Rural Intelligence
Style

A Grander Scale: Dai Ban Finds His True Nature

Poring over a thick picture portfolio of nearly two decades of work as a graphic model maker for film and television, artist and sculptor Dai Ban shakes his head and laughs lightly. “Nothing on TV is real,” he says, “Not even the real thing.” Inside his bright, cozy Great Barrington-
By Editor
Food

A Rose By Any Other Name

Berkshire native Alana Chernila, local politician, mother of two, and author of the new cookbook, The Homemade Pantry: 101 Foods You Can Stop Buying & Start Making (Clarkson Potter), dispenses change and cooking ideas to readers and friends. She shares her peak-of-the-season recipes with Rural Intelligence to
By Editor
Food

AgriCulture: Waste Not, Etc.

AgriCulture bloggers Peter Davies and Mark Scherzer are the owners of Turkana Farms in Germantown, NY. This week Peter writes. Here in the cozy warmth of our farm house, nicely insulated from what will turn out to be a major blizzard, I am thinking of frugality. Specifically my frugality. I
By Editor
Parties

At the Berkshire Museum, Nature Seen Anew

Sarah Todd reports from Pittsfield.A heart cockle shell the size of a skyscraper. A desert sunrise dividing a sand dune into even slopes of light and dark. At the Berkshire Museum’s opening reception on Saturday, February 9 for exhibits by Ansel Adams and Andreas Feininger, striking, Modernist nature
By Editor
Style

Boxwood Linen: Pressed in Hillsdale

Franca Fusco, designer and owner of Boxwood Linen, doesn't believe in holding the finer things in life back. “When I hear people say ‘It’s too pretty to use,’ I just think ‘Oh dear. What life are you waiting for?’ Do it for yourself. I don’t understand
By Editor
Community

Going Upstreet: Pittsfield's 10x10 Arts Festival

It’s nice when a good idea turns out to be an equally good reality. Looking for a way to harness the growing energy and community spirit among downtown businesses — and also provide a not-so-subtle nudge to encourage people to bundle up and make the scene in mid-
By Editor
Food

Our Daily Bread (South): The Power & The Glory of Pastrami

Sometimes a sandwich is more than just a sandwich. Take the pastrami on rye at the new Our Daily Bread Bakery & Café in Chatham, NY (not to be confused with its elder, gluten-free, vegetarian sibling at the north end of town that confusingly goes by the very same
By Editor
Food

A Coconut Cure: Congee, Chicken, and Greens

Berkshire native Alana Chernila, local politician, mother of two, and author of the new cookbook, The Homemade Pantry: 101 Foods You Can Stop Buying & Start Making (Clarkson Potter), dispenses change and cooking ideas to readers and friends. She shares her peak-of-the-season recipes with Rural Intelligence to
By Editor
Parties

Intensive Care: Columbia Memorial Benefit At Helsinki Hudson

Scott Baldinger reports from Hudson. This observer has been bandaged, injected, medicated, and cuffed (for blood pressure) under the auspices of Columbia Memorial Hospital – but never served hor’s doeuvres or entertained by the Bindlestiff  Family Cirkus (Stephanie Monseu, seen at left on her trademark stilts), at least until attending
By Editor
Parties

Honoring a Legacy at Hotchkiss Tremaine Gallery

On Saturday, February 2, Hotchkiss alumnus Raymond McGuire (class of ’75) returned to his former prep school as the guest of honor. He was there for the closing reception of “I Am,” a Tremaine Gallery exhibit featuring works by African-American photographers that spans a half-century. The artwork on
By Editor
Arts

Covering Duncan: Sheik At Infinity Hall

If you prefer your love odes on the bittersweet side, Duncan Sheik is your man, and his upcoming Valentine’s Day show at Infinity Hall is just the ticket for you and your date — or just you and a fantasy one. “I’ve written a lot of songs that are
By Editor
Community

Another New Era for the Salisbury Ski Jumps

There are not many spectator sports that make it worth your while to stand outside in frigid weather, but the annual Salisbury Ski Jumps are an exception because they're so thrilling—and heartwarming. The venerable competition (February 8 - 10), which is an unofficial proving ground for future Olympians,
By Editor

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