Jolly Good Time

Posted on June 24, 2011 by innkeeper

We have been announcing: The British Are Coming! The British Are Coming! Well, they came, we saw, they conquered!

The first annual (we hope!) British Motor Car Festival at Tanglewood in Lenox, MA, has been a smashing success this week. The very London-like drizzle stopped just in time for the block party on Friday night. Residents and guests strolled the village streets, enjoying the classic cars from Minis to Rolls lined up at the curbs while a band played Rolling Stones hits to set the English tone for the weekend.

Happily, more than 2,000 people were in awe of the 310 cars participating. And everyone was in a festive mood. Very civilized.

Sunny Saturday, the cars showed off at Tanglewood and competed in their categories. A number of our guests brought and showed their cars in the competition, and we are very proud to have hosted a very grand winner, Pat and Joe Marchione, from NJ. Their 1959 Lotus Elite 1096 Series took first place in their division, Concours Post WW II sports car. We were honored to have this beauty in the parking lot at Birchwood Inn!

 Rm 4 Winner

1959 Lotus Elite

Sunny Sunday the Rolls and Bentleys competed for the best picnics.

Among the numerous classics was this awesome Austin Healy. This gem belonged to owner Nancy’s father. After he died, the car was garaged for 30 years until Nancy had the car restored in all of its glory.

Austin Healy

Beautifully restored Austin Healy.

What a wonderful Berkshires weekend!

Posted in Events, Festivals, Motor Cars, Recreation, Tanglewood, The Berkshires | Tagged , , , , , , , |

I LOVE NEW YORK… IN SMALL DOSES

Posted on June 2, 2011 by innkeeper

According to Quinn.

Bloggers are supposed to blog about what they are passionate about. Ellen and I are both passionate about baseball!  The game is the great equalizer — a cab driver is often found sitting next to a Fortune 500 CEO.

Last week we savored the joys of New York. It was so exciting to be among crowds of people after the tranquil Berkshires! The noise. The traffic. The energy. We love them all!

One of the New York pleasures is Yankee Stadium, unless you are an old Brooklyn Dodger fan! The Yankees were playing Ellen’s old favorite team (she used to go to 32 games a year when she lived in Toronto), the Blue Jays. The new stadium is missing some of the tradition of the old stadium, but it’s great nonetheless.

The New Yankee Stadium

The New Yankee Stadium

We just HAD to take advantage of the photo op. Unknown to us, at the same time we were being filmed by NBC News for the following day’s 6:00 pm show on the high cost of tickets for sporting events!

New York fro mthe Berkshires

Quinn and Ellen at Yankee Stadium.

Yankee Stadium, by the way, has the greatest popcorn. I know because I got to eat all of the popcorn Ellen spilled … accidentally on purpose.

Quinn loves popcorn.

Did someone order popcorn?

Ellen was elated for 8 1/2 innings as the Jays were winning. Alas, as frequently happens, the Jays broke her heart in the bottom of the ninth, but it was a great game! Personally, growing up in Massachusetts, I’m a Red Sox fan, so when I had to wear a Yankee cap, I wasn’t too happy.

Quinn loves NY but not the NY Yankees!

The following day I romped in Central Park with hordes of other very well-behaved dogs, rolling in the cool grass. Then onwards to lunch with old friends of Ellen’s from early childhood and then Broadway. My friend Sutton Foster lit up the stage in “Anything Goes.”

The next day we returned to the Berkshires, where we could unwind from our New York adventures. We realized once again how peaceful and refreshing our hills are. There’s no place like home when you live in the Berkshires!

Posted in Recreation, Travel | Tagged , , , , , |

Berkshire International Film Festival: The New Sundance East??

Posted on May 6, 2011 by innkeeper

Couldn’t get to the Sundance Film Festival this year? Then come visit our Inn in Lenox, MA and head to the 6th annual Berkshire International Film Festival from June 2nd-5th. Seventy feature-length and short feature films and documentaries by independent filmmakers from the US and abroad will be shown in Great Barrington and Pittsfield over the 4-day festival.

Andrew Rossi’s documentary “Page One: Inside the NY Times” opens the festival on June 2nd and the festival closes on June 5th with the Sundance Audience Award-winning “Buck,” Cindy Meehl’s documentary about real-life horse whisperer Buck Brannaman (also being shown on June 3rd). Other highlights include a special screening of “A Letter to Elia,” a documentary about Elia Kazan, and a series of films from the Human Rights Film Festival.

“And,” Quinn adds, “there will be some of the best popcorn east of Sundance. I know because I eat the popcorn off the floor!”

Sorry! Robert Redford will not be in attendance, but guests at our Berkshires Inn are sure to have a great time and enjoy some memorable films and discussions.

Posted in Art, Events, Festivals, The Berkshires | Tagged , , , , , , , , |

Go Latin This Weekend in the Berkshires!

