The Bridge of Flowers is a landmark in Shelburne Falls which draws visitors each year from all over. Once a trolley bridge, the Bridge of Flowers runs across the Deerfield River, next to the Iron Bridge, connecting the towns of Shelburne and Buckland. A group of volunteers from the community, known as the Blossom Brigade, maintain the bridge’s beautiful gardens, so that people can enjoy the spectacular plants and flowers as they walk across the bridge. 

This Saturday, May 15th, 2021, support the Bridge of Flowers at the Bridge of Flowers Annual Plant Sale. From 9 am to noon, head over to the Baptist Corner Green in Shelburne Falls to find a variety of perennials, annuals, and other garden related items. Some of the plants have been dug up from the Bridge of Flowers itself! All proceeds will benefit the Bridge of Flowers. Masks and social distancing regulations will be observed. 

If you are unable to attend the plant sale but still wish to support the Bridge of Flowers, you can donate online at www.bridgeofflowersmass.org/copy-of-donate.

Visit bridgeofflowersmass.org for more information and follow the Bridge of Flowers on Facebook!

While you're in the spirit of working on your yard and garden, be sure to visit these local shops for more tools, plants, and more for your garden:

Shelburne Farm and Garden

Located on the Mohawk Trail right outside of Shelburne Falls, they offer everything for your home and garden, plus nursery, pet, birding, and livestock supplies.
www.shelburnefarmandgarden.com
(413) 625-6650

Greenfield Farmers Cooperative Exchange

A farmer owned Cooperative with thousands of products for your home, farm, garden, and pets.
www.greenfieldfarmerscoop.com
(413) 773-9639

Baystate Perennial

A plant nursery in Whately, Mass, offering an assortment of perennials, trees, and shrubs.
www.baystateperennial.com
(413) 665-3525

Gardener's Supply at Hadley Garden Center

Long-running store selling plants & gardening supplies, plus bird food & accessories.
www.hadleygardencenter.com
(413) 584-1423

--

For more information about community happenings and real estate news visit Wanda's Blog at www.wandamooney.com/blog. 

 

The Greenfield Farmers’ Market opens this Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the Court Square in downtown Greenfield. Since 1975, the Greenfield Farmers’ Market has been a wonderful resource for community members, giving them easy access to beautiful, fresh, local agricultural products. At the market you’ll find not only organic produce, plants, and flowers, but other local products such as jams, meats, cheeses, baked goods, maple syrup, herbal ointments and salves, quilts, home-made soaps, handcrafted clothing, and more. Find a list of market vendors at greenfieldfarmersmarket.com/businesses.

Stop by the Manager’s booth to purchase tokens using your credit or debit card and then use the tokens to pay at the vendor booths. You can also purchase Greenfield Farmers’ Market T-shirts, sweatshirts, and totes. Sign up for a frequent shopper card and after 6 visits, you’ll be entered into a raffle to win a basket full of market goods!

The Greenfield Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays from May 1st to October 31st from 8 am to 12:30 pm in downtown Greenfield. Visit greenfieldfarmersmarket.com for more information and follow the market on Facebook!

--

For more information about community happenings and real estate news visit Wanda's Blog at www.wandamooney.com/blog. 

Spring is the perfect time of year to explore the option of buying land and building your dream home.  Before you begin the search for finding the right parcel, I recommend meeting with a building contractor or architect to discuss the process of constructing a home in addition to knowing the costs associated with building.  You will want to make sure it is within your budget before you begin your search.

If you plan on getting a construction loan to finance your home, make sure you meet with local lenders to get pre-qualified.  The process and rates are different than if you were to buy a home already constructed. They will provide a timeline as to how the funds are distributed based on the status of the construction.    

Prior to searching for land, make a list of what is most important to you.  Is it having a brook or mountain view, having an open meadow so you can garden or raise a few animals or just having a private wooded setting?  Once you have identified some land for sale you will want to view the surrounding properties to see what is nearby.  How close are you to neighbors?  Is there any development potential or do you hear road noise or businesses?  If you are new to the area, check out the communities in the Western Mass area and make sure the land is in a convenient location and that you can get high speed internet! 

