Among the lovely guests who stayed at Brook Farm Inn for Christmas, was a wonderful family group. It was great fun to host these family members ,who played the piano and sang during our tea time — mulled cider actually, instead of tea for a change –  and gave us permission to share this song which they wrote just for their stay with us. It’s sung to the tune of “Winter Wonderland.”  Watch this blog for a video in the next day or two — you’ll see Linda among the guests, wearing an antler headband !

christmas-at-old-brook-farm-inn1

CHRISTMAS AT THE OL’ BROOK FARM INN

Christmas time, we’re elated, ‘Tho our pockets, they’re deflated,

We’re here at the Inn, to meet with the kin, Staying at the Ol’ Brook Farm Inn.

We have meals – there’s no cookin.’ Fancy rooms – there’s no cleanin.’

We’re here to relax, away from the fax. Stayin’ at the Ol’ Brook Farm Inn.

In the mornin’ we can choose to sleep in — or go out to take a walk or two.

May even hook up with some old friends, And  then ski down a mountain with a view.

No one cares if you’re lazy. Leave behind work that’s crazy.

We’re happy you see, to be here – and free (at last!).

Stayin at the Ol’d Brook Farm Inn!

• Reservations in one of Brook Farm Inn’s beautifully appointed guest rooms
• Full gourmet breakfast  and afternoon tea and scones by the library fireplace
• A romantic three-course dinner for two at lovely Alta Restaurant and Wine Bar (beverage, tax, and gratuity not included)
• Two tickets for admission to the Norman Rockwell Museum

Choose from three levels of accommodation.

(This offer is available January 2, 2010 to March 31, 2010)

Traditional Includes private bath and king or queen bed

one night $275.00, two nights $400.00

Deluxe Includes Fireplace, TV/DVD private bath king or queen bed

one night $300.00, two nights $450.00

Luxury Includes Fireplace, TV/DVD, heated two-person whirlpool, king bed

one night $350.00, two nights $550.00

(All rates are based on double occupancy.  Tax and gratuity are not included.)

Alta Restaurant and Wine Bar is Zagat Rated. 

ALTA MENU 

A few weeks ago, before our grounds became snow covered for the winter, a guest noticed a large bird in the wooded area outside the breakfast room window.  Brook Farm Inn is located in the heart of the Berkshires, so more than 30 species of birds common to Massachusetts have been sighted on our property. The birds frequently dine along with the guests, who can view the feeder and birdbath from the dining room window.  I’ve posted pictures before, and many are on our Facebook album.  This is the first time I was able to photograph a raptor here in the wild.  After comparing photos from our numerous bird guides, we determined that this big guy was a Red Tailed Hawk.  If you look closely you can see he is having squirrel for breakfast. (Don’t worry.  The inn’s breakfast buffet menu is more palatable for humans.)  Enjoy the pics.

Red Tailed Hawk

Shakespeare and Company  is presenting a magically updated spin on the classic family folktale. Children of all ages will enjoy a contemporary, urban, romantic fairytale about a streetwise accordion player and the handsome cosmopolitan Prince who falls head over heels for her. “Cindy Bella” was presented as a work-in-progress last year, and now returns for its world premiere.

Founders’  Theatre on Kemble Street in Lenox MA is around the block from Brook Farm Inn.
December 10 – December 20
11:00 am / 2:00 pm / 7:00 pm

The Berkshire Theatre Festival is offering a holiday treat!  Dickens’ classic  will be performed just minutes away from Brook Farm Inn, Lenox MA. 

A Christmas Carol runs from December 12-30.  Please note the special “movie pricing” nights on Sunday, December 20 and Monday, December 28 where all seats are only $10!  Order your tickets at (413) 298-5576 ext. 33 or by going to Online Ticketing.

  Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”

Friday,Saturday, Sunday…November 27th, 28th and 29th
 Lenox Village will celebrate Thanksgiving in New England with an “Antique and
  Vintage Collectible Show” at the Historic Lenox Town Meeting Hall. The Lenox Chamber of Commerce is helping the environment of the future by recycling the past with “Treasures and Memories of Olde”.   
 
