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This updated ranch home in Hinsdale offers access to Lake Ashmere.

Friday Front Porch Feature: A Cozy House on the Lake

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
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HINSDALE, Mass. — Are you looking for a peaceful house on the lake? Then this might be the perfect home for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 30 Cove Lane

The 1950 ranch is 1,001 square feet on 0.12 acres, with two bedrooms and one bathroom. It comes with major kitchen and laundry appliances.

A sunroom on one end offers floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over Ashmere Lake and access to a back deck. It also has a large private dock perfect for a boat or entertaining by the lake, and a firepit.  

The house is listed for $699,000.

We spoke to Lisa Kelley with MacCarro Real Estate, which has the listing.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

Kelley: What makes this property stand out in the current market is the ideal location on Ashmere Lake, combined with a bright, open layout and move-in ready condition. Floor-to-ceiling sliders and windows frame breathtaking water and sunset views, while the deck overlooking the lake and your own private dock, make it a true waterfront retreat.

Do you  know any unique stories about the home or its history?

According to local legend, the name Ashmere was chosen by William Cullen Bryant, one of the most well-known and influential American poets and editors of the 19th century. During his travels from the Hinsdale train station to his summer home in nearby Cummington, Bryant was said to have chosen the name Ashmere, inspired by the lake's quiet, poetic beauty.

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

This home is ideal for buyers who want a turnkey, move-in ready property who value the lifestyle and serenity of lake living. It's perfect for those who love a constant connection to nature. Lake life helps people slow down, relax and gather with family and friends.

What do the current owners love most about the home?

Every window frames a lake view and every room invites you to relax. What they love the most is the sense of calm this home provides, a feeling that comes from living right on the lake and being so connected to nature. Nothing compares to the peacefulness of mornings on the deck, sunsets over the water, and the quiet, restorative beauty of lakeside living.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

The pristine condition and beautifully open layout, all framed by the stunning lake backdrop, created a powerful first impression.

Have there been any recent renovations or standout design features?

Yes! This 1950s lake house has been beautifully transformed, blending original character with modern touches. The living room features a gas fireplace and a wall of glass offering amazing water views, while the open layout connects the kitchen, dining and lounge areas. This thoughtful renovation preserves the warmth and personality that make a lake house so special.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

Imagine enjoying easy, one-level living in this beautifully renovated lake house. The open layout with amazing water views, perfect for your morning coffee on the deck, afternoons entertaining on the dock, and evenings star gazing while sitting around the fire pit. It's a home that balances lakeside serenity with space for family, friends and memories that last a lifetime!

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

 




Tags: front porch,   Real Estate,   

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Pittsfield Schools Finalizing Bus Routes for Fall

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The district currently has enough bus drivers for the upcoming school year, and families will know their child's transportation schedule in mid-August. 

With about five weeks left of summer vacation, Superintendent Latifah Phillips updated the School Committee on transportation for the 2026-2027 year with middle school restructuring and the closure of Morningside Community School. 

Busing is a question that has continuously been raised as the Pittsfield Public Schools approach an academic year with a couple of big changes. 

"The reason that the bus stops and times aren't shared until very close to the school year is that routes change based on every student that moves into the district and requires a bus, and so it's important for us to wait as late as possible to ensure that families are getting the most accurate timetable," Phillips explained during a meeting held at Reid Middle School on Thursday. 

"We are also continuing to explore after-school transportation for the four schools receiving Morningside, and a survey was given to students who attend the Summer Morningside 21st Century Program to assess transportation needs."

That survey found that transportation does not appear to be a big impediment to students participating in the after-school program, but funding is set aside to ensure students are able to access the same services as they were the previous year. 

The district is still planning to offer after-school programming for Morningside transfer students, and is working with the four receiving elementary schools (Allendale, Egremont, Williams, Capeless) to plan a practice bus ride. 

Phillips explained that, for someone who has never ridden a bus before, and especially a school bus, they want to ensure that students are poised for success and understand the rules and expectations before the first ride. Students will be able to get on the bus, ride the route, arrive at school, have a quick break, maybe play on the playground and have a popsicle, then return home on the bus. 

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