Explore, Western Massachusetts Fall 2018

EXPLORE WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

THE BIG E

Celebrating the 102nd season of New England’s largest fair PG. 22

Downtown

Great Food

DOWNTOWN BUS ROUTES AND BIKE MAPS

FEATURES AND LISTINGS OF LOCAL EATERIES

GETTING AROUND PG. 64

LOCAL FLAVOR PG. 49

F A L L

2 0 1 8

Gifts from Glass to Gold for Over 40 Years

1920s Art Deco Bank Building

Home to Over 300 Jewelry & Giftware Artisans

COMING SOON PRESENTED BY

COMEDIAN BILL BURR OCTOBER 4

THE STEVIE WONDER SONG PARTY:

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE, LOVE & MUSIC

SEPTEMBER 1

PRESENTED BY

THE COMEDY GET DOWN NOVEMBER 9

Tickets available at www.MassMutualCenter.com 3

contents TABLE OF

MAYOR’S WELCOME

7

Visiting Northampton.........8

12

THINGS TO DO

EVENTS CALENDAR

37 22

9

Historic Springfield ..............12 MGM: Ready to Roar .......... 14 Wineries & Hard Cider ...... 18 Craft Brewers .......................... 19 Foliage Guide......................... 20 The Big E ....................................22

24

Paradise City Arts Festival ............................. 29 Parade of the Balloons .... 30 Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s 75th Season ....37

ARTS, MUSEUMS, GALLERIES AND ENTERTAINMENT 40

49

Spooky Happenings .......... 43 Springfield Museums.......44

LOCAL FLAVOR

49

Restaurant Reviews........... 50

GETTING AROUND

Union Station

44 4

62

62

Bus, Pedestrian and Bike Maps .................................64 Places to Stay ......................... 65 Things to do in CT ............... 66

EXPLORE WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS STAFF Publisher and CEO

Located at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA, Max’s Tavern’s innovative menu features contemporary American cuisine, classic chophouse fare, craft cocktails, and more.

George Arwady garwady@repub.com

1000 West Columbus Boulevard, Springfield, MA 01105 413-746-6299 • Maxrestaurantgroup.com/tavern

Advertising Director Mark A. French mfrench@repub.com

Advertising Sales Manager Fran Smith fsmith@repub.com

We’ll help you get on the road.

Creative Lead

Curtis Panlilio cpanlilio@repub.com

Design

Michelle Johnson mjohnson@repub.com

Avis Rent A Car System, LLC Budget Rent A Car System, Inc.

413-746-8293

budget.com

Director of Business Development Gretchen Halasi-Kun GHalasi-Kun@repub.com

03090092

avis. com

413-733-5846

2161 Riverdale Street West Springfield, MA, 01089 Fax: 413-733-5109

Content Assistant Allison Litera alitera@repub.com

Yiddish Book Center

Photography

Courtesy of The Republican

The World’s First Yiddish Museum

unless otherwise noted

   &  Explore Western Massachusetts is published by The Republican. Our offices are at 1860 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103. All advertising is subject to the terms and conditions of the Explore Western Massachusetts rate card, and all advertising submitted is subject to the approval of the Publisher. The Publisher reserves the right to cancel an advertising order or reject or edit any advertising copy or images. The Republican Co. shall not be liable for incorrect ad placement. Liability for failure to publish an ad shall not exceed a refund of or credit for the original price of the ad.

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For information and to view the calendar of events:

yiddishbookcenter.org Amherst, Massachusetts

6 | welcome

03091442

Museum and Visitors Center Hours: Sunday–Friday, 10–4 413.256.4900

SPRINGFIELD MAYOR DOMENIC J. SARNO SAYS

‘it’s time to roll out the red carpet’ for tourists Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said that with so much taking place in Springfield, including the opening of the $960 million MGM resort casino, “it’s time to roll out the red carpet” for tourists.

With thousands of visitors coming to Springfield daily, the list of tourist attractions is long and impressive, Sarno said recently.

Sarno listed numerous attractions for visitors near and far.

The MGM Springfield resort will draw thousands of visitors daily and was designed to encourage patrons to spend time at city attractions.

A short distance from the new casino is the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame abutting Interstate 91 and the Connecticut River. The Hall of Fame is undergoing a multi-million renovation and has a five-year partnership with MGM Springfield.

Another nearby attraction is the Springfield Museums, which

downtown area, Sarno said.

A free loop shuttle provides transportation to some of the downtown locations, provided by MGM Springfield, which is one of the stops, he said.

Riverfront Park, which is located along the Connecticut River, is undergoing a $2.5 million renovation, aided by a $1 million grant from MGM Springfield. A key attraction on the riverfront will be a Sept. 11 memorial that is planned in time for the anniversary this year as part of a $300,000 fundraising campaign.

The $95 million restoration and reopening of Union Station is another driver of tourism here and in the Pioneer Valley, Sarno said. The station reopened in June of 2017 and has expanded north-south rail schedules.

A “very walkable downtown” will be assisted by the loop shuttle, and new wayfaring signs that point

“WITH THOUSANDS OF VISITORS COMING TO SPRINGFIELD DAILY, THE LIST OF TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IS LONG AND IMPRESSIVE.” MAYOR DOMENIC J. SARNO

includes the new Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, helping to bring record crowds. In the first year that the Dr. Seuss Museum was open, as of June, the Springfield Museums had drawn 148,800 ticketed visitors, as compared to 70,500 paid visitors in the most recent prior year.

There is the downtown restaurant district, the MassMutual Center, Symphony Hall, CityStage, and the Springfield Armory, all in the

out major destinations such as Union Station and the Springfield Museums, Sarno said.

Other attractions include the city’s park system including Forest Park.

There are visitors who come to Springfield, who say “we didn’t realize Springfield had all of this,” Sarno said.

“All of a sudden, Springfield can be used as a major base. It’s not

only strong for Springfield -- it can be strong for Western Mass,” Sarno said.

A visitor who might be considering a one-day trip to Springfield has plenty of attractions to encourage a weekend trip or week-long trip.

“They can have an expanded trip, have a great time, and say “we’re coming back,’” Sarno said. “We have to roll our the red carpet, and sell ourselves.”

Connecticut rail service, known as CTrail, expanded its service between Hartford and Union Station in June. Between the new CTrail and Amtrak, it was announced that trains will provide 35 daily trips on weekdays including 11 Springfieldto-New Haven and 12 New Haven-toSpringfield trips.

welcome | 7

THE MAGIC OF

Northampton

BY JIM KINNEY jkinney@repub.com

The Paradise City is putting its best foot forward for visitors as MGM Springfield opens just 19 miles, or a 20-minute car ride, south on Interstate 91.

Northampton calls itself “one of the most dynamic cities in New England” with a busy, pedestrian-friendly downtown renowned for its shopping, its coffee shops and restaurants, and its ambiance. The city attracts 1.3 million visitors a year.

Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz said he and his city are hopeful that MGM Springfield visitors will take the opportunity to explore Northampton for a weekend or longer.

“It’s hard to call out one restaurant or one store,” he said. “On any given

8 | welcome

night, there are amazing cultural events happening in the city of Northampton.

Whether it is an outdoor concert, salsa in Pulaski Park, chalk art festivals, arts night out or a concert by a national touring act.

There is always something fun happening in Northampton.”

Speaking of Pulaski Park, Northampton recently completed a $3.4 million improvement project at the park in the heart of downtown. The park now includes a children’s play space, handicappedaccessible walkways and lighted gathering places which are popular in the evening.

“It’s become a centerpiece of our downtown as a place for people to come,” he said.

Northampton’s Pleasant Street, a major gateway into the city, is in the midst of redevelopment with new apartments and retail space.

The city is home to 230 locally owned shops. That’s a list that includes 46 eating establishments, 10 dessert and sweet shops, 21 clothing stores, six bookstores and 19 specialty shops.

Northampton has five music and entertainment venues including the historic Academy of Music, Calvin Theater and Iron Horse Music Hall.

Northampton’s fairgrounds is a yearround venue for the Three County Fair on Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31 to Sept.

3. The fairgrounds is also site of the Paradise City Arts Festivals. The next one is Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 6, 7 and 8, and again on Memorial Day weekend in 2019. The Columbus Day weekend festival is expected to draw more than 250 artists and makers from every corner of America.

The festival is held inside three large buildings connected by covered walkways and under the 12,000-square-foot festival dining tent.

Look Park is 150 acres of entertainment and serenity in the Florence section of town with pedal boats, a steam train, Christenson Zoo, a water spray park, walking paths, miniature golf, tennis courts and playgrounds.

Smith College has museums and galleries, and the Lyman Conservatory has an indoor plant collection.

Visitors can also go to Forbes Library, home of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum. Coolidge was mayor of Northampton before rising to higher offices and eventually becoming president.

FAMILY FUN • OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES • SHOPPING & MORE

things to do ADAM & EVE

EAT. SHOP. PLAY.

18 MAIN STREET GREENFIELD, MA 01301 413-774-9800 GREENFIELD.ADAMEVESTORES.COM

CRANWELL SPA & GOLF RESORT 55 LEE ROAD LENOX, MA 01240

(413) 637-1364 CRANWELL.COM

AUTOBAHN INDOOR SPEEDWAY & EVENTS

And More!

367 RUSSELL STREET, #H06 HADLEY, MA 01035

(413) 268-4615 AUTOBAHNSPEED.COM 50 Holyoke Street, Holyoke, MA 01041 413-536-1440

ELEMENTS HOT TUB & SPA 373 MAIN STREET AMHERST, MA 01002

Exit 4 off I-90 | Exit 15 off I-91 | 413.536.1441 holyokemall.com

(413) 256-8827 ELEMENTSHOTTUBSPA.COM

BERKSHIRE MUSEUM 39 SOUTH STREET, PITTSFIELD, MA 01201

(413) 443-7171 BERKSHIREMUSEUM.ORG

GATEWAY CITY ARTS

COMMUNITY FOCUSED MUSIC AND ART VENUE 92 RACE ST., HOLYOKE, MA 01040

(413) 650-2670 GATEWAYCITYARTS.COM 03090399

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM AT HOLYOKE 444 DWIGHT STREET, HOLYOKE

444 Dwight Street Holyoke, MA 01040

(413) 536-5437 CHILDRENSMUSEUMHOLYOKE.ORG

To advertise in the next issue of EXPLORE call

413-788-1250 or email advertising@repub.com

HAMPSHIRE MALL 367 RUSSELL ST, HADLEY, MA 01035

(413) 586-5700 HAMPSHIREMALL.COM

413-536-7048

childrensmuseumholyoke.org Hours: Tues – Fri 9am – 4pm Sat 10am – 4pm • Sun. 12pm – 4pm MONDAY CLOSED

things to do | 9

HANCOCK SHAKER VILLAGE

1843 WEST HOUSATONIC STREET PITTSFIELD, MA 01201

(413) 443-0188 HANCOCKSHAKERVILLAGE.ORG

KRINGLE EMPORIUM AT THE PLAZA ONE MGM WAY SPRINGFIELD, MA 01103

KRINGLECANDLE.COM

MAGIC WINGS BUTTERFLY CONSERVATORY

HOLYOKE MALL AT INGLESIDE

281 GREENFIELD ROAD SOUTH DEERFIELD, MA 01373 413-665-2805 MAGICWINGS.COM

50 HOLYOKE ST, HOLYOKE

(413) 536-1441 HOLYOKEMALL.COM 03091612

Route 9 in Hadley, MA | 413.586.5700 hampshiremall.com

THE DEERFIELD INN 81 OLD MAIN ST, DEERFIELD, MA 01342 413-774-5587 DEERFIELDINN.COM

Three Sisters Sanctuary

MASS MOCA

1040 MASS MOCA WAY NORTH ADAMS, MA 01247

(413) 662-2111 MASSMOCA.ORG

Sculpture & Healing Garden

THE MOUNT

2 PLUNKETT STREET LENOX, MA 01240

(413) 551-5111 EDITHWHARTON.ORG

Come visit our 18-foot mosaic dragon and acres of art installations Created by Environmental Artist Richard M. Richardson over 25 years and featuring the work of 9 additional artists. Not to be missed!

———————— Featuring water gardens, amphitheater, concept gardens, faeries and a wetland preserve.

Located at 188 Cape Street, Goshen, MA Threesisterssanctuary.com • 413-268-3677 10 | things to do

NORMAN ROCKWELL MUSEUM

9 GLENDALE ROAD/ROUTE 183 STOCKBRIDGE, MA 01262

(413) 298-4100 NRM.ORG

THREE SISTERS SANCTUARY 188 CAPE STREET, ROUTE 112 GOSHEN, MA 01032 413-268-3677 THREESISTERSSANCTUARY.COM

OAK RIDGE GOLF CLUB

850 SOUTH WESTFIELD STREET FEEDING HILLS, MA 01030

(413) 789-7307 OAKRIDGEGC.COM

VENTFORT HALL 104 WALKER STREET LENOX, MA 01240

(413) 637-3206 GILDEDAGE.ORG

• State-of-the-art Indoor and Outdoor Hot Tubs, Aromatherapy Steam, Far Infrared Saunas • Individual & Couples Massage • “Spa Mini-Retreats”

OLD DEERFIELD FALL FESTIVAL

WINNER

SEPT. 22 10A-5P & SEPT. 23 10AM-4PM AT MEMORIAL HALL MUSEUM 8 MEMORIAL ST, DEERFIELD, MA

DEERFIELD-CRAFT.ORG

.

Best Therapudic Massage

Therapudic Massage

Day Spa

Massage Therapyy Therap

Spa

YIDDISH BOOK CENTER

Instant Online Gift Certificates to Print or Email

(413) 256.4900 YIDDISHBOOKCENTER.ORG

373 Main Street, Amherst, MA 413-256-TUBS (8827) www.ElementsHotTubSpa.com

1021 WEST STREET AMHERST, MA 01002

POLISH CENTER OF DISCOVERY AND LEARNING 33 SOUTH STREET, CHICOPEE, MA 01013

(413) 592-0001 POLISHCENTER.NET

SILVERSCAPE DESIGNS 1 KING STREET NORTHAMPTON, MA 101060 413-584-3324 SILVERSCAPEDESIGNS.COM

EVENTS HAPPE NING All Season Long !

THREE COUNTY FAIR AUG. 31 - SEPT. 3

54 FAIR STREET NORTHAMPTON, MA 01060

62 Nash Road, Ludlow, MA • 413-589-9883

Visit Us At www.lupazoo.org

03089591

(413) 584-2237 3COUNTYFAIR.COM

things to do | 11

WELCOME TO

Historic Springfield

BY WAYNE E. PHANEUF If you disregard the dinosaurs who left their tracks 100 million years ago or Native Americans who occupied the Connecticut River Valley for more than 10,000 years, the history of Springfield began in 1633 when John Oldham, the first white man to explore the upper reaches of the Connecticut River, reported back to his sponsors in Boston that a rich land, populated by friendly Indians who had furs to trade, existed in the western wilds of Massachusetts Bay Colony. In May of 1636, William Pynchon, of Roxbury, and his band of Puritan followers sailed a ship up the river, bypassing existing trading posts in Connecticut, to settle the area.

