Berkshire County makes up the Western side of Massachusetts - a place that many people think doesn't even have a population. Although often overlooked, Berkshire County is truly beautiful and unique. If you grew up there, here are several things you may relate to.
1. No sandwich will ever compare to a Leslie B.
Loeb's Foodtown in the center of Lenox has an amazing sandwich menu at their deli. One of the most popular is a "Leslie B" - for some reason, it tastes like the best turkey sub anyone has ever had.
2. Olivia's Overlook is one of your favorite places.
Nothing can beat the view of Stockbridge Bowl at Olivia's Overlook.
3. Your social life in middle school was standing around at the mall.
Oh, the good ole the Berkshire Mall. The Berkshires are made up of such small towns that the only thing to do, especially when you're young, is to hang out at the mall on Friday nights.
4. No music venue can compare to Tanglewood.
Whether it was Film Night or getting lost in the maze with your friends, some of the best summer nights were spent at Tanglewood.
5. "Parties" were really just bonfires in a large field.
House parties aren't really a thing in the Berkshires.
6. People give you weird looks when you say you're from Western Mass.
Most people in the Eastern half of Massachusetts are surprised there is life over in the Berkshires.
7. Fall isn't as beautiful anywhere else.
Unlike most other locations, Fall is our tourist season.
8. Speaking of Fall, Bartlett's cider donuts anyone?!
Everyone loves a good donut and every orchard has their own, but Bartlett's does it best!
9. You went on at least one school field trip to Hancock Shaker Village.
It was really only a good time if there were baby animals or if they let you dress up and "milk" the fake cows.
10. The Big E is one of the highlights of the year.
Ah, The Eastern States Exposition. Want some Vermont Maple Syrup? How about a Lobster Roll from Maine? You can sample foods from all over New England at the state house replicas! And, not to mention: the fried Oreos.
11. The words "Apple Squeeze" don't sound as weird as they should.
The phrase sounds a little wrong to people who don't know the Apple Squeeze as the annual Fall festival in Lenox. Pies, cider, face painting - doesn't get much better than that.
12. Going to museums was actually super cool.
Between Mass MoCA, the Norman Rockwell Museum, and the Clark Art Museum, we had plenty of cool places to go on rainy days.
13. You couldn't wait to get out, but you appreciate it now.
It's far from the beach or the hustle and bustle of Boston, but it's home!
