Maurice Bigras Was One of the Greatest
Life gives us so much and then takes away at the same time. I thought about this when I heard of the passing of Maurice “Moe” Bigras, a man I much respected who was a true member of the Greatest Generation. An Air Force man, he raised four kids and […]
Old Crow Medicine Show at the Pines Theater: A Blaze of Glory!
Art in the Orchard is Back in Easthampton
Every two years, an apple orchard in Easthampton gets a big shot of visitors. It’s the fourth season of Art in the Orchard, an event that pairs the work of 30 sculptors from the Pioneer Valley and beyond, who exhibit their work along the meandering path through a beautiful Western […]
The Waning Days of August
I stepped outside for a smoke last night, it was only 7:30 pm and yet the sky was already getting dark. And it had nothing to do with the day’s momentous total eclipse of the sun. Sadly, it was the inevitable approach to the close of summer. It’s hard not […]
August Brings So Much Great Music to Our Valley
Summer is no doubt the time that I am thankful for living in Western Massachusetts. Combine the bounty of the farm stands, the quiet and still of early evening, and the excitement of the many outdoor music events that provide so much entertainment, and time to catch up with old […]
August at Home, But Many Fall Trips Await!
I’m happy that I am not traveling in August because I have a great big list of trips for the fall. Each one is different, and each one I’m sure will provide some great memories, photos, and stories. My next adventure will be to the Azores Islands and Portugal with […]
Jardins de Metis: Being Well Taken Care of by a Fourth Generation Owner
Grand-Metis isn’t much of a town, in fact, it’s a speck on the map on the north side of the Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec. But there is a long family tradition here being upheld by a fourth-generation owner, and it’s a place that attracts 60,000 visitors a year to tour […]
Rimouski, the Gaspesie Gateway Is Worth a Stop
Etienne Fiola grew up in rural Gaspesie, just a few dozen kilometers from where he lives now, in Rimouski, the gateway to the region. It’s the capital city of the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, just to the west of Gaspesie. We met up with Etienne for a stroll of this interesting city […]