Once you have selected a parcel and have an agreement to purchase you will want to meet with your builder and various contractors to inspect the property and get a sense of what the site costs will be.  They will also make sure your home can be constructed within the requirements of the zoning bylaws. 

Building your home can be very stressful. But having the opportunity to create a place designed to fit your needs is so rewarding.  

Below are links to help you get started.  If you have any questions about the building process, you can contact Wanda Mooney at 413-768-9848 or email.  She has 28 years experience in selling land and also built her own home!  Learn more about Wanda here and review her credentials.

List of Builders, Contractors, Architects, and Engineers here

List of Local Lenders here

Search Land Listing here 

Explore the area here 

Supporting Local Sugarhouses is Sweet!

While the state is still in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, sugarhouses are still boiling their sap to make delicious maple syrup. Hager’s Farm Market in Shelburne has plenty of syrup available that is made directly from their farm at Hager Bros. Farm.  Visit Hager's Farm Market located at 1232 Mohawk Trail, Shelburne Falls. Go to hagersfarmmarket.com for more information.

Davenport Maple Farm Restaurant will also be open this weekend. At the start of the year, the restaurant owners, Todd and Michelle Olanyk, were not even sure if they would be opening the restaurant this sugaring season. They made the decision one week before opening on March 6th, and will be open for dine-in and takeout Saturdays and Sundays from 8 am to 3 pm until the end of the month. Although the restaurant doesn’t have the usual amount of business as in past years, the Olanyks are pleased to see their customers happy to be there and that they are choosing to buy local maple syrup. Customers can also purchase the maple syrup during the week by calling the restaurant at 413-625-2866. You can also follow Davenport Maple Farm on Facebook at facebook.com/DavenportMaple/.

Another local favorite maple farm is Sunrise Farms, a 5th generation family-owned and operated maple farm in Colrain, Mass. Their syrup is boiled in an electrical evaporator that is offset with renewable, zero carbon solar arrays right on the farm. Plus their maple syrup is certified organic, as well as the other delicious maple products they offer such as maple cream, candy, and sugar. Sunrise Farms offers curbside pickup at 87 Thayer Road in Greenfield or right at the farm at 24 Heath Branch Road in Colrain. They also offer shipping! Call Sunrise Farms at 1 413-624-3210 to place an order. Visit their website, sunrisefarmsmaple.com, for more information and to make an appointment. 

Discover more Massachusetts Maple Farms at massmaple.org!

--

For more information about community happenings and real estate news visit Wanda's Blog at www.wandamooney.com/blog. 

Buyers Get Ready

The inventory of homes for sale is at an all time low.  It has been reported nationally that the inventory of properties for sale in rural areas has seen a 44% drop compared to previous years.  We normally see low inventory during the winter months but never like this.  The combination of the winter season, recent spike in COVID and lack of homes for sellers to relocate to makes this year even worse.

Buyers need to be even more prepared than ever.  Spring will be here soon and I anticipate an influx of new listings hitting the market.

Here are a few tips to help you get ready:
1).   Pre-Qualification - If you are getting a mortgage make sure your pre-qualification is current and from a local lender.  If there are multiple offers, a seller will feel more comfortable working with a buyer who is getting their mortgage through a local lender compared to one from afar.

2).  Paying Cash - You will need to have proof of funds available that needs to accompany an offer.  I suggest to put whatever amount you have to buy a home in a separate account so you are not sharing your entire portfolio.  When you submit a copy make sure you cover up your account numbers.  

3).  Gift Money -  If you have a friend or family member gifting you cash to either purchase a home outright or with the down payment, make sure you have proper documentation to support this.

4). Write a Letter to the Seller - Selling a home can be very emotional for the homeowner. I suggest to write them a personal letter explaining why you love their home.  When a seller reviews the offers, sometimes a letter will help them make the final decision as to which one they feel comfortable accepting.

