2010 HG&E Shad Derby

The annual HG&E Shad Derby is one of the region’s largest fishing events. Traditionally held on two weekends in late May, the derby offers both adult and youth fisherman the opportunity to win prizes as they enjoy the recreational benefits of the Connecticut River.
“Derby Days” (2010 Dates: May 15/16, 22/23) anywhere in the Holyoke, South Hadley or Chicopee area.

Mt Park

I went up to Northampton today for the Straight No Chaser concert. Which, just for the record, was awesome. But as I was leaving someone handed me this:
I didn't even think that the new Mt Park was ready yet. So on the way home I stopped and walked through. No it isn't even close to ready yet, but all I can say is WOW! It is looking amazing and the grounds are absolutely huge. I would say conservatively you could easily seat 8000 people on the lawns. I can't wait!

It's time to make the donuts!

More like time to eat the donuts. For those of you that don't know, there are two real donut shops in Holyoke. Dunkin' Donuts is a joke and does not count. We're talking about real, delicious, fresh donuts like you can't get from a chain. So that leaves Kay's on Lyman St. and The Whole Donut on South St.
My wife tends to go for the Whole Donut as they have coffee. I must admit I do love their coffee.


But my true love is Kay's. Kay's Bakery is amazing. Yeah it has limited hours and they don't have coffee; but come on, you open that old wood door and it's like you just stepped out of a time machine. You feel like you are standing in line sometime in the 1950's or 60's again. A time when places stayed the same for decades because they were fine and didn't need to change. And that is why I love Kays. Just be there early on the weekends for the really fresh donuts.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for Rudd's!

Every year as predictable as spring coming, Rudd's Tasty Treat at 915 Main St. in Holyoke, MA reopens to serve the public fresh ice cream and made to order lunches. It opened in 1973 and has attained a sort of fame to all who have come to try some of it's unique and original flavors. Now open for the summer, you can be sure every sunny day there will be a line out into the parking lot from those delicious windows.

Earth Day 2010

40th Anniversary of Earth Day
April 22, 2010

Plan a local event or just go plant a tree!
http://www.earthday.net/earthday2010

Eyrie House Ruins

Did you know that Holyoke has ancient ruins? Well, not really but if you follow the old road to Goat's Peak on Mt. Tom you will find the stone foundation remains of a hotel that was built near the peak in 1861, but subsequently burnt down in 1901. We hiked up to it the day before yesterday. I had forgotten just how far you can see from this spot and the best part is that it faces west, so one of these days we'll be going back to watch a beautiful sunset up there.

Scott's Tower

I walked up to Scott's Tower yesterday afternoon. It was a cloudy, damp day but it had been many years since I had seen the tower and I've been planning an afternoon for this walk for a couple of weeks. To visit the tower you take Rt 202 in Holyoke to Community Field Rd, then you have to cut through Community Field Park. It's such a shame that such a beautiful park has been all but abandoned. As you walk up the old road to the top you will see signs all over of the picnic spots that people enjoyed for so many years. The metal frames of picnic tables are everywhere, most of them in great shape with the exception of needing the wood tops and benches replaced. Too bad. To get to the tower go around the gate in Community Field under I91, follow the old park road, at the first fork in the road go left, at the second fork in the road go left again, at this point you will start to see the tower in the distance looming like a giant ruin. Graffiti is everywhere, which gives it a kind of sad overtone, but I was really impressed by how solid the building is. There is hardly a loose rock to be found. It's encouraging to think that with a just a major cleanup the area could really be looking great again. Be warned though, if you go up the tower then be very careful of the missing step about halfway up. At the top you will get an awesome 360 degree view, even on a cloudy day like when I went.

New Holyoke Blog

As I start this blog I am doing so with the intention to highlight some of the things that Holyoke, MA once had that made it great and great areas that can help bring it back. I live in Holyoke. I grew up here. I hope that with the help of many hands, the potential can burst through the shroud that has for many years covered it. 2010 should prove to bring about more changes for the good as we having been seeing improvements small as they may be for several years now. The new Mt. Park is scheduled to open this summer as a concert venue, bringing both revenue and attention back to the Paper City. Let's make this work. Please feel free to email me your favorite memories of the areas I will cover and if it fits in with the content of this blog then I will publish them for you. Thank you all for your support. letsgoholyoke@gmail.com