by Ralph Pace
updated
Tue, Sep 20, 2011 09:49 AM
Ludlow Celebrates 250th Birthday
It was a weekend that many will remember as Ludlow celebrated its
250th anniversary of its creation when Benning Wentworth, the Royal
governor of New Hampshire, signed the charter that brought Ludlow
into existence.
Beginning with a more formal presentation on Friday, September 16,
the actual date of the charter's approval in 1761, the gathering
crowd witnesses the actual reading of the charter by Newton Rose, a
student at Black River High School. The charter, while full
of 18th century legalese language, did spell out some key points,
some of which still exist today.
The first year's rent, payable to the honorable Royal Governor, of
course, was an ear of Indian corn. Thereafter the rent was to
be much more substantial in terms of real money. Those who
were to settle in Ludlow were not to cut down pine trees since the
Royal Navy coveted them as possible masts for its ships. It
also set the date for the first and subsequent town meetings; in
this instance the second week in March. That, of course, has
changed slightly to the first week in March.
The following Saturday, a large crowd estimated in excess of 300,
witnessed a town parade featuring the American Legion color guard,
the Black River High School Band, a number of marchers from a
variety of Ludlow and area groups, some cyclists riding those huge
one-wheel contraptions that defy gravity, and the Ludlow Fire
Department, Rescue Squad, and Police Department.
But the culmination of the day had to be the magnificent cake
prepared by Irene Maston of the Andrie Rose Inn. The cake
rose five tiers with a detailed facsimile of the Ludlow Gazebo atop
it. The cake, along with an 8 foot birthday card prepared by
the Okemo Sign Shop, drew a great deal of interest and, in the case
of the card, signatures. The cake, of course, was carefully
and neatly sliced by Pam Cruickshank, Joyce Washburn, and Linda
Tucker - much to the culinary delight of the more than 300
tasters.
The formal Ludlow 250 ceremonies concluded with a concert by Linda
Radtke of Vermont's History through Song. Linda thoroughly
charmed the audience with songs dating from the Revolution to
campaign songs for Calvin Coolidge's 1924 reelection.
George Thomson acted as the emcee and narrator for the two-day
event.
The impact of Tropical storm Irene was not lost on the event.
Representatives from FEMA, appropriately remaining in the
background, offered advice and information to those audience
members whose property had been damaged as a result of Irene.
They also indicated that FEMA would be opening an office to help
those with claims in the Okemo Market Plaza this week.
While all of this celebration was going on, Black River Good
Neighbors was busy preparing for its annual fall rummage sale at
Fletcher Farm. The rummage sale will run from Friday,
September 23 through Sunday, September 25. In addition to all
sorts of clothing items, the sale will feature a variety of
furniture and home appliances. For more information, call
Audrey Bridges, Good Neighbors Director, at 228-3663.
FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) is in the process of upgrading
the audio systems in the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium to provide
easier access to the audio system by visiting musical and other
performing arts groups. It will also be increasing the number
of wired and wireless microphones.
FOLA is also looking forward to a very active October season.
In addition to its usual "1st Thursday" movie series on October 6,
this movie being the all-time sci-fi favorite, "Close Encounters",
FOLA will feature the area favorite, Gypsy Reel, in a concert on
Saturday, October 1. Tickets for this event are $10 and may
be purchased in advance at the Book Nook, Wine and Cheese Depot,
and Peoples United Bank; they will also be available on the evening
of the concert at the auditorium door. On Sunday, October 9,
FOLA will join with the Town of Ludlow and Black River Academy
Museum to present a special Civil War/Mark Twain Era piano concert
by renowned pianist, Jacqueline Schwab, famous for her work in
providing music for a number of Ken Burn's epic PBS series,
including both the Civil War and Mark Twain. On Thursday,
October 20 at 7 PM, FOLA, in conjunction with the Rutland Herald,
will sponsor a special healthcare forum panel discussing the impact
of Act 48. The discussion will be moderated by Stewart
Ledbetter, senior political reporter for WPTZ/WNNE.
All of these events, except for the Gypsy Reel concert, are
free. For more information, call 228-7239.
(If you have any information that you would like to see in this
column, simply email the information to ralphpace@tds.net.)
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