River

CONTINUES FROM PAGE E4

Northampton, the buoys also mark hazards such as rocks and low-depth areas. Without those warnings, boaters could accidentally strike rock outcroppings like the one south of Brunelle’s Marina, and such an impact could turn the captain and passengers into projectiles. Make sure you drive defensively and ask questions if you’re unsure where the hazards lie. In addition to Brunelle’s (413-536-3132), there are three other marinas on the water: Sportsman’s Marina in Hadley, (413-320-3740), Oxbox Marina in Northampton (413-584-2775) and Mitch’s Marina in Hadley (413-3150570).

These local marinas typically rent boat slips and launch boats, and most sell boats, accessories and gas; Mitch’s does not have a shop, nor do they pump gas.

As I’ve said, befriend the marina owners and collaborate for best results. Because they know the hazards of boating in high water, for instance, they close their ramps when the water is high, giving you a clear indication to try again another day.

Each of these organizations has had a difficult

Beer

CONTINUES FROM PAGE E5 new, shiny breweries stuffing their wares on the shelves, and you have a recipe for decline, if not demise.

One can only drink so much beer, and choices must be made. Sure, a person can attempt to try every new brew that hits the market, but that doesn’t solve any one brewery’s problems. In fact, I could argue that spending a little on a lot of breweries is worse in some ways, because most businesses count on repeat customers. (For the record, I’m certainly not trying to tell anyone how to spend their beer money. I’m just making summer season this year, with never-ending rains that brought flood waters, debris and chaos to their boat slips. Before you go, give a call to see what services they are able to offer at this time, and be patient with whatever limitations they may have. It’s been a harrowing time. Sportsman’s Marina lost 600 feet of dock in one storm, and at Brunelle’s, owner Luke Brunelle passed away recently, unexpectedly.

To understand when the river is not safe for boating, know that the river’s safest depth is about eight or nine feet, and when the river rises to 12 feet, it’s no longer prudent to be out on the water because the current is too swift. You can find the depth in Montague online on the National Weather Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service; what you’ll see is a prediction for eight hours in the future.

Several marinas previously rented boats and kayaks, but they do not anymore. Brunelle’s does have a vendor on site, called Paddle N’Party, and it rents hydro bikes, kayaks and paddleboards. For more information, call 413-552-7074 or email cassie@paddlenparty. com.

You can also ask Brunelle’s about the Freedom Boat Club, which is a bit like a a point about the nature of business.)

I am still of the mind that there is plenty of room for more craft breweries. Craft beer is still a (relatively) small segment of the overall beer market. I realize that not everyone is going to like beer. I also realize that taste is subjective and not everyone is going to enjoy a more full-flavored craft beer. But I still think there are plenty of people who just need to sample craft offerings and expand their range.

One last note about Anchor: New England brewery Narragansett recently started a petition on change.org called “Stand Together to Save Anchor Brewing Company!” long-term boat lease you can use not only at his Hadley marina but across the country. I was tempted to join over the winter, but there are no vendors in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, where I’d also like to boat, so I did not.

Here are some other tips:

• Make sure your equipment is working properly. Before you head out each time, check your horn and lights, and ensure that your fire extinguisher has not expired. Make sure you have an anchor, extra lines (in case you need a tow or to otherwise tie off somewhere) and at least one paddle. Every spring, also check your life vests; they wear out.

• Get a map of the river. The map shows the no-wake zones and hazards, and you can pick one up at any marina.

• Put a life vest on anyone younger than 12, and if you’re canoeing or kayaking from Sept. 15-May 15, when the water is apt to be cold, the law requires a life jacket be worn.

Janice Beetle writes about outdoor activities in Western Mass—from hiking and biking to kayaking, boating and jet skiing in summer, and snowshoeing and skiing when there is snow on the ground. Send ideas and feedback to Janice@ BeetlePress.com.

As of this writing, it had about 6,200 signatures. Not sure if these types of efforts can help, but they can’t hurt.

Beer Note Springfield’s White Lion Brewing will host a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend block party at 1550 Main St., featuring Springfield native and former NBA player Travis Best.

The fun will kick off on Aug. 11 with a celebration of 50 years of hip-hop with music by PZO Pete. Then on Aug. 12, the festivities will include Brandon Serafino, Aaron Joseph, Nector Garcia, and Malado.

The event is free and open to the public.

This week, you can learn more about three, great Italian wines that just happen to come in a box. And another great selling point about these wines – the price. Because box wines are bigger, you often get more bang for your buck. The most expensive of the three, Italian box wines featured this week costs $29.99 for a three-liter box, which is the equivalent of four, regular-sized bottles of wine. That works out to $7.50 a bottle.

