Greenfield, the capital of Franklin County, is a vibrant arts community. With this year’s addition of Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center, this statement has become even truer. Owned by Steven Goldsher, this popular new business is a restaurant, bar, and concert and event venue all in one. Locals and visitors alike have been drawn to this spot, located in the Arts Block building on the corner of Main St and Court Square in downtown Greenfield, for a full night out. You can come for a delicious meal and then stay for a night of dancing in the ballroom to a live band, or head downstairs to The Wheelhouse, the speak-easy style bar.

In its short life so far, Hawks and Reed has hosted some incredible artists. Lee “Scratch” Perry, ranked one of the 100 greatest artists of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine in 2004, and Subatomic Sound System performed with The Alchemystics for its grand re-opening in May. Past acts have included artists of styles ranging from Latin big band, to electronic, to swing, and everything in between. Some acts you won’t want to miss coming up this weekend include The Dead Collective on Saturday, September 30, and The Joe Belmont Experience on Sunday, October 1.

To stay updated on events and happenings at Hawks and Reed, visit their website, HawksandReed.com, or follow them on Facebook.

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

View the full listing!

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…

As a native of Heath, Massachusetts, I look forward to the Heath Fair every year. This community event, filled with music, food, and agricultural-inspired activities, truly emanates the spirit of the Town of Heath and the surrounding Hill Towns.  The 2017 Heath Fair, happening Friday, August 18 to Sunday, August 20, is extra special because [...]

The 39^th Annual Bridge of Flowers Road Race is this Saturday, August 12 – less than a week away! For almost 40 years, this event has been a staple of Shelburne Falls. Over a thousand runners come from near and far to compete in either the 3K Walk/Run or on one of the toughest 10K courses in New England. The course starts on the Iron Bridge, overlooking the Bridge of Flowers, and then winds through the village of Shelburne Falls, back over the Deerfield River, up the infamous Crittenden Hill (also known as Heartbreak Hill!), up Route 112, and then back down to the village. The course’s figure 8 loop makes it viewer-friendly. So even if you can’t brave Heartbreak Hill, you can come out and cheer on the runners.

Over 130 volunteers make this event possible. They can be spotted in their brightly colored race shirts directing traffic, setting up the finish line, serving food, timing the runners, and more. Some of the volunteers come from one of the five charities supported by the race. This year’s supported charities are DIAL/SELF, Cancer Connection, The Art Garden, Friends of Children, and Academy at Charlemont. The race is also a fundraiser for the Greater Shelburne Falls Area Business Association, who coordinates this event.

If you haven’t already registered for the race, online registration is open until Wednesday, August 9 at ShelburneFalls.com. Runners get a free race shirt, spaghetti dinner on Friday night, and access to the post-race party/awards ceremony; plus other free goodies donated by sponsors. Speaking of sponsors, Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont Realtors is proud to be a sponsor of this wonderful race, which brings so many new people to our beautiful village. Look for our logo on the mile markers along the racecourse. Good luck to all the runners!

Register Now!

An article recently published by Mass Live announced that the Pioneer Valley is moving into a “seller’s market”.  This means that the real estate market is currently favoring sellers, rather than buyers. The lack of homes for sale puts pressure on buyers to move quickly in their purchasing actions, or else risk losing out on getting the [...]

Last Saturday, June 10 was the start of Western Mass Beer Week, a week long celebration of craft beer and those who create it, support it, and love it. Only in its second year, Western Mass Beer Week has over 50 participating breweries, restaurants, venues, and more, covering four counties: Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire [...]

United Way of Franklin County

16th Annual Art & Leisure Auction

This Saturday, November 21^st at 6:30 pm

Greenfield Community College

Start your holiday shopping early and support the United Way! There is a great selection of items to choose from! $20 per person in advance or $25 at the door! Enjoy dinner and 2 complimentary drink [...]