‘Gilmore Girls’ fans can get their fill at Monson coffee shop, masslive.com/entertainment
‘SHEAR MADNESS’: Majestic Theater begins 27th season with comedy, D4
LIVE WIRE: Big E offering big music acts this year, D4
Arts
GREEK CELEBRATION: Glendi returns to Springfield for 3-day run, D5
51st annual festival returns this weekend to Springfield, Page D2
51st annual festival returns this weekend Arts fest on Mattoon Street
By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican
Abowl is what you make of it.
Some customers purchase Sam’s Wooden Bowls because they see them as objects of art to display in their home. Others simply purchase them for their practicality.
Visitors to this year’s 51st annual Mattoon Street Arts Festival will be able to decide for themselves when Sam Scherer joins 100 other artists and artisans at the outdoor craft show on Saturday and Sunday. The popular event is held on Matttoon Street in Springfield, which is distinguished by its restored brick Victorian row
houses located in the city’s first historic district.
Exhibitors will be showing off their crafty creations in a variety of categories including printmaking, painting, ceramics, jewelry, general crafts/ mixed media, wood/metal, photography, glass and fibers. Only items created by the exhibitors are sold.
“We have a high return rate on our exhibitors, and we were sold out in early April. About 90 percent return for another year and this year we have added about 15 new exhibitors,” said Bob McCarroll, a member of the Mattoon Street Historic Preservation Society, which sponsors the event.
Scenes from a past year’s Mattoon Stret Arts Festival in Springfield. This year’s festival returns to the city’s first historic district Sept. 7-8. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN & THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTOS)
“Exhibitors tell us that this is their favorite show. I believe it is a combination of being on such a unique street to exhibit their works combined with the fact that neighbors on the street help them to set up and often have coffee and snacks for them.”
BOB MCCARROLL, MEMBER, MATTOON STREET HISTORIC PRESERVATION SOCIETY
widowmaker someday.”
“Exhibitors tell us that this is their favorite show. I believe it is a combination of being on such a unique street to exhibit their works combined with the fact that neighbors on the street help them to set up and often have coffee and snacks for them,” he added.
Sam Scherer of Sam’s Wooden Bowls is making his firsttime appearance at Mattoon Street.
“I was in Amherst at the Saturday market when someone asked me if I would like to attend, and they just happened at the time to have space left,” Scherer said.
A retired public-school teacher who turned to the arts for relaxation and being one-onone with nature, his bowls are made from local wood - he lives in Orange - including cherry, walnut, maple and birch.
“I wanted to get a hobby and tried pottery, but didn’t like it,” Scherer said.
Then fate intervened, involving a big leaf maple tree that his neighbor said would be “a
As Scherer tells it on his website: “Three men showed up one day during my convalescence from back surgery, wood turners all. Three men, three different styles, and they welcomed the tree as I now welcome trees to my bowl-making practice. They opened their shops and hearts and teaching to me.”
Ever the teacher himself, Scherer offers advice to those who stop into his booth.
“When talking with people, I make them hold a variety of my bowls and I ask them whether they are receiving or offering the bowl. Of course, somebody will say, ‘Well, the bowl is empty.’ But I tell them it is full with their energy once they hold it and select it. It is what is going on between them and nature as opposed to something plastic or stainless steel,” Scherer said.
“I also tell them how to care for their wooden bowl and that it will outlive them, and that they will need to think about who they want to have the bowl upon their passing,” he added.
And, yes, the bowls are prac-
the festival’s food court will be serving up delicious treats from Crepes Nanou and Mim’s Queer Shack, both new this year, as well as Moe’s Dogs, Wicked Whisk, Thai Chili Food Truck, Island Cow Ice Cream, P’frogi by Irida and Monsoon Roastery.
Adding a bit of frivolity to the event, street performers making a joyful noise include Joel Meginsky, Over Easy Dixie Jazz Band, Paul Grzebieniowski, William Hart, Dominic Cucinotti, George David, and Pumpkin Tube. A Tin Manthink “Wizard of Oz” - also occasionally roams the street handing out candy
Admission is free. Hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
tical and can be used for things like candy, popcorn and some other foods, but not everything he will tell you.
The culinary arts will also be represented at the festival with booths from Wicked Good Treats by Elaine, Saltbox Sea-
sonings, Patty Cakes Gourmet Cupcakes, Everythang Sauce, Allechant Macarons, CrèmeBru.la, Sweet Babu’s, Vermont Vermouth, Tribe Power Bites and Honey Bear Tea.
For hungry visitors who want to eat right on the spot,
Mattoon Street is located off Chestnut Street, near the Springfield Museums. Free festival parking can be found in the TD Bank lot on Dwight Street and on Harrison Avenue. On-street parking is free on the weekends.
For more information, visit mattoonfestival.org.
At left, Mark Jacobson, of Springfield, shows off the new T-shirt he purchased at the 50th Mattoon Street Arts Festival. Above, OverEasy, a New Orleans jazz band, performs at a past festival. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTOS)
Nightclubs
THURSDAY
Delaney House: Alex Rohan. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke
The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center: Cut Chemist. 289 Main St., Greenfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Country Music. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield
FRIDAY
Antimony Brewing: Tom Savoy. 55 Pittsfield Road Building 2, Lenox
Delaney House: Ask Me Now. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke
East Mountain Country Club: Axis Band. 1458 East Mountain Rd, Westfield
MGM Springfield: MGM Free Music Fridays: Aquanett. 1 MGM Way, Springfield
Shaker Farms Country Club: Just Go With It. 866 Shaker Road, Westfield
The Drake: Dogpark with Juniper. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst
The Meeting House: Dave Brinnel. 827 Williams St., Longmeadow
Theodores’: Down the Stairs. 201 Worthington St., Springfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Roots, Blues and Rock. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield
West Springfield’s Irish House
Restaurant & Pub: The Allen Brothers. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield
SATURDAY
Delaney House: Floyd Patterson. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke
MGM Springfield: MGM Roar Comedy Club: Brian Glowacki. 1 MGM Way, Springfield
The Drake: Tone Forrest: Miro Sprague, Marty Jaffe, Jason Ennis. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst
Theodores’: Arno and the Low Down. 201 Worthington St., Springfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Modern, Contemporary Rock. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield
West Springfield’s Irish House
Restaurant & Pub: The Ireland Parish Band. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield
SUNDAY
Fort Hill Brewery: Tom Savoy. 30 Fort Hill Road, Easthampton
The Drake: Solomiya Ivakhivo, Melvin Chen. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst
The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center: Zydeco/Cajun Sunday with Zydeco Connection. 289 Main St., Greenfield
Actors, from left, Michael DeVito, Steven Sands, and Elizabeth Pietrangelo are shown in a moment from the comedy “Shear Madness,” which kicks off the Majestic Theater’s 27th season. The play runs through Oct. 20. (KAIT RANKINS PHOTO)
WEST SPRINGFIELD
‘Shear Madness’ at the Majestic Theater
By K eith O ’C onnor
Special to The Republican
It’s going to be shear madness for the next couple of months, beginning today, at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield.
