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theberkshireedge.com

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West Stockbridge receives Seasonal Communities grant, continues work on affordable housing

West Stockbridge — The town of West Stockbridge was among six Berkshire County towns recently awarded a Seasonal Communities grant on October 20. The town received $60,567 “to develop zoning bylaw revisions, support the Affordable Housing Trust, implement Housing Production Plan strategies and advance pre-development activities for housing on town-owned land (10 units).”

West Stockbridge, MA · 2d
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dairystar.com

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Permission to pursue a passion

NORTH HAMPTON, Mass. — While growing up on her family’s western Massachusetts dairy farm, Emily Everett dreamed of writing for Hoard’s Dairyman one day. Instead, Everett has built a career that includes writing novels about her life experiences. Her debut novel, “All That Life Can Afford,” was Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club pick for April 2025.

Williamsburg, MA · 3d
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CT Insider

partner publisher · 31.6K followers
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Owner of recently closed The Charles in Wethersfield embroiled in lawsuits, owes tens of thousands

The Charles in Wethersfield surprised many when its closure was announced on Monday after six years of operation.

Wethersfield, CT · 4d

nornow.org

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Sears Kit Homes: Part of Norfolk’s Architectural Past

Blueprints discovered in a barn once owned by Norfolk contractor Herbert Blanchard have found a permanent home in the Norfolk Historical Society’s collection, shedding light on the town’s architectural history and the era of mail-order houses. The plans appear to show a Sears catalog home, part of a popular movement that brought ready-to-build house designs to Americans in the early 20th century.

Norfolk, CT · 4d
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MassLive.com

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Western Mass. hardware chain raises over $32K for animal shelters: ‘We’re grateful’

Western Mass.-based Rocky’s Ace Hardware raised $32,511 for animal shelters nationwide through its annual “Round Up for Pets” fundraiser in 2026, according to the company. Of that total, stores in Western Massachusetts raised $4,488 for local shelters and the animals in their care. The fundraiser allows customers...

Springfield, MA · 3d

WWLP

partner publisher · 84.8K followers

From Kenya to Holyoke: Local baseball bat maker celebrates 10 years in business

A Holyoke business is celebrating 10 years of turning raw wood into baseball bats, combining craftsmanship with an unexpected journey that began thousands of miles away in Kenya.

Holyoke, MA · 4d

theberkshireedge.com

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Welcome to Real Estate Friday!

Here’s what we have for you this week in The Edge Real Estate section:. Property of the Week – Sheila Thunfors of Stone House Properties offers a remarkable contemporary residence with sweeping views and beautifully curated gardens. Transformations – If you are ready to consider selling the family...

Berkshire County, MA · 4d

Yahoo!

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Hidden in the Viral Last Ditch Debacle: How to Keep Lesbian Bars Alive

By September of this year, Jackie Matellian had spent months living in her truck while working several jobs to keep Last Ditch, a lesbian bar in Greenfield, Massachusetts, open. She was the last remaining original founder, and the bar was in deep financial trouble. According to reporting by The Boston Globe, workers had gone unpaid, Matellian was carrying a $50,000 start-up loan, and the landlord wanted $3,900 in overdue rent.

Greenfield, MA · 3d

hoodline.com

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PopUp Bagels Picks Hadley's Mountain Farms for First Western Mass Shop

A Connecticut-born bagel chain known for its tear-apart, dip-it-yourself approach is setting up shop at Mountain Farms in Hadley, marking its first location west of Boston. PopUp Bagels plans to open the new shop at 7 South Maple St., Suite 20, with a grand opening celebration running from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 13.

Hadley, MA · 4d

hoodline.com

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Springfield Estimate Counts 1,128 Homes With Deceased Owners

Unresolved ownership can leave vacant homes stalled, making repairs or sales difficult to pursue. Gerry McCafferty, who works on Springfield's housing policy, said unresolved ownership issues are complicating the Maynard Street property's path forward, according to MassLive. Dina Fein, a former Massachusetts Housing Court judge who began helping nonprofits and municipalities redevelop vacant homes in 2021, described a recurring connection between vacancy, deterioration, and complicated ownership. “There seems to be overlap between vacant, abandoned, deteriorated properties” and homes tied up in probate, informal family ownership, or poorly documented transfers, Fein said, per the same report.

