Williamstown digest
Ephporium coming: A new business that sells provisions and stays open in the evening will move into the space at the head of Spring Street that formerly housed Where'd You Get That?!
Helen Ouellette, Williams College vice president for administration and treasurer, announced the plans for the opening of Ephporium at a recent meeting of Williamstown's downtown merchants association.
Ephporium, Ouellette said, will sell "a vast array of quality provisions," and will somewhat resemble the Slippery Banana store that was on Spring Street many years ago. Ephporium will be owned and operated by Huff Templeton and Elayne Murphy, both of Williamstown.
Templeton said they expect the store to open by the end of the year and will begin by staying open until 8:30 p.m. but may extend that, according to demand. The store, he said, will carry "mostly groceries, some general merchandise, kitchen gadgets, picture hangers. It will be a little bit of a general store but mostly groceries."
Templeton owns and operates a health club, Off the Wall, in Bennington, Vt.; Murphy has worked in a similar grocery store, Earthly Delights, in Schenectady, N.Y.
The Board of Registrars will hold a special voter registration session Friday, Oct. 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Town Clerk's office to register voters for the Nov. 9 special town meeting. That meeting will be in the elementary school gymnasium at 7 p.m. Town Clerk Mary C. Kennedy advised residents to arrive early to be checked in as registered voters.
Book signing: Water Street Books, 26 Water St., will host local author Brent Filson tonight [Thursday, Oct. 28] from 7 to 9. The event will be free and open to the public. Filson will speak and sign copies of "The Leadership Talk." The book advocates methods that can help leaders achieve results. Filson believes his methods apply to politicians, business leaders, sports coaches and anyone who wants to learn how to become an effective leader.
The author of 23 books, Filson has developed motivational leadership strategies and created and instituted leadership educational and training programs. He first learned about leadership as a Marine Corps rifle platoon commander. For the past 20 years, as a civilian, he has helped leaders in major companies worldwide. Information: bookstore, 458-8071.
Trick or Treat: The Selectmen have announced that trick-or-treat will be held on Sunday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Residents are encouraged to stop by the Williamstown Police Department, rear of the municipal building, 31 North St., to get trick-or-treat safety bags for children. The bags contain safety literature and can be used to carry treats. They are free but must be picked up in person. Quantities are limited.
Voting hours: Town Clerk Mary Kennedy has reminded residents that voting in the Nov. 2 election will be at the Williamstown Elementary School gymnasium. Parking in the School Street lot will allow for the easiest access. Polling hours are from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots are available, and all requests must be received no later than noon Monday, Nov. 1. Questions: town clerk's office, 458-9341.
JavaJive: The JavaJive teen coffeehouse will be held Friday, Nov. 5, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the First Congregational Church. Admission is $1 for performers, $3 for students, $5 for adults and $10 for families. A portion of the proceeds will help fund activities at Mount Greylock Regional High School. Teens interested in performing may contact Mollie at javajivech@yahoo.com by the end of the day on Thursday, Nov. 4.
JavaJive welcomes teen musicians, dancers, poets, comics, jugglers, storytellers and other performers. JavaJive is a monthly, substance-free, teen-run coffeehouse benefiting school activities and providing a performance venue and a safe place for teens to hang out.
Milne art: Two painters will exhibit at the David & Joyce Milne Public Library during the month of November. Barbara Joseph will exhibit her oil paintings, and Carole Ott will show her watercolors. The exhibit will be on view Nov. 1 through Nov. 30 in the main hallway and the rear lobby. Library hours are Monday to Friday, 10 to 5:30, Wednesday, 10 to 8 and Saturday, 10 to 4.
Hydrant flushing: The Williamstown Water Department will flush hydrants through Friday, Nov. 5, between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. Customers may experience some roily water and lower than normal pressure. The department apologizes for any inconvenience. The flushing is a semi-annual procedure to remove any sediment in the mains and check the operation of all hydrants. Questions: business office, 458-3383.
Dividend deadline: Williamstown Savings Bank customers may vote for local nonprofit organizations to benefit from the bank's community dividend program through Nov. 2. Since 1996, the bank has donated 10 percent of its annual after-tax profits to community-based nonprofit organizations operating in Northern Berkshire or Southern Vermont. The bank's officers and trustees allocate 80 percent of that amount, while customers' votes determine the remaining 20 percent. The ballot includes 66 organizations, with each vote resulting in a direct allocation to the organization selected.
Ballots are being mailed to customers and are available in the bank lobby and at www.williamstownsavings.com.
Public meetings: A schedule of public meetings in or about Williamstown, as provided by Town Clerk Mary C. Kennedy, 458-9341, from official postings. Meetings are held at the municipal building, 31 North St., unless otherwise indicated: Thursday, Oct. 28, Prudential Committee, 5 p.m., fire station; Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, Elementary School Committee, 4 p.m., executive session; Recreation Committee, 6:30 p.m.; Board of Health, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, presidential and state election, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., elementary school gymnasium; Mount Greylock Regional High School Committee, 6 p.m., school. Wednesday, Nov. 3, Mount Greylock School Council 4 p.m., school library; Sign commission, 5 p.m. Mount Greylock Superintendent Search Committee, 7 p.m.
