Sign-up and post on Iberkshires today.It's Free!
Already a member? Log In
43°  H- 70%
The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.           
Saturday November 21, 2009
 Make us your homepage!
 

What's Playing


The Drury Drama Team presents "Dracula" on Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 19-21.

If you don't know who these guys are, just stay home.


'Pirate Radio': Good Movie Ahoy, Mateys
Movie schedules and times

Bazaars

Nov. 21

St. Stanislaus School benefit, 9 to 4 in Kolbe Hall, Adams. Bake sale, snack bar, games, Chinese auctions, money raffle, crafts, and pierogi.

Blackinton Union Church, 1373 Massachusetts Ave., North Adams; 10 to 2. Crafts table, bake sale, Chinese auction, the Christmas table, and kid's grab bag. Lunch $4, $2 kids.

First Congregational Church, North Adams, 9-2.

Nov. 28

Becket Federated Church
, Route 8, holiday bazaar from 9-3. Lunch, crafts, baked goods, holiday and other items. Information: Mary Peltier, Parish House, 413-623-5217.


Dec. 5

Holiday Fair at First Congregational Church, 25 Park Place, Lee, from 10 to 3; handcrafted items, raffles, children's shop, bake sale, cut Christmas trees and lunch from 11 to 1. Includes angel-themed goods from SERRV. Information, 413-243-1033 or www.ucc-lee.org.


Dec. 12-13

North Adams Country Club, crafts 9-4; food from That's a Wrap from 11-2. Information: Sheryl Morehouse at 413-822-3329.

Planning a bazaar this season? Submit information to info@iberkshires.com to have it listed here.

Sales Fliers

 
 

Daily Digest

Hooray for Vermont's Sanders and his battle against credit card companies.
How Much is Heating Oil this Week?
It's breaking $2.50 but still cheaper than gas.
Clarksburg Crime Watch Signs



We're trying out blogs to offer shorter, easy-to-find news. Let us know what you think.
Send press releases and announcements to info@iberkshires.com. Need to contact someone at iBerkshires? Here's how.
Mammography Dispute
The government's issued controversial new guidelines stating that women shouldn't get annual mammograms until age 50, rather than age 40.

iBerkshires will be meeting with local medical experts Monday. Have a question you'd like answered on this issue? Send it info@iberkshires.com with "mammogram" in the subject line.

Obituaries

Paul Sandler, 64
Robert J. Heideman, 73
Carol V. Vallieres, 75
More obituaries

Sports

Williams College Men's Basketball Season Outlook
2009 MIAA Girls Soccer - State Division 2

Final: Wahconah vs Cardinal Spellman
Date / Time: 11/21/2009; 3:30pm
Location: Foley Stadium, Worcester
MCLA Picked Last in Men's Preseason Coaches Poll

Media Partners

Berkshire News Network (WNAW;WUPE)
WJJW Charlie in the Morning

Election


Trying to remember who won what and why? All the information is right here.

 

 Search: 
 for    
Enter a long URL
to make tiny:


Related Stories

 
Printer Friendly Version
   Recommend this story to a friend

Berkshires: Beauty and Thrill of Where We Live

By Kathy Keeser
Guest Column
12:27AM / Friday, October 02, 2009

FLORIDA, Mass.
Living in the Berkshires is grand! And since I live in Florida (the town) and spend much of each day in North Adams, I go up and down the Mohawk Trail usually on a daily basis. Many times people have responded to the idea of living in Florida with remarks such as: "You live up there?" (Emphasizing the underlying idea of are you crazy!) Or don't you hate driving up there? I won"t go up there in the winter!" Etc. 

The thing is — I LOVE the drive. I live in Drury, which is the village section of Florida on the "far side" just before you head back down the mountain over Deadman's Curve to Charlemont, known for the landmark Brown's garage.

As I drive over the trail I pass through wooded areas along the sides of the road where I observe the seasons: the winter beauty of snow and ice, fall colors, spring greening, and summer blossoming. I pass by the five remaining tourist stops between Florida and North Adams: the Eastern Summit, which can be especially beautiful in the morning or on days of drifting clouds; the Elk Memorial; The Whitcomb Summit with the remaining viewing tower; The Wigwam or Western Summit; and in the middle of the Hairpin Turn, The Golden Eagle Restaurant. 