The nearby tribe sold the land to Pynchon for 18 hoes, 18 fathoms of wampum, 18 coats, 18 hatchets and 18 knives. Springfield, named for William Pynchon’s home in England, grew as a trading post in the wilderness, and also began a long tradition as a community of “firsts.” In 1645, it would be the first community in Massachusetts to deal with witchcraft. The first book banned in Boston, written

by Springfield founder Pynchon, was burned on the town common. John Pynchon replaced his father and began moving Springfield away from the fur trade. In 1655, he launched the first cattle drive in America, prodding a herd from Springfield to Boston. His father, William, had been the first commercial meat packer in the new world, selling barrels of salt pork for export in 1641.

For nearly 50 years, the Springfield settlers lived in relative harmony with their Indian neighbors, but all that changed in 1675 when King Philip’s War nearly spelled the end for settlement. Three fortified buildings were all that was left after an attack, but the town was rebuilt.

For more than half of the 18th century, French and their Indian allies launched attacks and forays. Springfield served as a staging area for troops coming and going from the battlefields of Canada, New York and New England. The colonial troops fought alongside the British and defeated the French. The colonists learned that great European powers were not invincible. These skills would come in

12 | historic springfield

handy a dozen years later when revolution was in the air.

On Sept. 11, 1774, a rider named Paul Revere passed through Springfield on his way to Philadelphia with the famous Suffolk Resolves of grievances against King George III. This same rider had brought the news of the Boston Tea Party to Philadelphia in 1773. On the night of April 18, 1775, another rider carried the Lexington alarm to Springfield on that night signaling the start of the American Revolution.

By June 1775, a contingent of Continental Army officers met Gen. George Washington in Springfield to escort him to his new command outside Boston. He would return in 1789 as President Washington to inspect the federal arsenal established during the war. It would transform the community over the next century. Shortly after the Revolution, the Springfield arsenal was the site of Shays’ Rebellion. War hero Daniel Shays, of Pelham, led a group of war veterans who were being thrown into debtors prisons in an attack on the arsenal on Jan. 25, 1787. A few cannon shots dispersed the rebels ending the first threat to the new government of the United States .

Springfield citizens became leaders in the abolition movement and sent arms to Kansas to support abolitionist John Brown in 1855. Brown had been a resident of Springfield during the late 1840s.

The federal arsenal became the Springfield Armory, providing guns for every war from the Revolution to Vietnam, but it was an inventor who worked there in 1822 who revolutionized manufacturing throughout the world.

Thomas Blanchard invented the Blanchard lathe which permitted the production of interchangeable parts. It was designed for gunstocks but adapted as the first means of mass manufacturing.

The 1850s signaled a time of prosperity for Springfield and the census of that year was well beyond the 10,000 requirement to become a city. A charter was granted on May 25, 1852, and Caleb Rice, president of the newly formed Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., was elected the city’s first mayor. This was also the year that Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson formed their gun making partnership

under the Smith & Wesson logo.

Newspaper editor Samuel Bowles lead the effort to form a new party, which would bear the same name as his newspaper. On Friday, Sept. 21, 1855, the headline in The Republican read: “The Child is Born!” It marked the birth of The Republican Party. In 1860, Springfield lawyer George Ashmun was elected chairman of the convention that would nominate Abraham Lincoln for president. Within a year on April 12, 1861, the Civil War began. The massive war effort hugely enriched Springfield.

The fall of the Harper’s Ferry Arsenal left Springfield as the only U.S. armory in the Union. Workmen poured into the city by the thousands.

Sports has long been a fixture of Springfield life, from the “Base Ball” players of the 1850s, James Naismith’s invention of basketball in 1891, some of the most famous college rivalries of the late 1800s were with HarvardYale football and huge regattas on the Connecticut River.

One of the most important Springfield “firsts” unfolded on April 19, 1892, when Charles Duryea tried out his horseless carriage and became the father of the American automobile industry. By 1910, Springfield was home to the Knox, Atlas, and Stevens-Duryea companies. In 1920, Rolls Royce opened a plant here. It was also home to Indian Motorcycle.

Springfield has built on its past and is building a new future fueled by billions of dollars in new construction with a newly renovated Union Station, where high speed trains will commute to New York, a new MGM resort casino in the heart of downtown, a world world–renowned Springfield Museum complex featuring the new Amazing World of Dr. Seuss, one of the city’s most famous natives. The Basketball Hall of Fame, located on the banks of the Connecticut River, recently unveiled an exciting refurbished building.

Across the river in West Springfield is home to the annual Eastern States Exposition grounds, which hosts one of the nation’s premier fairs, The Big E, in September along with other events throughout the year.

Springfield’s past is rich with accomplishments and institutions that make the city unique and provide a lesson in a proud heritage and a fun experience for visitors.

Top: First car by the Duryea brothers. Middle left: Springfield Arsenal, built in 1847. Middle right: Abolitionist John Brown. Above: Indian Motorcycle Day at the Springfield Museums.

historic springfield | 13

READY TO

RO

BLU T

14

OAR BLUE TARP DEVELOPMENT TURNS DEVASTATED CITY

INTO MGM $960 MILLION CASINO On June 1, 2011, a tornado tore through the South End of Springfield, creating a path of destruction through a neighborhood that few thought could ever rebound. But the timing was right for a rebirth.

Massachusetts voters had approved gambling in the state and MGM was chosen to create a nearly billion dollar resort casino in the heart of the district impacted by the tornado. The 39-mile path of the tornado could be seen from the air by a string of blue tarps on damaged buildings, hence the name “Blue Tarp Development� -- the name of the effort by MGM to transform a neighborhood.

On August 24, 2018, the doors of a unique casino that embraced the history of the city and breathed new life into the downtown opened to the public. It beckons people from all over to travel to the City of Homes and take part in a new experience of not only gaming, but fine restaurants, exciting events, and a retro atmosphere that includes the old, the new and the future.

15

MGM HAS BROUGHT BACK TO OUR CITY A MOVIE COMPLEX, BOWLING ALLEYS, AN OUTDOOR ICE SKATING RINK, UNIQUE SHOPS AND WORLD CLASS ENTERTAINMENT.

THE LONG ROAD BACK FROM THE 2011 TORNADO IS COMPLETE.

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WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Wineries & Hard Cider

BERKSHIRE COUNTY BALDERDASH CELLARS balderdashcellars.com 81 State Rd, Richmond 413.464.4629

GREEN RIVER AMBROSIA greenriverambrosia.com 324 Wells Street, Greenfield 413.774.5350

MOUNT WARNER VINEYARDS mwvineyards.com 85 Mount Warner Rd, Hadley 413.531.4046

FRANKLIN COUNTY

HEADWATER CIDER headwatercider.com 112 Forget Rd, Hawley 413.695.6099

PIONEER VALLEY FARM & VINEYARD pioneervalleyvineyard.com 41 School Street, Hadley 413.247.3007

ARTISAN BEVERAGE CO-OP artbev.coop 324 Wells St, Greenfield 413.773.9700 BEAR MEADOW FARM APIARY 926 Watson-Spruce Corner Road, Ashfield 413.628.3970 BEAR SWAMP ORCHARD & CIDERY bearswamporchard.com 1209 Hawley Rd, Ashfield 413.625.2849

WEST COUNTY CIDER westcountycider.com 208 Peckville Rd, Shelburne Falls 413.624.3481

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY AMHERST FARM WINERY amherstfarmwinery.com 529 Belchertown Rd, Amherst 413.253.1400

HAMPDEN COUNTY ECHO HILL ORCHARDS & WINERY echohillorchards.com 101 Wilbraham Rd, Monson 413.267.3303

BLACK BIRCH VINEYARD blackbirchvineyard.com 108 Straits Rd, North Hatfield 413.247.3300

RAVEN HOLLOW WINERY ravenhollowwinery.com 436 Russellville Rd, Westfield 413.562.0259

CARR’S CIDER HOUSE carrsciderhouse.com 295 River Dr, Hadley 413.336.7363

QUEEN BEE VINEYARD queenbeevineyard.com 173 Moulton Hill Rd, Monson 413.267.9329

GLENDALE RIDGE VINEYARD glendaleridgevineyard.com 155 Glendale Rd, Southampton 413.527.0164

WORCESTER COUNTY

MINERAL HILLS WINERY mineralhillswinery.com 592 Sylvester Rd, Florence 413. 586.2575

18 | things to do

STONEYBROOK CIDER stoneybrookcider.com 284 Morgan St, South Hadley 413.206.6441

HARDWICK WINERY hardwickwinery.com 3305 Greenwich Rd, Hardwick 413.967.7763 RAGGED HILL CIDER COMPANY raggedhillcider.com 94 John Gilbert Rd, West Brookfield 508.410.7100

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Craft Brewers BERKSHIRE COUNTY

BARRINGTON BREWERY barringtonbrewery.net 420 Stockbridge Road, Suite 7, Great Barrington 413.528.8282 BIG ELM BREWING bigelmbrewery.com 65 Silver Street, Sheffield 413.229.2348 WANDERING STAR BREWING COMPANY wanderingstarbrewing.com 11 Gifford Street, Pittsfield 413.717.7041

FRANKLIN COUNTY

BLDG8 BREWING 320 Riverside Dr, Northampton 413. 570.4104 BREW PRACTITIONERS brewpractitioners.com 36 Main St, Florence 413.584.2444 DRUNKEN RABBIT www.rabbit.beer 749A New Ludlow Rd, South Hadley 413.728.2739 FORT HILL BREWERY forthillbrewery.com 30 Fort Hill Rd, Easthampton 413.203.5754

BERKSHIRE BREWING COMPANY berkshirebrewingcompany.com 12 Railroad Street, South Deerfield 413.665.6600

NEW CITY BREWERY newcitybrewery.com 180 Pleasant St, Easthampton 413.529.2000

BRICK & FEATHER BREWERY brickandfeatherbrewery.com 78 11th St, Turners Falls 413. 863.2574

NORTHAMPTON BREWERY northamptonbrewery.com 11 Brewster Court, Northampton 413.584.9903

ELEMENT BREWING COMPANY elementbeer.com 30 Bridge Street, Millers Falls 413.835.6340

OPA OPA BREWING fb.com/opaopabrewing 4 Main Street, Williamsburg 413.527.0808

HITCHCOCK BREWING COMPANY hitchcockbrewing.com 129 Christian Ln, Whately 413.695.2400

HAMPDEN COUNTY

HONEST WEIGHT ARTISAN BEER honestweightbeer.com 131 W Main St #104, Orange 413.313.4412 LEFTY’S BREWING COMPANY leftysbrew.com 301 Wells Street, Greenfield 413.475.3449 PEOPLE’S PINT (Franklin County Brewing Co) thepeoplespint.com 24 Federal Street, Greenfield 413.773.0333

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY ABANDONED BUILDING BREWERY abandonedbuildingbrewery.com 142 Pleasant St, Easthampton 413.282.7062

IRON DUKE BREWING irondukebrewing.com 100 State St #122, Ludlow 413.624.6258 TIN BRIDGE BREWING CO. tinbridgebrewing.com 487 E Main St, Westfield 413.642.6418 VANISHED VALLEY vanishedvalley.com 782 Center St, Ludlow WESTFIELD RIVER BREWING COMPANY westfieldriverbrewing.com 79 Mainline Drive, Westfield 417.374.8452

WORCESTER COUNTY TREE HOUSE BREWING COMPANY treehousebrew.com 129 Sturbridge Road, Charlton 413.523.2367

AMHERST BREWING COMPANY amherstbrewing.com 10 University Drive, Amherst 413.253.4400

things to do | 19

BERKSHIRES AND WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Foliage Guide The Mohawk Trail

(Route 2) – Greenfield to North Adams

Route 2, also called the Mohawk Trail, is a historic road that travels through the northern Berkshire Mountains. This route describes a tour from Greenfield

in the east to North Adams in the west, with a side trip to the summit of magnificent Mount Greylock at Mount Greylock State Reservation.

POINTS OF INTEREST: • In Greenfield, take a pleasant walk

and wear out your kids at Rocky Mountain Park on the Connecticut River. This forested ridge stretches along the river and has hiking and biking trails and the popular Poet’s Seat Tower. Nice for walking, bird-watching, and peaceful contemplation.

• Shelburne Falls, a bit west of Greenfield on Route 2, is a pretty town on the Shelburne River. Right in its center is the famous Bridge of Flowers, a former trolley bridge that is planted with 500 varieties of flowers, vines, and shrubs (open April 1 to October 30). Stroll to the Salmon Falls Gallery, then watch the river racing over a mesmerizing series of falls.

• Continue through Mohawk State Forest. Before you get to the next major town, North Adams, you will navigate a crazy, nearly 360-degree hairpin turn.

• North Adams is full of culture and shopping and interesting sights.

Consider stopping into MassMoCA (the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art). MassMoCA exhibits work by many of the most important artists of today; it hosts dozens of performances year-round.

America’s Town, America’s Story

20 | things to do feature

03090931

Old Main Street, Deerfield, Massachusetts www.historic-deerfield.org • (413) 775-7214

• At the Natural Bridge State Park in North Adams, you will be stunned by nature’s artistic beauty when you see a naturally formed white marble arch and man-made white marble dam.

• With advance planning, you can schedule a zip line tour at Zoar Outdoor or Berkshire East, both in Charlemont, very close to Route 2.

Summit of Mount Greylock Visitor Center, 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough, MA

The trip to the top of Mount Greylock in the Berkshires is a magnificent adventure. October foliage colors are glorious. The summit is 3,491 feet and it yields views of the Green Mountains of Vermont and the Taconic Range.

At the top is Bascom Lodge, offering meals and overnight accommodations. Also at the top is an elegant tower dating from 1932 honoring the state’s fallen soldiers. Access road closes November 1.

Connecticut River Scenic Byway 37 miles

The Connecticut River starts at a pond near the New Hampshire/Canada border and swells to a 410-mile northsouth waterway, bisecting the region until it empties in Long Island Sound near Essex, CT. The Massachusetts part of the Connecticut River National Byway cuts through the center of the state, from Northfield at the northern end to South Hadley at the southern end, mostly along routes 63 and 47.

Distance between Northfield and South Hadley is 37 miles.

of Massachusetts with many farms that date back more than 100 years.

The Mohawk Trail

(Route 2) Harvard to Northfield

Route 2 is a beauty, passing through small towns and glorious views. This route includes stops at two fascinating villages where New England history is lived and demonstrated.

POINTS OF INTEREST: • Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, one terminus of this foliage drive, takes its name from am 1843 utopian community led by Bronson Alcott (father to writer Louisa May Alcott) on this land. Today, visitors can explore a historic farmhouse, a Shaker Museum, galleries of Native American art and paintings of the Hudson River School, and lots of walking trails.

• A wonderful experience awaits you at Northfield Mountain Recreational and Environmental Center at 99 Millers Falls Road in Northfield (800-859-2960). Located along a beautiful sweep of mountainside, with facilities along the Connecticut River, this recreational center has 26 miles of trails, canoeing or kayaking at Barton Cove, and guided riverboat cruises.