I’m not sure if you’ve been wine shopping recently, but it’s getting really hard to find great wines these days for under $10 a bottle. That’s one of the reasons why I’m so excited about these three, distinct Italian wines. Hope you enjoy them as well.

Wine tasting notes

• Sandy Giovese Vino Rosso ($29.99 for 3 liter box at Provisions in Northampton)

Grapes: 85% sangiovese, 15% trebbiano

Tasting notes: This red wine suggests to “chill me.” You might be reluctant to do so. Chill a red wine? Trust me. Take their advice. This refreshing red wine tastes great slightly chilled. Hints of fresh cherries, raspberries and sea salt give this bright, lively, crisp red wine a wonderful flavor and finish. So don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try this delicious, chilled red box wine perfect for warm, sunny summer afternoons.

• Rosie Giovese Vino Rosato ($29.99 Suggested Retail Price for 3 liter box)

Grapes: 60% sangiovese, 30% merlot, 10% lacrima

Tasting notes: This delightful, dry rose wine hits all the right notes for a perfect summer wine – refreshing, crisp, clean and easy drinking. Its flavors are also light and subtle and fragrant with hints of strawberry and raspberry. Trust me on this box wine as well – it’s a truly charming, understated wine that’s another outstanding bargain that will last for the rest of the summer after you open this box.

• 2020 Mise Montepulciano ($24.99 for 3 liter box at Provisions)

Grapes: 100% montepulciano

Tasting notes: This red wine from the Abruzzo region in central Italy’s easily one of my favorite wines of the summer. If you prefer your wines more on the austere and dry side, this outstanding wine’s a steal at roughly $6.25 a bottle. Hearty, meaty, flinty flavors include dried cherries, toasted almonds and dark chocolate. So trust me on this one as well. Think outside the box and give these Italian wines a try. You’ll save a ton, without sacrificing anything.

Cheers!

Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s Weekend section every Thursday.

Events

Thursday

Almanac Dance Circus Theatre: Thu., 6 p.m., Jacob’s Pillow Dance, Henry J. Leir Stage. Choose what you pay. 358 George Carter Road, Becket, 413-243-0745 or jacobspillow.org.

Artists in Action Summer Camp: Thu.-Sun., 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Girls Inc. of the Valley, for girls in 6-7th grade. This three-week long program will run from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Breakfast, lunch, and snack will be provided. To register, visit girlsincvalley.org. 480 Hampden St., Holyoke.

Arts Alive 2023: Spirits of Chesterwood: Thu., 4 and 6 p.m., Spirits of Chesterwood is an intergenerational dance project created by seven local choreographers in the Pulse community, $25. Williamsville Road, Stockbridge; chesterwood.org.

Chicopee Library Thursday Night

Concerts: Thu., 6:30 p.m. Chicopee Main Library, New Inca Sun-Andean Music ensemble. Outside, weather permitting. Bring a chair or blanket. 449 Front St., Chicopee, 413-594-1800.

Duryea Way Wine & Beer Garden: Thu., 4-7 p.m. Duryea Way, Thurs. through Sept. 14. Lee Totten Revival to perform. Hotdog bar to celebrate Dog Days of Summer. Beer of the Night: Corona & Corona Seltzer. Worthington and Taylor Streets, Springfield.

Friends of the Mount Holyoke Range Summer Concert Series: Thu., 6 p.m., Mount Holyoke Range State Park, Jeff Barnhart. For tickets and information, visit FriendsofMHR.org, $12 advance online, $15 at the door. 1500 West St., Amherst, 413-253-2883.

“Hope I Die Before I Get Old”: Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m. Blue Room at CitySpace, $15. 43 Main St., Easthampton.

Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival presents Oona Doherty: Thu., 8 p.m.; Fri. and Sun., 2 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m., Oona Doherty in the Ted Shawn Theatre. Tickets from $60. 358 George Carter Road, Becket, 413-243-0745 or jacobspillow.org.

Jeff Holms Big Band with Dawning Holmes: Thu., 6:30 p.m. Fountain Park. Free, $5 parking fee. 883 Tinkham Road, Wilbraham.

“Let Go” by No Theater: Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m. A.P.E. Gallery, extended through July 29, eventbrite. com/e/let-go-by-no-theatertickets-638861751697; seating is limited, $20. 126 Main St., Northampton, 413-586-5553 or apearts.org.

The Driftwoods at Majestic Theater: Thu., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Majestic Theater presents The Driftwoods: Beach Boys Tribute. For tickets, call the box office at 413-747-7797, $28, $26. 131 Elm St., West Springfield, 413-747-7797 or majestictheater. com.

