The long-awaited arrival of broadband in Franklin County is finally here! New Salem, Rowe, and Shutesbury all have active fiber networks. Currently, about 80% of premises in Rowe are customers. If you have a premise in Rowe that you wish to sign up for broadband you can do so for $75 a month. You will receive free installation while funds remain available, plus free equipment and Wifi. You do not have to sign up for a contract and there is an optional full service phone for $19 a month. Visit Rowe’s town website for more detailed information and visit wiredwestfiber.com/rowe to sign up. 

Heath is in the process of building its fiber network. Once the main photo optic fiber cable is installed throughout town, the next phase of actually attaching the network fiber line to the poles along Heath roads will begin. This process should begin in September. Plus, on July 21st the Heath Municipal Light Board (MLB) approved the “Heath Drop Service Installation Policy”. The Policy incentivizes qualifying customers in Heath to subscribe to take broadband internet service during the startup period, by covering up to $3,000 toward the drop installation costs for subscribers with an eligible premises (defined in policy). To learn more and to ensure you are kept up to date on the latest broadband news contact [email protected] and be added to Wired West's contact distribution list.

Here is the recently released schedule of the dates when each Fiber Service Area (FSA) will undergo construction of the network and installation to the premises.

FSA 2: 7/6/20-12/31/20

Branch Hill, 3 Colrain Stage, Dell, 81-291 Rte 8A, Judd, Knott, Ledges, Long Hill, Rowe, Royer (except #18 in FSA3), Sherman, W. Main, 1 E. Main

FSA 1: 9/21/20-4/6/21

AL Stetson, Bellor, Brunelle, 323-713 Rte 8A, Groll, Jacobs, Number 9, Sadoga, State Farm, Stone Hill, Sumner Stetson, Underwood Hill, W. Branch

FSA 3: 12/21/20-8/12/21

Avery Brook, Bassett, Bray, Burrington, Center Heath, Colrain Stage (except #3 in FSA2), E. Main, Flagg Hill, Flagg Hill ext., Hosmer, Ingraham, Ledges (remaining portion), Royer (#118), Schoolhouse, South, Swamp, Taylor Brook, Rown FArm, W. Hosmer

FSA 4: 4/26/21-9/31/21

Mohawk Estates

For more information and to stay up to date with the progress of Broadband installation in the hilltowns, visit wiredwest.net/towns or visit the town sites (Rowe and Heath)

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

Apex Orchards, Shelburne

As of Saturday, August 15th, Apex Orchards  welcomed the community to come and pick their own peaches. Located in Shelburne, just off of Route 2/The Mohawk Trail, between Greenfield and Shelburne Falls, Apex Orchards offers stunning views of Western Mass and the borders of Vermont and New Hampshire. Experience the incredible scenery of the orchard while you stroll amongst the trees and pick your own delicious peaches. 

Pick Your Own Peaches is open to the public on weekends only from 11 am to 4 pm. However, you can visit the farm store daily from 9 am to 5 pm and purchase fresh-picked fruit and other local agricultural products. Currently, the Apex Farm Store has Lodi Apples, Methley Plums, Blueberries, and Garnet Beauty Peaches. Plus, as we move further into harvest season, this list will grow! Stay updated on what’s available in the store and which apples are ready for Pick Your Own by following the Apex Orchards Facebook Page or call the store before you visit at 413-625-2744

(Photo taken from Apex Orchards Facebook Page.)

Pine Hill Orchards, Colrain

You can compare peaches to peaches by visiting Pine Hill Orchards in Colrain and picking up some of their fresh-picked peaches as well! Currently, their farm store is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm, where they sell other fresh-picked fruit like plums and blueberries, as well. They also offer takeout from their restaurant Thursday through Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm. In just a few weeks, starting Labor Day weekend, Pine Hill will be running their Pick Your Own apples! Check their website or Facebook page for updates on which varieties are ready. 

Clarkdale Fruit Farm, Deerfield

You’ll also find juicy, fresh-picked peaches at Clarkdale Fruit Farm in Deerfield. Clarkdale is a fourth-generation family-owned fruit farm, whose farm store is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. You can stay safe with their drive up ordering and never have to get out of your car. Visit them at 303 Upper Road in Deerfield for yellow-fleshed peaches now or visit them in a few weeks for apple season.  Find out what fruit is available on their website or Facebook page.

