Thanksgiving is this Thursday! While I am looking forward to spending time with family and reflecting on what I am grateful for, in the back of my mind I am thinking about Moonlight Magic. Moonlight Magic is the annual holiday kick-off event in Shelburne Falls. Every year on Black Friday, which this year is November 24th, from 4-9 pm, the Greater Shelburne Falls Area Business Association closes off Bridge Street and the Iron Bridge to host this magical event.

Vendors will line the streets, selling crafts, candles, maple and other farm products, wreaths, and other delightful things perfect for gifting for the holidays. Barberic Farm will be selling their delicious frozen meat pies, jams, jellies, pickles, plus their handmade wool and leather products. Shelburne Farm & Garden will also have a booth, selling birding supplies, pet toys, hats, and gloves. You could get all your holiday shopping done without having to even look at a mall!

School groups and other non-profits will also set up to fundraise for their special projects. Colrain Central School will be raffling off gift baskets, and Hawlemont Elementary School will sell baked goods and offer cookie decoration as a fundraiser for their Nature’s Classroom trip. Of course, don’t forget to look for the Salvation Army kettle to make a donation.

While you’re shopping around, there will be a bunch of performances, both indoors and out. Keep your ears open for roaming performers, Welcome Yule, a group of carolers, and Tom Crean, banjoist. At 5:15 pm, be sure to be outside to watch the Parade of Lights come down Conway Street to Bridge Street. Wave to Santa Claus and his crew, plus a special horse drawn wagon courtesy of Greenfield Savings Bank. Then, pay Santa and Mrs. Claus a visit at the Mason’s Lodge on Main Street. Some other acts you won’t want to miss include Ageless Waves of Rhythm, the Senior Center’s drumming group, who will perform in Greenfield Savings Bank, and Celtic Heels, Irish step-dancing group.

My favorite part of Moonlight Magic are the beautiful lights and decorations throughout the village of Shelburne Falls. Luminaria line the streets and christmas lights and garlands drape overhead, making this cozy village even more serene.

For more information and specific event details, go to shelburnefalls.com.

Colrain, Massachusetts is a beautiful town in northern Franklin County, just below the Vermont line. The town draws many artists who seek inspiration from its natural beauty. There are so many artists, in fact that each year they all come together to host Crafts of Colrain Open Studio Tour. Grab a map and a friend and take a tour around Colrain this Saturday and Sunday, November 11-12.

18 artisans will open their doors to showcase their art and offer live viewings of their processes. Their crafts include woodwork, fiber art, metalwork, painting, pottery, and more. One particular artist whose work I always enjoy is Ruby Rice. She creates visionary healing arts ranging from pillows to wall hangings to notecards and more. Her sanctuary and gallery has the feel of a chapel and is meant to comfort and make guests feel at home.

For more information and to download a free map and schedule, visit www.craftsofcolrain.com.

Fall in New England is such a favored time of year; the bright colors of the foliage, a chill in the air, and of course, all things apple. Every fall on the first full weekend in November, I look forward to CiderDays, a Franklin County celebration of apples. Many of the events are free and range from workshops to talks to tastings to [...]

Come take a look at this attractive contemporary style Ranch that is available for you to move in and enjoy just in time for the holiday season. It is immaculate and many expensive updates have been done including a new heating system, roof, gutters, kitchen, Pergo flooring, deck and more. You will love the spacious floor plan that features [...]

82 Christian Hill Road, Colrain, MA

Completely renovated in 2016, this charming antique Cape is the perfect home for those who appreciate the old, but desire modern conveniences. Sun-filled rooms with an open concept design create a warm and welcoming environment in every New England season. Fabulous kitchen features Silestone countertops, [...]

This Columbus Weekend, the Pioneer Valley will host two popular festivals. On Saturday, October 7 through Monday, October 9, the Paradise City Arts Festival will take place at the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton. Meanwhile, only 30 minutes Northwest of Northampton, Ashfield will host its Fall Festival on Saturday, October 7 and [...]

