Bird the Berkshires

Photo credit mensatic

The Berkshires is one of the best locations for bird watching. A low cost, easy and interesting pastime, bird watching gives you the opportunity to commune with the wildlife and see some of the most beautiful parts of the Berkshires at the same time. Most years and seasons over 200 different species of birds are visible including several types of warblers, flycatchers and thrushes.

All you need for bird watching is a good bird field guide and good set of binoculars.

Massbird.org is a great place to get information about suggested books to read, clubs in the area, blogs and more.

From December 14 to January 5, the North Berkshire Audubon invites area bird watchers

to participate in the 113th national Christmas Bird Count. The Audubon

The NBA Count will be held on Saturday December 15. The 24-hour count period begins at midnight Friday and extends to midnight Saturday.

There are four groups going out in the area; Adams, East Williamstown and North Adams, Central and western WIlliamstown and South WIlliamstown.

Teams of at least 2 armed with birdbooks, binoculars and checklists, will visit as many habitats as possible during the day, and also go out owling, to identify as many species and count as many individual birds as possible.

Audubon and other organizations use the data collected in this long running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations and to help guide conservation action. 

North Berkshire Audubon is an informal group that sponsors bird walks and trips throughout the year. For more information about the Christmas Count or NBA, contact Leslie Reed-Evans at 413-458-5150 or at lre@wrlf.org.  http://www.wrlf.org/

A couple of interesting related birding in the Berkshires links

Birds of Mt. Greylock http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/mtGreylock/downloads/birdsOfGreylockGuideList.pdf

Massachusetts bird watching

http://www.birding.com/wheretobird/massachusetts.asp

Williamstown Holiday Walk

This weekend, The Williamstown Chamber of Commerce and the Holiday Walk Committee put on the annual Holiday Walk on Saturday, December 1!

Starting with a Raindeer (raindog) Parade at 4 PM on Spring Street

Musical groups, hot cocoa, Penny socials, Santa!, bake offs, gingerbread house decorating and more! The evening ends with a reading of A Christmas Carol and a candlelight caroling procession to the lightening of the Williamstown Holiday tree on Spring Street.

Check out the full holiday walk schedule at

http://www.williamstownchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Holiday_Walk_Schedule-updated-Nov-18.pdf

A little more about our Barnside Luxury Suites, Suite 205

Suite 205, Country Formal Suite 1850-today

Grand & Colorful English Country w/ Unusual Pine Antiques. King Canopy Bed. Queen Sofabed. Whirlpool Bath for 2, Gas Fireplace, Dressing Room, 27 "Cable TV, CD/DVD, Refrigerator, 2-line phone WIFI, iron/board. Full candlelight breakfast. 

You're still tasting the fabulous strawberry topped maple French toast you just had, thinking what a fun couple enjoined you for conversation from the next table at breakfast. Of course, you've eaten too much to hit the slopes so early but you get your discounted lift tickets to Jiminy Peak from the front desk and enjoy your suite for another hour.

You really love the great outdoors and this ski vacation is just a prelude to the upcoming year of white water rafting, golf, hiking, boating, fishing & hang gliding in the Berkshire vicinity. But no roughing it for you! When you get back to your suite, you want comfort and style! You really treated yourself to this room which is meant to bestow a European feel of the cottages of moneyed gentry.

The crystal lamps and chandeliers add formality to the repetitive cabbage roses that adorn the furnishings. There are original oils depicting animals everywhere. ( Hmm…I wonder when hunting season starts?…. ). With its bright yellow walls and crimson carpet, it's such a happy place to write postcards to your friends to plan your next sports adventure. But they can't have this room!

A full country candlelight breakfast is provided. With advance notice, we are happy to accommodate special dietary restrictions such as "low carb", "low fat", vegetarian", etc. and of course any food allergies.

 

     Make a reservation! Or check our some our other Barnside Suites at 

http://www.1896house.com/barnside.htm

A little more about our Barnside Luxury Suites,Suite 206

Suite 206, Empire Suite 1815-1840

(American Empire)

Impressive Posh & Regal with Antiques of the Napoleonic Era. Draped King Canopy Bed. Whirlpool Bath for 2, Gas Fireplace, Dressing Room, 27" Cable TV, CD/DVD, Refrigerator, 2-line phone, WIFI, iron/board. Full Candlelight breakfast. 

You really need this R & R from your business! Now, you need to be pampered. You enter your suite and head straight for the terry robe. Your wife draws a warm Jacuzzi bath with honeysuckle bath salts for you. When you return to your chambers, you're impressed with the ostentatious King Louis XV gargoyle settee, but you are happy to know that there is a comfortable cushy loveseat to dream on as you're mesmerized by the fire.