Of course, there used to be other locations or different versions near these locations, especially in heyday of travel on the Mohawk Trail in the 1050s to '70s, but you can find out more about that when the town of Florida publishes its long-awaited bicentennial history, hopefully by the end of this year.  

Along the way, you never know what you may see. Late this spring, near the turn off to Whitcomb Hill Road, I saw a beautiful red fox almost every day near the road at the same spot in the evenings for a few weeks in a row and when I stopped, it lingered and watched me without running away.

Often I have seen bear, especially in the spring, and have even had to come to a stop to wait while the bear turns side to side, trying to decide which way to get out of the road! Near my house, I often see flocks of turkey near and road and crossing the road. And, of course, the geese as they get ready to head south or return north are spotted frequently near the Poirot's ponds in Drury. Luckily, I have seldom seen deer crossing the road, as that could spell trouble for both the deer and my vehicle. 

Then, there is the driving up and down the Hairpin Turn (not to mention even how cool it is to go down Deadman's Curve through the quick intersection with Savoy and into Charlemont and toward Shelburne Falls and Greenfield!). So many mornings, the clouds or mist is floating around in the valley, transforming North Adams and Clarksburg into dreamy, enchanted fairylands. Two weeks ago on a dreary Saturday, there was a spectacular rainbow extending across the valley. 

Tuesday night, there was the very rare treat of two moose slowly walking up the middle of the Mohawk Trail. Luckily only two other cars were on the road near this time, one coming down the hill who gave me some warning by flashing their lights a few minutes before I suddenly came around the curve and "there they were!" One other car came up behind me, keeping its flashers on as we crept up the hill toward the Golden Eagle.

About 100 feet before the curve, one moose decided to exit stage left (or as the audience, to my right). The second moose didn't know what to do — it stayed straight, continuing on the road and going right into the Golden Eagle parking area, giving two tourists who had their camera out quite a thrill before it jumped over the guardrail in the parking area and headed off in the woods toward Clarksburg.  

I feel so lucky to see these amazing sites and since I have been occasionally doing stories for iBerkshires, I actually had my camera with me, so on both those occasions I was able to snap quick, though-not-so clear shots! Yeah, Berkshires!
Your Comments
Post Comment
Great pics of the moose. I came face to face with one on Pleasant St in North Adams a few years back of all places.
from: JBon: 10-02-2009

Could not agree with you more! It IS wonderful to live on 'the mountain'.
from: Savoy Residenton: 10-02-2009



Top Stories...
Beacon Cinema Opens in Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD - "It is the crown jewel of the revitalization of downtown." — Mayor James M. Ruberto
New Moon Mania Hits Berkshire Mall
LANESBOROUGH - "The first 'Twilight' movie did very well so we were expecting good crowds not only...
The Independent Investor: Mutual Fund Fees: Why Should...
NORTH ADAMS - From the institutional investor's point of view; when you buy in bulk, no matter what...
St. Stan's Vigilkeepers Keep Spirit of Parish Going
ADAMS - "We're here indefinitely." — Laurin Zepka
New Moon Rises for North Adams, Pittsfield Theaters
NORTH ADAMS - That's good news for people looking for the first-run blockbusters that fuel the holiday...


iBerkshires.com Text Ads
thecolonialtheatre.org
www.berkshireads.com
www.jiminypeak.com
sweetwoodliving.com
Advertise on iBerkshires.com



Essentials
Berkshire Nightlife
Berkshire Photos
Berkshire Wallpaper
Class Reunion Page
Columnists
Dannyoart.com
Get Lunch Specials
Home & Garden
Movie Times
Obituaries
Randy Trabold
Weddings

Enter your email address below to receive our FREE iBerkshires.com Newsletter

| Home | A & E | Automotive | Business | Community News | Dining | Lodging & Travel |
| Real Estate | Schools | Sports & Outdoors | Berkshires Weather | Berkshires Map |
Advertise | Recommend This Page | Help
Contact Us | Privacy Policy| User Agreement
Execution Time: 559 ms