But there is nothing crazy going on.
“Shear Madness” is the award-winning play recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running nonmusical play in American theater history.
Written by German playwright Paul Pörtner in 1963, “Shear Madness,” originally titled “Scherenschnitt,” was a serious murder mystery until Bruce Jordan and Marilyn Abrams got their hands on it and adapted it into a rollicking comedy.
The premise is that it is a day like any other at the Shear Madness Salon, when
Big E offering plenty of big musical acts this year
THERE HAS BEEN A bit of crispness in the evening air lately and that means many folks will have one main thing on their minds: The Big E is right around the corner.
suddenly, the lady upstairs gets knocked off. Who dunit? That is what audiences help craft along the way in this interactive comedy that has been seen by more than 13 million people around the world.
“‘Shear Madness’ has a bit of a history here at The Majestic,” said the theater’s founder Danny Eaton.
“We did a big fundraiser before the pandemic to raise money to install a sprinkler system. It was a lottery, and 25 tickets were drawn, and we brought them to Boston to see the play, and it has been on my list to do ever since.”
In fact, it was Boston that helped set the “Shear Madness” record in November 1987, with 12,610 consecutive performances.
Yet another coincidence.
The Eastern States Exposition, which runs from Sept. 13-29 this year, is a smorgasbord of New England’s most popular interests, from agriculture to livestock to food to entertainment. It’s this last category that interests us here in this column, and the music section of the festival’s lineup isn’t limited to New England bands – there are plenty of national headliners taking the stage as well.
Let’s take a look at the bigger musical acts that will play the Big E Arena this year:
On Sept. 13, Phil Wickham
will kick off the arena’s slate of shows. Wickham has been nominated for multiple Grammy awards over the past two years, with his most recent album going to No. 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums. His song, “This Is Our God,” remained No. 1 on Billboard for multiple
Ludacris, left, and Phil Wickham, right, are among the music acts on the line-up for this year’s Big E, which begins on Sept. 13 and runs through Sept. 29.
George Lenker
WIRE
SPRINGFIELD
Celebrate all things Greek
Glendi returns to Springfield for 3-day run
By K eith O ’C onnor
Special to The Republican Xenophon Beake as a devoted Greek has for years been attending Glendi, which begins on Friday and runs through Sunday at the Greek Cultural Center in Springfield. He has now served for seven years as chair of the “celebration of everything Greek” that centers around friendship, good times, music and dancing, as well as the Greek Orthodox faith and culture.
And of course, the flavorful Greek food is one of the main, if not the main, reasons people look forward
to Glendi each year.
While there is so much to learn about the Greek culture for those attending Glendi, Beake said he doesn’t mind all the attention being placed on their delicious food.
“The sale of food is our greatest money maker to support the parish and our efforts as a congregation,” Beake said.
To help you plan in advance what you will want to select from the extensive menu, whether eating it at the festival or taking it home, there are many choices, including:
• Loukoumathes: Hotpuffed, deep-fried pastry with honey syrup and cinnamon
• Diples: Hand-wrapped dough in a honey syrup topped with sesame seeds and nuts
TUESDAY
Chicopee Elks #1849
431 Granby Road, Chicopee 413-592-1849
Bingo Tuesday
Doors Open at 4PM
2 Progressive Jackpots 6:15PM Early Bird 6:20PM Start
Min. Entry Package $15
Open Seating
2 Halls for Players Handicap Restroom 1st Floor
WEDNESDAY
Polish American Citizens Club 355 East Street, Ludlow, 583-6385
Bingo Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm
Doors Open at 4pm. Minimum Admission $50
1 - 1199 Progressive Betty Boop 50/50 Prize $900
2 - $500 Cover Alls
3 - $400 Special Games All regular games $100 with 80 people or More. All Cards are included with Admission. Prizes climb with additional attendence. Full
THURSDAY
Fairview Knights of Columbus 1599 Memorial Drive, Chicopee (413) 532-2011
DOORS OPEN 4:30PM MASKS OPTIONAL Progressive Jackpot 6:15pm Early Bird 6:20pm Start
Electronic Bingo Aval. Snack Bar, Open Seating, Handicap Restrooms
Min. Entry Package $15
Pictured are scenes from past Glendi Greek festivals in Springfield. This year’s festival begins on Friday. (THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTOS)
All Big E Arena shows start at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information — as well as a complete list of all Big E concerts — go to thebige.com/events/entertainment/ concerts.
Live Wire
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D4
weeks.
On Sept. 14, the Big E will switch things up with Ludacris, arguably one of the most popular Southern rappers, playing the arena. He has won three Grammy Awards over his two-decade career.
On Sept. 15, Umphrey’s McGee will bring their resume of over 2,700 live shows, 14 studio albums and 25 years together as a band to The Big E Arena, while the classic pop-rock of America will take the stage on Sept. 22. Known for a string of 1970s hits, including “I Need You,” “Ventura Highway,” “Don’t Cross The River,” “Tin Man,” “Lonely People” and “Sister Golden Hair,” the band recorded seven albums, six of which went either gold or platinum.
Brothers Osborne will bring The Big E Arena into the home stretch on Sept. 27. The reigning CMA and ACM “Duo of the Year” winners, John and TJ Osborne took home their first Grammy in 2022, winning Best Country
Glendi
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D5
• Kourabiethes: Shortbread butter cookies with powdered sugar
• Koulourakia: Traditional Greek cookie plain or with sesame seeds
• Sweet breads: Sold by the loaf at the Pastry Booth
• Baklava: Layers of phyllo dough filled with nuts and spices and covered in syrup
• Patsitsio: Greek lasagna with layers of macaroni and beef baked in bechamel sauce with a la carte items to create your own masterpiece
• Spanakopita: Feta cheese with spinach layered in phyllo dough
Brothers Osborne will play the Big E Arena on Sept. 27.
