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 The permit can be rescinded should weather conditions change, making a fire unfavorable.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.
This Saturday, March 12, 2022 join Relay for Life Franklin County for their Kick-Off Event. Whether you have already signed up for the Relay for Life event in June or are considering it, this a great opportunity to learn more about the event and meet other [...]
Visit Artspace’s Annual Pottery & Arts Sale on Saturday, March 5th, 2022 and purchase beautifully crafted items made by local artists. At the sale you’ll find a variety of unique crafts such as pottery, wood items, fiber art, jewelry, and more at accessible prices. While you shop, you’ll enjoy art demonstrations and performances by Artspace [...]
Avery’s General Store in Charlemont is one of the oldest general stores in New England. Opened in 1861, the store was passed down through five generations of Averys. Today the store is an employee-owned and employee-run business. Although it has changed hands over the years, it has always maintained its classic New England charm, proudly wearing the slogan “If you can’t find it at Avery’s, you probably don’t need it.”
Over the years, the store has served the surrounding hilltown residents, making it easy to stop in for some quick groceries, rather than having to take the drive to Greenfield. At Avery’s you can find fresh house-made sandwiches and more fresh meat at their deli, local produce and groceries, hardware items, and more. The staff are incredibly helpful and friendly and they will always try to help you get what you’re looking for, even if they don’t have it on-hand at the moment.
During these difficult times, Avery’s has maintained flexibility to be able to support the community and continue to provide its products and services. They offer contact-free curbside-pickup. Just call ahead and they will bring out your order to your vehicle. Avery’s is open Monday through Saturday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. Support this local business which has been a staple of our community for over 160 years so that it can continue to run for many more years.
Avery’s is located at 127 Main Street in Charlemont. Contact them at 1-413-339-4915 or mail@averysgeneral.store. Visit averysgeneral.store for more info!
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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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