5) Multiple Offers -   When preparing your Offer to Purchase, I suggest you submit your best offer, as you may not get a second chance to change it.  I recently had a situation where the listing agent told me and my buyer that we would be informed if another offer came in and that agent failed to let us know.  You also need to know that the seller makes the final decision as to how multiple offers will be handled.  Sometimes they will want to go highest and best but sometimes they will just accept an offer and you will not have another chance.  This is a complicated process and your agent will advise the best way to proceed.

6). Take your Time -  I strongly recommend taking your time to find the right home.  Don’t buy out of fear that you will not find another place.  You are buying during a time when the prices are inflated, you want to make sure this home will be one you will enjoy for many years to come. There are always fluctuations in market values and when you buy at the height of a market, most likely, your home could drop in value in a few years. If you plan on remaining at the premises for a long period of time then these fluctuations don’t matter.

A list of lenders can be found here:  Local Lenders
Check out Wanda’s Buyer’s Guide here:  Buyers Guide     To search the MLS:  Search

If you have any additional questions about buying a home feel free to contact Wanda at 413-768-9838 or send email.  She will be happy to answer any questions to help you get started in the right direction.   

 

Massachusetts allow residents to burn brush between January 15th and May 1st. However, there are certain regulations for where and how you can burn brush, as well as who is allowed to do it. You can apply for an Open Burn Permit through your local fire department. Many towns in Franklin County use the online system for residents to submit applications. This online application can be found at fcburnpermits.com. If your town does not use the online system, you can contact them by phone to inquire about how to obtain permission to burn brush. 

Go to fcburnpermits.com for a list of regulations around brush burning or for more specific information on how to get in touch with your local fire department. You can also go to mass.gov/service-details/open-burning-safety for more information on open burning and fire safety.

--

For more information about community happenings and real estate news visit Wanda's Blog at www.wandamooney.com/blog. 

 

Spring is finally in sight but we still have a few cold months ahead of us. In the cold weather, it can be nice to cozy up by the fire or to use heating devices in the home such as space or kerosene heaters or electric blankets. With any heat source there is always the risk of a fire. To avoid home fires and keep your household safe, follow these 6 steps:

1. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and check them regularly.

Be sure to have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors positioned strategically around the house - at the tops and bottoms of all stairs, outside of bedrooms, and on every level of the home. Check your detectors once a month.

 

2. Check your exits.

Be sure to have at least two ways to exit your home. None of the exits should ever be blocked in case a quick escape is necessary.

 

3. Keep a charged phone close to your bed.

This way you can quickly make a call to the fire department and emergency services in case of a fire.

 

4. Keep heating devices 3 feet away from anything flammable. 

This is because heating devices such as space or kerosene heaters can get so hot, the radiation can cause nearby items to combust.

 

5. Don’t overload an electrical circuit.

Especially when it comes to heating appliances, be sure to plug into different circuits so as not to overload one. Also, these appliances should not be plugged into extension cords, but rather into the circuit directly.

 

6. Clean the chimney.

Make sure the chimney is cleaned professionally once a year to avoid build up which can trap heat. When disposing of ashes, do so at least 10 feet away from the house and not even in the basement as this could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. 

 

For more comprehensive information about fire safety for your home, reach out to your local fire department. Stay safe everyone! Spring will be here soon.

--

For more information about community happenings and real estate news visit Wanda's Blog at www.wandamooney.com/blog. 

 

Social distancing can be tough this time of year, when it's cold outside and you're running out of ideas for indoor activities. If you're looking for some creative ways to occupy some time, check out this list of activities compiled by Mass.gov. Take virtual tours of far away landmarks, read stories, learn something new with free lessons, and more. Enjoy!

