Annual Windsor Pie Sale Benefits Historic Commission

By Noah Hoffenberg
iBerkshires Correspondent
12:53PM / Monday, September 28, 2009

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The East Windsor Chapel is one of the Windsor Historical Commission's preservation projects.

WINDSOR, Mass. — It's high time for pie time in the high peaks region of Berkshire County, as the Windsor Historical Commission will hold its annual pie sale next weekend.

The event will be held Oct. 4 from 11 to 3 p.m. at the Windsor Historical Commission on Route 9. The commission's home is an old farmhouse; it's been holding the event for some 20 years, said Deborah L. Balmuth, commission chairman.

The event is as much a community-builder as it is a fundraiser: All of the pies are baked and donated by Windsor residents.

"We call everybody in town and get everybody to participate in baking pies," said Balmuth.

In years prior, the commission has received about 100 donated pies, which are sold for $10 each. "We usually raise around $1,000 to $1,200."

There will be pie, naturally, plus a host of other offerings, including other foods, displays and a historic re-enactment.

"It's a great chance to see the inside of the museum, too," said Balmuth. "There's dioramas in there of early life in Windsor, as well as collections of things that were donated by people in town."

Some of the event will be held outside, such as the pie sale, to be located in the commission's timber-frame shed. Other goings-on will be held inside, such as exhibits in the museum and a cafe. "We hold a coffee shop right inside the museum," said Balmuth.

There will other items for sale, such as food from a grill and a history book written at the town's 1971 bicentennial. Baked goods — besides pies — will also be available for purchase.

At noon, there will be a re-enactment by Guy Morin, of Auburn, who will perform as a Massachusetts soldier from the French and Indian War.

"He'll appear as a fully uniformed, equipped provincial soldier," said Balmuth.

Morin, who applied for a grant from the Windsor Cultural Council, appeared last year for the commission's annual event.

Where the Money Goes

The money raised goes toward the operating costs for the commission, which include projects and building upkeep.

The most immediate need is repairing the roof on the commission and its shed.

"It's pretty bad. The roof has been falling off," said Balmuth. "We know we need to repair at least the shed part of it this fall. So it's pretty urgent. The house, we may do that next year. We may have to hire to do that."

For the work to be done this year, the commission will rely on volunteer efforts. Another project has been the organization and archiving of the town's historic photography collection.

The other main reason for raising money, said Balmuth, is for the repair and renovation of the town-owned East Windsor Chapel. The interior work there is just getting under way this week with a firm from Pittsfield; new wallboard makes up the majority of the interior work, a $4,000 job. The pie sale, plus savings, will go toward the
cost.

About $5,000 has been put into the chapel over the past few years for renovations, and an additional $3,000 has been raised recently to continue repairs on the venerable building.

Roof work and foundation stabilizing were done two and four years ago, said Balmuth, who noted that the building will eventually be wired. Now it relies on a friendly neighbor's extension cord. Plumping is unlikely, she said.

"Our aim is [to have the work done] for the anniversary," said Balmuth. The church was opened in 1911; the commission is hoping for a series of events for the 100th anniversary in 2011.

For more information or to donate a pie, contact Balmuth at 413-684-4535.