Quinn writes: Summer has begun on an upbeat note with Carole King in concert with James Taylor on the 4th of July! It was hot and so was Carole. I just couldn’t sit still when she sang, “I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet.” Just wagged my tail in time with the music.

And the heat continues BUT it’s 10 degrees cooler in Lenox and the Berkshires than New York, New Jersey, and Maryland! So come up and cool off!

I love Carriage Rides. Cool! You sit and trot at a leisurely pace while folks on the sidewalks wave. I know because I’ve been on two rides, as you can see in the photo.

And you’ll have a chance to enjoy a Carriage Ride through historic Lee on Memorial Day Weekend. If this is successful, there will be Carriage Rides throughout the summer and maybe fall. Only in the Berkshires!

http://berkshires.org/Carriage rides.pdf

We love The Colonial Theatre! It’s plush, intimate, and the acoustics are great.

Birchwood Inn friend and guest David Fleming has just announced the new calendar, June 2009-May 2010. And it’s hot!

Sure hits for June: The Producers; Mandy Patinkin with a passionate evening of popular song; Herman’s Hermits [Ellen is going to be singing "Henry the VIII" for days], !!!; and Girl’s Night: The Musical.

July’s program includes The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Bill Blagg III: A Night of Magic, and Gary Puckett.

August sizzles with Tom Chapin; Harry Chapin: A Grand Celebration in Song; Steven Ross: Live at the Algonquin; Andrea Marcovicci: Love Songs of WWII. Celebrate Woodstock at 40 with An Evening with Mountain.

Good stuff, Dave!

Birchwood Inn Pancakes

It’s sticky! It’s delicious! It’s sappy! Govenor Deval Patrick has officially declared the beginning of  maple syrupseason. The place to celebrate this sweet annual event is Ioka Valley Farm in Hancock, less than 30 minutes from the inn, weekends through April 15. At the Sugar House, see the 4000 taps and the process of turning fresh maple sap into incredible maple syrup. At the farm’s Calf-A, savor pancakes with Ioka’s own maple syrup. [I would LOVE to go because I have a real sweet tooth! Quinn]