If you are looking for a comfortable living environment along with a fabulous garage/workshop that is located in a highly visible area to operate your home based business, then this is the perfect opportunity for you. It comes with an oversized heated 2 car garage/shop with a 12 x 30 addition that is ideal for any type of a shop, studio space, or hobbyist! The home is move in ready with a good size kitchen, opening dining and living area, newly finished sitting room, 2 bedrooms and an updated full bathroom. If you love to garden and prefer to start from seed, there is a growing room located in the basement area. In addition this home has a newer heating system, newer roof and there is a large back deck that overlooks a pond and backyard. It comes with 4 acres and there is plenty of room for gardens. This property is also zoned commercial and is centrally located on the Mohawk Trail and less than 10 minutes to Shelburne Falls or Greenfield. Call today for details! 413-768-9848

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Exquisite c.1790 antique Colonial on 9 picturesque open acres is surrounded by gorgeous gardens and majestic trees. This antique treasure is a true representation of a well preserved museum quality home. The interior features many period details including 7 fireplaces with beautiful handcrafted mantels, detailed moldings, wainscoting, wide pine floors and an impressive Palladian window. The owners have tastefully blended the modern conveniences of today with updating the bathrooms, creating a family and laundry room, and adding solar for electricity and hot water. There are separate guest quarters that was once an antique shop and is perfect for a home based business. The open land is ideal for animals to roam and plenty of space to grow your own food. There is frontage on the South River and it does abut conservation land. This special property is conveniently located only 20 minutes from I-91, 30 minutes to Northampton and 10 minutes to Shelburne Falls. This one is a gem!

Click here to view the full listing.

Summer is winding down but there is still plenty of exciting summer events happening in the valley. Thursday, August 24th kicks off the 149^th Cummington Fair, in Cummington, Massachusetts, which will run through Sunday, August 27th. The Fair was initiated in 1883 with the purpose of spreading agricultural knowledge. Today, the Fair holds true to this with a variety of farm-themed events, such as Horse & Ox Draws, various animal showmanships, and judging of livestock.

However, that is not all there is to see at the Cummington Fair! Each day there will be a motorized event, like the tractor pull and Stoney Roberts Demolition Derby. Live music will fill the air with country acts such as Jose Duddy and Truck Stop Troubadours. There will be over 50 vendors selling everything from food, to crafts, to agricultural products. Plus, entertainers such as Kenya Acrobats, Christopher the Magician, and Wayne from Maine will perform multiple times throughout the weekend.

Whether you are a resident of Cummington, or the Pioneer Valley, or you are travelling from surrounding areas, you won’t want to miss this huge event. Purchase your tickets ahead of time at cummingtonfair.com to receive a discount and save time waiting in line. Also visit their website for a full listing of events and other information such as directions, parking, and camping. Hope to see you at the Cummington Fair!

www.cummingtonfair.com

While Shelburne Falls might have fewer places to eat than the surrounding larger towns, we pride ourselves in the fact that the places we do have are all outstanding. In 2017, two new eateries opened their doors in Shelburne Falls and our taste buds are excited about it.

Delicatesse on Bridge Street is owned and operated by Alice Lee. She calls it a “café-deli-eatery.” Open Tuesday through Sunday, 8 am to 4 pm, the menu is a simple and delicious selection of Jewish cuisine and New York deli-inspired breakfast and lunch options like bagel and lox with “schmear” or roast beef sandwich. I have developed a personal weakness for the roast beef sandwich, which is served on fresh, homemade bread. Her daily specials are always creative and beautifully presented like the recent, Crepes Suzette, rye crepes with local husk cherries and a Grand Marnier sauce. When you stop in, make sure to also peak inside her deli case for an assortment of salads, antipasti, or even chocolate mousse!

Around the corner is another new breakfast and lunch spot, Gretchen Gerstner’s bakery, Baked. Their menu is more traditional American, with a twist, like their mixed portabella beef burger. No matter what delicious meal you order, always save room for one (or two) of Gretchen’s delicious baked goods. From cinnamon rolls, to cookies, to cakes, there is something to satisfy your sweet tooth. Baked also has a full coffee and tea menu, making it a great place to grab something on the fly.

The only downside to these two places is that they are both so close to Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont’s office. I could eat at either one every day and it is so tempting to do so…