Duo/Group Performance for their song “Younger Me.” The band has been nominated for 12 Grammy awards in total.
On Sept. 28, the arena will feature Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winners Public Enemy. The hip-hop duo grabbed the nation’s attention with its first two releases, but really broke out with “Fear of a Black Planet,” which included the group’s trademark song ”Fight The Power.” The album also included notable tracks “911 Is a Joke” and “Welcome To The Terrordome.”
Big Time Rush – Kendall Schmidt, Logan Henderson, James Maslow and Carlos PenaVega – may have done their own things since the band’s hiatus in 2014, but now they’re back together and will close out the arena’s 2024 shows with a concert on Sept. 29.
All Big E Arena shows start at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information – as well as a complete list of all The Big E concerts – go to thebige.com/events/ entertainment/concerts.
• Moussaka: Layered casserole of seasoned beef and eggplant with a bechamel sauce topping with a la carte items to create your own masterpiece
• Fresh baked fish dinner: Served on Friday, with any leftovers sold on Saturday
• Lamb shank: Available on Saturday leftovers on Sunday if available, served with Orzo, Greek salad and roll
• Gyros: Made with seasoned beef and lamb, tomatoes, onions and tzatziki sauce in a pita pocket, served either with rice pilaf, salad, or just the wrap
• Dolmathes: Stuffed meatless grape leaves
• Souvlaki: Grilled lamb, chicken or pork kabobs with a la carte items to create your own masterpiece
• Greek sampler: Skewer of souvlaki, rice pilaf, choice of spanakopita or tiropita, and a Greek salad and green beans
• Lentil soup
“This year we have added a new tent to house the sale of our Greek burgers with special sauce and toppings like feta cheese, chopped olives and all kinds of veggies, as well as hot dogs, and our Greek fried potatoes with feta cheese,”
Beake said.
And, to wash it all down, if not ordering a soda or water, there is a beer garden to imbibe a little.
It takes a dedicated team and hours of work in the kitchen to prepare all of the Greek food in time for Friday.
Beake explained that food
preparation for Glendi begins in July and runs right up until the event. Sixteen workshops are held where parishioners from St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, as well from other area Greek churches, lend a hand in preparing the homemade creations that will be served up for three days.
In addition to the food, the event also features live Greek music provided by Hellenic Express, Greek folk dancing performed by the Glendi Dancers decked out in traditional Greek costumes, as well as Greek imports for sale, a boutique, an “agora” (Greek marketplace) and a new emporium.
Inflation has hit Glendi this
year with a $2 admission price instead of its longstanding ticket price of $1, which still includes the Glendi Big Raffle Ticket. This year, you can also purchase a book of six tickets for $10. There is a good reason for the ever so slight increase.
“Lightning hit the bell tower a year ago and stones fell down and slammed through the choir loft, and we still cannot use our Main Street entrance. So, part of the increase will be going to the bell tower fund,” Beake said.
Glendi hours are 5-11 p.m. on Friday, noon-11 p.m. on Saturday, and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit stgeorgecath.org/glendi or call 413-737-1496.
Friday, September 6 presented by the mi museo committee
Closing celebration for Frida Kahlo, Her Photos
Music by The Goza Latino Band & DJ Cowboy hors
Maria Stamatoupoulos with kourambiedes, shortbread butter cookies with powdered sugar; and koulourakia, traditional Greek cookies. (HOANG 'LEON' NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)
Majestic
Abrams and Jordan opened a rough version of the play at Lake George in 1978, with another summer run the next year before heading to Boston with the play, and then to Chicago and Washington, D.C. and more sites internationally.
“I was at the Lake George Dinner Theatre last summer to see a buddy of mine there. I happened to run into Bruce who owns the rights to ‘Shear Madness’ through his Cranberry Productions with Marilyn, and set the stage to bring the play to West Springfield,” Eaton said.
Eaton tapped veteran “Shear Madness” director Bob Lohrmann of Cranberry Productions to direct the West Springfield production. Lohrmann has performed every male role in the show and directed it for the Kennedy Center for 38 years.
“The play is a lot of fun and takes place here in West Springfield and is loaded with references that are specific to the town and surrounding area. I think what really captures the audience is that they
get to directly assist the detective in solving the murder,” Lohrmann said.
“The play is different every performance. We don’t know how or what the audience is going to bring to the table in their responses to the detective,” he added.
And, not to worry if you’re bashful, you won’t be involved in all the action if you don’t actively volunteer.
“I always do say you don’t have to participate if you don’t want to, but I defy you to not want to participate once the play begins,” Lohrmann said.
Benita Zahn, from New York, plays wealthy socialite Mrs. Schubert, who resides in West Springfield.
“It is a delight to be cast as Mrs. Schubert. It is the second time portraying her after being in the Lake George production last summer,” Zahn said.
“I was a television anchor and reporter in the Troy/ Schenectady area of New York and had a front row seat to understanding that type of woman,” she added.
She said that audiences will enjoy all the fun provided by the interaction in the play.
“There will be a lot of surprises, and just when you
think you know what is going to happen, it takes a turn. So, buckle up and enjoy the ride,” Zahn said.
“Shear Madness” runs various times Wednesday through Sunday until Oct. 20.
Tickets, priced from $35-$38, and are available in-person at the box office or by calling 413747-7797. Box office hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“The play is a lot of fun and takes place here in West Springfield and is loaded with references that are specific to the town and surrounding area.”
BOB LOHRMANN
Western Massachusetts Golf Hall of Fame Golf Tournament and Induction Dinner
Above, Actors Steve Sands, left, and Michael DeVito are shown in a moment from the comedy “Shear Madness.” At right are actors Benita Zahn, left, and Steven Sands. (KAIT RANKINS)
Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival makes Sept. return
IMAGINE TASTING
wine in a lavish Gilded Age mansion perched on the edge of the ocean, overlooking the shimmering blue water.
This might sound like a dream or some scene out of “The Great Gatsby.”
But it’s real and you can experience such splendor later this month at the 19th annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival in Newport, Rhode Island.
Many of the events at the wine festival from Sept. 1922 will be held in mansions located throughout Newport, including Rosecliff, where the 1974 movie version of “The Great Gatsby” was filmed.
The annual event features 18 seminars, exploring wines from California, France, Italy, Spain, Australia and other great wine-producing regions. The weekend-long event also features tastings of Remy Cointreau cocktails, Japanese sake, Kentucky whiskey, Mex-
The 19th annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival will be held from Sept. 19 to 22 in Newport, Rhode Island. Above is a scene from last year’s wine tasting event in Newport.
ican mezcal and beers from around the world. Guests will enjoy food and beverage samples from festival sponsors in the well-stocked tasting tent.