Silent Auction will highlight this three day event.  
  Festivities begin on Friday November 27th, with an “Early Buying Cocktail and Hors D’oeuvres” from 5pm -8pm, featuring a “Silent Auction” to benefit the Chamber and local  food pantries.  The show on Saturday and Sunday will run from 10am till 4pm and will feature Country and Victorian Furniture, Vintage Jewelry and Collectibles, china, glass, art works, silver, pottery and glass.
 
Sunday’s show will feature Entertainment and Confections.

 Admission is $6.00 and includes a Discounted Shopping Pass to selected Lenox Chamber Shops and Restaurants.  “Friday Night Early Preview Party”…$25 per person.

 For information: Joan Basis at 413 637-4050/ Ralph Petillo 413-637-3646
 
Lenox Town Hall is located at 6 Walker Street in Historic Lenox Village!

The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center is in Great Barrington, 20 minutes from Brook Farm Inn.  Here’s the exciting lineup for the next couple of weeks!

Wednesday, October 28 at 7pm
$17 / $15 Mahaiwe Members

Two-time Grammy Award-winning
Singer Songwriter
RICKIE LEE JONES

Friday, October 30 at 8PM
$55 Golden Circle/ $45/$40 Mahaiwe Members

Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents two-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Rickie Lee Jones on Friday, October 30 at 8pm.

Rickie Lee Jones is one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of our time. Her career spans some three decades of musical creation encompassing an eclectic range of genres: folk, rock, jazz, soul, spoken word, and pop. Her voice has a 40s-style jazz sensibility, distinguishing her from every other major singer in the modern era.

TimesTalks:
A Conversation with novelist Stephen King
“Live in HD”

Tuesday, November 10 at 7pm
$17 / $15 Mahaiwe Members

We very excited to bring you another great live HD digital cinema event to your community: BY Experience, in association with the New York Times, presents TimesTalks LIVE – one-of-a-kind, intimate discussions with some of today’s most fascinating film, TV and literary talents, interviewed by prize-winning New York Times journalists.

We are piloting this new concept with two events: conversations with novelist John Irving on Wednesday, October 28, and novelist Stephen King on Tuesday, November 10. Both events will be hosted at the Times Center in New York and broadcast LIVE in HD to The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington!

Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats
Formidable feats of daring and balance!
Evening Show plus 10 AM Family Matinee -
ask about Special Field Trip pricing!

Friday, November 13 at 10 am & 8pm
$37 / $32 Members / $20 Balcony

The Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats perform their trademark acrobatics, balancing feats, marital arts displays, and more. A show for all ages, the grace and precision of the acrobats are the triumph of years of dedicated training and discipline, but their art has been formed by centuries of tradition. The morning performance will be a special field trip presentation for local school students; the evening performance is open to the general public.

The leaves are changing.  Northern Vermont has peaked and the brilliant colors are coming toward the Berkshires.  On our home page you can link to suggested driving tour to see the best scenery.  There is also an  interactive peak foliage map from the Boston Globe.  or you can click on the links below.  According to the pr editions we will not reach peak in Lenox until the second half of October.  Our central location makes viewing the foliage ideal.  If you are here before peak you can easily drive up route #7 toward Williamstown for peak colors.  If you miss peak in Lenox you are only a short drive to Beartown State Forest just to our south. 

Peak Foliage Map

Berkshires Leaf Peeping Scenic Driving Tours  

To us (Linda and Phil), owning Brook Farm Inn, in Lenox Massachusetts,  is more than running a business.  It’s also the maintaining  of  the building’s rich history. We researched the history of the inn through deeds, maps, and historical newspaper clippings (also very dusty ancient tax records in the basement of Town Hall), and the results of our search are posted on the website www.brookfarm.com/history.html.   So that’s how we were discovered by Michael Kraus, whose grandfather purchased the property in 1914. Michael’s grandfather was Charles Bleyman, who owned the property until the 1930’s.  Michael and his wife, Susan, stayed with us recently, and furnished  photos of Bleyman and other family members.   So watch for updates to be posted on the Brook Farm Inn’s  history page, and thank you, Michael!