• Continuing west on Route 2, in Phillipston, plan a stop to stretch your legs and buy some treats at Red Apple Farm at 455 Highland Avenue (978-249-6763). Brace yourself for apples and cider, cider donuts and kettle corn, and cheeses.

Making king memories that last a LIFETIME!

POINTS OF INTEREST: • South Hadley is home to Brunelle’s Marina on the Connecticut River.

You might suspend your road trip for a short river cruise on the Lady Bea, docked at Brunelle’s.

For a sit-down meal, Johnson’s Farm at 210 Wheeler Avenue in Orange, just a bit farther west on Route 2, serves meals and offers a neat gift shop.

58 North Road, East Windsor, CT www.ct-trolley.org • 860-627-6540

• Fire Truck Museum • Hands-on Educational Exhibits • Unlimited Trolley Car Rides • Birthday Parties Only 15 minutes from • Facility Rentals Springfield, MA! • Special Events • Group Rates • Membership

• Mount Holyoke College Botanic Garden encompasses the Mount Holyoke College campus, including an arboretum and numerous gardens, as well as the Talcott Greenhouse.

• Skinner State Park, between South Hadley and Hadley, offers access points to the New England National Scenic Trail. At the peak of Mount Holyoke in Skinner Park, you can explore The Summit House, a 19thcentury hotel.

• The Montague Mill is located just a few blocks from Montague Center, at 440 Greenfield Road. Moving along routes 63 and 47, you are traveling through the bread basket

PUMPKIN PATCH

A family fun filled adventure where you ride on a trolley to the pumpkin patch & everyone can pick out a FREE pumpkin. Decorate the pumpkins on your return, play in the corn box, & enjoy the outside play area.

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays in October and Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 8 10am - 4:30pm • Admission: under 4 - $3, children 4-12, $10, adults $12, 62+ $11

Do you ddare aree to ride ar rid ide th the haunted haun ha unte tedd trolley te trtrol olle ol ley liline?? le Discover the story of an abandoned cemetery on the grounds of the Visitor Center. During the darkest of nights, the mournful cries of the abandoned dead can be heard around the trolley museum.

Fridays & Saturdays in October 7pm - 9:30pm Admission: all ages $20

things to do feature | 21

THE 102ND EDITION OF

The Big E OPENS ITS GATES IN WEST SPRINGFIELD ON SEPTEMBER 14.

The 102nd edition of The Big E opens its gates in West Springfield on September 14.

New England’s largest state fair offers plenty of live entertainment, midway rides, agricultural exhibits, livestock, merchandise and plenty of food during its 17-day run.

Look for concert appearances by the Marshall Tucker Band, Old Dominion and Jefferson Starship.

Eugene J. Cassidy, president and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition, said he is thrilled to welcome firsttime visitors to The Big E. “Businesses and the community are grateful for your visit and it is our hope you will be entertained and return often,” Cassidy said. “The history of this region is expansive and I encourage you to discover some of it.

And while you are checking, consider events at Eastern States Exposition and the annual Big E! History is made every year at our fairgrounds. Be a part of it!”

While there are many new things to look forward to, particularly musical acts and food, there are some things that never change.

The Maine baked potato line will be long, fair goers will justify eating an entire turkey leg by themselves, 4-H students will proudly display their cattle, and hundreds of thousands of people from across the country will make their way to West Springfield from September 14-30.

22 | events calendar feature

Those who come for the food will seek out some of last year’s favorites: The Flatliner from the West Springfield Lions Club; Waffle Chicken Bites from the Deep South Company; Gourmet Tater Tots from the new Tots-A-Lot; Deep Fried Holy Cannoli from the Coffee Break; homemade soups from Storrowton Tavern; and Gourmet Candy Apples from Carol’s.

Each of the 17 days of the fair is dedicated to a New England state, Western Massachusetts community or organization, including: • Friday, September 14 Be A Kid For A Day, Military Appreciation Day • Saturday, September 15 Maine Day & 4-H/FFA Day • Sunday, September 16 Storrowton Day & Chalice of Salvation Sunday • Monday, September 17 Salute to West Springfield • Tuesday, September 18 Rhode Island Day & Salute to Holyoke • Wednesday, September 19 Connecticut Day • Thursday, September 20 Massachusetts Day • Friday, September 21 New Hampshire Day • Saturday, September 22 Vermont Day • Sunday, September 23 Grange Day

• Monday, September 24 Salute to Springfield • Tuesday, September 25 Salute to Chicopee • Wednesday, September 26 Salute to Agawam • Thursday, September 27 Salute to Westfield • Friday, September 28 Harvest New England Day • Saturday, September 29 TBD • Sunday, September 30 Salute to Special Olympics

For those interested in music there will be plenty of free performances on three stages.

Look for top concert acts like country stars Old Dominion to play the fair, or 90s pop group Hanson.

Fairgoers can also visit the fair’s many staples such as the 19th century Storrowton Village Museum with its historic houses and gardens lined with crafters, the Eastern States Exposition Horse Show, the Avenue of States (featuring replicas of six New England statehouse buildings filled with local products, crafts and good things to eat), The Big E Circus Spectacular, Mardi Gras Parade, and The Big E’s own consumer paradise known as the Better Living Center.

There are also animals, plenty of them, part of The Big E’s agricultural heritage with all kinds of livestock shows, agricultural demonstrations, pulling contests, 4-H activities, and their latest foray in modern agriculture, The Big E Wine Barn.

• Hours: The Big E runs September 14-30. Gates open at 8 a.m. and the midway closes at 11 p.m.

• Admission: Adults, $15, and ages 6-12, $10; Children 5 years old and under are free. Information on Monday through Thursday evening discounts, senior days, advance ticket discounts and other savings may be found at thebige.com • Directions: For GPS, use 875 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA as your destination address (Coordinates: 42 °05’38.88″N – 72 °36’42.36″W – Elev.

52′) to enter Gate 9.

• Parking: $10 per vehicle at Gate 9. Several adjacent private parking lots are located in the neighborhoods along Memorial Avenue.

272 WORTHINGTON STREET • SPRINGFIELD, MA WWW.AEPIZZA.COM

413-301-8654

The Eastern States Exposition, home to more than 100 events annually and New England’s largest state fair, is an economic engine that generates millions of dollars in revenue for itself, area businesses and the host community of West Springfield.

Established in 1994, The Big E/West Springfield Trust Fund receives a portion of the Exposition’s revenue from the previous year. The most recent contribution of $219,263 contribution brings the total paid out by the Exposition to more than $3.75 million since the fund’s inception.

For up-to-date information on the many activities and events happening throughout the fair, visit TheBigE.com or call their information line at 413-205-5115.

03090589

254 WORTHING WORTHINGTON STREET • SPRINGFIELD, MA WWW.ADOLFORESTAURANT.COM WWW

413-746-5000

events calendar feature | 23

SEPTEMBER 2018 MassMutual Center, Stevie Wonder

September 1 • 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.

1277 Main St. Springfield, MA 01103

Honored by both the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, Wonder, 68, has racked up more than 30 Top 10 hits, received 25 Grammy Awards, and sold more than 100 million records worldwide. Tickets start at $69.

Brimfield Outdoor Antiques Show

September 4 - September 9 Downtown Brimfield, 23 Main St. Brimfield, MA 01010

Brimfield is considered the largest outdoor antique show in the country. Up to 20,000 dealers and over 230,000 visitors throughout the week. The crowds can be large, but not uncomfortably so - remember, the Show takes places over almost 1/3 mile of Rt 20, easily going back 500’ on each side of the road. There’s plenty of space to accommodate everyone, with room to spare. The Brimfield shows operate three times a year during May, July and September.

Springfield BID’s White Lion Wednesdays September 5 - 12 • 4 - 8 p.m.

Downtown Springfield

Weekly beer garden happy hour event during the summer months. Beer and beverages available for puchase. The September 5 event will be held at Monarch Plaza on Main Street in Springfield. The band Eagle Eyes will be performing. The September 12 event will be held at the MGM Springfield Plaza.

170th Annual Franklin County Fair

September 6 - September 9 Franklin County Fairgrounds 87 Wisdom Way Greenfield, MA 01301

The fair was named by Globe Magazine as one of the “10 Great New England Fairs” in 2015. Every fair food imaginable, midway rides, entertainment of all kinds from bands to roaming clowns to a ventriloquist, demotion derby, livestock shows, horse draws, truck pull, and much more.

Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement

September 6 • 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue, Springfield, MA Class of 2018 Autograph Signing Presented

by Panini Location: Basketball Hall of Fame.

Time: 12:30 p.m. Ticket Price: $250. Meet the Class of 2018 at their first Enshrinement Weekend public event. A ticket to this event will give you the ability to secure one (1) autograph per class member.

2018 Enshrinement Ceremony

Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony September 7 @ 4:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue Springfield, MA

VIP Pre-Reception Location:

Basketball Hall of Fame, Time: 4:30 p.m.

Ticket Price: Included With the Preferred

24 | events calendar

calendar EVENTS

Seating Package and Premium Seating Package. Mingle with the Class of 2018 and over 40 returning Hall of Famers as the Hall of Fame Museum is turned into the basketball party of the year! With an open bar, catered food stations and butlered hors d’oeuvres, you’re sure to get your fill before watching the Class of 2018 Enshrinement Ceremony.

Transportation is provided.

Springfield BID’s Downtown Farmers’ Market

September 7 - October 26 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Tower Square Park, 227-285 Bridge Street, Springfield, MA

Bringing the rural farm to the urban table every Friday through October 26. Local produce, specialty food items, and handcrafted goods are available for sale. Cash, credit, debit. Some vendors accept EBT and Snap, Senior Vouchers and WIC. On street parking where available.

Annual Mattoon Arts Festival

September 8, 10 a.m. - September 9, 5 p.m.

Mattoon Street, Springfield, MA 01103

Crafts, entertainment and food. The Mattoon Street Arts Festival is the oldest arts and crafts show in Western Massachusetts. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m The Mattoon Street Arts Festival features 100 exhibitors, food vendors, and strolling musicians. Parking at the TD Bank lot and admission are free. Just three blocks from I-91. Come join us at this family-friendly event.

Great for holiday shopping, seeing new craft ideas, or just walking on a beautiful Victorian street.

The New England Air Museum, Jets & Vettes!

September 9 • 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

New England Air Museum, 36 Perimeter Rd. Windsor Locks, CT 06096

Photograph your Vette with our Jets! Prizes for best vintage and best of show. All years and models of Chevrolet Corvettes welcome! Gate fee for cars: $20, includes driver, passenger and Museum admission. Proceeds to Support Aircraft Restoration.

The Big E Opening Day! September 14

The Big E, 875 Memorial Avenue West Springfield, MA 01089 September 15 - October 1 The Big E, 875 Memorial Avenue West Springfield, MA 01089

Fair Dates: Sept. 14 - 30, 2018. Please note that no weapons are allowed on the grounds.

Metal detectors are in use at every entrance gate to the fairgrounds. Bags are subject to search at gates.

Randall’s Farm & Greenhouse, Crazy Corn Maze September 15 - September 16 Randall’s Farm & Greenhouse, 631 Center St. Ludlow, MA 01056

September 15-16, 22-23, 29-30. Weekends and Columbus Day through October. Hayrides, games, pumpkin picking, and pumpkin decorating.

Connecticut Science Center, Saturday Night Science Fever September 15 • 6:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Connecticut Science Center, 250 Columbus Boulevard Hartford, CT 06103

Green Gala: Saturday Night Science Fever Boogie over to the Connecticut Convention Center in support of the Connecticut Science Center. Enjoy a groovy night including dinner, cocktails, disco-tastic music and dancing, live and silent auctions, science demonstrations, and more in support of cutting-edge programs that inspire the next generation and future workforce of scientists, engineers, healers, educators, and innovators. Join us!

Ticket information at: ctsciencecenter.org

The Big E, Xfinity Arena Concert September 15 • 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

The Big E, 875 Memorial Avenue West Springfield, MA

ACM Vocal Group of the Year to headline the Xfinity Arena Sept. 15! Old Dominion. It all began in high school for lead singer Matthew Ramsey and drummer Whit Sellers, who then met lead guitarist Brad Tursi and bassist Geoff Sprung in college. The group is rounded out by multi-instrumentalist Trevor Rosen, who they all met in Nashville where each had moved to pursue careers as songwriters and session players.

Amherst Block Party

September 20 • 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

7th Annual Celebrate Amherst Block Party with music, activities and performances. 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. North Pleasant Street, Amherst.

Kringle Candle, Fall Festival September 21 - September 23 Kringle Candle, 220 South St Bernardston, MA 01337

Crafters, music, family and kids’ activities, and more!

Six Flags New England’s Annual Fright Fest

Weekends, September 22 - October 28 Six Flags New England 1623 Main St, Agawam, MA 01001

Thrills by day and fright by night! Six Flags New England offers family-friendly Halloween thrills during the day, but after 6 p.m., the ghouls come out to play. The park transforms into a fright-filled environment with walkthrough attractions, scary shows and thrill rides that make the most of the season. Fright Fest is the largest Halloween event in New

England with over 20 different frightful things to experience, including themed rides, shows, and attractions!

Randall’s Farm & Greenhouse, Crazy Corn Maze September 22 - September 23 Randall’s Farm & Greenhouse 631 Center St. Ludlow, MA 01056

September 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 Weekends and Columbus Day through October. Hayrides, games, pumpkin picking, and pumpkin decorating.

Easthampton’s Annual “Ride The Dragon”

September 22 • 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Nashawannuck Pond Easthampton, MA

Come enjoy a day of family fun and watch teams compete in dragon boat tug-of-wars on Nashawannuck Pond. There will be music, taiko drum performances, martial arts demonstrations, food, craft and community vendors, raffles, children’s activities, and dragon boat rides. Funds raised at this event will support Paradise City Dragon Boat, a team of cancer survivors and supporters, Nashawannuck Pond. The competitions will run from 9 a.m. - noon, with best 2 out of 3 “sprints”, with winning teams progressing to the afternoon.

Old Deerfield Fall Craft Fair

September 22 • 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Memorial Hall Museum, 10 Memorial St. Deerfield, MA 01342

Held on the lush and beautiful grounds surrounding Memorial Hall Museum. Delight in all of the smells, sounds and styles of fall!

Woodworkings, jewelry, apparel, glass, pottery, furniture, prints, creative mixed media arts, live music, and specialty foods. Explore inside Memorial Hall Museum and view their ongoing and newly aquired exhibits. Enjoy free family craft activities, provided by Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association. The festival is a rain or shine event.

Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Opening Night

September 22 • 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Symphony Hall, 34 Court Street Springfield, MA

Celebrate the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s 75th season with a familiar selection of American composers: Gershwin, Copland, Bernstein and Schoenberg! 7:30 p.m. at Springfield Symphony Hall, Springfield.

