Hilltown Voices: New Hingham Elementary School hires interim principal

CHESTERFIELD — Hampshire Regional School District Superintendent Craig Jurgensen has announced that the Chesterfield /Goshen School District has hired Thomas “Tim” Luce to be the interim school principal at the New Hingham Elementary School in Chesterfield.

The announcement comes on the heels of the resignation of former principal Rosemary Larkin, who had held the position for five years until she decided to relocate to the eastern part of the state to be closer to family.

According to Jurgensen, Luce is a retired school principal who has worked in the Easthampton, Mohawk and Frontier Regional school districts.

“He has a lot of good experience and I have great confidence in him,” Jurgensen said.

Luce will serve as interim principal for the year while the school puts together a comprehensive hiring process for a new, permanent principal.

Jurgensen noted that looking for a permanent school principal at this time of the year is difficult, and the district was specifically looking for a highly qualified candidate willing to fill the position on a temporary basis.

“It is such an intensive process and we want to make sure that we hear from all our constituents including parents, teachers and community members as we move forward,” Jurgensen said.

Principal Luce began work at the school last Monday.

Luce is a resident of Williamsburg, and his wife, Rita Luce, is a first grade teacher in Williamsburg. His daughter, Jenna, was a third grade teacher at New Hingham Elementary School from 2008 to 2013.

“We think that this is going to work out very nicely,” Jurgensen said.

WILLIAMSBURG — The Williamsburg town picnic, a celebration of life in “Burgy,” is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9, from noon to 4 p.m. on the Helen E. James School lawn and town center.

The event will include a cookout from noon until 2 p.m. with hot dogs, hamburgers and a pig roast.

Residents are encouraged to bring side dishes to the picnic, potluck style. Those who want to bring a dish can sign up at http://tinyurl.com/townpicnic.

The picnic will also feature musical entertainment, a bounce house, face painting and relay games throughout the day, as well as a chance to see town committee demonstrations, and mock-ups of planned improvements to the Williamsburg center.

At 5 p.m., the Williamsburg Grange will hold a barbecue dinner. Tickets for the dinner are available by calling 268-3157.

GOSHEN — On Sunday, Sept. 10, at 2 p.m., the Goshen Historical Society will present “More Willcutt Photos Revealed” by Jessica Judd.

The society encourages residents to attend, to enjoy the show and to help the society identify the buildings, people and places in these iconic early 20th-century Hilltown images.

The program will be held at the Goshen Town Hall, and doors will open at 1:40 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

Please contact Kristen Estelle with any questions at 268-7120 or send an email to goshenhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.

WORTHINGTON — Elizabeth Whyte Schulze will hold a coiled basketry workshop from 10 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Worthington Historical Society on Saturday, Sept. 9.

A longtime resident of Worthington, Whyte Schultz is an accomplished fiber artist who has taught locally at the Snow Farm in Williamsburg.

The workshop costs $85; a 50 percent deposit is required to secure your spot. Payment can be sent to Elizabeth Whyte Schulze, 401 Huntington Road, Worthington, MA 01098.

For more information, call 238-5544 or send an email to ewschulze3@yahoo.com.