Other highlights also include “A Conversation with World-Renowned French
Chef Jacques Pepin and Claudine Pepin” on Sept. 22, a Connoisseurs’ Dinner on Sept. 19, Vintner Dinner on Sept. 20 and a Sunday Jazz Brunch on Sept. 22.
There walso will be several wine-themed dinners at
many restaurants in Newport scheduled in conjunction with the festival throughout the weekend.
For more information about the 19th Annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival and individual events, visit the festival’s website.
Upcoming wine events
Wente Family Vineyards
Tasting
Table & Vine in West Springfield, 1119 Riverdale St., will host a wine tasting on Thursday, Sept. 12 from 6 to 7:30
pm featuring Wente Family Vineyards wines with Niki Wente, the fifth generation of the family to work at the California winery. Tickets are $20 each. For more information, visit Table & Vine’s website.
Taste of Northampton
Many restaurants in Northampton will participate in the annual Taste of Northampton on Saturday, Sept. 14 from noon to 8 pm. The community-oriented, family-friendly celebration of restaurants and food purveyors in Northampton will be held on Main Street from Old South Street to King Street. For more information, visit the Taste of Northampton’s social media pages, including Facebook and Instagram.
Valley Wine & Spirits Festival
Provisions in Amherst at 113 Cowls Road will host the Valley Wine & Spirits Festival
Brew Practitioners ready to celebrate 9th anniversary
AFEW WEEKS AGO, I featured Drawing Board Brewing, which I happily noted had a woman as one of its brewers.
Then I remembered that Brew Practitioners — the brewery that used to be located in the space that Drawing Board now occupies — also has a woman as one of its brewers. Brew Practitioners is owned and operated by a couple, Tanzania Cannon-Eckerle and Joe Eckerle, and now operates in East Longmeadow.
The brewery will celebrate its ninth anniversary on Sept. 28. What’s even better — in my opinion — is that it was Tanzi who first got Joe into craft beer and brewing.
“I was a Coors Light drinker, and she had worked in the craft industry and helped me see the light and introduced me to Sierra Nevada, and I never went back,” he said. Joe eventually got into
homebrewing, got a homebrew kit (a Father’s Day gift from Tanzi) and started making a clone of his favorite beer, New Belgium’s Fat Tire.
“Eventually I tweaked that recipe and it has become our flagship Brown Beer. Just a couple years into homebrewing we ended up with six beers on tap at the house, and we said, ‘let’s open a brewery,’” he said.
Tanzi’s entry into the craft beer world was getting a job at Rock Bottom Restaurant and
Brewery in Indianapolis about 25 years ago. There she had to go through beer training.
“It was my introduction to the brewery industry. During the training I learned the brewing process, but also what makes beer special and how to taste it. It was there
that I learned to like beer,” she said.
Tanzi wound up in law school, so didn’t get into brewing until she finished running that gauntlet. But as Joe said, the couple’s beers were so popular with friends that she thought, “we gotta’
start charging for this stuff.”
“At the time both of us were already experienced in the business world and entrepreneurship, so it just made sense,” she said.
They found a space in Florence and opened in 2015. But after the pandemic hit and their Florence lease was up, they found a larger place in East Longmeadow, where they opened in 2021. Tanzi said that the building capacity is bigger, and the patio is bigger as far as square footage.
“But the growth really has come from being in a place that has more population and a population that likes beer. We still have a tight footprint — very limited distribution, if any, and we just sell out of the taproom by the pint,” she said.
As far as a guiding philosophy for their brewery, they both agree that simplicity is a key.
“Our philosophy is to brew
Majority owner Tanzania Cannon-Eckerle, left, and Calvin Eckerle during the grand opening of Brew Practitioners, LLC brewery and taproom in the Florence section of Northampton on Oct. 10, 2015. The brewery is now located at a larger venue in East Longmeadow. (THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTO)
George Lenker Beer Nut
Ken Ross Wine Press
Be wary of these restaurant red flags
ARECENT BLOG post on Lifehacker.com, a website with the self-styled mission of “figuring out how things work and how they can work better,” described five “red flags” that restaurant customers should look out for. While Jeff Somers, the post’s author, did identify a few valid indicators of “restaurant deficiency,” some of his advice merits in-depth exploration.
One of the Lifehacker red flags was dirty restrooms. While the state of a restaurant’s “facilities” might indeed betray poor sanitary standards throughout, it’s important to be discerning before making such a judgement, differentiating between a short-term cleanliness problem and a more persistent lack of good housekeeping. Unless restroom attendants are stationed therein, no establishment can guarantee sparkling clean bathrooms all of the time.
Another one of the article’s warnings is the extent to which a restaurant’s website is up-to-date.
Unfortunately, far too many eating establishments, both independents and some chains, don’t give their web presence the message maintenance it requires. It’s not hard to find an otherwise well-regarded dining spot whose website is woefully out-ofdate. Far too many operators, if they make any effort to stay current with their online presence, focus solely on social media, allowing their primary website to languish.
Of equal importance is messaging accuracy; far too much of what’s posted online, whether on a website or “on social,” fails to tell the whole story in terms of the who, what, when, where, and why.
A third grumble on the Lifehacker no-no list is a “large, unfocused menu.”
It’s an observation with some validity, since maintaining a multi-paged bill of fare can indeed be a case of trying to do too much and thereby
cheeses and salami, vegetables and bread.
The Cider Bar is a “weather permitting” operation; Car’s Ciderhouse answers at 413336-7363.
• Uno Pizzeria & Grill in Sturbridge, in collaboration with Common Ground Ciderworks of North Brookfield, will be hosting a Cider Pairing Dinner on Sept. 17 from 6:30-9 p.m.
The evening will feature a five-course menu designed to harmonize with ciders from Common Ground. There will also be raffles, swag, and cider tastings as part of the event festivities.
cheese and charcuterie. The competing paella versions will be served at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets, which are $34 per person, can be ordered online.
Vanished Valley Brewing Company answers at 413-6101572.
• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen has introduced a new item, Sweet ’N Smokey Chipotle Wings, as a limited time addition to their menu.
The new wings variety, which are served in a six-piece portion, are finished with a chipotle chile coating.
There are Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen locations at 489 State Street and 665 Boston Road in Springfield, on Memorial Drive in Chicopee, and on Route 9 in Hadley.
