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Food

Vegan Or Not, You’ll Love Shire Kitchen’s Community Dinners

Mariana Bergtold in the tempeh shed, where the kitchen manufactures 100 pounds of chickpea tempeh at a time. By Lisa Green Fans of the Dancing Vegan, a plant-based, takeout shop in Pittsfield, Mass., were severely disappointed when Chef Mariana Bergtold closed its doors in 2009. Even now, local vegans (and

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Community

In General: 10 Country Stores in the Rural Intelligence Region

By Nichole Dupont If there is one thing the RI region takes pride in…great pride, actually…it's the plethora of truly charming general stores that dot the back roads and villages of historic, sometimes sleepy towns. In these gems, visitors can find wonderful baked goods and fresh

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Food

The People's Pub In Chatham Ramps Up For The Season

By Joanna Virello A friend from Claverack who loves hyper-local beer suggested that I check out The People’s Pub, a new establishment in Chatham, New York, opened by Angus Van Beusichem and Gray Ballinger, who grew up just a few miles south in Harlemville. Along with a few other

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Food

The Art Of Za At The Lantern Inn In Wassaic, NY

By Joanna Virello That magical hamlet Wassaic, at the end of Metro-North’s Harlem Line, is home to a very special place: The Lantern Inn. It's a place where you can get a bonafide Brussel Simmons, a wood-fired pizza pie with roasted Brussels sprouts, bacon and fresh mozzarella

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Community

Hudson Hall: New Name, New Life for the Opera House

By Jamie Larson(Editor's note: Shortly after publication of this story, the Hudson Opera House announced it is revising its name to "Hudson Hall." Explanation is available on the website.) The Hudson Opera House is now the Henry Hudson Hall Center for the Arts and the

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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

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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

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Community

Fulfill Your Role In The Arts: Become A Member

By Jamie Larson Now, as you're receiving seasonal brochures to the region's arts organizations, is perhaps the best time of year to consider becoming more than just a visitor to these institutions. Consider membership. Your support is vital to the enduring legacy of the museums, theaters

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Community

In Memoriam: Frank Delaney

By CB Wismar Regardless of the fact that Francis James Joseph Raphael Delaney… or “Frank” as we knew him… was born fully 18 months after the death of Irish novelist James Joyce, the two became fast friends. Frank’s literary career was launched with the 1981 publication of James Joyce’

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Food

Out To Lunch…In Tangier

By Nichole Dupont Nothing is as it seems. Particularly here in the Northeast, where a sunny day could mean bitter cold, and a winter rain could be warmer than a summer night. This unpredictable predictability followed me to the newly opened Tangier Café (formerly the old Fuel Café spot) on

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Community

Sylvia Center Cooks Up A Family Class at Valley Variety

Program Director Jenn So with young cooks in training. By Jamie LarsonThe Sylvia Center at Katchkie Farm in Kinderhook is an excellent example of how our regionally specific “farm to table” philosophy runs deeper than commerce and consumption. The programing provided on site at the farm during the growing season,

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Community

Ten 10x10 Activities You Should Consider

There’s really only one thing that’s not a ten about Pittsfield’s 10x10 Festival: this is the sixth year it’s been supplying locals with reasons to get out on a winter afternoon or evening. Taking our cue from the theme, we're highlighting ten of the

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