Blog
The finer side of dining in Hampshire County
The Lumber Yard | Amherst
Where do you eat when you're looking for something that's a little special? See where local foodie Don Lesser recommends going when you're here for a wedding, bar mitzvah, or as a parent or grandparent, up for the weekend and wanting something a little special for the kids at college. Or perhaps you just want to treat yourself to a really good meal.
The pumpkin prepared: Different Drummer’s Kitchen
Classes are offered year round at Different Drummer's Kitchen in Northampton
Check out this recipe for a Roasted Sugar Pumpkin Risotto with Bacon and Sage from Different Drummer’s Kitchen Co. Cooking School and Kitchen Store's fall risotto workshop last year. Different Drummer’s Kitchen is a culinary dream come true. You can find just about any kitchen toy in the store and year round the Northampton location hosts cooking classes with menus ranging from regional cuisine to seasonal themes.
The pumpkin prepared: Bistro Les Gras
Bistro Les Gras | Northampton
Feeling fancy? Feeling French? Chef Daniel Martinez of Bistro Les Gras in Northampton shared one of his favorite seasonal recipes for pumpkin for you to try! Check out his Bisque d’Homard et Citrouille á la Curry (curried lobster and pumpkin bisque). Bistro Les Gras is an award-winning farm-to-table restaurant in Northampton, focused on sustainable French cuisine.
NoHoIFF ‘13 at the Academy of Music Theatre in Northampton
Featured Films | NohoIFF 2013
The Northampton International Film Festival returns for its 17th annual installation October 11 to 13, 2013 in the scenic college town of Northampton, Massachusetts. Held at the legendary Academy of Music Theatre, the festival will showcase over 30 features, documentaries and short films from around the world. You don't want to miss the film line-up this year!
Celebrate American Craft Week in Northampton with the Paradise City Arts Festival
The 19th Annual Paradise City Arts Festival presents 275 competitively juried artists from 24 states exhibiting original works in ceramics, painting, decorative fiber, art glass, furniture, jewelry, metal, mixed media, photography, large- scale sculpture, wearable art and wood this Columbus Day Weekend, October 12 through 14 at the Three County Fairgrounds.
Pick your own pumpkins, and then…?
Fletcher Family Farm | Southampton
Fall is not only filled with delightful sights for the eyes but also for our taste buds. Farms across Hampshire County in Western Mass. offer an abundant selection of pumpkins, gourds and squashes, and our restaurants turn them into brilliant creations. But what about trying some of those famous recipes at home? Over the next few weeks, we’ll share some favorite pumpkin recipes from our local chefs right here on The Latest. Read more to see our list of where to pick your own pumpkins.
Food On The Go in Hampshire County
Bistro Bus | Taking It To the Streets
Where do you eat when you're on the go and enjoying the sights this fall? Learn where to get a hot and bubbling slice of pizza, track down one of the area's coveted food trucks, and warm up with one of the best cups of chowder around from Don Lesser, a local foodie who has lived, eaten, and worked in Hampshire Country for 30 very odd years.
Fall festivals, corn mazes, and more, oh my!
Photo by Lynne Graves
It's nearly time to throw those hands in the air, full of leaves: it's almost FALL in Hampshire County! Like a true New Englander, we love fall just as much as you do, from the abundance of apples and pumpkins to the stunning foliage and crisper weather. Western Massachusetts has an abundance of can't-miss fun fall activities including the very popular McCray's Farm Haunted Hayrides, Belchertown's Austin Brothers Valley Farm annual corn maze and hayrides, and Southampton's Rolling Acres Farm corn maze and fall activities right here in Hampshire County.
Art with a side of apples in Easthampton this fall
Photography by Patrick Brough
Farms and gardens are works of art in their own right, but how about visiting an apple orchard sprinkled with sculptures, poetry and dance this Fall? Art in the Orchard 2013 (AiO13) is a multifaceted sculpture exhibit on the grounds of Park Hill Orchard in Easthampton, Mass. The core project is a sculpture trail showcasing 3-dimensional outdoor works and installations created by local and regional artists open to the public daily beginning in late August. Additional events such as music, moonlight walks and performances are scheduled during most weekends through the festival's close on October 31.
Fair season is among us in Hampshire County
Agriculture is pretty important to us here in Hampshire County, and has been for hundreds of years. Our annual fairs really showcase all that we've got going on in one place. The Three County Fair in Northampton is Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 30 through Sept. 2; the Cummington Fair is Aug.22-25 at the Cummington Fairgrounds; and the Belchertown Fair is Sept. 20 through 22 on the Belchertown town common.
Want to experience a Hampshire County fair? Like us on Facebook and participate in our Fair Friday Facebook contest! Every Friday leading up to the Three County Fair, we'll post a question for you to answer. We will give a set of 4 VIP tickets to the Three County Fair to the person with the most creative responses for each of the 3 posts!