With the draped and canopied bed, the heavy brocade coverlet, the Aubusson carpets, and gold gilded pastoral paintings, the room is opulent, glamorous, and slightly pompous. She hands you a glass of bubbly. It feels so decadent! You can't help but exclaim, "I feel like a king!". She jokingly retorts, "I seem to have misplaced my tiara!"

After a scrumptious meal, you notice that there is a wonderful meeting room at the restaurant. The execs could stay in the suites, and some employees could stay in those charming motels. You decide to schedule your next corporate retreat at the 1896 House.

A full country candlelight breakfast is provided. With advance notice, we are happy to accommodate special dietary restrictions such as "low carb", "low fat", vegetarian", etc. and of course any food allergies.

 

     Make a reservation! Or check our some our other Barnside Suites at 

http://www.1896house.com/barnside.htm

What to do this weekend! Get out your Skis!

Looking for some things to do while staying at the 1896 House? Get out and ski or stay inside and get your cultural fill.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Jiminy Peak Opens this weekend!

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort‎ (less then 20 minutes from the 1896 House)

37 Corey Road, Hancock, MA 01237  413-738-5500

Jiminy Peak will open at 9 am this Saturday Nov 10th for skiing and riding!  6 trails (hopefully 8) and 2 chairlifts will be operating Sat- Monday 9 am-4 pm.

Check out http://www.jiminypeak.com/ for more information and details as they have them.

Sweetwood’s Annual Craft Fair

Williamstown, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Sweetwood of Williamstown will hold its annual craft fair at its site on 1611 Cold Spring Road (Route 7) Williamstown. Local vendors include The Village Chocolate Shoppe of Bennington, Nicki Steel Photography, K&M Designs of Bennington Jewelry, Paws Boutique Pet Clothing, Quilts & Crafts by Sue Goodell, Sweetwood's Goodies and personally signed books by Vermont author Ellen Perry Berkeley.

http://www.sweetwoodliving.com/

The Met-Live in HD: The Tempest

The Clark, Williamstown

12:55 PM

British composer Thomas Adès and Robert Lepage’s innovative production recreates the interior of the La Scala opera house as the magical island venue for the otherworldly arts of Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan. Tickets $25/$22 members/$18 students. Purchase online or at 413-458-0638.

http://www.clarkart.edu/visit/event-detail.cfm?ID=16683&CID=5

Concert Choir & Chamber Choir: La musica de España 

Williams College Department of Music, Williamstown

8:00 PM

Visiting director Katie Gardiner leads the Concert and Chamber Choirs presenting music about Spain or by Spanish composers: La musica de España. The program is the inspiration of visiting director Katie Gardiner who is using her residency to work with a large group of talented singers, “I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the Concert and Chamber Choirs at Williams College for the fall 2012 semester.”  Ms. Gardiner holds bachelors and masters degrees in music education from the Hartt School of Music and a master of music in choral conducting from the Eastman School of Music. The concert is free and open to the public.

More information at http://music.williams.edu/node/1670

A little more about our Barnside Luxury Suites, Suite 203

Suite 203, Georgian Suite 1725-1835

Formal and Elegant Federal Period Decor. Four Poster King Bed, Whirlpool Bath for Two, Gas Fireplace, Dressing Room, Combination Living Room/Bedroom. 27" Cable TV, CD/DVD, 2-line phone, WIFI, iron & board. Full candlelight breakfast.

What a formal and handsome room! Your furniture and accessories remind you of the early White House with Queen Anne, Chippendale, Federal, and Duncan Phyfe style pieces. The unusual color scheme of the bed coverings on your rice carved four poster king bed is a complementary aqua, salmon, and gold that is carried throughout your finely upholstered furnishings.

The sea faring paintings recall our American Revolution and the luxurious and elegant bath salon beckons you to this evening's activities. But for now, you pour yourselves a glass of wine and follow the brook to the stately gazebo so you can watch the flowers grow before the matinee begins at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Later the stars twinkle vividly as you stroll back to your suite from the most interesting & wonderful meal you've just had at The '6 House Pub".You had planned to go elsewhere tomorrow night after visiting the Clark Art Institute and Mass MoCA, but you really want to try the Pub's Lobster Sandwich that everyone is raving about! You'll mention this to Becki who just loved her Grilled Plum & Granny Smith Apple Salad with Gorgonzola and Glazed Walnuts!. Maybe you'll discuss it by the fireplace as you have your nightcap. This has been so restful and relaxing, you know you'll be back again and again!