MGM Casino: Thu.-Sun., MGM Springfield, featuring retail stores, restaurants, Regal Cinemas and more. For more information, visit mgmspringfield.com, 1 MGM Way, Springfield.

Puppetry Percolator Workshop

Series: Thu., 5-8 p.m., LAVA Center, takes place on the fourth Thurs. of each month. Drop in to examine puppetry’s history and evolution as an art, play with different forms, and workshop simple puppets and performance. This series is appropriate for teens and adults. Donations are welcomed. 324 Main St., Greenfield.

Tanglewood presents TMC Festival of Contemporary Music: Thu., 8 p.m.; Fri., 2:30 p.m. Tanglewood, TMC Festival of Contemporary Music. Ozawa Hall, 297 West St., Lenox, 888-266-1200 or tanglewood.org.

FRIDAY

Artists in Action Summer Camp: See Thursday listing

Berkshire High Peaks Festival: Fri., 7:30 p.m. Jackman L. Stewart Center at Berkshire School, Free. Route 41, Sheffield.

Friday Mornings for Children at Stanley Park: Fri., 10-11 a.m. Stanley Park, Annie & The Wonderband presents “Whales & Tales” in the Beveridge Pavilion Annex. In case of inclement weather, go online to stanleypark.org. Free. 400 Western Ave., Westfield, 413-568-9312 or stanleypark.org

“Hope I Die Before I Get Old”: See Thursday listing

Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival presents Oona Doherty: See Thursday listing

“Let Go” by No Theater: See Thursday listing

Longmeadow Stand Outs: Fri., 4-6 p.m. Corner of Longmeadow Street and Forest Glen Road. A new sign about Stand Up Against Violence was added to the Stand Out display of diverse signs, next to the sign End Violence Now. The Stand Outs started in 2020, after the murder of George Floyd. The initial signs were Black Lives Matter and Unity Against Racism. Stop Asian Hate and United Against Antisemitism signs were later added. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, signs Ukraine In Our Hearts and

Support Ukraine, along with the Ukrainian flag, were displayed, Longmeadow Street and Forest Glen Road, Longmeadow.

Majestic Theater presents Rick Larrimore: Fri., 7:30 p.m. Majestic Theater, Rick Larrimore: Rod Stewart Tribute. For tickets, call the box office at 413-747-7797, $28, $26. 131 Elm St., West Springfield, 413747-7797 or majestictheater.com.

MGM Casino: See Thursday listing Oyu Oro Afro Cuban Experimental Dance Ensemble: Fri., 6 p.m., Jacob’s Pillow Dance, Henry J. Leir Stage. Choose what you pay. 358 George Carter Road, Becket, 413243-0745 or jacobspillow.org.

Tanglewood presents TMC Festival of Contemporary Music: See Thursday listing Tanglewood presents BSO with Giancarlo Guerrero: Fri., 8 p.m., Tanglewood, BSO: Giancarlo Guerrero conduct Mahler & Wolfe featuring the Lorelei Ensemble. Shed. Tickets, $21-$87. 297 West St., Lenox, 888-266-1200 or tanglewood.org.

Saturday

Artists in Action Summer Camp: See Thursday listing Christmas in July Fireworks & Nightskate: Sat., 9 p.m. Unity Park & Skatepark, 56 1st Street, Turners Falls.

Commemoration of Calvin Coolidge Centennial: Sat., 2-4 p.m., Forbes Library. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Calvin Coolidge’s presidency, the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum at Forbes Library will host an afternoon of 1920s history, music, and food. 20 West St., Northampton, 413-587-1011 or forbeslibrary.org.

Dunham Legacy Project: Sat., 6 p.m., Jacob’s Pillow Dance on the Henry J. Leir Stage. For tickets, go online to jacobspillow.org, $15-$35. 358 George Carter Road, Becket, 413-243-0745.

“Hope I Die Before I Get Old”: See Thursday listing Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival presents Oona Doherty: See Thursday listing

“Let Go” by No Theater: See Thursday listing Majestic Theater presents Jimmy Mazz: Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Majestic Theater, Jimmy Mazz: Legends & Laughter. For tickets, call the box office at 413-747-7797, $28, $26. 131 Elm St., West Springfield, 413747-7797 or majestictheater.com.