Happy Harvest Season to all!

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

August is a wonderful time of year in Western Mass, when the days are still warm, but the nights start to cool down a bit more. While the usual country fairs will be missed this year, there are still plenty of ways to take advantage of all that Western Mass has to offer in the summer. [...]

Sales of single family homes in Franklin County were down 1.6% and median price down 5.0% in June 2020 compared to June 2019. The sales were down in both Hampshire and Hampden Counties. Median price was up in both Hampshire and Hampden [...]

Every summer I always look forward to the shows at Double Edge Theatre in Ashfield. Their creative performances, which invite the audience to move around their farm with them, always inspire and evoke deep thought in viewers about the world around them. Now more than ever, the artistic imagination of this theater group is something that we all need. This year, Double Edge has utilized their large outdoor space to create a safe experience for all. Now through August 9th on Wednesdays to Sundays, visit Double Edge Theatre’s farm for the showing of 6 Feet Apart, All Together, a summer spectacle for the time of COVID-19. 

This summer’s show has been downsized in both number of performers and audience size to ensure safety for all. The audience will move around in small groups on an invigorating and reflective walk through the scenes which will touch on past shows and also look towards the future. 6 Feet Apart, All Together will be performed in rounds and all audience members must wear a mask for everyone’s safety. 

From now until August 9th, you can view 6 Feet Apart, All Together from Wednesdays to Sundays at 8:00 pm in July and 7:30 pm in August with a Saturday matinee at 1 pm. Purchase tickets here in advance soon as there are a limited number of spaces.

For more information visit their website at doubleedgetheatre.org or follow them on Facebook.

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

Place Your Blueberry Order Today!

It’s time to place your order for Burnt Hill Farm’s native low bush blueberries. Harvest will begin the last week of July and continue through August. This year’s prices are $40 for a 10 lb box and $70 for a 20 lb box. Order your blueberries online through [...]

This month, Greenfield Savings Bank is offering a mortgage special! You could receive a ¼ percent reduction on the interest rate of your new Greenfield Savings Bank Fixed-Rate Mortgage. To receive this reduction, apply for your mortgage before July 31st, 2020 and close on your mortgage before September 30th, 2020. The ¼ percent interest rate reduction is off the interest rate at the time of the application. To apply, visit the Greenfield Savings Bank mortgage center online or call for an appointment today at  (413) 774-3191 . Visit greenfieldsavings.com/mortgage/buy-in-july for more details!

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

Thinking of buying or selling? Contact Wanda today at 413-768-9848 or [email protected]

Sales of single family homes in Franklin County were down 43.4% and median price down 17.6% in May 2020 compared to May 2019. The sales were down in Hampden County and up in Hampshire County. Median price was up in Hampden County and down in Hampshire County. 

The average days on market in the Pioneer Valley was down 16.9% from 71 days in May 2019 compared to 59 days in May 2020. Listings that are pending (under agreement to sell) were down 3.2% from 653 listings pending in May 2019 to 632 listings pending sale in May 2020.

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

Information provided from the REALTOR Association of Pioneer Valley

During a time when people are spending more time at home than ever before, there is a new importance placed on homeownership and loving where you live. Homes are no longer a place to simply eat and sleep - they are offices, schools, gyms, and a place to feel safe and secure with family. June is National Homeownership Month and with interest rates at an all time low, now is a great time to buy. 

If you’re a first-time homebuyer or not sure where to start, I recommend checking out my Buyer’s Guide which has helpful articles such as “How Low Mortgage Rates Increase Your Purchasing Power” and “How to Make Your Dream of Homeownership a Reality.” After you’ve had a read-through of the guide, you can start virtually shopping with the user-friendly listing searches on my website. There’s advanced search options so you can filter by town, property type, or style. Or browse popular searches such as country homes or log homes.

If you’re thinking of buying a home, feel free to contact me by phone or email at 413-768-9848 or [email protected].

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

Sales of single family homes in Franklin County were down 28.3% and median price down 1.1% in April 2020 compared to April 2019. The sales were down in Hampshire and Hampden County. Median price was up in both Hampden and Hampshire [...]