Itâ€™s that frantic time of year And Waubeeka Golf Links has some big plans for paths

12:00AM / Wednesday, October 23, 2002Print Story | Email Story

Itâ€™s a frantic time of the year, with ski areas rushing to complete key projects before the snow, natural or machine-made, arrives. Meanwhile, golf course operators are hopeful for sunny days and more greens fees to make up for the money lost in spring rain outs. Waubeeka Golf Links in South Williamstown will run until last yearâ€™s closing date, Dec. 2, if possible. But the big effort at the course that the late Rowland Armacost conceived, built and operated in the early 60s is to complete the largest project in the history of the scenic course. That is the construction of some three miles of cart paths, stretching from tee to green on the 18-hole layout, with the score card showing 6,394 yards from the blue (championship) tees. One of the larger sources of income is from cart rentals and carts are not allowed until the ground is firm enough to keep the wheels from cutting ruts. â€œWith complete cart paths, which will be the only course in the Berkshires, we can rent them out from day one,â€ reported course manager Mark Mills, who is also in charge of the food and beverage department. A second project is also underway and that is the removal of a small hill in front of the Par Five 17th tee. The massive amount of earth removed is being used to build up the height of the tee. That will enable golfers to see more than 75 yards. In fact they will be able to see the green 489 yards away, down by Route 7. Play will also be speeded up, as it will no longer be necessary to send an advance player up to watch the ball land. During the nearly 20 years that Armacost (who died last month at 86) operated the course, it was called Waubeeka Springs and its logo consisted of an evergreen tree and golf ball. But when Ed Stawarz bought the course for $850,000 in 1985, he decided to drop the â€œSpringsâ€, but emphasize the Indian aspect of the name. The original Waubeeka Springs was and is a prime source of water for several South Williamstown homes. So Stawarz replaced the tree and ball logo with an arrow. Now the Waubeeka sign put up in front of the clubhouse two weeks ago features two Indians (Native American), a brave and a squaw. As the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (North Adams State) this year shifted its nickname from Mohawks to Trailblazers, some of those fighting to keep the Mohawks name should enjoy the Waubeeka images. Waubeeka is operated by a trust, following the death of Stawarz in 1997. At Jiminy workers are rushing to complete the half-million branch of the South Williamstown landmark, The Store at Five Corners. Located on Corey Road at the base of Jiminy and next to the administration building, the new grocery store and deli will make it easy for Jiminyâ€™s hundreds of condo and chalet owners to fill their refrigerators. Another project is a new operations building at the top of the Jiminy Cricket beginners lift, which will provide needed space for vehicle maintenance. President and CEO Brian H.Fairbank has presided over ski season starts since 1969, but nothing will compare to this year. The annual Jiminy Open House and Hancock Volunteer Firemenâ€™s Ski Swap and Sale began Saturday, Oct. 12, in a pouring rain storm. But 92-year-old Mary Hendricks, the recent widow of Bart Hendricks, who bought the land for Jiminy during World War II, had invited many friends to ride to the Hendricks House at Jiminyâ€™s summit, via the six-person Berkshire Express chairlift, for a brief memorial service and the scattering of her husbandâ€™s ashes. â€œWe did it, despite the downpour and provided ponchos, but it was a testimony to Bartâ€™s legendary determination,â€ said Fairbank. But that evening at 8:30, fire broke out on the second floor of Fairbankâ€™s home on Whitman Road, caused probably by overloaded electrical devices. â€œWe lost all of our personal belongings on the second floor, but could have lost our lives if it happened in the middle of the night,â€ said Fairbank. He said there were no smoke detectors in the house he built some 20 years ago, but a master alarm system did sound. The Hancock volunteers responded quickly, but Fairbank said the entire second floor must be rebuilt. He and his fiancee, Vikki Barber and her two children are now living in a nearby vacation home and are hopeful that their home will be ready for their return by Dec. 20. Brian and Vikki had taken a pre-ski season vacation only a few weeks ago, with a six-day bike tour of Franceâ€™s Burgundy section and four days in Paris. â€œThings can change suddenly, but we were lucky,â€ said Fairbank, now combining home rebuilding with readying snow guns for a start as early as Nov. 1. Killingtonâ€™s Kim Jackson told me Monday morning she could hear the sound of snow-making compressors and expected that the nearly 2,000 guns could produce enough for a possible weekend opening. â€œCall or e-mail ahead,â€ she cautioned. Killington has been the first to open and the last to close in the East for decades. With thousands of housing units and hundreds of restaurants, bars and other business buildings, Killington has to have a well trained fire department and rescue squad. Proceeds come from many sources, including the famous Wobbly Barn Steakhouse, which will open Oct. 31 for its 39th season with its annual Halloween Costume Party, benefiting the Killington Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad and the Sherburne First Response Team. Numerous prizes for the best costumes will be awarded, including a Killington/Pico season pass, worth around $1,000. Most ski touring centers depend entirely on natural snow and the most popular spot in adjacent New York is the Pineridge Cross Country Resort on Plank Road in East Poestenkill, some 20 miles west of Williamstown. Owner-operator Walt Kersch will preside at the annual open house Saturday and Sunday with fun and games, hikes and refreshments. Hours are 10 to 3 each day. Kersch told me Monday when I called to confirm the event that he came close to missing it, after suffering serious injuries three weeks ago while cutting a 16-inch diameter tree that was blocking a trail. He was alone, but able to reach his ATV and make it to his home and call 911. He was air-lifted to an Albany hospital, but insists that he will be at his open house. John Hitchcock of Williamstown writes frequently about the area sports scene.

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:57PM / Friday, December 19, 2025

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.) The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few. All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house. New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house. New paver patio in the back yard.

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

What do the current owners love about this home?

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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