MGM Casino: See Thursday listing Silk Scarf Art: Sat., 2 p.m., Jones Library. Environmental alchemist

Rhonda Fazio will lead participants through the design process with the art of pure color. All dyes are natural and extracted without the use of harmful chemicals. All materials are included in each workshop. Space is limited and registration is required. Visit the reference desk at the library or call 413-259-3096; free and open to the public. 43 Amity St., Amherst, 413-256-3090 or joneslibrary.org

Tanglewood presents BSO with Dima Slobodeniouk: Sat., 8 p.m.

Tanglewood, BSO: Dima Slobodeniouk conducts Messiaen, Ravel and Zubel. Shed. For tickets, visit tanglewood.org, $21-$87. 297 West St., Lenox, 888-266-1200. Tanglewood in the City: Sat., 5 p.m., Pittsfield Common. The rain date is Sunday. Designed to appeal to audiences of all ages, Tanglewood in the City offers family-friendly activities including live performances by local artists, food trucks, and vendors and culminates in a screening of a Boston Symphony Orchestra performance on a large video wall. Pre-concert activities begin at 5 p.m., and the Tanglewood concert screening begins at 7:30 p.m., free. 100 1st Street, Pittsfield.

Sunday

Artists in Action Summer Camp: See Thursday listing

Berkshire High Peaks Festival: Sun., 7:30 p.m., Jackman L. Stewart Center at Berkshire School, free. Route 41, Sheffield.

Foster Memorial Church Services: Sun., 9:30 a.m., Foster Memorial Church. During the summer, the church offers special music and continues to provide child care and church school. All are welcome. For more information about the church, go online to fostermemorial.org or call the church office at 413782-2112. 1791 Wilbraham Road, Springfield.

Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival presents Oona Doherty: See Thursday listing

Lee Sundays in the Park Concert Series: Sun., 12:30-2:30 p.m., Lee Common, Sundays in the Park Concert Series, Main Street, Lee.

Majestic Children’s Theater presents ‘The Aristocats Kids’: Sun., 1 and 4 p.m. Majestic Theater, Disney’s “The Aristocats Kids.” For tickets, call the box office at 413-747-7797, $12. 131 Elm St., West Springfield, 413-747-7797 or majestictheater.com.

MGM Casino: See Thursday listing Old Deerfield Sunday Afternoon Concert Series: Sun., 3 p.m., Memorial Hall Museum presents Jane Fiske and Friends, Jane Fiske Piano.

$15 adults, $8 seniors & students. Tickets available at the door. 8 Memorial St., Deerfield. 413-774-3768, ext. 10, or deerfield-ma.org.

Sevenars Concerts: Sun., 4 p.m., Sevenars Academy presents Liana Paniyeva, pianist, $20 suggested donation at the door. Ireland Street at Route 112, Worthington, 413238-5854 or sevenars.org.

ShelterFest featuring ZEBOP! Santana Tribute, Drive Time, Southern Rain: Sun., 1-7 p.m., Springfield Lodge of the Elks #61. Local acts play for free to raise money for the region’s largest homeless shelter, Friends of the Homeless. Featuring local bands, food trucks (North Elm Butcher Block) and craft beer from Amherst Brewing. No tickets needed to this free event, but suggested donation of $15 requested at the gate. Rain or shine. Family-friendly with yard games. Leashed pets OK. Blankets and beach chairs welcome. Outside water & snacks OK, but attendees are asked to consider supporting the local food trucks. No outside alcohol. Free. 440 Tiffany St., Springfield.

Stanley Park Sunday Night Concerts: Sun., 6-8 p.m. Stanley Park, Valley Cats. Beveridge Pavilion. In case of inclement weather, visit the park’s Facebook page. Free. 400 Western Ave., Westfield, 413-5689312 or stanleypark.org.

Tanglewood presents BSO with Anna Rakitina: Sun., 2:30 p.m. Tanglewood, BSO: Anna Rakitina conducts Paganini, Reid, Prokofiev, featuring Joshua Bell, violin. Shed. For tickets, visit tanglewood.org, $24-$115. 297 West St., Lenox, 888-266-1200.

Quadrangle

Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden: Outdoor sculpture garden of larger-than-life bronze statues of Springfield native Dr. Seuss at his drawing board surrounded by some of his most beloved characters including Horton the Elephant, the Grinch, the Lorax and others. Free on the green.

George Walter Vincent Smith

Art Museum: Permanent exhibit: “Ancient Treasures,” a display of artifacts from ancient China, Greece, Rome and Egypt.

Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: “Big Games, Big Fun,” through Sept. 3.

“The Grinch: A Car with a History,” through Nov. 1, 2023. “We Have a Story To Tell: Stories, Maps, and Relationship to Place,” through Sept. 3. Permanent exhibit: More than two dozen Indian motorcycles SEE CALENDAR, PAGE E9