Westport in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Sunday, October 2, 2016
photos/EverythingWestport.com except as
noted
Passionate and dedicated artificers keep the
old ways alive.
Lee Tripp is taking her Duck Derby Champion “Leah”
to Dinner in Alsace (or maybe Switzerland!)
|
Passionate and dedicated artificers keep the old ways
alive. Traditional craftsmanship,
from blacksmithing to green woodworking, is still very much alive in
Westport. EverythingWestport.com Saturday, October 1, 2016 Once an essential activity in earlier times,
today’s artisans and artificers keep the old ways alive, not for everyday living
necessities, but for the love of the handwork. Woodworking, rug braiding, knitting, blacksmithing,
working with stone, millinery, and textile making of all types were skills early
settlers employed to produce the goods necessary for life. The Handy House Artisan Fair, organized by the Westport Historical Society,
showcased 30 local craftspeople who specialize in skills and traditional
crafts commonly practiced in the 18th and 19th century.
Above: Dressed in 1850’s ladieswear, Ruth Bly (left) knits a
scarf with traditional knitting needles while Judy Roderigues does the same
by ‘finger crocheting.’ And like most who don’t know how to crochet or
embroider, or appreciate the art of felting, knitting, quilting, rug making,
sewing, spinning, weaving, lacework, and needlework - never mind making paper
or forging a set of door hinges - we all like to marvel at the skill, time
and patience of those who do. But how long can this aging cadre of crafters keep
these skills alive for future generations. In an age where computers, iPhones, PlayStations
and wide-screen, HD TVs captivate today’s youth, no time is being dedicated
to learning the old ways from great-grandma and grera-grandpa.
Above: Joyce Winship (left) and Suzanne Alden hand braid rugs
using strips torn from wool cloth to form intricate colored patterns. Photos | EverythingWestport.com But the Westport Historical Society has made it
their mission to preserve artifacts and documents for future generations, and
to conduct educational programs like their Artisan Fair for folks to enjoy
and to carry forward the knowledge from earlier times. Each year their awe-inspiring Artisan Fair attracts
hundreds to learn more about these cottage industries and about guilds of craftspeople
who promote them. Traditional craftsmanship, from blacksmithing to green woodworking, is
still very much alive in Westport. The Artisan Fair offerd a rare opportunity to
meet these craftspeople, learn about their skilled hand work and human
powered technologies through hands on demonstrations. This year’s fair
featured, amongst others, highly skilled woodworkers, a blacksmith, Native
American basket makers, indigo dyeing, and stone wall building. This event not only preserves and perpetuates knowledge about
traditional crafts, but is also an opportunity for the community to reconnect
to its own history, to visit the Handy House and to celebrate the special
heritage of the town of Westport. Contact Westport Historical Society for information by calling 508.636.6011, or by visiting www.wpthistory.org
Left: Mike
Dyer, a green woodworker fashions a chair while onlookers study his
methods. Right: Tony Millham puts his blacksmithing talents on display.
Above: Nathaniel
Allen and friend demonstrate how wooden shakes were made in the ol’ days! Lee
Tripp is taking her Duck Derby Champion “Leah” to Dinner in Alsace (or maybe
Switzerland!) EverythingWestport.com
Sunday, October 2, 2016 SOUTH DARTMOUTH, MA— Lee Tripp adopted “Leah”, an adorable and capable
yellow rubber racer along with 17 other ducks for the 2016 Allens Pond Duck Derby and boy, did Leah do well – taking
first place and presenting her owner with the monumental task of deciding
where to travel with her Grand Prize of two r/t tickets, 2 nights of lodging
and a free dinner to look forward to…anywhere in the world. With the event in its 13th year, it’s always interesting to find out
where the winner decides to travel, and this is the second trip to
France. Previous destinations also include India, Aruba, Zambia, New
Zealand, Tanzania, China, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Hawaii and
Ecuador. After some careful deliberation and communication with Buckley and
Moniz, the Duck Derby travel agency, she decided to take her Insert: Duck stream heading to the finish
line in the 13th annual ‘Running of the Ducks’ Duck Derby! Photo |
EverythingWestport.com Lee said that “This is by far the most wonderful prize I have ever
won!” and we are so grateful to her for her continued support of the
sanctuary through her continued generosity in adopting ducks and for her
enthusiasm in planning what’s sure to be an amazing trip of a lifetime. The Sanctuary will keep youl keep you posted
on how the trip went after she returns, but for now – consider where you
would go if you won dinner for two, anywhere in the world with r/t airfare
for two and 2 nights lodging, and get your ducks online anytime for the 2017 Allens Pond Duck Derby which will be held on Saturday,
August 12th at 10:00 a.m. Visit www.massaudubon.org/allenspond
and adopt your ducks anytime. They make great gifts too – and all of
the duck income goes straight to support the sanctuary, thanks to the
generosity of our sponsors and donors. Our amazing 2016 Duck Derby prize donors are too numerous to list - 43
in all; with special thanks to the 2016 Duck Derby grand prize sponsors -
Sylvan Nursery, The Bayside Restaurant, Nye Synthetic Lubricants and
Oppenheimer, as well as Buckley and Moniz, Village Travel and Austin
Limousine Service. Festival sponsors were Watchman Waterproofing, Fiber Optic Center, Inc.
and Whaling City Sound of New Bedford. Tents generously donated by
Sperry Tents and food for the event by Coastal Roasters, Eva’s Garden and the
Bayside Restaurant. It is with this combined support that makes
it possible for all duck adoption funds to go directly to Allens
Pond.
Above photo: Lee Tripp
(lmiddle) accepting the Grand Prize with Gina Purtell (left), Sanctuary Director and Jen Costa,
Programs Administrator at the 2016 Duck Derby Festival. Submitted
photo © 2016 Community Events of
Westport. All rights reserved. EverythingWestport.com |
