Sales of single family homes in Franklin County were down 25% and median price up 2.2% in March 2019 compared to March 2018. The sales were down in Hampshire and up in Hampden County. Median price was down in both Hampden and Hampshire [...]
This is an amazing time of year where Winter and Summer overlap in our area. You can be skiing in the mountains in the morning and biking on the roads or kayaking the rivers in the afternoon. This makes it the perfect time of year to hold a pentathlon, combining five outdoor activities into one event. The 8th Annual Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon is this Saturday, April 6, starting and finishing at Berkshire East Mountain Resort.
The race has five legs- a 4 mile trail run, 16 mile road bike, 2 mile river paddle, 2 mile obstacle course run, and finally a climb up Berkshire East to a ski/snowboard down to the finish line. Participate in the pentathlon on your own as a “Braveheart” or as part of a team of two or five people. There is a special category for family teams, as well! The pentathlon is a fun way to challenge yourself in a variety of sports in the same race. After the race, all participants are welcome to a free meal at Berkshire East and a free beer from Berkshire Brewing Company!
You can also be part of the fun as a volunteer! The Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon is still seeking volunteers to help time and monitor the course. Volunteers are crucial to making this event happen and receive a free T-shirt and meal to say thanks for their help. Sign up for a volunteer role here.
Of course, supporters are always needed to boost up the participants. Come out and cheer on the participants as they challenge themselves. There are several great viewing areas for different legs of the course. Check out the best places to spectate here. Participants will meet at 10:15 am and the race starts at 11:00 am.
For more information and to register for the Pentathlon, click here.
Good luck to all the racers!
Custom designed magnificent log style home located in a private 12 acre setting conveniently located near Route 5 and I-91 just north of Bernardston center. This special home has been used as a successful Airbnb business and it is the ideal countryside retreat. You will instantly fall in love with the great room that features an open kitchen, dining and living area with 20ft cathedral ceiling, exposed beams and a beautiful stone gas fireplace. The master suite has a full bath with tiled shower, vaulted ceiling, den with sliding glass doors to the front porch, and a laundry room. There are two additional bedrooms each with their own private full bath, vaulted ceiling and sliding glass door with access to your own private porch. In addition there are gorgeous wood floors, radiant heat, 3 on demand hot water heaters, sprinkler system, mini split heat & air conditioning, huge full basement and attached 2 car garage. There is a small barn with fenced in area for sheep! Must be seen!
Sales of single family homes in Franklin County were down 21.3% and median price up 17.6% in January 2019 compared to January 2018. The sales were down in both Hampshire and Hampden County and median price up in Hampden County but down in Hampshire [...]
During this time of year, in the middle of winter in New England, the cold can start to get to me a little bit. When that happens, I like to escape to an oasis from the cold in South Deerfield, Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory. 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 wintry weather outside.
Magic Wings also has a gift shop to purchase some butterfly souvenirs, outdoor gardens for the warmer weather, and a food court. 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 every day from 9 am to 5 pm. The cost of admission is $16.00 for adults and $10.00 for children under 17. They also offer discounts for seniors and students. So if you need an escape from winter without taking a flight, just drive to Magic Wings in South Deerfield.
Click here to check out their website.
Sales of single family homes in Franklin County were down 8.5% and median price up 3.4% in 2018 compared to 2017. The sales were up in both Hampshire and Hampden County and median price up in Hampden County but down in Hampshire [...]
We still have a few months until Spring, but that doesn’t mean you need to stay cooped up inside the house until then! Break through the cabin fever and head out to these local gems in Franklin County for outdoor adventuring in the snow.
Berkshire East Mountain Resort has activities year round. But in the winter, it is the best local mountain, located right in Charlemont, MA! It is a great beginner mountain but has trails for those more advanced as well. They offer lessons for snowboarding and skiing and have high quality equipment rentals. You can also take a fun ride on a tube at their snow tubing park. Afterwards, warm up inside the Crazy Horse Bar and Grill for some good food and drinks.
If sometimes you prefer a slower pace through the snow, then head over to Stump Sprouts Cross Country Ski Center, just up the road from Berkshire East in Hawley, MA. There you can cross country ski or snowshoe with beautiful expansive views of rural northwestern Massachusetts.
For more great cross country adventuring with different views, check out Northfield Mountain Cross Country Ski Area. Located on Route 63 in Northfield, they have 25 miles of trails groomed for classical and freestyle skiing. There, you can rent skis and snowshoesand take a lesson with a ski instructor. They also have trailside warming huts and a cozy base area yurt. Visit them Wednesday through Sunday 9 am to 4:30 pm.
Visit shelburnefalls.com or franklincc.org for more ideas on how to stay active this winter!
Where are you located?
We are based out of Shelburne Falls, MA.
When did you open?
We started on November 1, 2018.
What inspired you to start this business?
We both have felt the impact of clearing physical space and becoming intentional in how we are organizing our homes. It [...]
If you are currently listing part or all of your home on Air Bnb or are considering renting out a space in your home for short term periods, you’ll want to pay close attention to the new short term rental laws in Massachusetts. These new laws will require all short term rentals to be registered in a database with the state. The law also [...]
Franklin County sales were down 23.2% and the median price up 8.1% in November, 2018 compared to November, 2017. The sales were up in both Hampshire and Hampden County.
Inventory of single family homes fell in Pioneer Valley 14.9% from 1,800 single family homes for sale at the end of November, 2017 to 1,531 at the end of November, 2018.
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