We’re delighted and proud to announce that Bob Jacob, former owner with his wife Betty of Brook Farm Inn, has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. Now a resident of West Hartford, CT, Bob has touched the lives of countless persons with his poetry. His latest book of poetry, “Perspective,” was nominated recently for these two highly prestigious awards.  Bob was responsible for bringing the theme, “There is poetry here” to Brook Farm Inn in Lenox, Massachusetts, in the Berkshires.  A lover and writer of poetry for decades, Jacob, 76, said he started writing the book’s 62 poems, which he prefers to call “loving words” instead of poems, while doing volunteer work at the Connecticut Hospice in Branford. There, Jacob reads poetry to the dying and their loved ones every other week and says the work is draining, but rewarding. We’ve been inspired by Bob’s poems ever since we met him, and he’s been back to the inn for readings. Revenue from the book is donated to the hospice. 

“Art insiders, the inn crowd, and even the outsider art in-crowd (you following this?) gathered on Saturday night at the fabulous barn at Stonover Farm for an opening of paintings by Curtis Ripley, pottery by Luna Garcia, and still-life photography by Dede Reed.  This is a quotation from Rural Intelligence, a great new website that covers events and attractions in the Berkshires, plus Columbia, Dutchess, and Litchfield Counties. We met Marilyn Bethany, co-editor, at the Stonover event, and you can see our photo –that is Linda and Phil, owners of Brook Farm Inn, Lenox MA — in Marilyn’s article. Here’s a link, so take a look!  http://www.ruralintelligence.com/index.php/parties_section/parties_articles_parties/

The new, must-see exhibit at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts is “Raw Nerve: The Political Art of Steve Brodner.”  Guests of Brook Farm Inn in Lenox Massachusetts have already seen it and say it’s great.  It will run through October 26th.

An award-winning draftsman, commentator, and humorist, Steve Brodner has created illustrations, cartoons, and reportage for nearly every major American periodical, including Esquire, The New York Times, New York, Mother Jones, The Nation, National Lampoon, Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated, The Washington Post, and The Village Voice.

Don’t miss it!  You can also catch the Saturday Evening Post magazine covers, that are always a treat.

Here in the Berkshires, visitors have so many opportunities to enjoy musical performances. And one of the ways to enhance your enjoyment of the performances, is to attend Dr. Jeremy Yudkin’s Summer Music Seminars.
Jeremy is Professor of Music at Boston and Oxford Universities, and is a captivating lecturer. He’ll make the Tanglewood concerts come alive as never before for you. We’ve attended his lectures and can recommend them firsthand. The Tanglewood lecture series starts June 28th and goes through the summer at the Lenox Library, but you can sign up now. In addition, Jeremy will be doing a lecture on June 14th entitled “The Best Bits: Beethoven’s Genius in a Few Measures.” Phone us at 800-285-7638 for more information on that one.

You may have been reading or hearing lately about the financial difficulties of The Mount, famed estate of the author, Edith Wharton. Brook Farm Inn is within walking distance of this treasure in Lenox, Massachusetts. A tour of the mansion and gardens are a must for every visitor to the Berkshires, and many wonderful events take place there as well. So Brook Farm Inn is offering to buy admission for guests who book a stay of at least two nights, between May 9th and June 12th. We hope it will not only contribute to the fundraising efforts, but introduce visitors to this historic and literary landmark.

There is poetry here…that’s our theme at Brook Farm Inn in Lenox, Massachusetts. We’ve been doing readings and showcasing poems for years, so it’s a special pleasure to announce nearby Pittsfield’s Poetry Week. Events include Poetry As Art at the Ferrin Gallery and readings at Dottie’s Coffee Lounge among others. It’s all part of National Poetry Month, which happens every April, and you can read more at www.poets.org..

Lenox Massachusetts: Brook Farm Inn’s blog has been named Blog of the Week on www.iloveinns.com. This is a great website directory of bed and breakfasts, and it makes us pretty proud. We enjoy sharing information about what’s happening here in the Berkshires, and it’s nice to know that our blog is considered “creative and informative.” Thanks, iloveinns.com!

Lenox MA. The Lenox Chamber of Commerce is launching a two week program of free events to educate and inspire people to live healthier lives. There will be lectures, yoga classes, and outdoor activities.Some of the participants are: Canyon Ranch, Kripalu, Lenox Fitness Center, and The Ultra Wellness Center (Dr. Mark Hyman.) For a schedule of events go to the Chamber of Commerce Calendar of Events.