After several hikes, this writer learns about the naming of the Hawthorne Trail

12:00AM / Wednesday, July 24, 2002Print Story | Email Story

When Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote about the forest, it was usually a dark, ominous place, with witches, demons and Indians lurking behind every tree. Even during the daylight hours, the woods were nearly pitch dark and oppressive. Strange things happen in Hawthorne's forests. Young Goodman Browne took the path to the woods, met the devil and lost Faith. He emerged from one night in the woods a suspicious and bitter man. Hester Prynne found both joy and torment in the forest, and earned a Scarlet Letter for life. She "straggled onward into the mystery of the primeval forest. This hemmed it in so narrowly, and stood so black and dense on either side, and disclosed such imperfect glimpses of the sky above, that, to Hester's mind, it imaged not amiss the moral wilderness in which she had so long been wandering" That was Hawthorne's world, where witches and devils were more real than they are today. The dark forest was the perfect analogy for the dark reaches of men's hearts. I'm almost envious that our world doesn't seem as mysterious; it's a little safer but colder. The reason I'm rambling on about Hawthorne is that one of my favorite Berkshire trails is called the Hawthorne Trail. Yet it's about the most pleasant and unforboding walk you could imagine. I've hiked it many times and have yet to meet the devil. This could be because it's not actually named after the esteemed author. After I had hiked the trail for years, thinking literature all the while, a park ranger told me that the area was once entirely covered by Hawthorne bushes, thus the name. Oh, well, Hawthorne did hike in the region so it could have been named after him. But it wasn't. Whatever the reason behind the name, the Hawthorne Trail is part of the Pittsfield State Forest network of trails. I can't think of a nicer weekend hiking spot than this beautiful park in the Capitol of the Berkshires. It offers 30 miles of hiking trails, from pleasant strolls to outright uphill humps. Tranquility trail, a paved three-quarter mile trek, is ideal for people who use wheelchairs (it's shorter than the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, but quieter). The park features family camping sites and more secluded plots near the park entrance and facilities. The campsites higher up the mountain offer pond views and outstanding vistas. Balance Rock serves as a cornerstone for the northeast section of the State Forest â€” Melville expounded on Balance Rock in Pierre, although the author made it much bigger and eerier than it actually is. The main entrance to the Pittsfield State Forest is located off Cascade Street. From West Housatonic Street, take a left onto Church Street and then another left onto Cascade. Follow to the end and bear right for the State Forest. The Pittsfield State Forest also features some of the best-named trails in the county, in addition to the Hawthorne Trail, which is not actually named after Nathaniel Hawthorne. There is the Shadow Trail, which runs parallel to Ghost Trail. There's also the Brickhouse Mountain Trail and Taconic Skyline Trail, the Honwee Loop and Lulu Brook trail. There's also the Churchill Brook Trail (named after Winston?). Back to the Hawthorne Trail. The trailhead is located just off the parking lot to the left of the main entrance. You start on the paved Tranquility Trail and pick up Hawthorne on the right after a few minutes. The trail rises gradually, turning up Pine Mountain. It's a somewhat challenging hike, but the incline is gradual enough to stay pleasant. The actual Hawthorne Trail is only a few miles, but I usually continue on to the Pine Mountain Trail all the way to Tilden Swamp. (One nice feature about the State Forest is that the trails are well marked, so you can alter your route without getting hopelessly lost.) The trail takes you between two mountains, with ever changing views through the trees. The Hawthorne/Pine Mountain hike meets all my standards: It's a good workout, traverses several types of forest, takes you through wetlands, hills and rocky areas and has outstanding rewards. If you're feeling ambitious, you can hike past the pond to the top of Berry Mountain, for a great view. Being in the center of the county, the State Forest draws quite a few campers during the warm months, but you can still enjoy seclusion, particularly on the more challenging routes. I've hiked the State Forest and the Hawthorne Trail during all seasons and have never been disappointed. I do think, however, that we should name a trail after Nathaniel Hawthorne. It should be the most dark, foreboding and ominous trail in the county. A trail that leads to a clearing where witches and devils would dance. Any ideas?

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North Adams Jewelry Store Has New Owner

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:34PM / Thursday, December 18, 2025

Cheryl Coppens put out a call for someone to take over the jewelry business she began last spring — jewelry maker Alexandra Padilla answered the call.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Artful Jeweler has a new owner who is looking to expand its offerings.

Cheryl Coppens opened the jewelry store in May, showcasing local artists, offering fine jewelry, and jewelry repair.

But a new grandson in Texas, and the difficulties in flying back and forth to see him, had her looking to move closer to him.

Last month, she posted on the business's Facebook that she wanted someone to take over the space and continue the venture. Alexandra Padilla reached out to her and Coppens said she met all her criteria she was looking for in anew owner.

"You have to really want to be in retail. You have to want to be in this community, priced where people can afford it. Alex is native to North Adams. Her husband, she's got two great kids, so it just felt like they would be able to continue the store," Coppens said. "So the criteria really was somebody that would work the store, not somebody that would just come in and hire employees. I didn't want that."

Padilla started taking over the store in the beginning of December. She has been selling jewelry for about three years, and has an online shop, and has worked in wholesale jewelry for about 15 years.

"I always wanted to have my own thing on it, and I wanted to bring something new, and I want to involve my family, my kids do something, and I want to be independent," she said.

Now Padilla showcases her jewelry in the Ashland Street store and plans to keep some of the local artists' items, like stained glass made by Coppens' mother.

Padilla customizes jewelry and tailors pieces to her customers.

She plans to work around her job at Berkshire County Head Start so she can open store for more hours.

She also plans to redesign the store a little bit and bring in a couple more lines, like more rings and pearls.

The store is open on Saturdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays 9 to 2, Fridays 9 to 6, and Sundays 9 to 3. The store has also been open on Mondays 10 to 5 and Tuesdays 10 to 3 for the holidays.

Padilla thanks Coppens for trusting her and hopes customers continue to support the Artful Jeweler.

"Thank you for trusting me. I'm going to try and do my best and work hard to make it happen," she said. "This is our first time selling retail, so we hope the community supports us in here."

Coppens will be helping Padilla until she is comfortable operating the store on her own. She said it will continue to be a space of community support.

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