massachusetts

Jan 11 2011

My Childhood Hometown: Southwick, MA

: Image via Wikipedia

Growing up in a small town is a funny thing. It isn’t until you are much older, and maybe being a parent is part of it, that you realize why your parents chose to live in “podunk” and raise you in that little bit of nowhere you couldn’t wait to get out of.

I was born in Springfield, MA, but spent my childhood in Southwick, MA. Known to some as “the jog” or “the notch”, much of the southern part of the town dips miles into Connecticut. I grew up right on a street that was only a mile from the CT border.

As a REALTOR at Park Square Realty in the Greater Westfield area, I get to work in Southwick quite a bit, but I don’t always slow down to really notice the town.

A buyer client of mine wanted to see several properties in Southwick last week and driving around town started to bring back memories of my youth in town. Driving the side road that was a “short cut” to my street, I felt my instincts for where to hug the curves and slow down kick back in automatically. I passed the homes where my high school friends lived (and some of their parents still live) and loads of developments that were never there when I was young.

I showed a home for sale across from the Sofinowski Land Preserve, which is now protected land, but when I lived just down the road was still Mr. Sofinowski’s farm. My sister and I used to love to ride our bikes down the hill near his farm and I always liked his sheep.

On this drive I could see the time stamp for when neighborhoods moved further out in to the southern “country” of town. Peppered about the historic homes and farms, the multitude of raised ranch homes tell of the late 70’s and early 80’s. The mini mansions came in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, many of them on what used to be tobacco fields.

The tobacco farm where I worked (yes I picked tobacco) is still there, although others are gone and turned into neighborhoods. The Summer House is still there and thriving, although it is now a year round restaurant. The Moto-Cross still causes traffic when the BMX races come to town

I should have known that I couldn’t be in town without being recognized AND that only my maiden name would be used. As my client and I arrived at our last property for sale, I was greeted with “hey, you are Lesley WEBER!”.

southwick ma foliage — Southwick in the Fall

I live in Westfield now, but only a half mile from the Southwick line and I spend a lot of time with friends and my daughters enjoying my childhood town. As a parent I now see what my parents were doing by raising a family in a small town like Southwick: it is pretty, it is safe, it is quiet and it is still a community.

If you are looking to move to Southwick, MA I not only recommend it, but it would be my special pleasure to help you with your move.

southwick barn in winter — Southwick in the Winter

tobacco barn photo courtesy of hilltowngal

Jan 03 2011

Map Monday: Homes for Sale, Southwick, MA 01077

: Image via Wikipedia

Welcome to Map Mondays! Each week I will create and highlight a Google map featuring homes for sale from different towns or in different niches. Today’s map is Homes for sale in Southwick, MA 01077.

Are you a homebuyer looking for a home in Southwick, MA? This map shows homes for sale in Southwick, MA 01077.

Finding the right home is an important process and I love to help. I host a series of videos on real estate. To see the videos visit my YouTube Channel.

If the search shown above doesn’t fit your needs, I can help you to get the information you need. Please don’t hesitate to ask, I am here to help! You can call me at 413-575-3611 or use the interactive card below to reach me via social networks, email and more!

Dec 17 2010

Westfield MA Construction Update- Park Square Town Green

As a resident and real estate agent in Westfield, MA I can tell you first hand what a pain in the bum this year’s construction has been.

Not only is it making for even more traffic going North and South in Westfield, but downtown the Town Green, Elm Street, Broad Street and Main Street have all been under major construction, too.

This spring I had to buy a new set of tires because I hit a hole in the road under construction on Main Street and I resorted to working from home most of the summer and fall as Park Square Realty is located on Elm Street, Westfield where there was massive roadwork. My nine year old wants to create a petition that prevents there from being more than two road projects at a time…I guess she is tired of sitting in the traffic, too!

