Sugaring season is in full swing in Western Mass and all the sugar houses in Franklin County are busy! The first boil for most sugar houses happens in early February so by now, the local sugar houses have already had a few boils. This year, the Lively Family at Sunrise Farms in Colrain is doing things a little bit [...]
March is the time of year to start planning your garden and to get ready for spring! When planning your garden, it’s a good idea to first select some plants that will thrive in your yard. Check out this list of North American plants for New England gardens, by the Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment at UMass Amherst. If you’re considering planting a vegetable garden this year, the Center also has some great tips here. Another great resource I’ve found, is on gardenia.net, which has a list of perennials for New England gardens based on moisture of soil, amount of sun, and time of year.
For more garden inspiration, check out some local garden shows happening this month in Western Mass. The Western Mass Home & Garden Show will be at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield on March 26-29. View the list of vendors and happenings at the show on their website. This is a great event for families to attend together since there will be a designated Kids’ area with creative activities, a live butterfly display, a koi fish pond, and more!
Smith College will run their annual Spring Bulb Show from March 7-22 at the Lyman Conservatory. View a spectacular array of blossoming crocuses, hyacinths, narcissi, irises, lilies and tulips. The show’s hours are 10 am to 4 pm daily, and until 8 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Click here for more information.
Mount Holyoke will host their Spring Flower Show as well on March 7. For 49 years, the college has hosted this show which displays thousands of colorful and fragrant blooms. View an assortment of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and more. Plus this year there will be a special art installment by four Mount Holyoke College art studio majors. The show’s hours are 10 am to 4 pm. For more information, click here.
Purchase beautifully handcrafted pottery and art while supporting Artspace’s music and art programs at the same time. Over 30 talented potters and artists will be present, offering incredible unique items for purchase. While you shop, enjoy performances by Strings for Kids students. Also, there will be the opportunity to win door prizes, generously donated by the artists.
The Pottery & More Sale will be held Friday, March 6 from 5 to 8 pm and Saturday, March 7 from 10 am to 3 pm at Greenfield Community College. More information at artspacegreenfield.com.
Artspace’s mission is to encourage and nurture the appreciation of and participation in the arts by offering programs and instruction, and by advocating the importance of the arts in education and in the community.
Sales of single family homes in Franklin County were down 5.3% and median price down 9.1% in January 2020 compared to January 2019. The sales were up in Hampshire and down in Hampden County. Median price was up in both Hampden and Hampshire [...]
Here in Franklin County, we are lucky to have a variety of special restaurants offering delicious food. These restaurants are owned by locals and use locally sourced ingredients, as well. You can expect the vibe at these places to be true to The Valley and that the food will always be fresh and of the season. While the list of wonderful [...]
New this year, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce has created the Franklin County Gift Card! This one gift card allows cardholders to make purchases at various participating businesses around the county. So with one purchase you could give someone the gift of an adventure in Charlemont, art from Shelburne Falls, a massage in Greenfield, [...]
DiGeorge Builders has done it again. The transformation of this fabulous antique Cape is one you have to see in person to appreciate the quality workmanship and design. It is renovated top to bottom while keeping that old time charm you are looking for. The spacious, bright and sunny rooms enhanced by the beautiful wood floors makes this [...]
Sales of single family homes in Franklin County were up 4.1% and median price up 7.7% in 2019 compared to 2018. The sales were up in Hampden County and down in Hampshire County. Median price was up in both Hampden and Hampshire [...]
From now through the end of February, check out a community art exhibit at the Great Falls Discovery Center, curated by Exploded View. The exhibit includes work by regional artists in multiple media exploring maps, the significance of place, and movement across boundaries. It asks questions such as: Where do you live? Where are you from? Where do you dream? How do you find your way? Where are your borders? Do maps lie?
During these two months, you may also come upon members of Exploded View working in various corners of the building. Exploded View is a dynamic group of women artists and writers working together to create original performance and exhibition.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Montague Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
The Great Falls Discovery Center is located at 2 Avenue A in Turners Falls. For directions, hours, and more information about the Discovery Center, visit greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org.
With the announcement of the closing of Wilson’s Department Store in downtown Greenfield, it feels like the end of an era for the town. Wilson’s has been a landmark business for about a century and in recent times has drawn in customers to shop at one of the last old-time department stores in the region. While the closing of the store is a [...]
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