• Dewey’s Jazz Lounge in downtown Springfield will be hosting “The Supper Club,” a special dinner experience, on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
The evening will feature a four-course meal paired with three rum-based cocktails.
doing little well. There are menus out there, however, that offer a lot of choice but do so through clever cross-utilization of a relatively small number of ingredients, sauces and component preparations.
A kitchen working within a well-executed culinary master plan can produce a considerable assortment without compromising quality or freshness.
Red flags notwithstanding, every restaurant deserves to be judged on its own merits.
Side Dishes
• Every weekend this fall, Carr’s Ciderhouse in Hadley is hosting a “Cider Bar” outdoor pop-up.
Held on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 3 to 7 p.m., the Cider Bar features natural hard cider, fruit sodas, and “shrubs” — traditional beverages flavored with fruit, herbals, sugar and vinegar. Carr’s makes all their beverage offerings using locally produced ingredients; the “pop-up” also features local
Tickets for the event are $60 per person and can be reserved by calling the Sturbridge Uno location at 508-347-6420.
• Mike Rodrigues of Vanished Valley Brewing Company in Ludlow has invited Rui Guerrero from PR Remodeling, Jeffrey Goulet from Loophole Brewing and Kyle Laires from Primavera Restaurant in Ludlow to engage in Vanished Valley’s annual paella competition.
To be held on Thursday, Sept. 26 starting at 5 p.m., the cook-off will begin with
Mango Salsa Salad leads off the menu, followed by an appetizer duo of Salt Fish Fritters and Jerk Salmon Cakes.
Dinner attendees can specify in advance their entree selection from the two options available — Blackened Shrimp with Coconut Lime Rice or a Plantain Boat stuffed with Beef.
Guests will also receive a take-home gift.
Tickets, which are $75 plus a convenience fee, should be purchased in advance from Eventbrite.com.
Dewey’s Jazz Lounge answers at 413-301-8337.
Carr’s Ciderhouse at 295 River Drive in Hadley will host a Cider Bar outdoor pop-up every weekend this fall.
(DAVE ROBACK / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)
Hugh Robert Off The Menu
THURSDAY
Storytelling Open Mic and Potluck “Beautiful Disasters”: Thu, LAVA Center, Every first Thurs, 6 p.m. potluck, 7 p.m. stories; next one: All stories are meant to be true, personal stories from your own life. Show is pay-what-you-want, 324 Main St., Greenfield.
FRIDAY
Book Launch for Orice Jenkins’: Fri, 6 p.m. LAVA Center, “The Early County Massacre: Goolsby vs. the State of Georgia,” 324 Main St., Greenfield.
Bourbon and Cigar Dinner: Fri, 6 p.m. Delaney House, Seating begins at 5:30 p.m. Reservations required, visit https://www.delaneyhouse.com/ bourboncigar, $130 per person. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke. www. logcabin-delaney.com
Bread & Puppet Theater at Park Hill Orchard: Fri, 7-8:20 p.m. Park Hill Orchard, The Bread & Puppet Theater will bring its iconic circus to Easthampton. The company presents The Beginning After the End of Humanity Circus, a brand new show in the tradition
of the iconic Bread & Puppet Circuses that began at Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont in 1970. Breadandpuppet.org/ tour, Entry: $10-$25 suggested donation, no one turned away for lack of funds. 82 Park Hill Road, Easthampton.
Glendi 2024: Fri, 5-11 p.m.; Sat, noon-11 p.m.; Sun, noon-5 p.m.
Greek Cultural Center, Now accepting all major credit and debit cards. Featuring food and live entertainment. Hours of Operation & Schedule of Events, 22 St. George Road, Springfield.
Rainbow LGBTQIA+ & Allies
Coffee Social Hour: Fri, 1 p.m. Northampton Senior Center, Gay Men’s Group, every Fri, 1 p.m., 67 Conz St., Northampton. (413) 5871228 or www.northampton seniors.com
UMass Amherst Dept. of Music and Dance New Music Festival: Fri, 7:30 p.m. Bezanson Recital Hall, Symmetry and Fantasy,Composers: Kate Soper, Pauline Oliveros, Mario Davidovsky, T.J. Anderson, Robert Stern. Plus, LateNight Special performance at 10 p.m. of a work by Morton Feldman, Free. North Pleasant St., Amherst. (413) 545-2511 or www.umass. edu.
CALENDAR
SATURDAY
Amherst Historical Society Presents Strings @The Strong: Sat, 2-3:30 p.m. Amherst History Museum, Cushman String Quartet, 67 Amity St., Amherst.
Back to School Event: Sat, 10 a.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, They will be distributing back to school supplies on a first come basis, Free. 485 Appleton St., Holyoke; CitySpace Volunteer Drop In Session: Sat, 10 a.m. Blue Room at CitySpace, Volunteer Drop-In Session. CitySpace in the Blue Room. Join in for a drop-in session to learn more about CitySpace volunteer opportunities and check out the Blue Room! From event assistance to spiffing up Old Town Hall, we have all kinds of things that could use your hand. If you are interested in running sound and lights at an event, stop by to learn about paid event-based tech positions too, 43 Main St., Easthampton; Glendi 2024: See Friday listing Happy Valley Guitar OrchestraAn Evening of Guitar Music: Sat, 7 p.m. The Raven Used Books, The Happy Valley Guitar Orchestra is thrilled to announce a special fundraising concert to be held on
Saturday September 7 at Raven Used Books in Shelburne Falls MA. This event promises an evening of delightful guitar music, featuring a repertoire that spans genres, from Bach to modern classical composers to contemporary favorites. For this intimate event, pieces will be performed by small ensembles of orchestra members. The funds raised will support the orchestra’s operating expenses and help offset the cost of the 2024-2025 season, allowing the orchestra to provide great avante-garde music to the Pioneer Valley and surrounding areas, $15-$30. 49 Conway St., Shelburne Falls.
Indoor/Outdoor Craft Fair: Sat, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Foster Memorial Church, Foster Memorial Church is holding an Indoor/Outdoor Craft Fair on Saturday, September 7 from 9 AM – 3 PM. Rain or shine! Quality Crafts for Sale, lunch items for purchase, special music and a fun Gift Basket Raffle! Something for everyone! We hope to see you there. Our church is located at 1791 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, MA. If you would like more information or would like to be a vendor, please call our office at 782-2112, 1791 Wilbraham Road, Springfield. (413) 782-2112.
