Rural Intelligence
Community

New Documentary Focuses on Photographer Gregory Crewdson

When Gregory Crewdson was 16, he had his first fifteen minutes of fame in the form of a three-minute pop song. Crewdson played guitar in a new wave band called The Speedies, and in 1979 they had a minor hit with the song "Let Me Take Your Photo,
By Editor
Community

Empire State of Mind: New York Heritage Weekend Is Here

Frederick Church’s quirky, Persian-inspired homestead, Olana, grandly set atop a hill for the kind of Hudson River Valley view that inspired so many of the painters’ contemporaries (i.e., the Hudson River School), is the ideal starting point for New York Heritage Weekend, May 19 and 20. Established
By Editor
Style

Trade Secrets: A Lollapalooza of Antiques and Gardens

Once a year during Trade Secrets Weekend, the Litchfield Hills resemble the pages of an English gardening magazine, which is fitting since many of the pre-revolutionary towns (Cornwall, Kent, Salisbury) were settled by the British. The two-day Trade Secrets extravaganza—an antiques and rare-plant sale on Saturday,
By Editor
Parties

Construct's Tasty Mayfest Fundraiser at Crissey Farms

Fiona Breslin reports from Great Barrington.Despite the heavy rain, an eager crowd packed Crissey Farm on Monday, May 14 as more than 20 local restaurants and top chefs donated time, food, and spirits for Mayfest, Construct Inc.'s annual event to raise funds for housing, support, and educational
By Editor
Parties

A Tour & More: Spencertown Academy's Hidden Gardens

Spring is in the air region-wide but at the Spencertown Academy, which is celebrating its 40th this year, it is also busting out all over the gallery walls. The Academy's current exhibition, Artworks Inspired by the Garden, features Cristobal Morales' blossom-like assemblages (also currently on
By Editor
Parties

At CATA Gala, Vibrant Vital Signs

Fiona Breslin reports from Lenox.Community Access to the Arts, known as CATA, showed clear signs of vitality at this year’s annual fundraising performance and gala, held on May 12 at Shakespeare & Co. Called Vital Signs, the gala drew a record number of attendees for its hour-long
By Editor
Food

AgriCulture: The Rod, the Staff, and the Magic Wand

AgriCulture bloggers Peter Davies and Mark Scherzer are the owners of Turkana Farms in Germantown, NY. This week, Mark writes: For a number of unfortunate reasons, I’ve heard the 23rd Psalm a great deal lately, most recently last Friday morning at a cousin’s funeral. I have nothing against
By Editor
Food

Rhubarb Cinnamon Polenta Cake, with Thanks to Nigel Slater

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 peak-of-the-season cooking ideas at the Great Barrington Farmers' Market. Lately she has been devouring
By Editor
Style

The Art of Shopping: Working Warren with a Pair of Pros

We all shop, but shopping with someone who actually makes a living buying stuff is an entirely different game. For one thing, the pros notice subtleties we pikers would be likely to overlook, such as the fine print on the $900 price tag dangling from a '50s floor lamp
By Editor
Food

Cross Roads Food Shop is Hillsdale's New Hot Spot

Chef David Wurth has been living and cooking long enough in the Berkshires and Hudson Valley to know that a successful business must have crossover appeal. With the Cross Roads Food Shop, he has created the quintessential rural restaurant--a neighborhood hangout by day, destination dining by night--that attracts
By Editor
Style

Garden View: Are Green Thumbs Inherited?

Liza Gyllenhaal is the author of the novels "Local Knowledge," "So Near," and the forthcoming "A Place for Us," all set in the Rural Intelligence region. She and her husband divide their time between Manhattan and West Stockbridge, MA where she writes — and putters
By Editor
Parties

Food Festival Ramps Up in Hudson

Dale Stewart reports from Hudson.There was a palpable buzz in advance of the second annual Ramp Fest Hudson, and by all accounts (and palates) the event — held on Saturday, May 5 at the Basilica Hudson —  surpassed expectations. Produced by Jeff Gimmel of Swoon Kitchenbar (pictured left, with gallerist Karen
By Editor

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