General Resources

Tour Yellowstone National Park 

Explore the surface of Mars on the Curiosity Rover 

Discover virtual tours of farms 

Take a digital fieldtrip and see the Louvre in Paris 

Visit the Great Wall of China virtually 

Take a trip around the British Museum online 

Read, play games, and hang out with Dr. Seuss 

Learn some history in these online classes 

Learn some biology with these online lessons 

Explore this digital history archive 

Explore musical concepts with these games 

Learn new things with these free lessons from universities and companies 

Explore Scholastic's "Learn at Home" Resources :

        - Leisure and Learning at Home (MCB/DDS Focus) — PDF (PDF 100.54 KB)

        - Leisure and Learning at Home (MCB/DDS Focus) — RTF (RTF 363.71 KB)

Audio Resources

Podcast: Assistive Technology Update (Easterseals Crossroads) 

Podcast: Ouch! (BBC) 

Podcast: The Far Meridian (The Whisperforge) 

Free Public-Domain Audiobooks (Librivox) 

Audiobooks: Rakuten Overdrive 

NOTE: Requires a library card at a supported library

 

The story of how the land where Franklin County sits was formed can be told through the incredible rock formations you can actually see! The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce’s Visitor Guide has a wonderful and informative summary of the geology of Franklin County, written by Richard D. Little. 

Richard Little works at Greenfield Community College, teaching and studying the geology of the Connecticut River Valley. He believes that Franklin County is the best place to study geology - and you can get out and see why for yourself! Included in the article are select places of interest to witness geological phenomenon and to have a scope of the formation of the lands around. Go explore these places and see for your own eyes the products of millions of years of erosion. Below is the excerpt from the Franklin County Visitor Guide which lists these spectacular places: 

“Whether you are a visitor or a resident, I have selected a few spectacular places to start your explorations. Exact directions and information are found in the new “Exploring Franklin County” book or you can “Google” for directions.

A “START HERE” DESTINATION: Greenfield Community College Geology Path (by parking lot F). There is a Guide in the metal box. Rare armored mud ball specimens are on display.

GREAT VIEWPOINTS: Poet’s Seat, Greenfield; Mt. Sugarloaf, South Deerfield; High Ledges, Shelburne Falls

WATERFALLS: Listed according to height. Tannery Falls, Savoy; Turners Falls, Barton Cove (abandoned falls), Gill; Chapel Falls, Ashfield; Roaring Brook, Sunderland.

FOSSILS: Beneski Museum at Amherst College….not in Franklin County, but “world class”; Barton Cove’s historic footprint quarry, Gill; Note: insects and other invertebrates left lots of tracks, trails, and burrows in our Jurassic sedimentary rocks. While these are not spectacular like a reptile print, they are fossils and these pits, bumps, and scratches are commonly seen along the Mesozoic red rock bedding planes. Also, search riverbank rocks below the Turners Falls Dam.

LAVA: Highland Park, Greenfield; Rte. 2 Factory Hollow, Greenfield.

UNUSUAL AND DRAMATIC ROCK OUTCROPS: GCC Geology Path; Erving, Rte. 2; Brush Mt., Northfield; Shelburne Falls Potholes; Marble Natural Bridge, N. Adams; Highland Park’s Sachems Run Trail, Greenfield.

CAVES: Catamount, Colrain; Mt. Toby, Sunderland

GLACIAL FEATURES: Drumlins (Gill, drive through them along Turners Falls Rd.); Esker, Old Vernon Rd, off Rte. 142, Northfield; Glacial striations and roche moutonnee, Brush Mt., Northfield; Kettle Ponds: Green Pond & Lake Pleasant, Montague; Cranberry Pond, Sunderland.

RIVER TERRACES: Deerfield Main St.; W. Northfield rte. 142 – Caldwell Rd.

LAKE HITCHCOCK FEATURES: Sunderland Delta (“Delta Gravel Co.”) Rte. 116, Sunderland; Rte. 142, W. Northfield, delta and lake bottom deposits

RIVER TRIP: SEASONAL -- Heritage Riverboat Cruise from Northfield to Barton Cove and return. Sponsored by First Light Power Company. Seasonal. Check online for contact information.”

 

Check out the full history and guide to Franklin County geology here and enjoy learning and exploring new places right in your own backyard. 

Picture Above: Salmon Falls and Glacial Potholes in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts

--

For more information about community happenings and real estate news visit Wanda's Blog at www.wandamooney.com/blog. 

