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.

New England is known for its delicious varieties of apples - and New England cider is one of my favorite ways to enjoy these magnificent fruits. This year’s Franklin County CiderDays might not have cider salons or workshops, but you can still enjoy the regions’ wonderful ciders by hopping in your car and visiting all the great spots on the CiderDays Cider Trail. The event has been extended through the end of the season this year, so you have more time to stop by every point on the trail. 

All of the venues on the trail can be found at ciderdays.org/venues. Most of them are found in Franklin County. However, a few are found in the surrounding areas, such as Berkshire Cider Project in North Adams. Opened in July of this year, Berkshire Cider Project is a new craft cidery focused on dry sparkling ciders, located in a beautiful former textile mill with adjacent café and distillery. They are open Fridays and Saturdays from 12 to 6 pm. Check out their website for special CiderDays events!

Hawley’s own Headwater Cider Company is also on the list of cideries participating in CiderDays. Headwater prides itself on doing every step of the cider-making process (growing, pressing, and bottling) all right there at the orchard. With over 2000 apple trees in the orchard at 1800 feet elevation, Headwater has a short but ideal growing season, with plenty of sunlight. This makes for perfect apples for hard cider with lots of flavor and natural sugars. Headwater is open on the weekends starting October 10 to November 8 from 10 am to 5 pm.  Check out their website for more information! (Photo right taken from Headwater Cider Company's Facebook Page.)

Did you know that the oldest running cider house is located right here in Shelburne, Massachusetts? West County Cider was started in 1984 by the Maloney family. Today, they continue to make small-batch ciders using local apples, working with the variety of flavors that come from each year’s distinct apple harvest. The community is welcome to their tap room and bottle shop, located on Peckville Road, and as well to wander along their hiking trails and picnic grounds with an incredible tri-state view.  For their open hours, directions, and to check out their different styles of cider, head to their website. (Photo left taken from West County Cider's Facebook Page.)

Find out who else is on the CiderDays Cider Trail, plus more information about the 2020 Franklin County CiderDays at ciderdays.org. 

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

In a normal year, the hilltowns would be gearing up for the Ashfield Fall Festival at this time. Unfortunately, for the first time since 1970, Ashfield has had to cancel the festivities due to [...]

The annual corn mazes are back in Franklin County, with new designs! Every September, people from around the region love to get lost in these fun creative mazes. This year will be a little different with covid regulations but will still be a fun experience for all.

Mike’s Maze at Warner Farm

Over the years, Mike’s Mazes have gained national attention for their creativity and intricacy. Every year is a different thematic experience, with games, activities, and amusements to pair alongside the design of that year’s maze. Mike’s Maze spans 8-acres with installations and trivia along the way. Located in Sunderland, Massachusetts, the idea for Mike’s Maze was born over 20 years ago at a Christmas party. Farmer Mike Wissemann and artist Will Sillin teamed up to create incredible corn art. In 2015, Mike’s son David Wissemann and his wife, Jess Marsh Wissemann, took over for Will, and have since created mazes that have gone viral, such as “Alice in Sunderland.” 

This year’s theme is “Vote 2020: The Stalks Have Never Been Higher.” They will be celebrating democracy with a variety of games and rides, including the voting game, pedal carts on the “Presidential Election Racetrack” and the “Election Landslides.” Mike’s Maze is open September 11-November 1 on Thursdays (starting in October), Fridays, Saturdays, and Columbus Day from 9 am to 5 pm. The rates of entry are $15 for adults, $12 for kids under 12, and kids aged 4 and under go free! 

For more information about the exciting events at Mike’s Maze, visit mikesmaze.com.

Hick’s Family Farm & Corn Maze in Charlemont

Hick’s Family Farm also hosts an annual corn maze which is a Franklin County Favorite. Their farm is conveniently located on the Mohawk Trail/Route 2 in Charlemont. The corn maze is open September 5 through October on weekends and holidays from 10 am to 5 pm. Entry is $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 12 and under. Check out their haunted weekends in October starting October 10th and get ready for a scare! If you scare easily, you can enjoy a milder nighttime version of the maze with their Flashlight Fridays on September 18 and October 2. Go to their website for more information on the Hick’s Corn Maze at Hick’s Family Farm, www.hickscornmaze.com. 

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

The temporary closure of restaurants and eateries was hard on both the businesses and the locals in Shelburne Falls, who would normally frequent these places for delicious food and to see their fellow townspeople. Many people are excited to see some restaurants in Shelburne Falls slowly re-opening and even a new restaurant opening. These [...]