By ANITA PHILLIPS

Recorder Staff

An ice cream stand in Northfield, a restaurant in Greenfield, a bike path in Turners Falls and a peace pagoda in Leverett are among seven Franklin County destinations chosen this year as Yankee magazine's "Best of New England."

Yankee's 2010 Travel Guide to New England: A Special Issue (May-June) listed Northfield Creamie as the "best soft-serve," Hope and Olive restaurant in Greenfield as "best casual dining" and Deerfield Zipline Tours in Charlemont as "best place to soar."

The magazine also named the Shelburne Arts Co-op as having the "best handmade gifts," the Canalside Trail in Turners Falls as the "best urban bike path," the New England Peace Pagoda as the "best slice of tranquility" and the Old Deerfield Summer Craft Fair as one of the "Top 20 Massachusetts Events."

"We're thrilled," said James Zaccara, co-owner of Hope and Olive, 44 Hope St., Greenfield. "It means a lot for people to notice who we are and what we're doing."

Zaccara said he is also excited that Greenfield is getting the recognition it deserves.

"I don't know how they found us, but it's really cool to see Greenfield listed in a national magazine," he said. "And, it's great for the restaurant to be recognized outside of the region."

Zaccara said he's happy Hope and Olive was recognized as a casual- dining restaurant.

"We're overwhelmed," said Tim Bowen, who, with his family, owns Northfield Creamie of 62 Main St., Northfield. "Northfield is such a beautiful town and this creamy is an institution there."

Bowen said he believes the softserve ice cream stand was built and opened in the 1950s.

"People come here all the time telling us how they used to come as a kid or how they used to work here," said Bowen. "One of the former owners sent his kids through college running this."

Bowen said Northfield Creamie offers Bart's and Blake's hard ice creams and "the best soft-serve with the highest butter fat count you can get."

Karen Blom, co-owner of Zoar Outdoor, 7 Main St. (Route 2), Charlemont, said the Deerfield Zipline Tours is a "great add-on for Zoar."

"We're happy and proud of Yankee's designation, too," said Blom. "I think it would be fun to have the seven of us get together and talk about some sort of tour to connect the dots of all of the bests."

Nina Coler, a watercolor artist at Shelburne Arts Co-op at 26 Bridge St., Shelburne Falls, said everyone there is excited about the designation.

"I'm a rather new member of this artists-owned group, but I think it's great," said Coler. "I hope it brings more people here."

Lisa Davol, cultural coordinator for the River Culture Project, said the recognition for the Canalside Trail, Avenue A, Turners Falls, is a long time coming.

"This is very exciting," said Davol. "The path is done and it's beautiful. I hope this brings more people here."

Davol said an artist-designed public bike rack was recently installed on Avenue A near the Shea Theater.

"People can ride the bike path and then come downtown, park their bikes and eat here in town," she said.

Mel Allen, editor of Yankee, said the travel issue features 24 pages of information and at its heart: the best of New England.

"This section takes the place of what used to be the editors' picks," See BEST Page A6

The zip line at Zoar Outdoor in Charlemont is one of the seven Franklin County spots named ‘Best of New England' attractions in Yankee Magazine.

Recorder file

Hope & Olive Restaurant in Greenfield is one of Yankee Magazine's ‘Best of New England' picks.

Recorder/Paul Franz

See BEST on Page A06

■ Best: Local favorites

From Page A1

said Allen. "We did editors' picks for more than 30 years."

Allen said Yankee sent freelancers to each of the New England states to find "the bests."

"The people we sent out know their states very well," said Allen. "These are the people who have done guide books for each state."

Allen said Jeff Perk traveled Massachusetts.

"We wanted Jeff and the others to tell us about places that won't be found in all of the guide books - that's what sets Yankee apart from other magazines," he said. "Instead of making things specific, like the best hot dog, we had them look with a broader view."

Allen said he understands the choices are "very subjective."

"These picks are meant to be conversation starters," he said. "And, to recognize lesserknown places in New England. "We wanted to give some press to places that don't get as much as more well-known places," said Allen.

Each of the seven Franklin County destinations will receive a Yankee certificate.

"We love featuring places like these," said Allen. "They're the surprises and treats that don't break the bank."

Very many of the other best picks were at the Cape and Islands, with a few in Berkshire County.

Contacts:

◆ New England Peace Pagoda is located at 100 Cave Hill Road in Leverett. For more information, call (413) 367-2202.

◆ For information on the Old Deerfield Summer Craft Fair, call (413)774-7476 or visit:

www.deerfield-craft.org

◆ Canalside Trail: (413) 863-3221 or (413) 230-9910;

www.turnersfallsriverculture.org

◆ Hope and Olive restaurant: (413) 774-3150;

www.hopeandolive.com

◆ Northfield Creamie: www.northfieldcreamie.com.

◆ Shelburne Arts Co-op: (413) 625-9324;

www.shelburneartscoop.com

◆ Zoar Outdoor: (413) 339-4010;

www.deerfieldzipline.com