The Franklin County community has always been there to support our local non-profits. Local community members volunteer their time, attend events, and donate money to support our local organizations which better our community and provide invaluable resources. This past year, with the Covid-19 pandemic, many local non-profit organizations have been hit hard financially. The organizations have had to cancel or restructure fundraising events which meant they received less proceeds than in past years. Plus, this year has been tough financially on most households, and therefore people have not been able to donate as much money as they had in past years. 

However, now more than ever is when our community needs the work of these nonprofits to help everyone through these incredibly tough times. Below are four Franklin County non-profit organizations whose work is crucial to the wellbeing of our community. I encourage you to take the time to learn about these organizations and if you can donate any money to them, even if just a small amount, please do so. If we support them, then they can support our community. 

 

Children’s Advocacy Center of Franklin County and North Quabbin Area

Efforts to contain the Covid-19 Coronavirus and to protect global health, such as lockdowns, social distancing, and staying at home, have consequently exposed children and adolescents to an increased risk of family violence. At the same time, these victims have been isolated from the valuable people and resources that could help them in these situations. 

The mission of the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) is to prevent and end child abuse in our community by providing education, safety, healing and justice. By working with the Child Abuse Unit of the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, CAC is dedicated to minimizing secondary trauma to child victims by streamlining the handling of cases of child sexual abuse, serious child physical abuse, and child exploitation. They envision a community in which children are respected and free from harm and their services can make that happen. Learn more about CAC on their website and donate to the CAC here.

 

Hilltown Food Pantry

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a deep economic crisis in the country. Millions of Americans are facing hunger due to lack of access to sufficient food. The Hilltown Food Pantry has been serving the Northern Hampshire Hilltowns since 1990, and this year especially, their services are needed. The pantry is located in Goshen and serves eligible residents of the surrounding towns. Over 350 individuals from over 150 families share in the monthly distribution of emergency supplemental foods. 

The Hilltown Food Pantry is a program of the Northampton Survival Center. In normal times, the Center could accept items of unopened and undamaged non-perishable food and fresh produce. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, they can currently only accept financial donations. These donations are used to buy items on sale and in bulk, pay salaries, maintain the buildings, and keep the refrigerators running. Donate however much you can here. One donation of $50 provides monthly groceries plus weekly supplements of fresh produce to one person for two months. Learn more about the Hilltown Food Pantry here. 

 

Dakin Humane Society

The Dakin Humane Society is a community-supported animal welfare organization that provides shelter, medical care, spay/neuter services, and behavioral rehabilitation for more than 20,000 animals and people each year. They provide veterinary services such as spay/neuter, vaccines, and humane euthanasia as well as pet services such as grooming and pet food aid. Their mission is to deliver effective, innovative services that improve the lives of animals in need and the people who care for them. They operate under the belief that when people are provided with information and resources they will make good decisions for their animals.

The Dakin Humane Society is reliant solely on contributions from individuals and the dedication of nearly 600 volunteers who work alongside their staff to help care for the animals, deliver their programs, and govern the organization. If you care about animals and wish to be a supporter of this wonderful organization, you can make a donation of whatever amount you can here. A donation of $25 provides 20 meals for 20 animals. Learn more about the Dakin Humane Society at dakinhumane.org.

 

United Way of Franklin County

United Way of Franklin County is part of the largest privately-funded nonprofit in the world with more than 2.8 million volunteers and 9.3 million donors in 41 countries. Locally, United Way of Franklin County is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Franklin County through the mobilization of people and resources to strengthen our communities and advance the common good. They operate many programs throughout the year which support the building blocks for a good quality of life: education, financial stability, and health. These programs provide books and school supplies to local children and adolescents, diapers to families with babies and young children, prescription medication to families who cannot afford their medications, and more. United Way of Franklin County also acts as a voice for other local agencies which are in need of support or supplies. Donate today to the United Way of Franklin County here and learn more at uw-fc.org.

--

For more information about community happenings and real estate news visit Wanda's Blog at www.wandamooney.com/blog.