Rural Intelligence
Community

Eating Your Way Up (or Down) Route 22

There are two main arteries for traveling between New York City and our region—Route 22 and the Taconic State Parkway—and I prefer Route 22 because you can eat and shop along the way.  (Of course, nothing beats the Taconic in good weather for a Zen driving experience.) For
By Editor
Food

Swiss Hutte

There’s something literally fantastic about the Swiss Hutte, a half-timber 19th-century farmhouse that’s been in continuous operation as an inn for over fifty years. Tucked in a hidden valley amid gardens at the foot of Catamount ski slope, it feels half-a-world and at least
By Editor
Style

Many States, Many Styles: Easy, Affordable & Fun

Everyone loves this antiques show—serious collectors, dabblers, dealers.  Close to 200 of the latter, some specializing in the fun and affordable, others more serious, will gather this weekend at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, as their kind have for the past 30 Memorial Days, rain or shine (it's
By Editor
Parties

Trade Secrets: Martha Stewart Makes the Scene

As usual, Martha Stewart  was among the eager, early buyers at Trade Secrets, the massive rare plant and antique sale at Lion Rock Farm in Sharon, which benefits Women's Support Services. As she stopped at every booth (including  potter Guy Wolff's left), Martha took photographs and
By Editor
Parties

Opening Night of the Berkshire International Film Festival

As some 500 people streamed into the Mahaiwe Theater on May 15 to see Man on Wire, the award-winning documentary about tightrope walker Philippe Petit, which opened the Third Annual Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF), Chatham artist Roger Mason (left) was standing across the street, painting the marquee of
By Editor
Food

Tasting: Apple Blossoms, a Walk and Some Wine

On Friday and Saturday, Furnace Brook Winery at Hilltop Orchards introduces its eagerly awaited Dry Riesling at the 6th Annual Apple Blossom Bash.  In 2007, their Johannisberg Riesling won the Gold Metal at the Big E Northeast Wine Competition (having copped the silver just the year before), so hopes for
By Editor
Style

Garden Tour: Conservancy Open Days Begin on Saturday

Saturday marks the beginning of the Open Days Garden Conservancy Tour season, with some of our region's most exceptional gardens open to the public. (We will keep you informed of tours of other properties on Open Days throughout the growing season.)  Saturday's itinerary has us poking
By Editor
Parties

Saturday Night in Salisbury: Upstairs, Downstairs

On the ground floor of a 19th century colonial with a picket fence in front on Academy Street in Salisbury, Merideth McGregor runs Joie de Livres, a shop selling rare books, fine art and objets d'art, which she's set up to feel like a literary salon.
By Editor
Style

Privet House: A Shopping "Revolution" in Warren, CT

If shopping is your recreational drug of choice, then Richard Lambertson and Suzanne Cassano are the dealers of your dreams. Last week, they opened Privet House, which they call an emporium of home goods, antiques and curiosities. They have artfully displayed a wide assortment of things—from antique calligraphy brushes
By Editor
Arts

Barrington Stage Company Finds Itself A Second Home

Barrington Stage Company, which has a beautifully renovated 520-seat theater (with great leg room) in downtown Pittsfield, has finally found a semi-permanent home for its Stage II productions. BSC has signed a five year-lease for the VFW Hall on Linden Street and invested $20,000 to turn
By Editor
Food

The Fishman Cometh: Matt Rubiner's March to the Sea

During the go-go Reagan years, even dropouts had clearly defined goals and strategies for achieving them.  Only 28 when, as an MIT research director and a prospective PhD candidate, Matt Rubiner decided to bail on academia, he took comfort in the knowledge that he was still young enough to
By Editor
Parties

Foodies Unite To Help Their Neighbors

Some two dozen restaurants, caterers, bakers and wine shops donated a buffet feast for Monday night's Mayfest benefit for Construct Inc, which provides homeless prevention and supportive housing services for people with low to moderate incomes in the Southern Berkshires.  The event was sponsored by the South Council
By Editor

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