Williamstown to Celebrate MapleFest

Print Story | Email Story
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.— MapleFest, the town's annual maple syrup celebration, is set to take place this Saturday, March 13, in Hopkins Memorial Forest.

Visitors will get the chance to see the entire process maple syrup-making process, from maple tree tapping to a working sugarhouse with an old kettle boiler, to syrup tasting and pancake eating. The free event will take place, rain or shine, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vans will be available from Chapin Hall.

Maple syrup celebrations have been a part of the country’s calendar for generations. The "maple moon" month, as this time of year is called, brings people together to cook maple syrup.

Visitors also are welcome to visit the sugarhouse anytime during the sugaring season, which is from early March to mid-April.

Hopkins Memorial Forest is located at the intersection of Northwest Hill Road and Bulkley Street. The reserve, managed by the Williams College Center for Environmental Studies, spans more than 2,500 acres in Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont. The land was donated to the college by the family of Colonel Amos Lawrence Hopkins in the 1930s. Since then, the college has actively maintained the forest, which it uses for teaching and research.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

St. Stan's Students Spread Holiday Cheer at Williamstown Commons

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Students from St. Stanislaus Kostka School  in Adams brought the holiday spirit to Williamstown Commons on Thursday, delivering handmade Christmas cards and leading residents in a community caroling session.
 
"It honestly means the world to us because it means the world to them," said nursing home Administrator Alex Fox on Thursday morning. "This made their days. This could have even made their weeks. It could have made their Christmas, seeing the children and interacting with the community."
 
Teacher Kate Mendonca said this is the first year her class has visited the facility, noting that the initiative was driven entirely by the students.
 
"This came from the kids. They said they wanted to create something and give back," Mendonca said. "We want our students involved in the community instead of just reading from a religion book."
 
Preparation for the event began in early December, with students crafting bells to accompany their singing. The handmade cards were completed last week.
 
"It's important for them to know that it's not just about them during Christmas," Mendonca said. "It's about everyone, for sure. I hope that they know they really helped a lot of people today and hopefully it brought joy to the residents here."
View Full Story

More Williamstown Stories