While I love to roll in snow, I also love to roll in the grass at Tanglewood.

Lenox and The Berkshires enjoy an international reputation, particularly for Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The Tanglewood 2009 season runs from June 22, 2009, to Jazz Festival on Labor Day Weekend.

In addition to world renown classical musicians and conductors, there are also a host of special events. Diana Krall celebrates the 4th of July; Tony Bennett brings his heart and soul to Tanglewood July 21; and Lenox’s most loved resident James Taylor serenades for four concerts, Aug. 26-30.

Concerts and operas take place in the Tanglewood Theater, the acoustically acclaimed Ozawa Hall, and The Shed. My favorite local? You guessed it, the lawn!

A most cherished tradition of Tanglewood concerts are picnics on the incredibly well-maintained grounds. [I know that people love to have Shed tickets, but I prefer to lie on a blanket, under a shady tree and enjoy the music and the summer breezes.] And picnics run the gamut — from brown-baggers to elaborate gourmet meals, complete with tables and tablecloths, candles and wine. [Personally, I don't care what kind of picnic we have as long as someone brings the cookies!]

What is there to do in the Berkshires in winter? I personally love to roll in the snow and make dog angels, but most of our guests come to downhill ski (Jiminy Peak, Butternut, Catamount or Bosquet), cross-country ski (Notchview, ) or snowshoe in neighboring Kennedy Park.

If you visit midweek in the winter, you can dine exceptionally well and less expensively at some of the best restaurants.

• Alta in Lenox – 3 course dinners for $25.00
• Chez Nous in Lee – save 15% on Sun. and Thurs.
• Castle Street Cafe in Great Barrington – 3 courses for $19.89 Sun.-Thurs.
• Napa in Great Barrington – $18.00
• Allium in Great Barrington – $25.00
• John Andrews in South Egremont – $25.00 prix fixe menu
• The Old Inn on the Green – $25.00 Wed., Thurs., and Sun.

[While all of these restaurants are pleasing and then some, I prefer Joe's Diner because people there tend to drop more food on the floor!]

My name is Quinn, and I am a hearing ear dog for Ellen, the innkeeper of Birchwood Inn in Lenox, MA.

But I am not just another pretty face! I am so intelligent that some people say that I am not really a dog but rather a person of fur.

And wow! Am I ever one lucky dog. Since I am a professionally trained service dog, I get to travel everywhere. I’ve even been on rides at Disneyland! But since I live at Birchwood Inn, the area I know best is Lenox and the surrounding Berkshires in Western Massachusetts.

Let me be your tour guide. Along the way, I’ll tell you bits and pieces of “my story” (everyone has a story!), dish on restaurants, and let you in on the latest cultural and recreational events. Maybe even a little gossip. [What I could tell you about some dogs...]