go for next year’s enjoyment for all to see.
Leeds Photo of the Month – March 2013
Bluebirds of Leeds. Photo By Tom Rockett Read more
Break the Winter Blues Pizza Party
By March 2nd most of us will be tired of the cold days and nights, and be longing for Spring. Attending the winter pizza party is a way to recharge and reconnect us once again through the last sprint of winter. This year the fun event will be held in the newly renovated Northampton Country Club, a very warm and relaxing venue.
Party planning begins 7:30 pm on February 12th at the LCA meeting held in the Leeds School teacher’s lounge. We really do need more volunteers to make the event a whopping success. Please consider donating your time, a raffle prize, dessert or side dish. We hope to gather a pile of raffle donations such as gift certificates to local stores and restaurants, gift baskets, and especially the holiday gift you received that might be perfect for someone other than you! If you have something you would like to contribute please contact Heidi Stevens at 585-9923 or email heidi@heidistevens.com.
All Leeds residents of every age are invited to this fun event, so please mark your calendars for Saturday March 2nd and join us for an evening of warm and relaxing mid-winter fun.
Local History at Meekins Library
This coming Sunday, February 3rd from 2-4 at Meekins Library ~ Sarah S. Kilborne will read from and talk about the AMERICAN PHOENIX!