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Lanesborough 250th Birthday Bash Postponed
By Andy McKeever, iBerkshires Staff
02:40PM / Thursday, February 19, 2015
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Robert Barton showed the Board of Selectmen the signs that he wants to place throughout town. The saying 'The less we know, the more we suspect,' is from native son and 19th-century humorist Josh Billings.

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The town had hoped to kick off its yearlong birthday with a big party.

But winter has canceled the Winter Ball.

The frigid weather, sleet and snow that's pummeled the region has put the bash planned this Saturday at the Skyline Country Club on hold. Organizers have not determine a new date, if any.

The dinner-dance is one of dozen events planned throughout the year to celebrated the 250th year since the town's incorporation. 

The committee planning the bicenquinquagenery has been successful in raising nearly $20,000 to keep most of the events free and pay for the decorations and printing costs. The ball and one other event have admission costs.
 
"The events are rolling along," Robert Barton, a member of the celebration committee, told the Selectmen this week.
 
The town is set to be decorated, too. The committee bought banners to hang on utility poles and about eight signs featuring quotes from Josh Billings (the humorist born in Lanesborough in 1818 as Henry Wheeler Shaw) are eyed to be hung throughout town — one at the Police Station, one or two near the school, and four attached to existing signs.
 
"We also have plaques for historic houses," Barton said.
 
About 20 homes are plotted out on a map the committee commissioned and each will be adorned with painted cedar signs announcing the year it was built and the first family to live there. Nearly 10 other historic buildings that won't be on the map will get signs as well if the homeowner agrees.
 
Meanwhile, some 20 businesses have signed on to be featured on a "passport." The passport is a map that not only features the town's historic properties and information about them but also shows area businesses. 
 
"The bearer will get 10 percent discounts at all of the participating retailers," Barton said.
 
Passports will be sold throughout town at about a half-dozen locations for $5. Barton said he is still in talks with some of the businesses and BP and Bradley Farm have already signed on. Those locations will be given sandwich boards advertising the sale. 
 
Sales of the passport will help offset decorations and printing costs. At a grand finale event, the committee will be auctioning off gift cards also donated by businesses to help offset costs. Overall, the group is looking at a $25,000 budget.
 
Lanesborough, named for Jane Isabella Butler, Countess of Lanesborough (1737–1828), is one of four Berkshire County towns celebrating its 250th year. Williamstown, Becket and Richmond also were incorporated in 1765.
 
Barton said that at the end of the French-Indian War, the county saw a great influx of people. In a period of 10 years, many Berkshire towns were incorporated. 
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