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5 free things to see in Western Massachusetts

By WTOP Staff

BETH J. HARPAZ
AP Travel Editor

GREENFIELD, Mass. (AP) — Whether you’re visiting the region’s many colleges or just playing tourist, Western Massachusetts is an interesting destination. There are towns dating back three centuries, main streets that seem simultaneously old-fashioned and trendy, and lots of bucolic rural scenery, from small farms to fall foliage. The area is about a two-hour drive from Boston and three hours from New York City.

Best of all, many local attractions are free. Here are a few.

BRIDGE OF FLOWERS

This lavishly landscaped pedestrian bridge over the Deerfield River in Shelburne Falls was built in 1908 for a trolley and became the Bridge of Flowers in 1929. Blooms in early fall include dahlias, hibiscus, allium and echinacea in a riot of purple, pink, yellow and orange. The bridge closes right before Halloween and reopens in spring.

Just around the corner, visit a local “geological wonder”: naturally round potholes ground out of granite during the glacial age by stones gyrating in whirlpools of water.

POET’S SEAT TOWER

This stone tower in Greenfield offers a 360-degree panoramic view from the top, especially lovely when autumn colors peak. Arched openings offer additional views as you climb several flights up.

A sign at the site says the tower, built in 1912 to replace an older wooden one, honors Frederick Tuckerman Goddard, a “gifted solitary poet” who studied nature and was “admired by Emerson, Hawthorne and Tennyson.”

Located on Mountain Road, it’s a bit tricky to find. Look for a small parking lot by the side of the road with a partly obscured sign at the trailhead. You can park there and walk in, or drive the paved path and park at the tower.

HISTORIC DEERFIELD

So why is Western Massachusetts nicknamed the Pioneer Valley? Well, long before 19th-century pioneers settled the American Midwest, colonists from New England headed to a 17th-century frontier here, 100 miles west of Boston. This wilderness was also a setting for the French and Indian War. One of the most famous attacks took place in Deerfield on Feb. 29, 1704. The settlement was destroyed, dozens of settlers — including children — were killed and more than 100 were taken captive by Indians and marched to Canada.

Today Historic Deerfield is dotted with markers commemorating the massacre, including a mass grave in the old cemetery for 48 men, women and children that bears the words “The Dead of 1704.” You’ll have to pay admission to see a “hatchet-hewn” doorway that bears scars of the attack and is now displayed amid other treasures in Memorial Hall, and you’ll also have to buy tickets to tour Old Deerfield’s 18th-century buildings. But you can soak up plenty of chilling history and historic architecture just by walking around, visiting the cemetery and reading the markers. Also free is the Channing Blake Footpath past a working farm with pigs and cows.

In nearby South Deerfield at 25 Greenfield Road, Yankee Candle’s massive flagship store houses a candle museum, Bavarian Christmas village, animatronic elves and a mini-Black Forest where snow falls every few minutes.

BOTANIC GARDEN OF SMITH COLLEGE

Northampton is known for its hippie vibe and funky downtown strip. It’s also home to Smith College, where a small but lovely botanic garden includes landscaped paths, a pond with a heron sculpture and a Victorian greenhouse called Lyman Conservatory at 16 College Lane. Lyman hosts a chrysanthemum show Nov. 1-16.

THE BELLE OF AMHERST

Many famous writers and artists have lived in the region, including the reclusive 19th-century poet Emily Dickinson. You can tour her home in Amherst for a fee, but it costs nothing to pay your respects at her grave in West Cemetery on Triangle Street. Look for the Dickinson family plot in the middle of the cemetery surrounded by fencing. Her tombstone reads, “Called back,” a phrase she used shortly before her death and one that suggests she was never entirely of this world.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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