A full country candlelight breakfast is provided. With advance notice, we are happy to accommodate special dietary restrictions such as "low carb", "low fat", vegetarian", etc. and of course any food allergies.

     Make a reservation! Or check our some our other Barnside Suites at 

http://www.1896house.com/barnside.htm

Haunted Happenings around the 1896 House

Photo courtesy of  Karpati Gabor

Thursday, October 25

4:30pm – GHOULS IN THE GALLERIES: Williams College Museum of Art hosts “Ghouls in the Galleries: Exploring the Monsters of WCMA’s Collection.” Monsters in the museum will be rooted out by Deena Bak (’13) and she will aid participants in understanding what these monsters reveal about the nature of fear from a variety of cultural perspectives. Best for older students interested in art and cultural studies. 413-597-2376. 15 Lawrence Hall Drive. Williamstown, MA

http://wcma.williams.edu/

6-8pm – BOO BASH: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts will host their 18th annual “Boo Bash” for children and families. Come in costume to the Berkshire Towers dormitory building for a costume party & trick or treating. Best for children ages 6-11yo. 413-662-5249. 375 Church Street. North Adams, MA (FREE)

http://www.mcla.edu/ (less then 15 minutes from the 1896 House Inn)

Friday October 26

PITTSFIELD HALLOWEEN PARADE

Downtown Pittsfield - Pittsfield, MA

7PM (less then 40 minutes from the 1896 House Inn)

HAUNTED HOUSE

Lanesborough, 6 - 8 p.m.

Haunted House at the Berkshire Mall. Returning for the third year Village Ambulance Explorer Horrors haunted house. Fri., Join us for some scary fun ;walk through the Haunted house for a screaming good time! All proceeds to benefit the Post 911 Explorer Group.  (less then 30 minutes from the 1896 House Inn)

Saturday October 27

SPOOKTACULAR COSTUME PET PARADE

Williamstown, 1 - 3 p.m.

Sweetwood of Williamstown, located on 1611 Cold Spring Road, Route 7, is hosting a Spooktacular Costume Pet Parade. There will be door prizes and prizes for costumes. Best Pet Costume - first place $200, second $125, third place $75. Owner/Pet Look-Alike prize $100. Registration runs from 1-2 p.m. Leashes are required.

Saturday October 27 and Sunday October 28

PUMPKIN FEST

Lanesborough (less then 30 minutes from the 1896 House Inn)

Bradley Farms and Healing Winds are coming together for three consecutive weekends in October to offer entertaining, educational and cultural activities fun and free for the whole family. This family oriented community event will be held at the Bradley Farm on Route 7 in Lanesboro, 545 N Main Street. There will be Native American storytellers, Native American and regional folk arts & crafts, the large Healing Winds tipi and a children’s tipi. Activities to enjoy include guided nature and riverside hikes, natural horsemanship demonstrations and rides, traditional eye & hand coordination games, pumpkin painting, cultural & historical presentations, local entertainment as well as Native American flute and social friendship dances. The Robbins-Zust Family Marionettes will perform. Please call Healing Winds at 413-443-2481 for more information.

HAUNTED HOUSE

Lanesborough, 2 - 8 p.m. (less then 30 minutes from the 1896 House Inn)

Haunted House at the Berkshire Mall. Returning for the third year Village Ambulance Explorer Horrors haunted house. Sat., Join us for some scary fun; walk through the Haunted house for a screaming good time! All proceeds to benefit the Post 911 Explorer Group.

http://www.theberkshiremall.com/

Monday October 29

HALLOWEEN SCREAMINGS

7 pm

Starring: Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson

In Swedish with English subtitles

The film screening will be followed by a discussion with Williams College faculty members Denise Buell, Lawrence Raab, Jim Shepard and Christian Thorne.

Lonely, 12-year-old Oskar is regularly bullied by his stronger classmates. A new friendship develops when Eli, a pale, serious young girl who only comes out at night moves in next door. Coinciding with her arrival is a series of inexplicable disappearances and murders. As Oskar becomes more aware of Eli’s tragic plight, he cannot forsake her. However, Eli knows that to continue living, she must keep relocating. But when Oskar faces his darkest hour, Eli returns to defend him the only way she can.

http://www.imagescinema.org/

50 Spring Street, Williamstown, MA

For more events and trick or treating schedules around the area please visit

http://hilltownfamilies.wordpress.com/2012/10/09/hf-576/