McCray’s Farm Haunted Hayrides

September 28 thru October 31 • 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

McCray’s Farm, 55 Alvord St. South Hadley, MA

September 29 - September 30 Randall’s Farm & Greenhouse, 631 Center St. Ludlow, MA 01056

Weekends and Columbus Day through October. Hayrides, games, pumpkin picking, and pumpkin decorating.

Annual North Quabbin Garlic & Arts Festival

September 29 • 10 a.m. - September 30 • 5 p.m. at Forster’s Farm 60 Chestnut Hill Rd. Orange, MA

The North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival is a celebration of the artistic, agricultural and cultural bounty of the region. The purpose of the festival is to unite North Quabbin people whose livelihoods are connected to the land and the arts, and to invite both local residents and those who do not live in the region to experience the richness of an area that is often overlooked.

OCTOBER 2018 MassMutual Center, Comedian Bill Burr

October 4 • 8 - 11 p.m.

MassMutual Center, 1277 Main Street, Springfield MA 01103

Connecticut Trolley Museum, Rails to the Darkside

and even tours of the 160 year old drum factory. The Noble & Cooley Center for Historic Preservation museum and Gift Shop will be open all three days of the fair.

Mike’s Maze

October 6 • 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Warner Farm, 23 S. Main Street Sunderland, MA 01375

Visitors to Mike’s Maze will encounter activities, games, and amusements to entertain the entire family. Located on a working farm at the foot of Mount Sugarloaf, visitors enjoy gorgeous views of the New England foliage.

It is a unique experience for a fall-time visit to the farm. Every year the farm concocts a brand new maze, along with a themed game that will challenge you to solve puzzles and problems, and lead you on your exploration through the corn!

October 5 • 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Connecticut Trolley Museum, 58 North Road East Windsor, CT 06088

Friday and Saturday nights. During this haunted experience, ride vintage trolleys into the dark woods for a fear that you will never forget! The unfortunate untold story... When the Hartford and Springfield Street Railway was planning its branchline from Warehouse Point to Rockville, a small cemetery near Newberry Road stood in the way of a straightas-an-arrow trolley line. Before construction started, the cemetery was relocated to a spot of dry land along Route 140 near the tracks.

What happened next is for you to find out...

A memorable stay in a great location, all at an affordable price.

Paradise City Arts Festival October 6 - October 8 Three County Fairgrounds, 54 Fair St. Northampton, MA

Spend Columbus Day Weekend at Northampton’s award-winning Paradise City Arts Festival. This is truly one of the most spectacular fairs of fine craft, painting and sculpture in the whole country, lauded for its fresh,innovative approach. Featuring fine craft, painting, and sculpture, the fair is lauded for its fresh, innovative approach. About 260 artists from every corner of the country will show off their newest work in ceramics, painting, decorative fiber, art glass, furniture, jewelry, metal, mixed media, photography, large-scale sculpture, and more!

Noble & Cooley Center’s 37th Annual Granville Harvest Fair October 6 - October 8 Noble & Cooley Center 42 Water St. Granville, MA

The fair is held every year over Columbus Day Weekend. Started as a quilt show in 1981, the harvest fair has evolved into a town-wide event featuring great food, crafters, demonstrations

Make your reservation today at the

Quality Inn & Suites Northampton – Amherst

03090400

Fridays and Saturdays in October. The Monster Mash Adult Haunted Hayride opens at 7 p.m. and continues until the last rider runs screaming. MUNCHKIN MASH is $5, for ages 2 and up. MONSTER MASH HAUNTED HAYRIDE, MASSACRE MANOR & THE D.O.N.G.R.F is $25 per person over 52″ and $15 per person under 52″. Cash, Master Card and Visa accepted. No refunds. Open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through October.

Randall’s Farm & Greenhouse Crazy Corn Maze

(413) 586-1500 117 Conz St. Northampton, MA 01060 www.ChoiceHotels.com

events calendar | 25

Regency Inn and Suites Regency Inn & Suites is located in a very peaceful and private area, while right across the bridge from MGM Casino & Downtown Springfield; and very close to major highways and state routes.

We are most conveniently located right across the street from The BIG “E” (the huge Eastern States Exposition Center at Route 147 14 - Memorial Avenue).

Enjoy our complimentary continental breakfast.

Peaceful & Private. te.

Affordable.

Convenient.

Our Hotel blends convenience and affordability in the style of a contemporary New England Inn. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, you will find our location, product and service to be the best in the Pioneer Valley. Our staff is friendly, helpful and eager to serve.

21 Baldwin Street, West Springfield, MA 01089 • 413- 781-2300 • regencyma@regencyhospitality.com

26

Regency Inn and Suites This is the closest hotel to the Six Flags of New England in Agawam, while being just across the bridge from the MGM Casino, 2 miles from the Basketball Hall of Fame and the MassMutual Sports & Entertainment arena. It helps our guests to stay with us being the most convenient location for the area colleges, attractions, hospitals, offices and industrial area with very easy access.

SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR · AAA · AARP · BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME · BIG-E EVENTS · CORPORATE · GOVERMENT · MASS-MUTUAL EVENTS · MGM CASINO · MILITARY · REGENCY REWARDS · STUDENT · SIX-FLAGS PASS · SPORT’S TEAM · TEACHER/COACH

Sample our hospitality the next time you are in the Greater Springfield area!

03089612

21 Baldwin Street, West Springfield, MA 01089 • 413- 781-2300 • regencyma@regencyhospitality.com 27

YOUR ADVENTURE AWAITS AT

NEW ENGLAND’S

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CENTER

BerkshireEast.com Charlemont, MA 413.339.6617

28 | events calendar feature

Two weekends each year, the Hampshire County city of Northampton welcomes top artists and crafters to exhibit and sell their creations.

Thankfully, the Paradise City Arts Festival occurs on long holiday weekends, Memorial Day and Columbus Day, because there is so much to see and enjoy at the Three County Fairgrounds off Route 9.

The event was the brainchild of founding directors Linda and Geoffrey Post.

“When we first walked the Northampton Fairgrounds in 1994, puzzling over the pieces that would come to be known as the Paradise City Arts Festival, we took a giant leap of faith,” the couple said. “We pictured the Arena, a cavernous horse barn, transformed into a venue to showcase museum quality master craft and fine art. We fretted over whether we could draw serious art and craft lovers from across the country to the small New England town of Northampton.”

Now in its 23rd year, the Paradise City Arts Festivals produce awardwinning shows of contemporary craft and fine art.

Guests on October 6-8 will be welcomed to a world overflowing with fresh ideas for home decorating, personal adornment, one-of-a-kind gifts and building a collection.

Visitors will discover original works

PARADISE CITY

Arts Festival

in furniture, jewelry, art glass, garden sculpture, ceramics, fashion design, painting and more, all made by Paradise City artists in their studios.

“Making a living as a practicing artist is no easy thing,” Geoff Post said. “Being creative in your studio, coming up with a body of work that excites you, hoping that customers will respond, then packing it all up and bringing it to a show. But you’re still not done. You need to put on your marketing hat and connect with your customers and display your work in a way that people will respond to.”

In addition to stunning works of art, the festival offers three days of scrumptious food, fabulous live music and great fun.

Meet 250 exhibiting artists filling three airy buildings or stroll through the Sculpture Promenade filled with artful delights, and enjoy special exhibits, demonstrations and activities.

Hungry? The festival also features a 10,000 square-foot Festival Dining Tent.

The Boston Globe has called the event “wild and wonderful,” while Yankee Magazine once wrote, “The Northampton visual arts scene explodes at the Paradise City Arts Festival, an extravaganza of 200-plus top-notch craftspeople and fine artists that’s been dazzling shoppers since 1995.”

Upon awarding their events the No. 1 spot in 2008 in the annual “Top Ten Art Fairs and Festivals in America”, AmericanStyle magazine declared Paradise City Arts Festivals “truly innovative… fresh and vibrant, with extraordinary quality.”

Admission on October 6-8 for adults is $14 with ages 65 and older just $12 and students are $8. A threeday pass is available for $16. Ages 12 and under are free. No dogs are allowed at the event.

For more information on the festival hours, admission and discounts, visit paradisecityarts.com.

YOUR FAMILY FUN AWAITS AT

NEW ENGLAND’S

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CENTER

BerkshireEast.com Charlemont, MA 413.339.6617

events calendar feature | 29

IF WATCHING THE GIANT BALLOONS IN MACY’S THANKSGIVING PARADE ON TV SEEMS IMPRESSIVE, THEN HEAD OVER TO MAIN STREET IN DOWNTOWN SPRINGFIELD ON THE FRIDAY AFTER THE HOLIDAY TO CATCH THE 2018 PARADE OF THE BIG BALLOONS. Thousands of marchers, musicians, motorized contingents and balloon handlers will parade down Main Street from Lyman Street to Locust Street beginning at 11 a.m.

Since 1991, the Spirit of Springfield has helped usher in the holiday season with its parade featuring Springfield’s own 75-foot inflatable “Cat in the Hat,” a few of his inflatable friends, bands, and colorful contingents. The parade is led by a grand marshal and past honorees have included Dr. Seuss widow Audrey Geisel.

The Parade of the Big Balloons typically draws 70,000 to the city’s center.

All of the balloons in the parade are created each year by StarBound Entertainment in New Castle, Pennsylvania, founded by Toni McKay. Her balloons are flown in parades around the United States and Europe.

McKay has said that “Springfield holds a very special place in my heart and it’s like coming home.”

The Cat in the Hat – the parade’s biggest balloon – requires more than 6,000 cubic feet of helium to bring him to life and 42 handlers to keep him on the straight and narrow.

Other balloons featured in past parades have included the American

30 | events calendar feature

PARADE OF THE

Big Balloons flag, Underdog and Yogi Bear.

Balloon wranglers are a critical component in the annual Parade of Big Balloons, planned for Nov. 23. It’s the wranglers who keep the lighterthan-air balloons tethered to the Earth and who navigate them along the Main Street route.

Roughly 200 people are needed to serve as wranglers. The volunteer job is open to men or women, boys or girls. The only requirements are that they be at least 16 years old, weigh more than 90 pounds and be available from roughly 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

All wranglers receive a complimentary scarf. Individuals or groups interested in serving as wranglers should contact the Spirit of Springfield at (413) 7333800, online at spiritofspringfield.org, or by email at staff@spiritofspringfield. org Those lining the streets of downtown Springfield, especially “the believers,” will want to stick around until the very end of the parade as the jolliest of all elves, Santa Claus, makes his arrival in town not by sleigh – which is still up at the North Pole being polished and prepped for its big journey on Christmas Eve – but in

grand style high atop Springfield Fire Department’s Ladder No. 1.

The parade takes place the same week that organizer Spirit of Springfield opens its annual Bright Nights at Forest Park.

Bright Nights at Forest Park has grown since 1995 to become known as the Northeast’s premier holiday lighting experience.

For hours and prices, visit brightnights.org

Visiting Downtown Springfield?

Springfield Parking Authority Locations

Taylor

Look for the Springfield Parking Authority logo and park at a reasonable price.

Springfield Parking Authority facilities are safe, convenient, and recently upgraded.

03090609

150 Bridge Street, Springfield, MA 01103 • (413) 787-6118

31

North Adams 63rd Annual Fall Foliage Parade October 7 • 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Be part of this memorable fall event in the Berkshires. Parade kick-off at 1 p.m. Starts on Curran Memorial Highway, runs down Main Street, North Adams, and ends on Ashland Street.

Volleyball Hall of Fame Girls VolleyHall Classic Tournament

October 8 • 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

American International College, 1000 State St. Springfield, MA 01109

The Spalding VolleyHall Classic, held on Columbus Day Weekend, will take place at American International College. Featuring 24 of the top girls high school teams from throughout the Northeast including state champions from MA, CT, RI, NH, ME, NY and beyond! This will be an MIAA Endowment Tournament sanctioned by NFHS. Tickets may be purchased the day of the tournament (Oct. 8) at American International College (Butova Gymnasium) beginning at 7:15 a.m.

Look Park, Haunted Train

October 12 Look Memorial Park, 300 North Main St. Florence, MA 01062 Weekends during October 12-14, 19-21, 26-28, weather permitting.

Yankee Candle Village’s Apple Festival

October 13 Yankee Candle Village, 25 Greenfield

Road, South Deerfield, MA 01373

Cider tasting, apple treats, hayrides, raffle prizes, live music and more!

Springfield Thunderbirds Game Night Season Opener!

October 13 • 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

MassMutual Center, 1277 Main Street Springfield, MA 01103

Turners Falls’ Great Falls Festival

October 20 • 2 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Turners Falls RiverCulture, One Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA

Free event! Food, beer, and fun! Costumes are encouraged. Bring a carved or painted pumpkins. Avenue A in Turners Falls.

NOVEMBER 2018 The Botanic Garden of Smith College, Annual Fall Chrysanthemum Show

November 3 - November 18 Botanic Garden at Smith College, 122 Green Street, Northampton, MA

Each fall as colors fade outdoors, a riot of color erupts indoors in the Lyman Conservatory at the Botanic Garden of Smith College. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Fridays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. MEMBERS ONLY 9 - 10 a.m. daily (please bring your membership card).

The suggested donation is $5. Groups of 10 or more must schedule in advance. No guided tours are conducted during the flower shows.

Eastern States Exposition Equine Affaire November 8 - November 11 Eastern States Exposition, 1305 Memorial Avenue West Springfield, MA

Better Living Center, Young & Stroh Buildings, Mallary Complex, Coliseum. Clinics, seminars, and demonstrations. Enjoy an amazing program of more than 150 sessions including clinics on a wide variety of equestrian disciplines in three arenas presented by leading coaches, competitors, and trainers.

Volleyball Hall of Fame 2018 Induction Celebration

November 10 • 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House, 500 Easthampton Road Holyoke, MA 01040

Since 1985, the International Volleyball Hall of Fame has annually recognized outstanding men and women both nationally and internationally for their contributions to the sport of volleyball. A class of inductees is honored at a gala dinner and induction ceremony, along with numerous auxiliary events.

Springfield Veterans’ Day Parade

November 11 • 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Downtown Springfield, Main Street Springfield, MA 01103

From the campus of Springfield Technical Community College on Federal Street, down State Street, turning onto Main Street to Court Square at approximately 11 a.m.

Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens

Visit Magic Wings and marvel at the beauty of nearly 4,000 butterflies, as they fly around you in our tropical indoor conservatory.

Gift shop, food court and Monarchs Restaurant on site.

Open daily 9-5, 7 days a week All year round.

281 Greenfield Road, South Deefield, MA • ww.magicwings.com 32 | events calendar

0 3 09 00 7 2

413-665-2805

Kringle Candle Holiday Open House

November 16 - November 18 Kringle Candle, 220 South St Bernardston, MA Come welcome Santa!

Old Deerfield Holiday Craft Fair November 17 - November 18 Eastern States Exposition, 1305 Memorial Avenue West Springfield, MA

The 30th annual award-winning event, rated as the number one Holiday Craft Fair in Massachusetts by Yankee Magazine!

Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Featuring over 240 juried crafters, designers and artists! Mixed media, ceramics, printmaking, live music, jewelry, specialty foods, sculpture, fiber arts, photography, fashion, woodworking, glass, leather, and fine arts. Children can visit with Santa from 11 a.m.

- 3 p.m. each day! Free family craft activities all weekend.

Volleyball Hall of Fame All-Star Showcase

November 20 • 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

West Springfield High School, 425 Piper Rd., West Springfield, MA

Massachusetts Girls’ High School Volleyball All-Star Showcase. The Spalding Western Massachusetts Boys & Girls High School All-Star Games celebrate the top volleyball players in Western Massachusetts in a three set exhibition match held at rotating locations throughout the area. The boys’ all-star game is held in June and the girls’ in November.

Bright Nights at Forest Park, 25th Season November 21, 2018 - January 1, 2019 Forest Park, 300 Sumner Avenue Springfield, MA 01108

Closed November 26 and 27. Hours: Sunday - Thursday, 5 - 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Holidays, 5 - 11 p.m. New Year’s Day, 5 - 9 p.m.

Buses with reservations priority, 5 - 6 p.m.

Yankee Candle Village Tree Lighting

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags New England

Santa lights the wondrous Yankee Candle Christmas Tree at dark.

New England’s largest holiday celebration will return as Six Flags New England decks the halls in a dazzling display of lights, sights, and sounds for its inaugural holiday extravaganza. Holiday in the Park at Six Flags New England offers an entirely new and unique holiday celebration experience unlike anything seen before. Boasting over 50 rides,

November 17 • 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Yankee Candle Village, 25 Greenfield Road South Deerfield, MA 01373

Weekends & select days from November 23 - January 1, 2019 Six Flags New England 1623 Main St, Agawam, MA 01001

shows, and attractions, this winter season just got so much cooler.

Look Park’s Winter Wonderland

November 23, 2018 - January 1, 2019 Look Memorial Park, 300 North Main Street Florence, MA 01062

Beginning the day after Thanksgiving and running through New Year’s Day, the Park comes alive with the Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Display nightly until 9 p.m. All of the Park’s beautifully decorated holiday displays are designed and handcrafted by members of the Park’s maintenance staff.

This program is dedicated to the spirit, beauty and simplicity of an old-fashioned holiday season.

Holiday Happenings at the Springfield Museums November 23 • 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards Street Springfield, MA 01103

Kick off the season with the Grinch, the Gingerbread House exhibit, art activities, the lighting of the Quad, and more. Holiday Happenings at the Springfield Museums: Travel from the parade to the Museums for a day filled with family-friendly, fun activities.

Have a chance to meet the Grinch in person!

Activities free with Museums admission. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Lighting of the Quadrangle takes place from 5 - 7 p.m. Free and open to the public!

LOVE THE JOURNEY find your happy place with 30+ nonstop destinations

FLYBDL.ORG 03090983

events calendar | 33

Your Wedding or Event

Photos courtesy of Dani Fine Photography, Tremaine Photography and Stephanie Pierce Photography.

t

Springfield Museums’ Annual Gingerbread Exhibit

Holyoke’s Newest Hotel!

November 23 - December 31 Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St. Springfield, MA 01103

We want you and your family treated to the convenience and comfort you deserve, from a delicious breakfast to a wide range of amenities.

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The Springfield Science Museum’s annual gingerbread exhibit has become one of the region’s best-loved traditions. The Museum Store is also a major draw during the holidays, thanks to the wide variety of gifts available for all ages and tastes. Decorative glassware and handcrafted pottery items are available, along with a large selection of children’s games, books, and educational kits and models. Gift wrapping and parking is always free.

Tower Square, Open House & Festival of Trees November 23 - December 9 Tower Square, 1500 Main Street Springfield, MA 01115

Whether you’re nine or ninety-nine, you will find yourself delightfully entertained at Tower Square the day after Thanksgiving during Tower Square’s annual Holiday Open House.

Kicking off immediately following the Tower Square Parade of Big Balloons outside on Main Street, both retail levels inside will be alive with some of the most beloved family-friendly performers and holiday events in the region.

Connecticut Trolley Museum, Winterfest and “The Tunnel of Lights”

Learn more at http://fairfield.marriott.com/guarantee.php

Learn more at http://fairfield.marriott.com/guarantee.php

November 23 - December 30 58 North Rd. East Windsor, CT 06088

Winterfest will be open weekends from 5 - 9 p.m. Take a trolley ride to a tree light show

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572 Riverdale Street, West Springfield, MA 01089

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36 | events calendar

synchronized with music. Santa will be onsite until he heads back to the North Pole after closing on Dec. 23. Additionally, meet and pose for a picture with Santa inside one of the historic trolleys.

Tower Square Parade of the Big Balloons November 23 • 11 a.m.

Tower Square, 1500 Main Street Springfield, MA 01115

Come and see the variety of balloons. Main Street in downtown Springfield will be filled with people, bands, motorized contingents, huge colorful balloon characters and much more the day after Thanksgiving, as the Spirit of Springfield launches the annual Tower Square Parade of the Big Balloons. You’re encouraged to come early, park at Tower Square and get a great spot for parade viewing right outside.

Bright Nights at Forest Park, 5K Road Race November 26 • 5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Forest Park, 300 Sumner Avenue Springfield, MA 01108

Check-in from 5 - 6:15 p.m. Race starts at 6:30 p.m. Not your ordinary walk in the park! Run the 5K route through the magnificent lighting displays. The race begins at the Seuss Land Arch (Walker Grandstand) to the Poinsettia Candles (Picknelly Field) and back to Seuss Land. Registration fee is $50 and includes souvenir long-sleeve shirt, post-race soup supper at the Bright Nights Storage Facility and Bright Nights VIP Pass. Limited to the first 500 completed and paid registrants. Rain date is November 27.

Bright Nights at Forest Park, Public Safety Night November 28 • 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Forest Park, 300 Sumner Avenue Springfield, MA 01108

Free admission for first responders, active military, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical service personnel.

Valid identification required. Sponsored by Columbia Gas of Massachusetts.

Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas November 30 - December 2 Norman Rockwell Museum, 9 Route 183 (Glendale Ave) Stockbridge, MA 01262

The town of Stockbridge, made famous by Norman Rockwell’s painting of the village during the holidays, becomes a magical New England setting decorated with holiday wreaths and festive lights. Sponsored by the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce, the holiday celebration offers a full range of activities, with highlights including holiday readings, house tours, caroling, and a holiday concert.

SPRINGFIELD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES

75th Anniversary Season The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is excited to announce its 75th Anniversary Season. The SSO is proud to celebrate this milestone with the Springfield community and other cultural institutions.

The Springfield Symphony Orchestra performed its first concert on March 5, 1944, in the “Municipal Auditorium” (now known as Symphony Hall) to a full house, ending with a standing ovation. Today, the SSO continues our legacy of musical excellence and has expanded activities beyond the concert hall to the greaterSpringfield community.

“I am so excited and proud to be leading the SSO through its 75th season of bringing music to Springfield!

Once again, Maestro Rhodes has created an exceptional music program including music from the first concert ever performed by the Springfield Symphony Orchestra,” said Executive Director, Susan Beaudry.

Music Director, Kevin Rhodes, has selected an eclectic and notable lineup of classical concerts to celebrate this milestone season. The 75th season programming offers orchestral musiclovers an eclectic mix of timeless classical pieces combined with several works being played by the orchestra

have never played. Mixing the best of the past with the best of today is what we do at the SSO!” said Maestro Kevin Rhodes.

As part of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s mission to entertain and educate audiences, all classical concert-goers have the

“IN PLANNING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON, I WANTED TO BRING BACK THE MOST POPULAR WORKS WE’VE DONE OVER THE YEARS.” - Music Director, Kevin Rhodes for the first time.

“In planning the 75th Anniversary Season, I wanted to bring back the most popular works we’ve done over the years. These beloved works will be juxtaposed against a carefully selected group of beautiful shorter pieces, mostly from the 21st century, which we

opportunity to attend “Classical Conversations” free of charge. This educational concert component is made possible through the generosity of the Anthony P. Lovell Memorial Fund. The informal and informative discussions are led by knowledgeable guest lecturers and include time for

events calendar feature | 37

audience questions regarding the works being performed that evening.

“Classical Conversations” begins at 6:30 p.m. on concert nights in Symphony Hall.

Apart from our Classical Concert Series, and in addition to our annual holiday concert, the SSO will debut two additional concerts as a part of our new Maestro-created Pops Series.

“I love doing these pops shows in which I play the role of Emcee and host, taking the audience through the program with fun facts and details about great music,” said Maestro Rhodes, “I’ve made no secret of the fact that it was great orchestral movie scores which made me fall in love with the sound of the orchestra.”

On Broadway with Maestro Rhodes will feature an all-star cast of guest Broadway singers and will celebrate the diverse classical music of Broadway theater. Starting with a special salute to “Phantom of the Opera,” Maestro Rhodes will reprise his crowd-pleasing performance, playing and conducting Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” Also, on the program will be other treasured hits from classic Broadway shows like “Chorus Line,” “Cabaret,” and, “Guys and Dolls.”

“I decided that this would be the perfect occasion to play and conduct Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue,” said Maestro Rhodes. “This is something people have been asking me to do again ever since the first time I performed it with the orchestra. Looks like it’s time to get practicing again!”

Movie Night with Maestro Rhodes is the second concert in the SSO’s new Pops Series. Given the overwhelming audience reaction to the Sci-Fi Spectacular and John Williams concerts, Maestro Rhodes has decided to take the audience back to the movies with select music from classic and contemporary films.

“Over the years, the orchestra and I have built a reputation for fun-filled movie music nights with John Williams and our recent Sci-Fi evening!” said Maestro Rhodes, “Leading this concert with masterworks like ‘Ben Hur,’ ‘Casablanca,’ ‘Lord of the Rings,’ and ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ will be a great joy! Going to the movies never sounded so good!”

Springfield Symphony Orchestra

75th Anniversary

Concert Series 75th Season Opening Night Gala with Gershwin, Copland and Bernstein Saturday, September 22, 2018 Norman Krieger, Piano Kevin Rhodes, Conductor Adam Schoenberg - Go! Leonard Bernstein - Candide Overture George Gershwin - Piano Concerto, F Major Aaron Copland - Symphony No. 3

Symphonie Fantastique & Rachmaninoff Concerto 3 Saturday, October 20, 2018 Natasha Paremski, Piano Kevin Rhodes, Conductor John Harbison Remembering Gatsby: Foxtrot for Orchestra Sergei Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 30, D minor Hector Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique

A Holiday Celebration Saturday, December 8, 2018 Scheherazade Saturday, February 2, 2019 Kevin Rhodes, Conductor Amy Beach - Bal Masqué, Op.22 Joan Tower - 5th and 6th Fanfares for the Uncommon Woman Jennifer Higdon - Blue Cathedral Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade, Op. 35

Mendelssohn’s “Italian” & Brahms Saturday, February 23, 2019 Rachel Barton Pine, Violin Kevin Rhodes, Conductor Felix Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4, Op. 90, A Major “Italian” Johannes Brahms Violin Concerto, Op. 77, D Major Augusta Read Thomas - Prayer and Celebration

38 | events calendar feature

On Broadway with Maestro Rhodes Saturday, March 9, 2019 Featuring “Rhapsody in Blue” Beethoven’s 5th & Liszt Saturday, March 23, 2019 Claire Huangci, Piano Kevin Rhodes, Conductor L. v. Beethoven Symphony No. 5, Op. 67, C minor Franz Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1, S. 124, E-flat Major Franz Liszt Piano Concerto No. 2, S. 125 A Major Libby Larsen - Beauty Alone (Movement II from String Symphony No. 4)

Mozart & Mahler 2 Saturday, April 27, 2019 Springfield Symphony Chorus Nikki Stoia, Director Kevin Rhodes, Conductor W. A. Mozart - Ave Verum Corpus, K. 618 Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 2, C minor (Resurrection; Auferstehungssymphonie)

Movie Night with Maestro Rhodes Saturday, May 4, 2019 Featuring a musical journey through timeless films

75th Season Finale with New World Symphony and Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto Saturday, May 18, 2019 Yevgeny Kutik, Violin Kevin Rhodes, Conductor Salvatore Macchia - Overtura Rocambolesca Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Concerto for Violin, Op. 35, D major Antonín Dvořák - Symphony No. 9, Op. 95, E minor “From the New World”

The Springfield Symphony Orchestra's 75th Anniversary season is filled with Classical Concerts Pops enthusiasts will love!

Our Opening Night on September 22 is an All-American Extravaganza featuring Gershwin, Copland, and Bernstein.

POPS +1

October 20 brings the haunting piece Symphonie Fantastique and Natasha Paremski performing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 just in time for All Hallows' Eve.

It’s going to be hard to decide which Classical concert to attend!

FOUR CONCERTS FOR $75!

By purchasing the POPS+1 package, you’ll have concert tickets to ALL 3 of our Pops concerts PLUS 1 ticket to a Classical Concert of YOUR choosing.

CLASSIC CONCERT OF CHOICE AS YOUR

ONE

03089627

Purchase tickets at Springfield Symphony Box Office or call 413.733.2291 39

ARTS, MUSEUMS, GALLERIES &

entertainment

97% 90%

of 2017 graduates o a employed or are c continuing their e education.

AMELIA PARK CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

Permanent exhibit: hands-on activities and creative exhibits, the Hurricane Simulator. Hours: Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sun. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $7, $3.50 seniors, free for children 1 year and under. Members, teachers and military personal receive $1 off.

o students receive of fi financial aid.

elms.edu/visit elms

29 South Broad St., Westfield ameliaparkmuseum.org.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM AT HOLYOKE

Permanent exhibit: Come experience the new STEM based World of Motion Exhibit. So many hands on things to do including a build your own race car and track, Eye Play floor, bottle rocket launcher, magnetic world and more. Something fun to do for all ages. Tues.-Fri. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. noon-4 p.m. $8, $5 seniors, children under 1 free.

444 Dwight St., Holyoke or childrensmuseumholyoke.org

CITY STAGE

Box Office Phone: 413-788-7033 tickets@citystage.symphonyhall.com Box Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

· Complimentary Full Breakfast · Wireless Internet

· Extended Stay Suites with full kitchen available

03089850

· Indoor Pool, Whirlpool and Exercise Room

106 Capital Drive, West Springfield, MA Ph: 413.736.5000 • Fax: 413.731.5379 • 1-800-4CHOICE

VISIT US AT

WWW.CHOICEHOTELS.COM/HOTEL/MA016

40 | entertainment

One Columbus Center 150 Bridge Street, Springfield, MA 01103

ERIC CARLE MUSEUM OF PICTURE BOOK ART

Permanent exhibit: Gabrielle Healy Carroll Storytime Programs are held Tues. and Fri. 10:30 a.m.; Sat. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m., free with admission. Hours: Tues.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4

p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. noon5 p.m. $6, $9, $22.50 for a family of four. “Treasures from the Collection: A 15 Year Celebration” on view through April 1. 125 West Bay Road,

Amherst, carlemuseum.org.