Macrame Plant Hanger Class: Sat, 1-4 p.m. Holyoke Creative Arts Center, Bring your Plant Pot (UP TO a 7” Tall & 7-9” Wide, With or without a plant) & a drainage saucer and you’ll go home with a beautiful Custom-Made Plant Hanger $30. Email ADMIN@HolyokeCAC. Org to reserve your seat, $30. 150 Front St. Suite 5, West Springfield; www.holyokecac.org
Salsa in the Park: Sat, Pulaski Park Northampton, Enjoy Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, and Cumbia at Pulaski Park in Downtown Northampton. With McCoy Jamison, a renowned dance instructor and DJ, DJ Bongohead, spinning rare vinyl from his collection, and the Salsa Train Orquestra, a vibrant Salsa music group. All shows start at 6 p.m. and go until 8 p.m., FREE. 240 Main St., Northampton; summer@LAVA: Michael Nix: Sat, noon LAVA Center, free visual and performing arts and workshops all summer long: “Memory Hoard”, a multimedia presentation by Michael Nix, 324 Main St., Greenfield. UMass Amherst Dept. of Music and Dance New Music Festival: Sat, 2 p.m. Bezanson Recital Hall, An Afternoon of Premieres: Violin duos by Austin Smith, Donald
• On Aug. 21, Panera Bread launched an updated bakery item menu that features new pastries and cookies. The chain’s management is calling the introduction, which represents a permanent menu adjustment, a “bakery transformation.”
New to Panera’s breakfast sweet goods are Danish-style Almond and Cherry Pastries. Two new chocolate-dipped cookies, a Coconut Macaroon and a Chocolate Coconut Macaroon, are also part of the revised bakery products lineup.
Two “while supplies last” bakery options are also currently on offer - a Cranberry Orange Cake that’s being sold by the slice and a shortbread-style Pumpkin Cookie with autumn-themed icing decorations.
• The Still Bar & Grill in Agawam is once again pro -
moting its Monday Night $24
Four Course Menu, a prix fixe deal that includes an appetizer, a choice of soup or salad, an entree and dessert.
Starter choices for this Monday evening deal include mozzarella wedges, fried pickles, and loaded potato skins.
Three salad options and two soups are available for second course duty.
A listing of nine different entrees are part of the fourcourse menu, including such favorites as chicken cacciatore, fish & chips, eggplant parmesan, and fish tacos, Chocolate cake, lemon Mascarpone cake, and cheesecake are the listed finale options.
The Four Course Menu offer is available Mondays from 4-9 p.m. and is dine-in-only.
The Still Bar & Grill picks up at 413-304-2795.
• For a limited time only, bacon is in the spotlight at participating Buffalo Wild Wings locations.
The chain has created a sauce that combines the tradi-
tional Buffalo hot wings flavor profile with bacon; it is also offering three sandwich creations in which bacon enjoys marquee billing.
A BLT Sandwich incorporates thick-cut bacon and a bacon aioli along with lettuce and tomato; the sandwich is assembled on toasted Parmesan brioche.
Two smashed beef patties and thick-cut bacon are featured in a Bacon Patty Melt sandwich.
A Bacon Mac & Cheese Burger is a spicy affair, thanks to the pickled hot peppers and chile pepper aioli that garnish it.
There is a Buffalo Wild Wings location on Memorial Drive in Chicopee as well as on the Boston Turnpike in Shrewsbury.
• “Batching”, the grouping together of restaurant delivery orders so that meals destined for multiple customers can be dropped off as part of a single trip, is a practice that third-party delivery services
are increasingly relying on as a way to boost operational efficiency.
Intouch Insight, a consumer research firm, recently used 600 secret shoppers to evaluate third-party restaurant delivery orders placed with restaurants.
More than 10% of the orders were “batched” with other orders, and the secret shoppers not surprisingly reported the deliveries they received took longer — up to 45 minutes — and that about 25% of the time the food was received at a less-than-palatable temperature.
While “batching” can be a win for delivery services, neither customers nor restaurants seem to appreciably benefit from the practice. All three third-party services do offer an extra-cost “express delivery” option, but restaurants have no way of preventing their food from becoming part of a batched delivery order — and perhaps received “late” or “cold.”
• Running from Sept. 6-8 this year, the Hampton Beach (NH) Seafood Festival continues a 35-year oceanside tradition of good food and fun.
The festival features 50plus food vendors, artisans and crafters, and two stages presenting live entertainment throughout the festival’s three-day run.
This year, King Gray Coach Lines of Chicopee is featuring a one-day excursion to the festival on Sunday, Sept. 8, with a morning departure and a mid-evening return.
For more details, contact King Gray Coach Lines at 413593-3939.
Additional information on the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival can be found online.
Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 50 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached online at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com.
Calendar
Wheelock & Salvatore Macchia, plus Composition Contest winner Antonio Sanz Escallón’s Metropolitan Theatrics for saxophone and piano, Free. North Pleasant St., Amherst. (413) 545-2511 or www. umass.edu.
UMass Amherst Dept. of Music and Dance New Music Festival: Sat, 7:30 p.m. Bezanson Recital Hall, Time Isn’t Holding Us, Composers: David Sanford, Hsueh-Yung Shen, Toru Takemitsu, Donald Wheelock, Salvatore Macchia, Free. North Pleasant St., Amherst. (413) 545-2511 or www.umass.edu
SUNDAY
Glendi 2024: See Friday listing PVS Youth Orchestra - Fall Semester starts: Sun, 4-6 p.m. Greenfield High School, Audition dates: Aug. 26 & 27 at 3-6PM. Register and view audition requirements at pvsoc.org/youthorchestra. The PVS Youth Orchestra rehearses on Sundays from 4-6 PM at Greenfield High School. Youth Orchestra families are considered Members of the Pioneer Valley Symphony organization, and are encouraged to participate in member events, $150-$220. 21 Barr Ave., Greenfield.
UMass Amherst Dept. of Music and Dance New Music Festival: Sun, 3 p.m. Bezanson Recital Hall, In A New Light. Composers: Raven Chacon, Ronald Perera, Lewis Spratlan, John Adams, Sofia Gubaidulina, Eric Sawyer, Free. North Pleasant St., Amherst. (413) 545-2511 or www.umass.edu.
Quadrangle
Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: “Designing Downtown.” Through Sept. 8. Explore the history of downtown Springfield through centuries of plans that were never brought to fruition. Maps, drawings, blueprints, and more documents created by local citizens and nationally known city planners offer a glimpse into Springfield as it could have been and, at the same time, how the modern city came to be. “The 200th Anniversary of the Springfield Republican.” Through January 5. Permanent exhibit: more than two dozen Indian motorcycles and related memorabilia.
Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts: “Frida Kahlo, Her Photos.” Through Sept. 8. On the Second Floor, Wheeler Gallery. “Look Again: Portraits of
Daring Women” by Julie Lapping Rivera. Through Feb. 23. Latino Arts Festival: After Hours. Sept. 6, 5–8 p.m. Free. Second annual celebration of the myriad arts and rich cultures of the Puerto Rican, Cuban, Afro-Cuban, Portuguese, Mexican, Dominican, and Central and South American populations of Greater Springfield: Presented by the Mi Museo Committee. Tour the special exhibition Frida Kahlo, Her Photos; enjoy music by The Goza Latin Band and DJ Cowboy; complimentary hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and hands-on activities; and a Frida-inspired floral installation by Social Haus Displays. Latino Arts Festival: Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul. Sept. 6, 3–4:30 p.m. Free.
Museum a la Carte: Sept. 5, 12:15 p.m. “Overlooked No More.” Cost: $4, free for members. Explore the intersections of history and art with New York Times journalist, Amisha Padnani, and Leverett-based printmaker, Julie Rivera. Paying homage to exceptional women across history, Padnani and Rivera consider the ways in which their respective fields—writing and visual arts— work together to tell stories. Quadrangle admission - $25 for adults, $16.50 for seniors (60+) and college students with ID, $13 for children ages 3-17; free to children under age 3 and members, Springfield residents are free with proof of residency. Welcome Center and Museum store. Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. springfieldmuseums.org
Museums
Amherst History Museum: Cambodians in Amherst Exhibit: A History of the Khmer Community.” Through Nov. 9, Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., any other day by appointment. For more information visit their Facebook page or online at https:// amhersthistory.org/. 67 Amity St., Amherst
Anchor House of Artists: The New England Visonary Artists Museum. Captivating new art events that are guaranteed to entertain plus rotating exhibits by regional contemporaries including the visionary Charles Miller, the representationalist Gregory Stone, and others. Always something to see and do. Hours: Wed. Thurs. and Sat. 2-6 p.m.; Friday, 2-8 p.m.; More at NEVA-museum.org; Arts Night Out, 2nd Friday every month, monthly, 5-8 p.m. Rotating art exhibits, self-staged by fine regional talents. The best leastknown gallery in the Pioneer Valley. Free public receptions on the 2nd Fri. of the month from 5-8 p.m. email: artists@anchorhouseartists. org, anchorhouseartists.org; 413-588-4337. 518 Pleasant St.,
Northampton
Historic Deerfield: “Vermont Furniture from the Alley Collection,” through Nov. 30.; “Special Living History Event: Ladies’ Association of Revolutionary America.” Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. At the Hall Tavern. Included with general admission. Natural History Walking Tour. Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 10, 10-11:30 a.m., starting at Hall Tavern. Take a guided walk around Old Deerfield. Departs from the Visitor Center at Hall Tavern. Included with general admission. 80 Old Main St., Deerfield or www.historic-deerfield. org
Norman Rockwell Museum:
Permanent exhibit: Gallery. Hours: Thurs.-Mon. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Advance tickets purchase required; Closed Tuesday and Wed.; In July and Aug, museum open Tuesdays noon-7 p.m. $20 adults; $18 seniors, AAA, retire military; $10 college students, free children ages 18 and under, members and active military, Online Exhibit: “Imagining Freedom.” The exhibition highlights the important role of Norman Rockwell and other artists in advancing and communicating these ideals, envisioned as core human rights for all people. The fee for accessing “Imagining freedom” is $5 for the general public, available on the museum’s website at NRM.org What, Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD Magazine. Through Oct. 27. This exhibition explores the unforgettable art and satire of MAD, from its beginnings in 1952 as a popular humor comic book to its emergence as a beloved magazine that spoke truth to power and attracted generations of devoted readers through the decades. $0 - $25, https://www.nrm. org/2023/11/mad/. 9 Route 183, Stockbridge or www.nrm.org
Old Sturbridge Village: “For the Purpose of Illumination.” Learn how New Englanders needed, used, and created artificial lighting methods in the 1830s and see first-hand artifacts from the era. Included with standard daytime general admission. Standard daytime admission is $30 for adults, $28 for seniors (55+), $15 for youth (4-17), $15 for college students (with a valid college ID), and free for children 3 and under, Route 20, Sturbridge or www.osv.org
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum: Open for its 75th Season. Sat.-Wed, 1-4 p.m. through Oct. Featuring a new tour that includes the contributions of the laborers including enslaved, indentured and day workers as well as guided tours. Closed Thurs.-Fri. $5 for adults, $1 for children, 130 River Drive, Hadley or www.pphmuseum.org
Springfield Armory National Historic Site: Ranger-led interpretive
programs offered in the museum in the afternoon. Junior Ranger programs conducted frequently each day. Wed.-Sun, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 1 Armory Square, Springfield or www.nps.gov/spar.
Galleries
A.P.E. Gallery: Permanent exhibit. Hours: Tues.-Thurs. noon-5 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. noon-8 p.m.; Sun. noon5 p.m.;. “Surviving Together.” Through Sept. 7. Gallery Hours: Wed.-Sun. noon-5 p.m.; Fri. noon-8 p.m.; Closed Mon. and Tue. “Quadralectic: A Solo Group Show.” Sept. 6-28. Opening reception Sept. 13, 5-8 p.m.; Arts Nights Out Sept. 13, 5-8 p.m. 126 Main St., Northampton or www.apearts.org
Gallery A3 Amherst Art Alliance: “When Matter Talks Back” by Rebecca Muller. Sept. 5-28, reception, Sept. 5, 5-7 p.m. Gallery Hours: Thurs.-Sun. 2-7 p.m. Dialogue with the Artist: Thurs. Sept. 5, 2-4:30 p.m.; Fri. Sept. 6, 4:30-7 p.m.; Fri. Sept. 20, 4:30-7 p.m.; Fri. Sept. 27, 4:30-7 p.m. Artist Forum Online: Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m., preregister at www.gallerya3.com. 28 Amity St., Amherst (413) 256-4250.
