It’s time to hit the trail again - the Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail, that is! Join local Western Mass potters and their guest potters, as they welcome you into their studios. Pottery and food have long been entwined and this trail is a celebration of the area’s rich agricultural history and cultural [...]
If you’re ready to move up, you may be trying to decide whether you want to buy a home that's already on the market or build a new one. And since the supply of homes available for sale today is low, you’re willing to consider either avenue. While home builders are doing everything they can to construct more houses and help narrow the supply [...]
As we move further into springtime, it is so nice to see bits of color everywhere and have a little more warmth and sunshine. However, if you really want to escape into an oasis in the middle of Western Mass, then Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory is the place to go. Located in South Deerfield, the conservatory is 8,000 square-feet and houses nearly 4,000 exotic and domestic butterflies. The butterflies can flutter among various tropical plants and flowers and small ponds which hold Japanese Carp, or Koi fish. If you’re lucky, a butterfly might even land on you! The best part is: they keep the conservatory at tropical temperatures, so you can enjoy the warmth, even when it’s cold outside.
Magic Wings also has a gift shop to purchase some butterfly souvenirs and outdoor gardens for the warmer weather. They offer the option to host events in their facilities, as well, such as weddings, birthday parties, meetings, or other private parties.
Magic Wings is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. No reservations are necessary and the cost of admission is $16.00 for adults and $10.00 for children aged 3 to 17. Children under age 3 get in free! They also offer discounts for seniors and students. So grab your friends and family and experience the warmth and beauty of the butterfly oasis at Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory.
For more information go to magicwings.com.
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For more information about community happenings and real estate news visit Wanda's Blog at www.wandamooney.com/blog.
After a 2-year hiatus, the Athol-Orange River Rat Race returns this Saturday, April 9th, 2022. The River Rat Race, an annual event for over 30 years, is a race of over 200 canoes in a “no-holds barred” 5.2-mile sprint down the Millers River from the Alan E. Rich Environmental Park in Athol, MA to Riverfront Park in Orange, [...]
Between January 15th and May 1st, open brush burning is allowed in some towns and cities in Massachusetts. Before beginning any burn, contact your local fire department to find out what is allowed in your area. You will also need to obtain a permit from your local fire warden or fire chief. The permit can be rescinded should weather conditions change, making a fire unfavorable.
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.
The Department of Environmental Protection has set up certain regulations around open burning, such as that any burning must be at least 75 feet from all buildings, be conducted between 10 am and 4 pm, and take place on the land closest to the source of material to be burned. There are also only certain types of materials which can be burned.
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.
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For more information about community happenings and real estate news visit Wanda's Blog at www.wandamooney.com/blog.
Early April is an amazing time of year in Franklin County, Massachusetts, when Winter and Spring overlap. You can ski in the mountains in the morning and bike or kayak in the afternoon. With the combination of these Winter and Spring conditions, it is the perfect time of year to hold the Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon, an annual event which [...]
If you're trying to decide if you should make updates or renovations before you sell your house, your agent is your expert guide. They know what's worth it in your market and how much it could impact your sale price. The graph below shows remodeling paybacks for some common [...]
New England’s sugaring season is now in full swing. Around the Pioneer Valley, you’ll find sap buckets to tap the maple trees, steam coming out of bustling sugarhouses, and fresh maple syrup for sale in local farm [...]
Here in New England, we commonly refer to this time of year as mud season. During late winter and early spring, the dirt becomes muddy from melting snow and we feel stuck between two seasons. The land is filled with neither shimmering white snow, nor blossoming flowers, but instead there’s just mud.
To help us through this less favorable season, the Shea Theater in downtown Turners Falls has put together a one-day music festival just when we need it most, Mud Season! This Saturday, March 19th, 2022 from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm, you can enjoy live music performed by musicians from around the region. The lineup includes some of the best roots Americana artists in the valley, such as Love Crumbs, the Barnrocket Racketeers, and Cloudbelly.
Check out the full lineup of bands at mud-season.com. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Purchase tickets in advance here.
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For more information about community happenings and real estate news visit Wanda's Blog at www.wandamooney.com/blog.
Franklin County has a multitude of amazing biking trails for all to enjoy. From mountain biking down Berkshire East in Charlemont to road biking along the Mohawk Trail, to the Canalside Rail Trail in Turners Falls, there is something for everyone. With so many routes for you to enjoy, you’ll want to make sure your bike is in good repair and ready for the next adventure.
Matt Sullivan has been in the bike and ski repair industry for over 20 years. Now, he has started his own business at 334 High Street in Greenfield plus a mobile bike service. Outer Limits Cycles is committed to bringing a convenient, high-quality bike service to the awesome people of New England. With Matt’s mobile shop, you don’t have to worry about transporting your bikes back and forth to the shop - he will come to you at your home, on the road, or at the end of the trail.
Call Matt at 413-325-5143 or email outerlimitscycles@yahoo.com and check out his website, outerlimitscyclesmobile.com, for more information.
Be sure to also check out the Outer Limits Racing team!
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For more information about community happenings and real estate news visit Wanda's Blog at www.wandamooney.com/blog.
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