EMILY DICKINSON MUSEUM 280 Main Street, Amherst, emilydickinsonmuseum.org

HISTORIC NORTHAMPTON MUSEUM AND EDUCATION

Permanent exhibit. Hours: Tues.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. noon-4 p.m. $3 individuals, $6 families, “Single Room Occupancy: Portraits and Stories from Northampton.

46 Bridge St., Northampton, historic-northampton.org.

HOLYOKE HERITAGE STATE PARK VISITOR CENTER

Permanent exhibit: Holyoke Parks and Recreation exhibits depict city’s history. Tues.-Sun. 12-4 p.m. free,

221 Appleton St., Holyoke (413) 534-1723.

JOSIAH DAY HOUSE

Permanent exhibit: featuring guided tours, artifacts, furniture, clothing and documents from 1754-1902.

Call for open house schedule and individual tours. $3, $1 children 6-12, free for members, 70 Park St., West

Springfield (413) 734-8322.

MASSACHUSETTS MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART

Permanent exhibit, “Works by James Turrell, Sol LeWitt, and Laurie Anderson” currently on extended view. Fall/Winter hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.,

Wed.-Mon, closed Tues. $20 adults, $18 seniors/veterans, $12 students with ID, $8 children (6-16); $2 EBT/WIC Cardholder; children under 6 and museum members including MCLA and Williams College students, visit for free, massmoca.org/event/the-lure-of-the-dark. 87

Marshall St., North Adams, massmoca.org.

MAJESTIC THEATER

131 Elm Street, West Springfield

MEAD ART MUSEUM

Permanent exhibit: various American and European paintings, Mexican ceramics, Tibetan scroll paintings and more. Museum hours: Tues.-Thurs. and Sun. 9 a.m.midnight; Fri. 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. free,

220 South Pleasant St., Amherst, amherst.edu.

MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE ART MUSEUM Permanent Exhibit: “Piece Together: The Quilts of Mary Lee Bendolph.” An exhibition featuring the improvisational and bold quilts of Mary Lee Bendolph from a town with generations of quiltmakers, Gee’s Bend, Alabama. Through May 27. Hours: Tues.-Fri. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 1-5 p.m. Free, open to the public,

Lower Lake Road, South Hadley, mtholyoke.edu.

NAISMITH MEMORIAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME

Permanent exhibit: three floors with dozens of handson exhibits, a regulation-sized basketball court and more than 900 artifacts on display. Hours: Mon.-Fri. and Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $19, $15 seniors 65+, $14 children 5-15, free for children 4 and under,

1000 West Columbus Ave., Springfield, hoophall.com.

NORMAN ROCKWELL MUSEUM

Permanent exhibit: Gallery talks on the second Tues. of every month at 1:30 p.m. Hours: Open daily Nov.-April weekdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., weekends and holidays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Gallery talks daily, 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. $18, $17 seniors, $10 students, $6 children 6-18, free for members and children 5 and under,

9 Route 183, Stockbridge, nrm.org.

OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE: PERMANENT EXHIBIT

Visit Kidstory, a new indoor learning gallery in the Visitor’s Center where kids ages 3-10 can try on period costumes and imagine life in the 1830s; “Neat and Tasty: Getting Dressed in Early New England”; apparel in portraiture. Hours: Wed.-Sun. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. $24, $22 seniors, $8 children 3-17, free for children under 3.

Route 20, Sturbridge, osv.org.

PAN AFRICAN HISTORICAL MUSEUM USA

Permanent exhibit: exhibitions by local artists. Hours: Tues.-Fri. noon-4 p.m. free,

1500 Main St., Springfield (413) 733-1823.

POLISH CENTER OF DISCOVERY AND LEARNING

03089824

Permanent exhibit: a living monument safeguarding historical objects representative of the material culture

entertainment | 41

conducted frequently each day.

Hours: Wed.-Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., closed on Mon. and Tues. National Parks passes available, picnic tables available on site.

of the Polish people in America.

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 1-5 p.m. $5 donation.

33 South St., Chicopee, polishcenter.net.

• Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History • The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss

21 Edwards St, Springfield

1 Armory Square, Springfield, nps.gov/spar.

SMITH COLLEGE MUSEUM OF ART

Elm Street at Bedford Terrace, Northampton, scam.smith.edu.

SYMPHONY HALL Performance venue

SPRINGFIELD MUSEUMS & DR. SEUSS IN SPRINGFIELD

34 Court Street, Springfield

• George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

TITANIC MUSEUM

Permanent exhibit: exhibits from the collection of the International Titanic Historical Society. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $4, $2 children and students,

• Springfield Science Museum

Ranger-led interpretive programs

• Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts

offered in the museum in the afternoon. Junior Ranger programs

208 Main St., Indian Orchard, titanic1.org.

Make New Travel Memories With Us - While Staying g With Us...

UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART - FINE ARTS CENTER

Relax & Focus on the experiences you came for in thee Crossroads of New England.

151 Presidents Drive, Amherst

03090109 09

QUALITY INN CHICOPEE-SPRINGFIELD PRINGFIELD 463 Memorial Drive, Chicopee, MA 01020 20 Reservations: 413-592-6171

Permanent exhibit. Hours: Tues.-Fri. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 2-5 p.m.

Closed Mondays, holidays and spring break.

VOLLEYBALL HALL OF FAME

Permanent sports exhibit. Hours: Thur.-Sun. noon-4:30 p.m. $2.50-$3.50,

444 Dwight St., Holyoke, volleyhall.org.

A comfortable central base for Massachusetts’ attractions Enjoy the comforts of home and friendly service at our Chicopee, MA hotel.

WISTARIAHURST MUSEUM

Permanent exhibit: “Wisteria Vines in Full Bloom.” Carriage House and Gift shop open Sat.-Sun, Mon. noon4 p.m.; Historic house tours $7, $5 students and seniors,

238 Cabot St., Holyoke, wistariahurst.org.

Hampton Inn Chicopee/Springfield

YIDDISH BOOK CENTER

600 Memorial Drive, Chicopee, MA 01020 413-593-1500 | www.hamptoninn.com

Permanent exhibit, “A Velt mit veltelekh: The Worlds of Jewish Culture.” $10, $8 member, $5 student.

1021 West St., Amherst, yiddishbookcenter.org.

Catch the Tru spirit. No matter where you travel.

To submit upcoming events or entertainment for the next issue of EXPLORE please

440 Memorial Drive, Chicopee, MA 413. 331 .5155

42 | entertainment

C h i c o p e e S p r i n g f i e l d .Tr u b y H i l t o n . c o m

03089618

TRU BY HILTON Chicopee/Springfield

email Allison Litera at alitera@repub.com

spooky happenings

TOP REGIONAL

FRIGHT FEST AT SIX FLAGS NEW ENGLAND

1623 Main St, Agawam, MA sixflags.com/newengland Fright Fest is the largest Halloween event in New England with over 20 different frightful things to experience, including themed rides, shows, and attractions. Includes family-friendly fun by day and frights by night.

DEMENTEDFX

530 Main Street, Holyoke, MA dementedfx.com Indoor haunted house open select weekends in October.

13 NIGHTS AT JIMINY

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort 13nightsatjiminy.com Haunted giant swing ride and haunted Soaring Eagle zipline ride (ages 10+).

94.7 WMAS-FM’S ANNUAL HALLOWEEN BALL

A HAUNTING ON RACE STREET

Gateway City Arts 92 Race Street, Holyoke gatewaycityarts.com Annual Halloween dance and costume party featuring live music and dancing.

Date TBD.

MONSTER MASH SCREAM PARK AT MCCRAY’S FARM

55 Alvord St, South Hadley fearonthefarm.com Haunted hayride, Massacre Manor, and other seasonal activities. Open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October. Haunted attractions open at 7 p.m. and operate until the last rider runs screaming!

GHOST TOURS AT THE MOUNT

947wmas.com Annual Halloween dance and costume party. Date TBD.

2 Plunkett St., Lenox edithwharton.org Home to the late writer Edith Wharton, The Mount offers ghost tours on Friday nights in October. Advance reservations are required.

LUDLOW POLISH AMERICAN CITIZENS CLUB HALLOWEEN BASH

CHICOPEE’S HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR

paccludlow.com Annual Halloween dance and costume party. Date TBD.

MONSTER BASH AT HOLYOKE HERITAGE STATE PARK holyoke.org Date TBD.

chicopeechamber.org October 30, 2018 Community Halloween party held in downtown Chicopee, trick or treating and a costume contest for the youngsters.

CORN-FUSING CORN MAZE AND HAYRIDE

Randall’s Farm, 631 Center St., Ludlow, MA randallsfarm.net Corn maze, pumpkin picking, and hayrides on weekends.

HALLOWEEN MALL-O-WEEN Holyoke Mall 50 Holyoke St., Holyoke holyokemall.com Children and their families can trick or treat among the mall’s participating stores. Date TBD.

MIKE’S MAZE

23 South Main Street, Sunderland mikesmaze.com Mike’s Maze is a family entertainment destination featuring an 8-acre corn maze! Activities, games, and amusements to entertain the entire family. Located on a working farm at the foot of Mount Sugarloaf, it is a unique experience for a fall-time visit to the farm. Ride a horse drawn wagon, ride a pony at the petting zoo, pick out your own Halloween pumpkin, and stay for lunch at the Corn Cafe.

THE HAUNTED GRAVEYARD AT LAKE COMPOUNCE

186 Enterprise Drive, Bristol CT hauntedgraveyard.com Weekends starting September 28. At dusk, we will take you on a terrifying one mile journey through darkly glittering catacombs to an eerie graveyard, to a vampire’s haunt, to a witch’s lair, then onto a misty lake and an ancient temple.

entertainment | 43

Museums HISTORY OF THE SPRINGFIELD

BY MAGGIE HUMBERSTON Head of Library and Archive

The Springfield Museums Association has a long and rich history and celebrates its 160th anniversary this year. Its nucleus was the formation of the library system in 1857 with the merger of collections of the Young Men’s Literary Association and the Springfield Institute. Two years later this collection was moved to a room in City Hall where it functioned for 12 years as a subscription library. In 1864 the city made its first monetary contribution towards supporting a public library. That same year George Bliss donated his land on State Street for a new library building. In 1871 the City Library opened its doors under the directorship of William Rice. The library building was a wonderful Gothic structure with winding staircases. The library also served in part as a museum space, housing and exhibiting the natural history collection, consisting of more than 6,000 objects, which had been collected by Springfield’s leading citizens like Daniel Lester Harris, who built the railway for the Czar of Russia.

In 1885 the City Library Association voted to do away with subscription membership and made the library free to the public. The popularity of this decision was evidenced in the increase in library materials circulation – in its first year circulation figures more than tripled.

The American Cenntennial year of 1876 fostered public interest in the nation’s history at both the national and local level. In Springfield this resulted in the formation of the Connecticut Valley Historical Society. Although it was a separate organization, it collaborated with the

44 | entertainment feature

Association in educational endeavors from its beginnings. William Rice, the Library Director, served as its Secretary.

The late 1890s were pivotal for the City Library Association. In 1895 the Springfield City Library collection numbered 100,000 volumes, making it the eighth largest public library in the United States. That same year George Walter Vincent Smith, in partnership with the Association, opened his Smith Art Museum adjacent to the City Library. Exhibits which had been housed in the Library building were moved into the Smith Museum, signaling the beginning of the separation of the library and the museums. In 1899 the Science Museum opened its doors, and materials pertinent to its mission were transferred from the Smith Museum to the Science Museum.

By the turn of the 20th century it was evident that the City Library building of 1871 would not be adequate for the needs of the public for much longer. In 1902 Hiller C. Wellman became Director the of Association and in his long tenure, which lasted until 1947, he oversaw the building of the present Springfield City Library building, which was funded in part by a generous donation of $200,000 from Andrew Carnegie, with the remaining $150,000 raised by private citizens. No municipal funds were used to construct the building, which opened in 1912.

The 1920s and 1930s saw the expansion of the Museums on the Quadrangle. In 1923 a new wing was added to the Smith Museum. In 1926 the Connecticut Valley Historical Society formed a partnership with the City Library Association and was granted Association land to

build a museum for its collections.

The Connecticut Valley Historical Museum was opened in 1927. In 1933 the Museum of Natural History built a major addition to its original building of 1899, increasing its exhibit space fourfold. That same year a new art museum was added to the Association as the final piece forming the Quadrangle. It was the gift of James and Julia Gray and was simply named the Museum of Fine Arts. It was built on the site of the former home of George Walter Vincent Smith on Chestnut Street.

In 1948 the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum joined the Association and ended its 22 year partnership status. In 1988 the Genealogy and Local History Department, which began in the City Library in 1905, was transferred to the Connecticut Valley History Museum.

The new millennium brought changes and additions to the Association. After an intensive fundraising campaign which began in 1996, the Association opened the Dr. Seuss National Memorial in 2002 in the Quadrangle’s beautiful park-like grounds. The group of Dr. Seuss characters and their creator, Theodor Geisel, were executed in bronze by Geisel’s step-daughter, Lark Dimond Cates. The sculpture garden is a visual delight and major photo op for visitors.

During this time period a Capital Campaign raised funds for the repair and refurbishment of Quadrangle buildings. The Central Library underwent major updating along with some of its older branches. In 2003 the City of Springfield decided to take over the management of the Springfield City Library system.

In 2004 the Springfield Museums’ Welcome Center was opened, with centralized ticketing and expanded visitor services, including a muchenlarged gift shop. In December 2010 an electrical fire damaged the Blake House, a wood frame structure dating from the 1840s, which was used for

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administrative offices. It was renovated and re-opened in 2012, with a modern café to serve museum visitors.

Generous benefactors have always been the lifeblood of the Quadrangle.

In 2006 the Association received a restricted donation from Alan Swift of West Hartford to purchase the 1939 Verizon building on Edwards Street across from the main Springfield Museums campus and renovate it for a new history museum. In 2008 Michele and Donald D’Amour contributed $4.3 million to be used in both the Museum of Fine Arts and the new History Museum. In October 2009 the new Museum of Springfield History was opened and collections from the old Connecticut Valley Historical Museum were transferred. It was formally named the Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History in May 2010 in honor of the Woods and their generous support. That same month the Museum of Fine Arts took on the name of its benefactors and became the Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts.

In 2017, on the first weekend of June, the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum was opened in the 90-yearold renovated building which had been the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum. It features the work of Theodor Geisel, born in Springfield in 1904 and raised in this city. Writing dozens of popular children’s book as Dr. Seuss, his title, “And to Think that I saw it on Mulberry Street”, pays homage to his home town. We like to think that he drew his inspiration for his wonderfully quirky drawings and stories from his life growing up in Springfield.

Plans for more exciting things are in the works so stay tuned and stop in to check for updates at springfieldmuseums.org.

entertainment feature | 47

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local flavor listings | 49

SPOLETO RESTAURANT 1 Bridge Street, Northampton 413) 586-6313 • spoletorestaurants.com

Hours: Dinner served Sunday through Wednesday, 4:30 to 9 p.m.; Thursday 4:30 to 10 p.m.; Friday 4:30 to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday 4:30 to 11 p.m.