Springfield, MA · 7d

CT Insider

partner publisher · 31.6K followers

Former Nathan Hale School in Enfield will become 38 senior apartments

A local developer wants to retrofit the circa-1962 school building with age-restricted units.

Enfield, CT · 3d

wamc.org

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Small colleges are in trouble

Private institutions are especially vulnerable to changes in attitudes about higher education, drops in enrollment, and rising costs associated with higher education. On today’s program, we’ll explore strategies to get young people interested in pursuing a degree, and what challenges lie ahead. Read the full transcript below:. Lucas...

Amherst, MA · 3d

nepm.org

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McGovern on the midterms, The Rendezvous goes co-op, Clarkdale Fruit Farms on CiderDays

Change is afoot, because whatever shade you wanna call it, blue came out en force on Tuesday. So of course, we’ve gotta get Congressman Jim McGovern’s opinion on the election results, and where he saw them. But, also we start looking at what his party needs to do with this power they’ve wrested back. We hear about some of the key issues that are on his radar including leadership in the party, the walking back of the Executive Branch’s bravado in the wake of the flip, and questions from constituents about the next steps.

Franklin County, MA · 3d

We Are Berkshires

partner publisher · 3.2K followers

Here's When Spirit Christmas Will Open Near The Berkshires (Fun Video Tour)

The location is not from the Berkshires and makes for a fun day out.

Berkshire County, MA · 6d

Realtor.com News & Insights

partner publisher · 29.1K followers

Amherst Town List Prices Rise Sharply as Homes Spend More Time on the Market

Amherst Town list prices rose sharply while homes spent more time on the market, giving patient buyers a real opening to negotiate.

Amherst, MA · 4d

hoodline.com

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Springfield's AIC Burns Through Endowment, Faces Accreditation Showdown in January

American International College — Site of Endowment and Accreditation Concerns. American International College’s audited financial statements show a sharp contraction in its finances during fiscal year 2025. By June 30, the Springfield school had $841,244 in endowment funds without donor restrictions, after withdrawing $9.2 million from that account during the year. The figures come as AIC works to stabilize its finances ahead of a January 2027 accreditation hearing.

Springfield, MA · 6d

businesswest.com

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Kavanagh Insurance Opens New, Independent Agency in East Longmeadow

EAST LONGMEADOW — Kavanagh Insurance has officially opened its doors at 6 North Main St. in East Longmeadow, offering comprehensive, independent property and casualty insurance solutions to individuals, families, and commercial clients throughout Western Mass. Brian Kavanagh established Kavanagh Insurance to provide transparent, client-focused risk management and insurance coverage....

East Longmeadow, MA · 4d

amherstindy.org

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Riquezas Del Campo: Making Organically Grown Produce Accessible for All

We resume our series “Becoming Human”, in partnership with our series “A Better World is Possible”at a time when global fascism is ascendant, and as we feel the impacts of burgeoning authoritarianism and pervasive inequality in our daily lives. As we struggle to fend off these malevolent trends, it helps to remember they aren’t inevitable, resistance isn’t futile, that we can build something better, and that inspiring alternatives surround us. The profiles presented in this series illustrate these alternatives, showing that a better world is indeed possible. Over ten weeks, we’ll run a weekly profile of a hopeful endeavor that offers a counter-example to current trends. These profiles are authored by members of the Building Solidarity Economies Assemblage (BSE) at UMass Amherst. Read previous articles in the series here.

Northampton, MA · 4d

berkshires.org

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Unique Local Shops to Explore

Discover the best small businesses for holiday shopping. Looking for amazing shopping experiences in the Berkshires this holiday season? Check off everything on your gift list by supporting the small businesses in our charming cities and towns. From farm-fresh artisanal treats and handmade pottery to curated vintage finds and independent boutiques, our quick guide points you to the best places to shop local for gifts (and fun finds for you too).

The Berkshires, MA · 4d