News Around our New England Properties...
Nicole, right, introduces herself to Ryan Eley, owner of the Becket Country Store. Looking on are her husband Aaron, and two children.
BECKET — The cash registers weren’t ringing yet, but the Becket Country Store’s doors were open for a meet-and-greet with owner Ryan Eley Wednesday.
Eley was serving doughnuts, croissants and muffins, coffee and tea. Just before opening, Eley shoveled out the parking area and then, with help from a friend, hung the new circular sign on the front of the red building, sandwiched between the post office and Town Park.
The store has been closed since 2017 and sorely missed as Becket residents drive 12 miles to Lee for milk, eggs, bread and beer. Eley purchased the store in July of 2022 and his plans to reopen got mired in permitting and other issues. He ended up gutting the building and doing quite a bit of site work as well.
Becket Country Store Throws Its Doors Open To The Curious And The Eager
This Berkshire County Village Is The Most Under Rated In MA
Bay State residents: This scenic town in the Berkshire Mountains along the Housatonic River is also known as an "art colony" in Massachusetts. Local residents and visitors make this part of our state a true destination. By now, you probably know I was referring to the village of Stockbridge which has been deemed as one of the top "under rated" locations here in our backyard.
Early each summer, Becket’s year-round population swells as hundreds of urban and suburban dwellers who own or rent vacation homes arrive in town. Despite what we may think, this is not a 21st century phenomenon. On June 11, 1878, the Hinsdale Cornet Band paraded merrily down Becket’s main street playing popular music for the crowds that turned out to celebrate the opening of a new summer resort, the Claflin House. Recently built for city boarders by Amos G. Cross, the hotel was located where the Becket Washington School now stands. After the parade, the cornets serenaded the crowds as they feasted, greeted honored guests, and danced until midnight. The party ended with three cheers for the proprietor and his success. According to the Berkshire Eagle, June 13, 1878, the Claflin House had much to recommend it. It was “within easy walking distance of the post office and the passenger [train] depot, yet back from the noise, dust and tumult of the main business street.” The Eagle went on to say that the guest rooms were airy, neatly furnished, and well-lighted and that the food was freshly supplied by local farmers.
Becket Welcomes "Summer People"
Bullard Woods in Stockbridge
This place really has it all! Bullard Park, Stockbridge. A hidden gem of looping trails in old growth forest, along the Stockbridge Bowl and in mowed fields with Tanglewood music playing! When Mrs Mary Robbins Bullard announced in 1954 that upon her death she would bequeath 70 acres of her property to the Stockbridge Bowl Association she was acting from a place of selflessness, conservation and strategic land stewardship. She wished the property to be known as Bullard Park a place for the neighboring communities to refresh their spirit by bathing in nature, how it became known as Bullard Woods was most likely because of the majestic 6 acre stand of old growth forest. Because of Mrs Bullards visionary gift, the Northern edges of the Stockbridge Bowl remain undeveloped reflecting a taste of what was long ago.
"My wife Karen and I became weekend visitors to Becket after buying a home here in 1999. Like many once-in-a-while, citified visitors, we bought into an association with its own lake. Consequently, we never knew Becket had a beach and picnic area for residents. But last year, we moved from weekenders to full-time residents. We’re now trying to learn all about our new town and neighbors, and in our quest, discovered the town beach."