Entree prices: $18 to $30 Credit cards: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa Handicapped access: Accessible, rest rooms equipped for wheelchairs Reservations: Accepted

Spoleto continues to be reliable choice for Northampton dining

BY FRAN BELLAMY SPECIAL TO THE REPUBLICAN For more than a quarter of a century Spoleto Restaurant has been a part of downtown Northampton's dining scene, offering stylish surroundings, capable service, and "new Italian" cuisine.

The passage of time has mellowed the restaurant's visuals somewhat, and its One Bridge Street location currently maintains a soothing brown-on-brown ambiance.

The 2018 menu at Spoleto focuses

50 | local flavor review

on Italian favorites, many of which are embellished with contemporary touches.

Pan-roasted Cod ($20), for instance, is served over farro while Wild Boar Ragu ($24) showcases the robust flavors of Canadian boar, Port wine, and pecorino cheese.

Among the restaurant's "classic" selections are Spaghetti and Meatballs ($16), Chicken Parmesan ($16), and Linguine with White Clams ($24).

Those who prefer red meat can enjoy a Filet Mignon ($30), while seafood lovers can content themselves with Scampi ($24) or Ciopinno ($28).

Antipasto choices at Spoleto are

primarily of the bar food variety - Spicy Olives ($4), hand-cut French Fries ($5), and Fried Calamari ($9).

We began our meal with two commonplace starters made uncommon by a tweak or two.

Brick Oven Roasted Calamari ($9) ditches deep-frying in favorite of blistering oven heat, a process that creates an intriguing, lightly caramelized crust without toughening the squid themselves. The calamari is enhanced before service with a mix of chopped fresh tomato, basil, and scallion.

Crab Cakes ($12) impressed us with the generous measure of crabmeat present within. A slice of fresh mozzarella and a dollop of basil pesto aioli topped each of the two cakes, layering on deliciously harmonious flavors and textures.

A Beets and Dill ($10) salad was less successful, its roasted garlic vinaigrette not successfully coexisting with the sweetness of the beets.

A classic Italian dish, Veal Saltimbocca ($28) is a preparation with which chefs often take liberties,

FOR MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A CENTURY SPOLETO RESTAURANT HAS BEEN A PART OF DOWNTOWN NORTHAMPTON'S DINING SCENE, OFFERING STYLISH SURROUNDINGS, CAPABLE SERVICE, AND "NEW ITALIAN" CUISINE. adding or subtracting ingredients according to whim or inspiration.

Such was the case with Spoleto’s version, which piles on the ingredients -- mushrooms, mozzarella, Marsala, and shallots -- along with the traditional fresh sage and prosciutto.

We nonetheless enjoyed the Marsaladoused mushrooms; their sweet-savory character worked well with the rest of

the dish.

Mushroom Ravioli ($18) was a complex creation, bringing three varieties of mushrooms together in a ricotta mixture that filled the halfdozen hand-formed pasta pockets. A trio of sauces -- basil pesto, a balsamic reduction infused with garlic, and a sundried tomato puree -- topped each ravioli, delivering enough taste bud energy to offset the rather onedimension stuffing.

Our third choice, Potato Gnocchi ($20), received particularly high marks.

The small dumplings of potatoenriched dough were the product of a delicate touch, which was a good thing since mishandled gnocchi can resemble gum erasers.

The gnocchi been sauteed with shallots and sage, finished with lemon and white wine, and garnished with toasted almonds and a sprinkling of Parmesan. A sliced-up grilled chicken breast garnished what we judged to be a remarkably satisfying dish.

Although salads don’t come with dinners at Spoleto, the house is generous with its freshly baked focaccia, offering a basket of it along with butter and olive oil.

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local flavor review | 51

and California. About four dozen options are listed with bottle prices averaging around $40, and a good number of by-the-glass choices are available as well.

An Italian-themed dessert card describes the likes of Tiramisu ($8), Dark Chocolate Mousse ($8) and Semifreddo ($12).

Spoleto’s Italian Cannoli ($6) was handsomely crafted, with macadamia nuts serving as an interesting addition to the traditional sweet ricotta filling.

A cornstarch-based vanilla custard served as core element of the restaurant’s Creme Brulee ($6), which had an exemplary burnt sugar crust.

Both desserts were garnished with whipped cream and fresh berries.

Spoleto accommodates those wishing to dine “light” with a selection of “pizzetas,” personal-size thin crust pizzas. The restaurant also offers a calendar of weekly specials.

Serving skillfully curated Italian fare, Spoleto retains its status as one of Northampton’s consistently reliable places to enjoy an evening out.

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SUMO

JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR 50 Holyoke St, Holyoke, MA 01040, Lower Level (413) 322-9887 • sumoholyokemall.com

Sumo Japanese Steakhouse a treat for eye, palate

BY FRAN BELLAMY SPECIAL TO THE REPUBLICAN Visual artistry is an important aspect of the Japanese culinary tradition, which believes food must be pleasing to the eye as well as to the palate.

Sumo Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, which opened recently across from Sears in Holyoke Mall, seems to subscribe to that guiding principle, since visual impact is a prime consideration in most everything the kitchen produces.

Certainly the restaurant itself is designed to impress patrons with its dark-toned, high style decor. From sushi bar to the teppan grill-equipped dining area, the space has a luxurious feel.

The menu at Sumo is a typical compendium of sushi bar and Japanese kitchen-style offerings.

Nigiri (raw fish and rice) choices range from Bean Curd ($3.25) to Tuna ($5.25), while traditional rolls include the likes of a Philly Roll ($5.50) and a Rainbow Roll ($9.95).

During a noon hour visit we enjoyed a Sushi & Sashimi Lunch (&13.95), a handsomely crafted sushi bar sampler.

Served on a faux slate plaque, the four pieces of sushi were neatly fanned out, while the five slices of sashimi also

Hours: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday; 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday Entree prices: $12.95 - $28.95 Credit cards: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa Handicapped access: Accessible, with rest rooms equipped for wheelchair use Reservations: Accepted

CERTAINLY THE RESTAURANT ITSELF IS DESIGNED TO IMPRESS PATRONS WITH ITS DARKTONED, HIGH STYLE DECOR. FROM SUSHI BAR TO THE TEPPAN GRILL-EQUIPPED DINING AREA, THE SPACE HAS A LUXURIOUS FEEL. included had been tucked into a small wood box. A California roll completed the presentation.

Nothing but praise for all the items presented; the sushi rice had just the right sticky texture and the fish, good clean flavor. We did observe, however, that the size and scale of the nigiri and the California roll pieces was somewhat smaller than we typically encounter.

In addition to sushi starters such

as Tuna Tartar ($10) and interesting sounding Nijia Poppers (they’re deepfried jalapenos stuffed with spicy tuna and cream cheese -- $9), Sumo offers a selection of “from the kitchen” appetizers. Those include Shrimp Shumai ($3.95), Gyoza ($4.95), and Crispy Duck ($10) with cucumber.

From that assortment we selected Yakitori ($4.95). Pleasingly arranged on a bed of shredded lettuce, the skewered pieces of chicken thigh were interspersed with red and green pepper chunks and sauced with a mild teriyaki glaze. Tasty enough, but the chicken pieces themselves proved to be a little chewy.

One clever appetizer effort was a Fresh Sashimi Pizza ($12), an Italian concept executed with Japanese ingredients. Based on a “crust” of sushi rice that had been baked into a browned and crispy wafer, the pizza was topped with sheets of nori (dried seaweed), spread with mashed avocado, and finally layered with thin slices of sashimi (we opted for tuna).

A drizzle of spicy mayonnaise and a finishing garnish of fresh sprouts

local flavor review | 53

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completed what we found to be a remarkably tasty (and definitely interesting) starter.

A “kitchen” entree of Beef Teriyaki ($17.95) was, like everything else we enjoyed at Sumo, skillfully executed.

The two steaks that constituted the order were cooked as requested; served on a bed of thin-sliced onions and bell peppers, they were glazed with teriyaki sauce and finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Steamed broccoli and a simple egg-and-soy fried rice rounded out the presentation.

Most entrees at Sumo come with a choice of salad or soup.

The miso soup we were served had a rich, mellow character, while the simple iceberg lettuce salad was finished with a creamy ginger dressing to which we took an immediate liking.

Fully licensed, Sumo offers the sort of beverage selection typical of Japanese restaurant - cocktails, about a dozen wine selections, beer, and sake.

Dessert options are also a predictable lot, including choices such as Strawberry Cheese Cake ($4), Moochi Ice Cream ($3) and Ice Cream Tempura.

Though we didn’t elect to sample any of Sumo’s hibachi entrees, we did observe that they’re prepared with all the requisite knife-handling and shrimp-flipping tomfoolery. The list of options available is extensive, ranging from a Hibachi Vegetable ($14.95) presentation to Hibachi Swordfish ($20.95) and Filet Mignon ($23.95).

We were pleased to find Sumo Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar consistently equipped to deliver enjoyable dining experiences inspired by the food ways of the Far East.

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IN ADDITION TO ENTREES, THE MICK OFFERS AN ASSORTMENT OF BURGER CREATIONS, WRAP SANDWICHES, AND “GOURMET” PIZZAS.

THE MICK

3 Country Club Road, Holyoke (413) 532-1800 • delaneyhouse.com/the-mick

The Mick offers fine casual dining in Holyoke

BY FRAN BELLAMY SPECIAL TO THE REPUBLICAN Though architecturally an integral part of Holyoke’s Delaney House Restaurant, over time The Mick has taken on an identity of its own, in the process becoming one of Holyoke’s more popular casual dining destinations.

Since part of The Mick’s mission is to serve as in-house restaurant for the adjacent D. Hotel and Suites, the restaurant’s menu is a something-foreverybody proposition.

“Country style entrees,” one menu theme, incorporate the likes of Shepherd’s Pie ($15.95) and a Pilgrim Turkey Dinner ($16.95).

Items more akin to chophouse fare are offered under the rubric of “Meat & Potatoes.” Selections thus identified range from apple glazed Orchard Pork Chops ($16.95) and Marinated Beef Tips ($18.95) to sliced Gorgonzola Sirloin ($19.95) that’s sauced with blue cheese cream.

58 | local f lavor review

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 4 to 8 p.m.

Entree prices: $15.95 - $21.95 Credit cards: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa Handicapped access: Accessible, with rest rooms equipped for wheelchairs Reservations: Accepted

Pasta-based “bowls” can be savored in variations such as Buffalo Mac n’ Cheese ($15.95), Chicken Parm ($16.95), and Blackened Salmon Alfredo ($19.95).

Among The Mick’s signature starters are Fried Calamari ($10) paired with banana peppers and red sauce, Baked Brie Crostini ($9.95), and Tuscan Bruschetta ($8.95).

A “Fire & Ice” assortment of raw bar specialties is also available.

We began our dinner by sharing an order of Bacon Ranch Pierogies ($8.95), an interesting riff on a comfort food favorite. Made with mini-pierogies stuffed with potato and cheese, the dish was topped with ranch dressing and plenty of soft crumbled bacon, two elements that added high profile contrast to the more modestly flavored

little dumplings. We thought the dish an inspired creation, equally enjoyable as either before-dinner appetizer or bar food snack.

While the Chop Chop Salad ($3.50) wasn’t invented at the Delaney House, it’s certainly a dish that Executive Chef Mick Corduff and his staff have perfected. Built on a base of coarsely chopped fresh greens, the salad features diced cucumber, chunks of tomato, carrot shreds, corn kernels, peas, bits of blue cheese, and crumbled bacon, all lightly dressed with mild vinaigrette. The portion we were served was more than enough for two to enjoy.

Also served with our meal was warm pull-apart bread.

A Penne ala Vodka ($16.95) bowl was

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Thrive on Long-Stays Desserts at The Mick are drawn from the same list as served in the adjacent Delaney’s Grill. Prepared in house, the selections range from Bananas Jamaican ($8.50) and Key Lime Pie ($8.50) to Creme Brulee ($9) and Rustic Apple Tart ($8).

The Tuxedo Mousse Cake ($8) is a special treat, featuring layers of both white and dark chocolate mousse; it’s a dessert confection with the power to placate any sweet tooth.

In addition to entrees, The Mick offers an assortment of burger creations, wrap sandwiches, and “gourmet” pizzas. Among the latter are options like the Hot Hawaiian - it’s topped with bacon, pineapple, and sliced banana peppers -- and the bacon, sausage, and pepperoni Miss Piggy (all pizzas are $12.95).

Offering a wide range of interesting (and skillfully prepared) knife-and-fork experiences, The Mick, we decided, deserves the popularity it enjoys.

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built on al dente penne dressed with a cream-mellowed marinara sauce; cubes of chicken, broccoli florets, diced red bell pepper, and grated cheese finished the presentation. A hearty dish, with plenty of satisfying Italianstyle flavor, we agreed.

“Korean” is a popular ethnic reference in the contemporary menu lexicon; typically “Korean” flavors are robust, somewhat earthy, and plenty hot.

The Korean Flat Iron Steak ($21.95) at The Mick didn’t, however, pack a high-voltage punch. Instead, the steak’s beefy flavor was enhanced by a teriyaki style glaze; a few red pepper flakes contributed subtle heat. Served with The Mick’s house-made French fries, the steak made for a first-rate meat and potatoes experience.

The Mick is, of course, fully licensed and pours a selection of craft beers and cocktails. The wine list offers moderately priced selections by both the glass and bottle.

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local f lavor review | 59

JOHNNY’S TAVERN 30 Boltwood Walk, Amherst (413) 230-3818 • johnnystavernamherst.com

Johnny's Tavern in Amherst offers skillfully prepared fine dining

BY FRAN BELLAMY SPECIAL TO THE REPUBLICAN Located in Amherst Center across from Town Hall, Johnny’s Tavern is part of the Yee family restaurant collection.

Doing business in a contemporarystyle space that features both lounge and dining room seating, the Tavern is an intimate, high-energy venue, its ambiance in sync with Amherst’s college town lifestyle.

Johnny’s Tavern describes itself as a “New American” eatery; a prominent menu subtext is a preference for dishes with Italian antecedents.

Thus entree choices at Johnny’s range from Roasted Mushroom Rigati ($17) and Spaghetti Bolognese ($17) to Cacio e Pepe ($19), a pasta dish finished with fried whole belly clams.

More conventional choices on the docket include Fried Chicken ($16), Pan-roasted Duck Breast ($23), Grilled Scottish Salmon ($23), and a Prime New York Strip ($26).

The small plate roster at Johnny’s

60 | local f lavor review

Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Kitchen shuts down 30 minutes prior to closing.

Entree prices: $16 - $26 Credit cards: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa Handicapped access: Accessible, with rest room equipped for wheelchairs Reservations: Accepted Tavern lists the likes of Fried Brussels Sprouts ($10), Tavern Wings ($11), and Salt & Pepper Style Calamari ($11).

Several soup choices are available as well, with a Beer Cheese & Onion Soup ($6) the featured spoonable.