A major sadness throughout this process has been the demolition of our town green. The large trees and fountain were removed, the entire area bulldozed and it has become a construction center with piles of rocks and dirt and machines on it.

Tonight the Westfield City Council approved the 1.9 million dollar Town Green project, including a much contested $350,000 gazebo. The full story from Masslive.com can be seen here.

Now I am really not sure how big a gazebo has to be to cost $350,000. I have sold some really nice homes in that price point. I wonder if the gazebo is going to have granite counter tops and a jacuzzi tub?

I am, like most Westfield, MA residents, really looking forward to the day that they complete these projects and get our Town Green returned to us. Here is a cool 3D flyby virtual video of the completed project to tide you over while we endure more construction:

Dec 09 2010

Whips, Pure Foods Murder, Bicycles and Normal Schools: Westfield, MA

: Image via Wikipedia

Westfield, MA has a long and diverse history. As one of the largest cities in Massachusetts by land mass, it has experienced a lot of changes over the course of time.

The history involves whips, murders over pure food, the creation of equal higher education, bicycles and parks.

What began as a largely agricultural outcropping for Springfield has matured into a thriving city that has offered much to local and national history.

Known as the Whip City because of the large buggy whip industry that was focused here during the 19th Century, there is still one major supplier of whips housed here.

In the early 20th century, Westfield was at the center of the Pure Food movement, an effort to require stricter standards on the production of food. Louis B. Allyn, a Westfield resident and professor, lived in Westfield until his murder in 1940. Allyn was outspoken and determined to warn people against foods that were harmful to them. He even went up against the Coca Cola company when he tried to warn parents to not let their children drink this beverage, which at the time contained the addictive and harmful drug cocaine. His murder remains the only unsolved murder in Westfield, MA. In 1906, Congress passed the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906.

Another famous Westfield company is the Columbia Bicycle Factory. With a branch located in Westfield since 1896, there has been much innovation and contribution to our area by this company.

Rounding out the wonderful culture and history of Westfield, MA is what is now known as Westfield State University. Founded in 1838 by educator and social reformer Horace Mann who wanted to foster public co-educational college in America without barrier to race, gender and economic class. The journey from there encompassed the names: “Westfield Teachers College”, “Westfield State College” and in 2010 it was dubbed Westfield State University.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the lovely and historic Grandmothers’ Garden and Stanley Park. Both of these lovely public spaces bring joy and beauty to the residents and visitors of Westfield, MA.

As a REALTOR in Westfield, MA since 1988 and a resident of Westfield since 1987, I take great pride in sharing some of the culture, history and charm of my hometown.

Lesley Lambert, Park Square Realty, Westfield MA 413.575.3611

Dec 01 2010

Holiday Events in Westfield, MA

photo credit: TinyTall

The holidays are in high gear already in Westfield, MA and there are many festive events on the schedule over the course of the next few weeks.

Years ago I was on the committee that first created “Dickens Days”. It began as a tour of Westfield’s historic homes and changed over the course of the years, but remains a great holiday staple.

In its current incarnation it features craft fairs, plays, dinners and more. Be sure to visit Westfield on Weekends and “The District Westfield” page for detailed schedules and information on Dicken’s Days in Westfield, MA.

On December 3, 2010 Gerald Charles Dickens, the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, performing his acclaimed one-man version of the classic Christmas tale. He entertains and delights, depicting 26 characters with just a table, wing chair, and a hat rack!

Beginning December 3, 2010 the Westfield Theater Group will be featuring “A Christmas Carol”

On December 4, 2010 the Westfield Athenaeum will present a FREE viewing of Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” which features choreography by Westfield native, Michelle Weber!

On December 16, 2010 The School Street Bistro will feature a Christmas Carol dinner that sounds interactive and fun and is bound to be tasty!

Do you know of other events in town? Leave a comment!

Happy Holidays from your Westfield MA Real Estate Agent, Lesley Lambert of Park Square Realty 413-575-3611

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