Rural Intelligence (Page 372)

Community

Act Now! Participation Workshops: Civics 101 In One Day Or Less

Back when civics classes were a regular part of the public school package, we learned not to take our democracy for granted, but there seemed little reason to take that notion to heart. Things are different now, and while we have been slapped awake and propelled into action, we find

By Editor

Real Estate

Adaptive Reuse

A former schoolhouse was converted into an office building and residence in Lenox.

By Lisa Green

Real Estate

Original And Updated

In Old Chatham, a schoolhouse built in 1890 has been converted into a residence with all the modern conveniences. Set in an enchanting setting, the five-bedroom, three-and-one-half bathroom conversion has a beamed-ceiling great room, kitchen with soapstone and maple touches, and a family room nook. A cupola loft provides room

By Editor

Real Estate

School's Out

From the outside, this house in Sharon looks like a classic Colonial, but in 1900 it was a schoolhouse. The historic home is freshly painted with refinished floors throughout, so it's move-in ready with updates that include electrical, plumbing, heating and a newer roof. There is a kitchen

By Editor

Real Estate

Farmhouse Rock

Located in Spencertown on a quiet country road, this unique property combines a farmhouse and a converted schoolhouse. A high-ceiling great room has built-in bookshelves and sliding doors to a back patio, a bright country kitchen with bay window seating area, living room with fireplace, formal dining room, and a

By Editor

Real Estate

Home School

While many schoolhouse renovations completely transform the exterior, this former school in Litchfield retains a classic facade. Built in 1896, the historic Milton School has been reclaimed as a two bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom home sited on a half acre of level land. The interior has been fashioned into a living

By Editor

Community

The Rural We: Joan Ackermann

Originally from Cambridge, Mass., playwright Joan Ackermann now makes her home in the Berkshires where she and co-founder Gillian Seidl have run Mixed Company, a theater in Great Barrington, for the past 36 years. A special contributor to Sports Illustrated for many years, Ackerman has also written for Time, The

By Editor

Food

Poached Chicken In Citrus Ginger Butter Sauce

Contributor Lisa Fielding is a private chef and boutique caterer based in Manhattan who weekends in Litchfield County whenever possible. Many of her Manhattan clients are also Litchfield County weekenders, so work brings her to Northwest Connecticut as well. A Los Angeles transplant, Fielding was a former Hollywood film executive

By Editor

Community

Let's Party, But Where? Venues Guide, Part 2: Columbia Cty

The backdrop of natural beauty in the Rural Intelligence region has been luring brides and grooms to say their “I Do’s” here for years. But really, why shouldn’t any event — birthdays, anniversaries, corporate gatherings — get to enjoy the fabulous venues (and yes, frequently the views) that make a

By Editor

Style

Louisa Ellis: Shopping From Head To Toe

By Nichole Dupont Two days before my 40th birthday I walk into Louisa Ellis (its new home is a larger space at 294 Main Street in Great Barrington) thinking I was going to have a brief sit-down interview with the store’s owner/innovator/maven Melissa Bigarel. I'm

By Editor

Community

Members with Benefits: The Rest Of The Region

By Jamie Larson Last week we explored the benefits of becoming a member of some of the Berkshires' cultural institutions. The rest of our region, Columbia County, Litchfield County and Northern Dutchess County, is likewise resplendent with arts organizations worth joining. So here, again, we enumerate a few more

By Editor

Style

The High-Performance House, Part 6: The Facade Takes Shape

Rona Easton and Lonn Combs of EASTON+COMBS, the award-winning architectural office based in New Marlborough, Mass. have allowed Rural Intelligence to look over their shoulders (and those of their client) throughout the construction process of a high-performance home going up right now. This is the sixth installment of eight

By Editor