We began by sharing a pair of appetizers. Baked Brie ($9) was a puffpastry-encased half round of cheese that came with water crackers on which to spread it. A drizzle of honey sweetened all, and we found the plate, though not particularly creative, an entirely suitable prelude to a meal.

Fried Green Tomatoes ($10) are a late summer farmhouse favorite that has been finding its way onto restaurant menus. The version served at Johnny’s Tavern had been dressed up a bit with balsamic vinegar reduction (a favored ingredient at Johnny’s), crumbles of feta cheese, a dollop of smoky-sweet bacon “jam,” and a hefty smear of aioli.

We liked the combination of flavors

- sweet, salty, sharp, and vegetal - but the starter was so hearty it definitely needed to be shared.

From the entree roster we settled on Braised Beef Papperdelle ($17), another robust bit of handiwork from Chef Bryan Graham. The tender shredded beef had been flavored with Marsala, an ingredient that added a definite sweetness to the composition. Mushrooms and carrots contributed earthy notes, a generous sprinkle of grated pecorino cheese factored in savory character, and the broad papperdelle noodles provided a neutral backdrop against which all could be enjoyed.

The restaurant’s New Bedford Sea Scallops ($26) presentation stacks a half dozen or so oversized scallops on top of a mound of creamy sweet pea risotto, while dots of a balsamic vinegar reduction introduce an additional dimension to the dish.

Our third entree, Cast Iron Roasted

JOHNNY’S TAVERN DESCRIBES ITSELF AS A “NEW AMERICAN” EATERY; A PROMINENT MENU SUBTEXT IS A PREFERENCE FOR DISHES WITH ITALIAN ANTECEDENTS. Boneless Half Chicken ($19), was plated atop Johnny’s creamy garlic mashed and a portion of broccolini.

A lemon-herb pan sauce moistened the chicken, which had fine flavor and juicy, tender flesh.

Definitely a meal worth repeating, we agreed.

Meals at Johnny’s come with a basket of focaccia bread paired with a dipping oil enlivened with spicy tomato puree. Salads are an extracost option, with a half dozen options available.

Johnny’s Tavern has a wine list of about two dozen options, with bottle prices clustered around $40. A fully stocked bar is available, and a number of craft beers are in stock as well.

The dessert menu promotes options such as Vanilla Fruit Tart (all desserts are priced at $8), Matcha (green tea) Cheesecake, and a Coconut Mousse Bombe.

A S’Mores Tart was prepared in an individual format with a chocolate crust, a milk chocolate mousse filling, and a topping of toasted marshmallow creme. A garnish of summer berries provided color.

The Dulce de Leche Roulade we sampled was a delight. A tender sponge cake rolled around a rich milk custard filling, the dessert was garnished with a drizzle of caramel, making the whole a memorable finale to a meal.

For lighter anytime enjoyment, Johnny’s Tavern features pizzette (individual thin-crust pizzas), several entree salads, and a half dozen sandwich offerings.

Providing a range of skillfully crafted options, Johnny’s Tavern, we agreed, is a dining destination worth seeking out.

local f lavor review | 61

Union Station

The histories of locomotive and two-story baggage claim, Union at a rapid rate. In the coming years, transportation and the City Station was regal. It was built with the 221,000 square-foot station was of Springfield have long been East Longmeadow sandstone, Milford too large for the demographic that it intertwined. Throughout the 18th granite, and had polished marble serviced. This led to Springfield Union century, most railroads were used walls. Union Station boasted a proud Station closing its doors in 1973. Since solely for construction purposes, past of ushering in soldiers during that time, a new plan for Springfield powered by horses or in some World War II, the Korean War, and Union Station took shape and over cases simple gravity. The first steam Vietnam War. In its heyday, families, four decades after the building closed powered locomotive, however, was the students, professionals and travelers its doors, a new sustainable intermodal Baltimore & Ohio Railroad that was would come and go through its transportation hub now stands in its used to shuttle both passengers and majestic atrium filled with vendors, place ready to welcome visitors once freight and had its inaugural trip in commotion, and anticipation. There again.

1827. Springfield, then still organized were three rail lines consisting of For a building that is 90 years as a town, saw the potential in train Boston and Albany; New York, New old and spent almost half its life in a travel and wasted no time opening Haven and Hartford; and Boston and dormant state, the reopening of Union its first train station in 1841. Eleven Maine. It is noted that at one time Station is an incredibly poignant and years later in 1852, when Springfield more than 130 passenger trains and much anticipated moment in our was incorporated as a city, a train 100 mail trains passed through the collective history. Springfield Union leaving the Springfield Station has Station was featured whispered to us A GRAND UNION STATION HAS ALWAYS prominently at the top time and time of the seal of the city. again, “renewal, BEEN PART OF THE PLAN FOR SPRINGFIELD The Union Station redemption, AND NOW THAT PLAN HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. reclamation.” we know today was actually the And, we have city’s fourth station risen to the and was not built until 1926. On its station on a daily basis. occasion.

Opening Day on December 18, 1926 As the Charles Hotel sat adjacent As the third largest city in the it is estimated that more than 30,000 to Union Station, the terminal was Commonwealth and fourth largest people toured the station on that filled with tourists and celebrities in all of New England, Springfield’s day alone. The building was hailed as alike. Stationmaster Herb Eaton ability to keep up with these one of the most modern in the entire remembered seeing all types of growing metropolises is anchored Northeast. Its massive amplitude was travelers pass through including in transportation. As the central impressive and somewhat unexpected Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt point of north-south travel as well as for a city still growing like Springfield. and Harry Truman. Eaton remembered east-west travel, the rehabilitation Newspaper headlines declared, “Frank baseball star Ted Williams as the of Springfield’s Union Station will A. Brown First Man to Buy Ticket.” It nicest. Other notables included Mae undoubtedly reestablish our foothold was a bustling gateway for the Greater West and Ethel Merman, and when as the crossroads of New England.

Springfield region but also offered so the circus came to town they brought A grand Union Station has always much more. With a restaurant, lunch along with them a 120-car long team been part of the plan for Springfield counter, barber shop, shoeshine parlor of performers, stagehands, and even a and now that plan has been and other small mercantile businesses, few camels. accomplished. the building was always abuzz. Historic However, due to the rise in other documents show that as many as 650 modes of transportation as well as

By Congressman Richard E. Neal passengers would fill the waiting room the shift in populations out of the from his intorduction to the book, before they began their journeys. metro centers, Union Station saw the “Saving Union Station, With its three-story main terminal number of rail passengers declining A 40 Year Effort Ends in Success.”

62 | getting around town feature

TAKING THE TRAIN TO AND FROM SPRINGFIELD FROM CONNECTICUT HAS GOTTEN A LOT EASIER. CTrail’s Hartford Line began service on June 16 at Union Station with stops in Windsor Locks (with express bus connections to Bradley International Airport), Windsor, Hartford, Berlin, Meriden and Wallingford before reaching New Haven.

Between the new CTrail and Amtrak, trains will provide a total of 34 daily trips on weekdays, including 11 Springfield-toNew Haven and 12 New Haven-to-Springfield trips.

There will be 12 trips on Saturdays (eight each Springfield-toNew Haven and New Haven-to-Springfield), and 13 trips on Sundays and holidays (nine each Springfield-New Haven in both directions).

It’s Connecticut’s first new train service in more than 20 years.

CTrail will be just the first step in a planned future rail expansion involving Springfield’s Union Station.

getting around town feature | 63

around town GETTING

PVTA DOWNTOWN CIRCULATOR BUS

A NO FARE downtown electric Proterra no-emissions bus running each hour from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

PVTA DOWNTOWN CIRCULATOR BUS ROUTE

ROUTE DETAILS:

Union Station Worthington Street Bridge Street Harrison Avenue Court Square State/Chestnut Streets* Springfield Armory* Quadrangle* MGM Springfield Basketball Hall of Fame * - No evening service

VALLEYBIKE

14 bike share locations throughout downtown. 140 “electric-assist” smart bicycles with built in GPS technology.

Purchase your membership directly on the ValleyBike Share App and get immediate access to ValleyBike Share bikes.

1. REGISTER - Become a member and use the ValleyBike Share bikes regularly. Choose your membership type and enroll.

2. RENT A BIKE - Walk to a station, choose your ValleyBike Share bike, and unlock it with your membership card or the ValleyBike Share Mobile App. 3. PEDAL AND RIDE - As you enjoy your ride, use the convenient bike screen to keep an eye on your rental time. The secondary lock can be used on regular bike racks for any quick stops you need to make along the way.

4. RETURN YOUR BIKE - Choose any station and park your ValleyBike Share bike in the dock. When you see the “docked bike” indication appear on the bike screen or hear the return sound, you have properly returned your bike. ValleyBike Share bikes can also be returned even when docking stations are full.

STATION LOCATIONS: BAYSTATE HOSPITAL/COMMUTER PARK, BAYSTATE HOSPITAL/MAIN CAMPUS, KENEFICK PARK, LIVE WELL AT MERCY MEDICAL CENTER, CONGRESS STREET, UNION STATION, STEARNS SQUARE, STCC/SPRINGFIELD ARMORY, MASON SQUARE LIBRARY, PYNCHON PARK/ MUSEUMS, COURT SQUARE, MGM SPRINGFIELD, SOUTH END/MAIN STREET, BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME

64 | getting around town

VALLEYBIKE MAP

stay

PLACES TO

AMHERST

HOTEL UMASS

1 CAMPUS CENTER WAY, AMHERST, MA

(877) 822-2110

UNIVERSITY LODGE

345 NORTH PLEASANT STREET, AMHERST, MA

(413) 256-8111

CHICOPEE

TRU BY HILTON 440 MEMORIAL DRIVE, CHICOPEE, MA

(413) 331-5155

HAMPTON INN 600 MEMORIAL AVE, CHICOPEE, MA

(413) 593-1500

RESIDENCE INN MARRIOTT

500 MEMORIAL DRIVE, CHICOPEE, MA

(413) 331-4440

QUALITY INN 463 MEMORIAL DRIVE, CHICOPEE, MA

(413) 592-6171

HADLEY

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT 423 RUSSELL STREET, HADLEY, MA

(413) 362-8405

ECONO LODGE 329 RUSSELL STREET, HADLEY, MA

(413) 582-7077

HOWARD JOHNSON HOTEL 401 RUSSELL STREET, HADLEY, MA

(413) 586-0114

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS 400 RUSSELL STREET, HADLEY, MA

(413) 582-0002

HOLYOKE

FAIRFIELD MARRIOT INN & SUITES 229 WHITING FARMS ROAD, HOLYOKE, MA

(413) 533-2800

NORTHAMPTON QUALITY INN

117 CONZ STREET, NORTHAMPTON, MA

(413) 586-1500

SPRINGFIELD

HAMPTON INN & SUITES 851 EAST COLUMBUS AVENUE SPRINGFIELD, MA

(413) 310-2300

SUFFIELD, CT

THE LILY HOUSE BED & BREAKFAST 13 BRIDGE STREET, SUFFIELD, CT

(860) 668-7931

WESTFIELD QUALITY INN

2 SOUTHAMPTON ROAD, WESTFIELD, MA

(413) 568-2821

WEST SPRINGFIELD CLARION HOTEL

1080 RIVERDALE STREET, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA

(413) 781-8750

BEST WESTERN INN 429 RIVERDALE STREET, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA

(413) 785-5365

CANDLEWOOD SUITES 572 RIVERDALE STREET, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA

(413) 739-1122

RESIDENCE INN

64 BORDER WAY, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA

(413) 732-9543

QUALITY INN

1150 RIVERDALE STREET, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA

(413) 739-7261

REGENCY INN & SUITES 21 BALDWIN STREET, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA

(413) 781-2300

SUPER 8

1500 RIVERDALE STREET, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA

(413) 273-8316

HAMPTON INN

1011 RIVERDALE STREET, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA

(413) 732-1300

RED CARPET INN

560 RIVERDALE STREET, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA

(413) 733-6678

RED ROOF PLUS HOTEL 1254 RIVERDALE STREET, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA

(413) 731-1010

EXPRESS INN

1557 RIVERDALE STREET, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA

(413) 737-9047

ECONO LODGE

1533 ELM STREET, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA

(413) 734-8278

COMFORT INN & SUITES 106 CAPITOL DRIVE, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA

(413) 736-5000

places to stay | 65

6 things to do CONNECTICUT

SEE A BROADWAY SHOW AT THE BUSHNELL

166 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT (860) 987-6000 • bushnell.org The Bushnell’s 2018-2019 Broadway Series is sure to be another great one with these upcoming broadway shows: THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG — September 25 - 30, 2018; FIDDLER ON THE ROOF — November 6 - 11, 2018; HAMILTON — December 11 - 30, 2018; CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY — February 19 - 24, 2019; RENT — March 12 - 17, 2019; COME FROM AWAY — April 30 - May 5, 2019; WAITRESS — June 18 - 23, 2019

VISIT THE MARK TWAIN HOUSE & MUSEUM

351 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT (860) 247-0998 marktwainhouse.org An impressive multi-room Victorian mansion, the former home of American writer Mark Twain.

CHECK OUT THE NEW ENGLAND AIR MUSEUM

36 Perimeter Rd, Windsor Locks, CT (860) 623-3305 • neam.org The Connecticut Aeronautical Historical Society, the parent organization of NEAM, was founded in 1959 and the Museum has been at its present location since 1981. Today, the Museum houses one of the world’s most outstanding collections of historic aviation artifacts: more than 80 aircraft and an extensive collection of engines, instruments, aircraft parts, uniforms and personal memorabilia.

UNLEASH YOUR INNER CHILD AT SONNY’S PLACE

VISIT THE CONNECTICUT SCIENCE CENTER

250 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT (860) 724-3623 • ctsciencecenter.org Opened in 2009, the Connecticut Science Center is home to over 100 hands-on exhibits for kids and their families. These include the Butterfly Encounter, movies and stage shows, a rooftop garden, and more.

66 | 6 things to do in CT

349 Main St, Somers, CT (860) 763-5454 • sonnysplace.com Whether you’ve got kids of your own or are just a kid at heart, Sonny’s Place has games and activities to make you smile. You can have a great time all day and not even break a sweat — or go head over heels for their most physical activities. Activities range from batting cages, go-karts, an arcade, rock wall, and mini-golf.

EXPLORE THE WADSWORTH ATHENEUM MUSEUM OF ART 600 Main St, Hartford, CT (860) 278-2670 • thewadsworth.org Did you know that the Wadsworth is the oldest continually operating public art museum in the U.S.? The building, opened in the mid 1800s, is an impressive feat in itself. Peruse the halls of French and American Impressionists paintings, modernist masterpieces and contemporary art, European artworks, African art, and Hudson River School landscapes. The museum also hosts a numerous amount of public events throughout the year.

Located in the city where it was invented, this 48,000 square foot basketball museum contains 3 levels of exhibits showing the history and heroes of the game, while giving visitors the opportunity to participate in skills contests.

Join us at the Basketball Hall of Fame where the game never ends!

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue Springfield, MA, 01105 hoophall.com 1-877-4Hoopla Instagram: hoophall

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