Happy Holidays and Happy New Year, Franklin County! I am proud of this community and happy to call Franklin County home. Best wishes to all for a safe, healthy, and joy-filled 2021. 

Christmas is almost here and if you’re doing any last minute shopping, remember to support our local shops! One local shop that I’m happy to support is Plum Boutique in downtown Greenfield. More than just a retail store, Plum carefully selects products made by mission-based organizations, women-owned enterprises, and local artisans. As a member of the downtown Greenfield family of shops, they seek to enrich the community and to provide us with an ever-evolving gallery of fashion, design, and art which inspires, nurtures, empowers, and delights.

Check out their Perfect Holiday Gift Guide for inspiration on unique gifts for friends and family and get free shipping through the month of December on their website with code FREE2020.

Visit their website, plum413.com, and follow them on Facebook to stay updated on what's in the shop! 

Located at 281 Main Street in Greenfield, MA

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

Recently, I came across a blog post in Coldwell Banker’s blog, Blue Matter, about the Power of Kindness in the Age of Covid. Check out the post here. The post evoked the question that in a time of such uncertainty, what can we do to make the world around us a better place to live? 

One of the reasons I love living in Franklin County is [...]

The Franklin County Fairgrounds will host a festive display of lights this holiday season to spread cheer to the community and raise funds for three organizations. They are working alongside Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Franklin County and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Regional Dog Shelter to organize a light display lasting three weekends. Over 30 groups from the community of 4 people or less are putting together the various light displays and are competing for a cash prize of $1000. We have two weekends left, December 4-6, and December 11-13, for the public to drive through the fairgrounds and enjoy the light display. 

Each car is asked to donate a minimum of $5 and each night one of the three organizations will receive 100% of the proceeds. These local non-profits have been hit hard by Covid-19 due to canceling events to stay safe and this creative fundraiser is a way to recover some of those funds and spread joy to the local community. 

For more information about this event, visit the Franklin County Fairgrounds on Facebook!

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

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Although this year has been particularly difficult, today is a great reminder to appreciate what we are fortunate to have and to be grateful for the positive people and things in our lives. As we approach the end of the year, we can all think about ways to show our gratitude and to boost up the community around us.

You are probably already familiar with the advent calendar. Used for counting down the days until Christmas, these calendars usually offer some sort of treat behind tiny doors on each day, typically chocolate. They are a great way to build excitement leading up to Christmas. 

But have you heard of the reverse advent calendar? Rather than having a treat for yourself on each day, these calendars inspire you to give back. Every day you can collect a food item or donation to add to a box. Then at the end of the calendar, bring your box to your local food bank or donation center as a way to give back to your community. Reverse advent calendars are a great way to spread holiday cheer and to teach children that the holidays are not just about receiving gifts and eating chocolate, but also about making a positive impact on your community. Check out the reverse advent calendar below for ideas to fill your donation box.

Plus check out this list of thoughtful holiday gifts whose sellers will donate part of the profits to different charitable organizations.

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

In past years on Black Friday, the village of Shelburne Falls has come alive with vendors, performers, lights, and festive decor to kick off the holiday season with their annual Moonlight Magic event. Shops would stay open later and offer special deals to encourage holiday shoppers to support the small local businesses. Unfortunately, there [...]

The 2020 Crafts of Colrain Open Studio Tour has moved online! This weekend, November 14 and 15, from 10 am to 5 pm, most artists are offering 10% off when you shop their online store (using discount code: colrain10). There will be many new items offered for the first time this weekend. Plus, view videos about the artists on the Crafts of Colrain website to tour their studios virtually. 

Colrain, MA is a scenic town, just below the VT state line. Its expansive area of forests, streams, and farms has made it a desirable place for artists and creative people to live and work. They draw inspiration from the town's natural beauty to bring their art alive and offer it to the community. 

Crafts of Colrain is an annual event which usually brings the opportunity for these tucked-away artists to open their doors to the community. The artists normally spend the weekend hosting workshops, giving tours of their space, and then selling their products. Support these artists and this wonderful community event so that it may happen again next year, hopefully in person! 

View videos of the artist and links to their online stores at CraftsofColrain.com/artists.

(Photos source: craftsofcolrain.com)

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

Earlier this year, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce released a new Franklin County Gift Card. Now, as the holidays approach, consider gifting one of these versatile gift cards to your friends and loved ones. They can spend it at the participating Franklin County business of their choice - so they are guaranteed to love their gift! [...]

In Shelburne Falls, businesses are accustomed to the ups and downs of tourism in the village. Summertime usually brings buses and cars full of tourists from around the world to come and marvel at the magical village with the river running through it. Visitors love to walk across the world famous Bridge of Flowers, a volunteer-run garden on [...]

The Greenfield Recreation Department has saved Halloween! Alongside businesses and agencies throughout Greenfield, they have planned a socially-distanced drive-thru Halloween experience at Highland Park. Load up your household into a vehicle and enjoy a ¾ mile drive full of fun and scary Halloween sights, including ghosts, goblins, zombies, witches, and skeletons! 

Enter Highland Park via Highland Avenue and continue through the display, driving at 5 mph. Once you’ve reached the finish, exit via Crescent Street. Attendees are encouraged to dress up and masks are required. 

Plus, the first 2000 children through the entrance will receive a free Halloween Treat Bag full of goodies! 

This special Halloween event is happening Friday, October 30th from 4-6 pm. Visit franklincc.org for more information and RSVP to the Facebook event!

Happy Halloween!

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