Experience dance from around the world performed at Jacob’s Pillow, a national historic landmark, celebrating its 77th season!

The 2009 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival season opens on June 20 with the the annual gala, “the best party in the Berkshires,” “A Jazz Happening.” Then it’s on to Spain and the Mujeres and the passion, driving rhythms, and soul of flamenco. From Spain, it’s on to Slovenia with Romeo and Juliet set to the music of Radiohead. Onwards to Taiwan and the humor and poignant humanity of Lafa & Artists.

The season moves from the Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet to France and the evocative production by Groupe Emile Dubois; to David Rousseve/Reality, inspired by dances from India, Indonesia and West Africa.

In the midst of the around the world dance tour, Merce Cunningham Dance Company celebrates its 90th birthday at Jacob’s Pillow.

Back to the tour and Les Grand Ballets Canadiens de Montreal, one of the most significant forces in international ballet today; Ballet Hispanico and its fusion of Latin, classical ballet, and modern dance. And so much more! The whirlwind season runs until August 30.

[This venue may be called The Pillow but you won't be caught napping! Quinn]

Everyone loves Piper!

I maybe Top Dog at Birchwood Inn, but, alas, I’m not the only dog. Piper, an 11-year-old “Blab,” a beagle and black lab mix, used to visit for short periods of time with Ellen’s son Peter. But four years ago, Piper arrived for what appears to be for good. Reminds me of “The Man Who Came to Dinner.”

Piper does know her place. She knows not to touch my tennis balls, which is okay with her because she prefers trees! Most dogs like to chew on sticks, but Piper chews on trees. Really! The bigger the branch the better. When she finds one in the garden, she tries to bring it to the inn, but she invariably hits a sign post along the way. Picture a beagle-size dog with a 10-foot branch in her mouth. Hilarious!

Piper also loves to chew on my old toys. At breakfast time, she often has the whole menagerie out in the dining room. Watch out for the stuffed elephant!

Piper, moreover, has wanderlust and has been found all over Lenox. We do try to keep her at the inn, but age hasn’t slowed her down. Open the door, and there she goes. We’ve had calls from Kennedy Park, where she loves to hike; from Belvoir Terrace, a girls’ arts camp nearby; Lenox Coffee; and Lenox Library. Everyone knows Piper! She makes sure of that. Last summer she made her acting debut, streaking across the stage of an outdoor production at Shakespeare and Company. No stage fright for her! (Only despair for Ellen!)

Piper has several favorite haunts. She loves the expansive lawn at St. Ann’s Church. It’s great for rolling on her back, to the amusement of passers-by. And in nice weather, she loves to frequent Haven, a local breakfast/lunch restaurant. She sits at one of the outdoor tables and waits for someone to sit down to talk with her. She claims she doesn’t eat anything, but what are those telltale bits of sugar on her whiskers?

And everyone except Ed, who lives across the street, loves Piper. Go figure!

[Photo to come when we figure out how to download it]

Ellen and I are dashing out right after breakfast, heading to Atlanta for the international innkeeper conference [You would not believe how crazy innkeepers can get when they are together! Quinn]. Meanwhile, the guests are raving about this morning’s waffles.

This recipe came from our friend Lynnette, who owns the very lovely William Henry Miller Inn in Ithaca, NY. She found it via Rachel Ray who “stole” it from a restaurant in Chattanooga, TN, with the unlikely name of Aretha Frankensteins!

Waffles of Insane Greatness – You Have to Be Crazy Not to Eat Them!

Makes 4 large waffles

3/4 cup all-purpose flour/1/4 cup cornstarch/1/2 tsp. baking powder/1/4 tsp. baking soda/1/2 tsp. salt/1 tsp. cinnamon/1/2 tsp. ginger/1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg/1 cup whole milk or buttermilk/1/3 canola oil/ 1 egg/ 1 1/2 tsp. sugar/ 3/4 tsp. vanilla extract

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Mix well. Add the milk, oil, egg, sugar and vanilla and mix well. Let the batter sit for 30 minutes.

Preheat the waffle iron. Do not use non-stick spray on the waffle iron since the oil in the batter will allow the waffles to release easily. Follow the directions for your waffle iron to cook the waffles.

Serve immediately.

At Birchwood Inn, we spike the Berkshire maple syrup with lightly toasted pecans and a couple of splashes of bourbon.

[And if you just happen to drop a piece of waffle on the floor. Call me and I'll be right there! Quinn]

“Anyone game for a venture into the mountain air will find great pleasure in the Berkshire Theatre Festival.” New York Times

[It looks as though I'll be spending a number of times this summer sleeping on the floor of The Berkshire Theatre Festival since the program is exciting! Quinn]

The season opens June 18 with “Broadway by the Year,” the critically acclaimed cabaret series for the first time in the Berkshires. The summer season continues with “The Einstein Project,” “The Prison of Second Avenue,” “Ghosts,” “Candide” the musical), and “Sick.”

The theater season continues in the fall with “Red Remembers,” the world premiere of the life of announcer Red Barber, and ends 2009 with the annual production of “A Christmas Carol.”

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!]

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...]