Palmer Public Library: “Visual/ Verbal.” Sept. 4-28. By Janet W. Winston, Marianne Connolly, Sue Katz, Nancy Meagher, Laura Holland, Rochelle Shicoff. Reception and open mic, Sept. 12, 6-8 p.m. Online reading, Sept, 24, 7 p.m. register at www.womenofwords. myportfolio.com. Hours: Mon, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tues.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri.-Sa. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 1455 North Main Street, Palmer or www. palmer.lib.ma.us
Sienna Patti Contemporary: “American Diary” by Bettina Speckner. Through Sept. 29. 80 Main St., Lenox
Trinity United Methodist Church: “Celebrating Ten Years of Aid in Nicaragua.” An exhibit in photos and words. Open Sun. 9 a.m.3 p.m. and during the week by appointment. Call 413-218-7391 for more information. 361 Sumner Ave., Springfield (413) 737-5311.
Outdoors
Chester Railway Station: Heritage Walks 2024. Sept. 7, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. History Hike to the Keystone Arches Bridges. Meet at the Chester Railway Museum, then carpool to the trailhead. Registration required, email dpiercedlp@ aol.com or call 413-961-9166. 10 Prospect St., Chester Gould Farm Campus: Heritage Walks 2024. Sept. 7, 9 a.m.-noon. A
woodland hike from Gould Farm to the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery. Rain or shine. Refreshments will be served at the fish hatchery with a van service back to Gould Farm. 54 Gould Road, Monterey Great Falls Discovery Center: “Made in Montague?.” Through Oct. 27. In the Hallway Gallery. StoryWalk: “Call Me Tree, Llámame Árbol.” Sept. 4 - Oct. 22.
“Nice & Easy Walks: Industrialization.” Fri. Sept. 6, 13, 20, & 27, 1—2 p.m. Easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance. 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls or www.greatfallsma.org
Mount Tom State Reservation: Open for the Season. Stone House Visitor Center: Thurs.-Sun. 10:30 a.m.-noon and 12:30-2 p.m. Free admission. exhibits on local natural and cultural history, park information, trial maps and guides. Visitor Center also open 2-4 p.m. if no afternoon programs. 125 Reservation Road, Holyoke (413) 534-1186. Mt. Greylock State Reservation: Visitor Center: Open Daily. Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Interpretive exhibits explore the park story through artifacts and displays. Trail maps, hike guidance, 13-minute orientation film, bathrooms, drinking water available. Wheelchair accessible. Discover Greylock Hike. Sept. 6, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Call for location and to register, 413-499-4262.
Scenic Summit Tour. Sept. 7, 1 and 2 p.m. Meet at the Summit. Nature Scavenger Hunt. Ongoing, Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For children and families. Self-guided adventurous quests invited you to search for natural treasures along part trails and inside the Visitor Center. There are several seek and find scavenger hunts for different age and skill levels. Scavenger hunts are available at the Visitor Center.
“Letterboxin/Geocaching 101.” Sept. 8, 1-2:30 p.m. Meet at Visitor Center. 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough
Pfeiffer Arboretum: Heritage Walks 2024. Sept. 7, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Join Devan Arnold, on a botanical journey through the woodlands of the Pieiffer Arboretum. 249 Long Pond Road, Great Barrington River Studios DeVries Fine Art International Sculpture Trail: River Studios Sculpture Trail. Through Oct. 27, Fri.-Sun, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. Visitors can wind their way through a wildflower meadow and shaded groves, dotted with 40 large bronze sculptures as River Studios begins a new season of its Sculpture Trail. Free, donations graciously accepted. 36 East River Road, Middlefield
on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 2 to 5 pm. More than 60 wines, spirits and cocktails will be available for tasting. General admission tickets for the event are $50 each. There’s also a VIP tasting that starts at 1 p.m., which will feature certain bottles not available for tasting during the general admission event. VIP tasting tickets are $70 each. For tickets or for more information about the wine tasting, visit the Provisions website.
Food Truck Wine Tasting
Black Birch Winery at 108 Straits Road in Hatfield will feature sweet and savory crepes to purchase from Crepes Nanou at the winery on Saturday, Sept. 14 from noon to 5:30 pm. The crepes will be made fresh to order using seasonal ingredients from local farms. Wines from Black Birch Winery will also be available for purchasing and tasting at the winery, which often hosts many food truck wine tasting events on weekends. For information about the food truck wine tasting and other events at the winery, visit Black Birch Winery’s website.
Pizza & Wine Event
Crystal Ridge Winery at 257 Belltown Road in South Glaston-
bury, Connecticut will have pizza available for purchase at the winery on Sunday, Sept. 15 from 2 to 5 pm made fresh by Burning Peel Pizza. The afternoon event also features live music performed by The Hameroff Twins. Crystal Ridge Winery hosts many food and wine events on weekends. For more information about the events at the winery, visit Crystal Ridge Winery’s website.
HCC Wine Tasting Classes
Holyoke Community College’s Culinary Arts Institute will host four, non-credit wine tasting classes this fall at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute at 164 Race Street in Holyoke. The four wine classes will feature California wines (Tue., Sept 17 from 6 to 8 pm), wines from Chile and Argentina (Tue., Oct 8 from 6 to 8 pm), Spanish wines (Tue., Nov. 12 from 6 to 8 pm) and Italian red wines (Tue., Dec. 10 from 6 to 8 pm). Yours truly will be hosting the four, HCC wine tasting classes, which can be signed up for individually. Each wine tasting class costs $59 per person per class. To register for each class or for more information, visit the HCC culinary class website page.
Cheers!
Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s Weekend section every Thursday.
good beer. We don’t overthink it, and we don’t have a lot of the modern technologies that others have. We do our beer a bit old-school. We carbonate in the keg,” Joe said.
The brewery also doesn’t use cute or gimmicky names for its beers, opting to simply call the beers by their colors.
“Our approach was simple. Back to basics. Simple, quality, consistent, drinkable beer offered in a variety types so that most everyone can find a beer at Brew Practitioners to enjoy – and if you can’t, you probably will never like beer,” Tanzi said. “With that simplicity came the simple
names. Black, Brown, Red, Orange, Yellow, White, Mellow Yellow, Pink and so forth. With that you kind of know what you are getting.”
Tanzi now also runs her own law firm focused on small business, and which has a division dedicated to craft brewing. She explained the name Brew Practitioners.
“In one’s chosen field — whether it is plumbing, carpentry, medicine, cooking, or the law — it takes practice to master the trade, as well as the accepting that it may never be mastered, as it is a practice,” she said. “And from practice comes innovations and creativity. As the saying goes ‘practice makes perfect.’ Even if that perfection is perfectly imperfect.”
