Kathryn Acciari - CDPE - REALTOR® - Sturbridge Massachusetts Real Estate

Free Guide to Massachusetts

Quabbin Reservoir - Worcester County

Are you planning a trip to Massachusetts? Then you will probably want to order a copy of the 2009-2010 free guide to Massachusetts offered by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.

This guide, over 140 pages long, contains a section on featured spotlights, plus a summary of the six major regions of the state and what each region has to offer. For example, some of the spotlights include:

• Great beaches
• Family outings
• Cool urban spots
• Seasonal getaways
• Winter adventure

The guide has something for everyone. Foodies, families, outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, arts lovers. What I particularly like about this guide is the pull-out map at the back. It contains a state map, as well as a Boston and Cambridge map, plus a grid of driving distances to different areas of the state.

If you plan to travel to Massachusetts in the coming year, I strongly recommend that you order a copy of this guide. To order a copy of the 2009-2010 free Massachusetts guide, go to massvacation.com The guide is also available online so you can preview it prior to ordering your personal copy.

Happy travels!

Text and photos copyright 2009 Kathryn J. Acciari

First Snow in Sturbridge, MA

Today was a significant day in the history of Sturbridge: The first snow of winter 2009-2010 arrived! I was working hard in my office this afternoon and looked out the window to see tiny flecks of white drifting through the air. Very tiny. Almost rain drops, but alas it was just cold enough to be snow. Nothing was sticking to the ground, no wicked nor'easter winds, no difficulty driving. But still the first snow of the season.

Many people around town are a bit grumpy about this early arrival. But I am just thrilled. Sure, I had hoped for a couple more 70-degree days, but if Mother Nature decides to give us snow, then let it snow!

Snow - it's still magical to me.

Scarecrow Contest in Sturbridge, MA - Who's Your Favorite?

It's time for the Scarecrow Contest in Sturbridge, MA. The weekend of October 16 - 18 is the weekend that the town of Sturbridge, MA, holds its annual Harvest Festival. The town common and the grounds of the Publick House will be packed with visitors sampling the best of what Sturbridge has to offer: microbrewed beer, fresh pastries, coffee, and all kinds of eat-while-you-browse kinds of foods.

This is also a time when area artists and crafters display their wares, and buyers start their holiday shopping. Small business owners set up tables and tents, and buyers can find all sorts of goodies to take home: hot sauce, tie-dye, jewelry, knitted items, paintings.

The festival offers plenty of fun for kids: train rides, bouncy house, sand art, face painting, and usually a face covered in sugar after enjoying a plate of fried dough.

The Harvest Festival draws an enormous crowd each year, and the focus is centered on the annual Scarecrow Contest. The entries have been on display for several weeks, and Harvest Festival is voting time. Who is your favorite? Go to the Publick House, grab a ballot and place your vote. Good luck - the entries this year are quite creative!

Special Sturbridge Event: Feast & Fire Oct. 10

There is a special event in Sturbridge this weekend. It is the first-ever Feast & Fire - put on by the Merchants of Sturbridge.

The Feast & Fire is being held as a tribute to Columbus Day. Many local restaurants are cooking up special dishes in honor of the event, and live musicians will play throughout the evening. Other activities include face painting, bead making, and the always enjoyable bouncy house for the kids.

You are welcome to enjoy the evening beside a community bonfire - bring a chair and maybe a blanket.

Feast & Fire will be held from 4 to 9 PM at Turner's Field in Fiskdale (a village within the town of Sturbridge). Turner's Field is on Route 20/Main Street, across from the Sturbridge Country Inn.

Hope to see you there!

The RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon came to Sturbridge, MA, on September 20 as part of the first-ever Fiskdale Fest. Our broker, Lorraine Herbert, and many agents from our offices were there to watch the unfolding of the balloon. It was quite exciting, and I took tons of photos. Here are the best ones.

Did you know that the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon Arrives in a Trailer?

The balloon gets stretched out in the field.

Hot air is blown into the balloon.

Almost there...

First Flight of the Day!

Special thanks to the folks at the Copper Stallion and the Sturbridge Country Inn for helping bring the RE/MAX balloon to Sturbridge. The donations received for each tethered ride went directly to the Second Chance Animal Shelter.