Harper Center: Elder Services Nutrition Program serves hot meals. Call 458-8250 or 458-5156; 48-hour notice is appreciated. Voluntary donations for van transportation are 50 cents one-way from Williamstown and $1 one-way from North Adams. Service is available 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Thursday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m., tai chi; 11 a.m., van to Wal-Mart; 11:30 a.m., lunch; 1 p.m., crafts; 3:30 p.m., knitting group. Friday, Oct. 29, 10:30 a.m., exercise; 11:30 a.m., lunch. Sunday, Oct. 31, 11:30 a.m., lunch. Monday, Nov. 1, 10:30 a.m., exercise; 11:30 a.m., lunch; 1 p.m., line dancing, blood pressure clinic. Tuesday, Nov. 2, 9 a.m., oil painting; 9:45 and 10:45 a.m., van to Stop & Shop. Wednesday, Nov. 3, 9 a.m., van to Price Chopper; 10:30 a.m., exercise; 11:30 a.m., lunch; 1 p.m., bridge.
Deaths: Margot H. Hanko Archer, 88, of 64 Sabin Drive, Williamstown, died Friday, Oct, 21, at her home. She was born in Passaic, N.J., on Jan. 28, 1916, a daughter of Arthur Hanko and Julia Lakotsy Hanko. She moved to Los Angeles as a child and was educated in the Los Angeles Parochial school system, graduating from the Los Angeles Polytechnic High School. She then graduated from Los Angeles City College. She was a active and longtime communicant of St. Patrick’s Church in Williamstown, where she was a past president of the St. Patrick Ladies Guild and served as historical secretary. She also was a member of the RENEW Prayer Group. She married H. Richard Archer, former custodian and director of the Rare Book Collection at Chapin Library, Williams College, in 1936. He died on Jan. 19, 1978. She leaves a sister, Helen Brechel of Boise, Idaho; a niece and a nephew. A Liturgy of Christian Burial was scheduled to be celebrated this morning [Thursday, Oct. 28] at 10 at St. Patrick’s Church, with burial to follow in the Williams College Cemetery.
Memorial donations are suggested to the charity of one’s choice, through the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna funeral home, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams MA 01247. Cecelia (Folino) Dufresne, 86, a native and former resident of North Adams, died Thursday, Oct. 21, at St. Mary’s Home, West Hartford, Conn. She was born in North Adams on Sept. 12, 1918, a daughter of Anthony L. Folino and Mary I. (DeMarco) Folino. She was educated in North Adams schools, including Drury High School. She worked for the former Sprague Electric Co. in North Adams for more than 20 years, until 1956, when she devoted herself to homemaking for her family. She was a former communicant of St Anthony of Padua Church and St Francis of Assisi Church. Her husband was Aurele Harold Dufresne, whom she married on Oct. 31, 1953. He died on Feb. 6, 1972. She leaves a daughter, Christine M. Dufresne of East Windsor, Conn., with whom she lived before entering St. Mary’s Home; two sisters, M. Madeline Domenichini of North Adams and Venice Trombley of Tolland, Conn.; three brothers, Anthony E. Folino of Williamstown, Lawrence Folino of North Adams and Alfred Folino of Stafford Springs, Conn.; nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. A brother, Paul E. Folino, died on June 7, 2002, and a stepson, Orel George Dufresne, died on April 4, 1991. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Oct. 29, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, North Adams, with the Rev. Daniel J. O‚Hear, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the family lot in Southview Cemetery, North Adams. There are no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Home, through the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna funeral home, Central Chapels, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, Ma 01247. Joan M. Sweet, 68, of McClain Road, Williamstown, died Wednesday, Oct. 20, at North Adams Regional Hospital. She was born on Nov. 27, 1935, in North Adams, daughter of Delbert and Dorothy (Osborne) Darling. She was educated in North Adams schools. She worked as a waitress throughout her life at several area restaurants, lastly at the Cozy Corners in Williamstown. Her main interest was loving and caring for her family. She leaves her husband, Stanley S. Sweet Sr.; four sons, Robert A. Richardson of Adams, Stanley S. Sweet Jr. of North Adams, John L. Sweet and James C. Sweet, both of Williamstown; two sisters, Marjorie McClain of Williamstown and Nancy Alibozek of Cheshire; two brothers, Robert Darling of North Adams and William Darling of Pownal, Vt., and eight grandchildren. She was predeceased by a daughter, Lisa Durocher; two sons, David and Tim Sweet; two sisters, Carol Morrison and Kaye Clifton; and two brothers, Delbert Darling Jr. and Gerald Darling. The funeral was Saturday, Oct. 23, from the Sherman Burbank Memorial Chapel at Eastlawn Cemetery, Williamstown. Burial followed service at Southview Cemetery in South Williamstown. The George M. Hopkins Funeral Home on Spring Street was in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Second Congregational Church in South Williamstown, through the funeral home. Eileen Marilyn (Graney) Urquhart, 69, of 38 Mohawk Forest Blvd., North Adams, died Thursday Oct. 21, at North Adams Regional Hospital, where she had been admitted on Oct. 15. She was born in North Adams on June 3, 1935, a daughter of Stella (Palmer) Graney Bastien and the late Alvin Graney. She attended schools in North Adams and graduated from Drury High School in 1953. She last worked for Williams College in its food service department for over 20 years until her retirement in 1997. She also worked part-time at West’s Variety Store in North Adams for many years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in North Adams. Her former husbands, Leon Richard Noel and Robert F. Urquhart are deceased. Besides her mother, of Pownal, Vt., she leaves four sons, Glenn P. Noel of Glendale, Ariz., Keith A. Noel of Pownal, Gary S. Noel of North Adams, with whom she made her home, and Mark E. Noel of Custer, Wash; three daughters, Cynthia Marie Schubnel of LaCrosse, Wis., Brenda Lee Harpin of North Adams and Lori A. Morris of Clarksburg; a sister, Janet Reynolds of Pownal, and six grandchildren. The funeral was Monday at the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna funeral home, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, with the Rev. Joseph DeCosta, pastor of the First Baptist Church officiating. Burial was in Southview Cemetery, North Adams.