Posted on April 29, 2011 by innkeeper

Latin dancers are heating up the Berkshires this weekend and visitors to our Bed and Breakfast in Lenox, MA are in for a real treat!

Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and the Massachusetts Museum of Modern Art (MASSMoCA) co-present Los Munequitos de Matanzas at MASSMoCA in North Adams, in the Berkshires beautiful North County. This company from Cuba is the world’s best rumba group, has the leading percussionists, and is world renowned for its Afro-Cuban rituals, dance, and rumba. The performances are getting down this Saturday, April 30th at 8 pm and Sunday, May 1st at 1 pm. Buy your tickets Here!

Flamenca at Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center

Photo by Zarmik Moqtaderi

Another exciting event is happening in Great Barrington, where Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca heat up the south county at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. Through music, song, and dance, this award-winning group from Spain is intensely theatrical  in expressing the art of Flamenca. This one-time performance is happening on Sunday, May 1st at 7 pm.

Come relax at our cozy and romantic Berkshires Inn, enjoy the blooming of Spring, and experience one of these unique events happening only in The Berkshires!

Posted in Art, Events, The Berkshires, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , |

The British Are Coming! The British Are Coming!

Posted on April 1, 2011 by innkeeper

Quinn says: I think I’ve seen some green in Birchwood Inn’s garden, and the daffodil and tulips beginning to sprout, so spring must nearly be here in the beautiful Berkshires. And lots of events are blossoming.

lenox, ma car show

Tanglewood British Motorcar Festival

One of the biggest blooms will the Tanglewood British Motorcar Festival, June 17-19, 2011.

Friday features a Driving Tour and fun rally along Berkshires back roads as well as an evening Main Street Party in downtown Lenox. The show itself is on Saturday on the Tanglewood grounds, with the Concours d’Elegance competition among classic British motorcars. The festival concludes on Sunday with a Mt. Greylock driving tour, a tailgate picnic competition, and a British car corral. General admission is $15.00 for a two-day pass.

Oh, and by the way, our Lenox, MA inn will be offering a special that weekend. Please check the Specials Page of the Birchwood Inn website or on the Motorcar Festival site.

I am sure that a considerable number of dogs will be chasing the cars that weekend, but I will not be one of the them. I am far too civilized for such shenanigans!

Posted in Events, Festivals, Travel | Tagged |

We Girls Have A Lot to Celebrate in March

Posted on March 1, 2011 by innkeeper

Quinn says: Even though the only thing I write is this blog (I have other priorities such as rolling in the snow — yes, it’s still here! — alerting my mom to certain sounds, looking cute to get cookies, greeting guests at the door), I am celebrating my voice and the voices of other Berkshire women writers this month.

Yes, The First Ever Berkshire Festival of Women Writers takes place throughout the Berkshires from March 1 to April 1. Workshops. Readings. Exhibits. This is going to be FAN-tastic!

Come celebrate with us!

www.simons-rock/iwd

Innkeeper Ellen meets Ruth Reichl, local author, former NYT food critic, former editor of Gourmet, and the ultimate foodie.

Posted in Books, Events, Festivals |

Good Morning, Lenox!

Posted on February 18, 2011 by innkeeper

We’ve had 80 inches of snow this winter! Great for Piper and me to roll in! We haven’t been the only ones to embrace this flaky winter. ABC thought it was great and picturesque as well.

Remember that January storm? Well, the Berkshires were in the eye of it and captured the eye of ABC, featuring Lenox on ABC’s “Good Morning America”  “Weekend Window” getaway feature on its Sunday, February 20, show. The segment will air shortly before 9:00 am.

Yes, Lenox is a winter wonderland … and not just for dogs!

Posted in Uncategorized |

Puppy Love

Posted on February 7, 2011 by innkeeper

It’s February! For you two-legged creatures, that mean it’s Chocolate Passion Month at Birchwood Inn, with something chocolate on every menu.

Sweetheart Chocolate French Toast

For you four-legged waggy creatures, it’s Puppy Love Month at the inn. My fellow canines stay free at the inn this month!

Puppy Love

Quinn and Friend Phoebe

Posted in Birchwood Inn, Events, Food |

On a Roll

Posted on December 7, 2010 by innkeeper

Quinn says: Woof! Yay!First snowfall of the season, and Piper and I have already been rolling in it! Ellen may finally get to use her snowshoes (the price tag is still on them)!

Posted in Commentaries, Recreation |

Quinn Is Thankful for Thanksgiving Turkey

Posted on November 28, 2010 by innkeeper

Thanksgiving goes to the dogs.

Of  course, says Quinn, I have a whole cookie jar of things for which I am thankful, but at this time of year, I am especially thankful to those who carve the turkey each year and share!

Posted in Commentaries, Food, Uncategorized |