Rural Intelligence
Style

Garden: Mind Your Peony Ps And Qs

The following is a regular column that addresses basic issues facing the ever-inquisitive back- and front-yard toiler, proffered by someone who knows best: one of the master gardeners from the Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge, Brian Cruey. There is no denying that peonies (or Paeonia, the only genus
By Editor
Parties

Construct's MayFest Honors Ernest Schnesel

Amy Krzanik reports from Great Barrington. Guests spilled out of the packed Wyantenuck Country Club and onto the front veranda on Monday, May 11 as Construct’s annual MayFest fundraising gala honored the memory of longtime supporter Ernest Schnesel. The evening’s theme, “The House That Ernie Built," represents
By Editor
Food

Recipe: Spring Chickpeas

Twice a month, Berkshire County native Alana Chernila, mother of two, and author of the cookbook, The Homemade Pantry: 101 Foods You Can Stop Buying & Start Making (Clarkson Potter), contributes a thoughtful and heartfelt essay/recipe created exclusively for Rural Intelligence readers. Her first cookbook has achieved top-seller
By Editor
Food

Gracie's and Savory: CIA Grads' Trucks Make Old New

By Jamie Larson One might assume that two food trucks, both run by Culinary Institute of America grads, would be experimenting with cultural fusion or molecular gastronomy. Interestingly, and luckily for us, the Gracie’s and Savory Delicatessen food trucks, both located (most weekends) in the open air food court
By Editor
Arts

The School: One Year And Art Five Decades In The Making

El Anatsui, “Stressed World" (as installed at The School, Kinderhook, NY). By Robert Ayers It has been almost exactly a year since Jack Shainman changed the contemporary art landscape in this part of the world by opening The School in Kinderhook, NY. On Sunday, May 17, he is throwing
By Editor
Food

Recipe: Chive and Cheddar Biscuits

This week's recipe is from Berkshire-based duo The Butcher & The Baker. The Butcher is Jake, a nose-to-tail butcher/artist, who loves to cook and grew up in the woody hills of Western Massachusetts where his passion for local, fresh food was first instilled in
By Editor
Parties

Sandisfield Gala Celebrates 'An Extraordinary Community'

Lisa Green reports from Sandisfield. The auction action at the second annual Sandisfield Arts Center spring dinner and benefit on Saturday, May 9 proved that, if nothing else, the Sandisfield community is a tight-knit and supportive one. When State Representative. Smitty Pignatelli was unable to make his auctioneering commitment,
By Editor
Parties

Night Of 1,000 Tulips And Guests for GBRSS

Rachel Louchen reports from Lenox. After years of requests from parents to have a big fundraising event like many other schools in the region, the Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School held its first annual spring gala on Saturday, May 9. Dubbed Tulipalooza, those flowers (donated by Ariella Chezar) and more
By Editor
Real Estate

Prize-Winning Pergola

The artfully landscaped gardens at this Washington home are so exceptional, they've won awards. The shingle-style home is a private retreat from town and surrounded by raised garden beds, pergola and trees. No expense was spared for the home, which has spacious rooms, a top-of-the-
By Editor
Real Estate

Compact Garden

Tiny houses are gaining in popularity, and this Great Barrington home takes advantage of its small lot with extensive and colorful gardens that rival some twice the size. Located on the Hill with beautiful views of downtown and the mountain beyond, the home was built in 1900 and has many
By Editor
Real Estate

Botanical Ranch

This sprawling ranch sits on an acre of gardens for a picture-perfect setting in the Village of Kinderhook. Surrounded by mature trees, perennial gardens and stone walls, the three-bedroom home includes a living room, large eat-in kitchen, den/office and a full bathroom. Also on the property
By Editor
Real Estate

Garden Paradise

The natural delights at this property in Old Chatham are on display from the moment you arrive and see a small orchard and vegetable garden down the stone-walled driveway. The 90-acre property is a gardener's dream, with walkways surrounded by landscaping, multiple outdoor seating areas, a
By Editor

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