Bill and I bought this 15-acre property in 2012, It was overgrown with wild roses. We have worked with a limited budget, and used animals to clear the land. The goats love the roses, but they only eat the leaves. The pigs dig the roses up. Chickens rake it clean. Win win! Very interesting place here- lots to tell you, there’s quite a list of things to do and see around here! Did you know that Gilbertville has a covered bridge? It is one of the last covered bridges still in use in Massachusetts! First- a touch of History: Rev. Timothy Ruggles bought this land from the Native Americans for his family tolive and work the land and, his son, Brigadeer General Timothy Ruggles became unpopular after he introduced the Stamp Act, and was banished to Nova Scotia. His daughter Bathsheba became the first woman executed in the United States for the murder of her husband Joshua Spooner. There’s a book about it called Murdered by his wife by Deborah Navas. Eats: For breakfasts and lunch there is The Whistle Stop diner, and Rose 32, a well known bakery that serves tea, coffee and sandwiches. There’s Hardwick house of Pizza- which also serves beer. Mimi’s for lunch. Ware has Mexicali Grill, Theresa’s Restaurant for Italian foods, Hanna Devine’s for traditional American cuisine, and, Pig Park BBQ for comfort food! Things to do: You can kayak, and fish in the Ware River. Also check out Swift River in Belchertown for excellent kayaking. Hardwick is the home of the oldest agricultural fair in the US, held every year in August, and, every Sunday there’s a small farmers market on the common. Hardwick also has a winery, and brewery and Robinson’s Farm has delicious hard cheeses made from their organic milk! Medicine River Pow Wow is In August here in Gilbertville. The East Quabbin Land Trust has birdwatching and fabulous views, and the Central Mass Bike trail entrance is located here. Bike it or hike it! Quabbin Reservoir is close by for boating and fishing. There are free concerts in Grenville Park in Ware, (check for dates). Ware also has Janine’s Frostee ice cream and fast foods- and live music on weekend nights! Also check out these on line: Ragged Hill orchard and Rock House Reservation in West Brookfield, Stone cow Brewery and Carter and Stevens farm in Barre, and the Leicester, and Mendon drive-in’s. Old Sturbridge village is 30 minutes away. Lake Siog in Holland has a lovely picnic area and beach for swimming. (30 mins South from here) Isn’t this area great or what?!