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New Golf Tournament June 7 

Come join us June 7 for FLT's newest event: a benefit Golf Tournament at Edge Hill Golf Course in Ashfield.
The event will be a four-person scramble, with a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. A barbecue dinner (chicken, ribs, salads and desserts) and an awards reception will follow.
The tournament is one of two new events this year added in hopes of generating more financial support for the increased volume of land protection projects FLT is taking on, said Mary Lynn Sabourin, FLT's director of development.
Edge Hill is one of the many special places in Franklin County that Franklin Land Trust has helped protect.
"By stepping forward to conserve this important forest and scenic resource, FLT assisted the Graves in realizing their plans to expand Edge Hill," notes FLT Executive Director Richard Hubbard. "The Graves are now generously stepping forward to help FLT expand its capacity to help other landowners conserve their land.  This golf tournament represents a continuation of a wonderful, productive relationship with the Graves and Edge Hill Golf Course."
"I love the idea of an event that will encourage people not only to come out and have fun, but to come out and enjoy one of the spectacular views and special places of our region," said Sabourin.
Featured events for the day will include: a $50,000 Shoot-out sponsored by First Pioneer Farm Credit; Hole in One contest for a golf package sponsored Fran Johnson's Golf and Tennis; Closest to the Pin contest; Carnival Cruise Putting Contest sponsored by Cohn and Company Real Estate Agency; an auction for a golf bag and custom clubs donated by Nike, plus player gifts, prizes and awards. The entry fee is $75 per player, and includes golf, cart, BBQ dinner, snacks, and player gifts. The price for dinner only is $25. 
Register online or by calling 625-9152 ...and remember to invite your friends to play. We are still seeking sponsorships for the golf tournament. Call to see how you can help! 

ARTISTS, CRAFTSPEOPLE WANTED

FLT's 20th annual Farm and Garden Tour, to be held June 28 and 29, will feature a new Fine Arts and Crafts Fair.
The fair will be held both days in front of Sanderson Academy, 808 Cape St., Ashfield. Food and homemade ice cream will be available at the site. The cost for a 10-by-10-foot booth is $50. All crafts must be handmade by the exhibitor. No commercial vendors or reselling of products.
For more information, contact Peter Freisem at 413-369-4651 or by email at pfreisem@comcast.net, or call Linda Alvord at 413-625-9152.

Hike In Bear Swamp, Ashfield

On Saturday, May 3 the Deerfield River Watershed Association (DRWA] is co- sponsoring a hike with the Appalacian Mountain Club (AMC) to enjoy the early Spring flowers.  Hikers wishing to join others for breakfast before the hike may meet at Elmer's Store in Ashfield at 9:30.  Others can meet at the trail head at 11:00,  Bear Swamp is land owned by the Trustees of Reservations  and is located about one and a half miles past the intersection of Route 112, 116 and the Hawley Road on the Hawley Road.  The hike will be of slow pace to enjoy and identify the flowers in this diverse setting.  The footing is sometimes rough but there is little gain in elevation.  DRWA sponsors these hikes open and free to the public as a way of helping residents learn about and enjoy their natural surroundings. Reservations are requested by calling Polly Bartlett at 625-6628 or dbartlet@crocker.com.

MASSIVE HOUSE CLEANING SALE!!

$0.50 ¢ to $100 !!! Complete home furnishings!! Furniture, lamps, tables, dining room, bedrooms!! Complete room accessories!! Priced to sell! Many Items NEW!!!  594 Main Street Becket MA – fenced yard across from Becket Country Store & Café.  Every Sunday in May.

CHAPEL BROOK AND DINOSAUR FOOTPRINTS VOLUNTEER DAYS

SATURDAY, MAY 3, 9 AM – 1 PM
TRAIL BUILDING WITH AMC AT CHAPEL BROOK, ASHFIELD
GARLIC MUSTARD WEED CONTROL AT DINOSAUR FOOTPRINTS, HOLYOKE 

Volunteers are invited to help The Trustees of Reservations save butterflies and rare plants at Dinosaur Footprints in Holyoke or build trails at Chapel Brook in Ashfield on Saturday, May 3rd.   Both work days will take place from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m.   
Garlic mustard is the culprit at Dinosaur Footprints.  This invasive plant is displacing native vegetation including rare plants at the site. It can also poison butterflies and reduce wildlife habitat.  Garlic mustard must be pulled early in the spring before it flowers, so volunteers helping The Trustees staff at this time of year make it possible to successfully restore the native habitat. Volunteers will also enjoy learning about the dinosaur footprints and have a great view of the Connecticut River.  After May 3rd volunteers are needed on weekdays to continue to pull garlic mustard at Dinosaur Footprints and at the Bryant Homestead in Cummington. 
 At Chapel Brook, The Appalachian Mountain Club will be on hand for the 22nd year to help make property improvements for visitors.  Volunteers will move rocks and wood chips and do trail construction to increase soil stability and control erosion. Volunteers can enjoy the view from Pony Mountain and walk alongside Chapel Falls as it tumbles downhill.  
Please pre-register for these events by e-mailing pvregion@ttor.org or calling the Pioneer Valley regional office at 413-532-1631 ext. 13. More information is available at www.thetrustees.org. 
The Trustees of Reservations, the nation’s oldest regional land trust and non-profit conservation organization, owns, protects and manages 99 properties around the state of Massachusetts, including Chapel Brook and Dinosaur Footprints. Join 100,000 people in protecting our natural, scenic and historic resources for everyone to enjoy.  For more information, visit www.thetrustees.org.

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Town Hall Information
P.O. Box 560
412 Main Street
Ashfield, MA  01330
Ph: 413-628-4441
Fax: 413-628-4588
Hours:
Monday 8 am - 7 pm
Tuesday 9 am - 5 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am - 7:30 pm
Friday 9 am - 5 pm
Lunch is from noon until 1 pm

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Homestead Inc.
Tom Leue
1664 Cape Street
Ashfield, MA 01096
Mailing: Williamsburg, MA 01096
Ph: 413 628-4533
Fax: 413 628-3973
Email: Tilapia@aol.com
Website: www.Yellowbiodiesel.com
Complete Professional Help for all aspects of Title 5 Rules Homestead Inc. has 15 years experience in all aspects of Title 5 rules, the requirement for septic system inspection and subsequent services if required. No one can help you more or save you more money than Homestead Inc.

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Website: www.mcvfaTravel.com

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Connecticut River Valley Car Club To Sponsor Tours of Berkshires 

From August 4 -7, 2008 there will be an AACA National Car Tour based at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Pittsfield, MA.  At this event there will be a long tour for 125 antique cars to travel.  The Route will go from Pittsfield, down Route 2 through Shelburne Falls/Buckland, Ashfield, Plainfield to Route 9 and back to Pittsfield.  There will also be short tours through the Berkshires.  This is a major event and we'll be looking for people to advertise their business in our tour booklet. 
We will collect flyers and pamphlets if business would like to contribute them to our tour packets that will be handed out to those who have registered to participate.  We can take a maximum of 125 antique cars and people participating must be members of the AACA (Antique Auto Club of America).  This is a wonderful way to showcase our beautiful part of the country. 
People on the tours will be stopping in the towns along the way to shop and eat.  The event takes place from August 4th – 7th in 2008, but many people will come early and stay later since they will be coming from all around the U.S.  Berkshire Bank in Pittsfield is a major sponsor to this event. For more information contact Lori Baronas at 413-665-3190.

Restoring Old Growth Characteristics to Your Woods with Paul Catanzaro