For those of you who like modern, contemporary art, here is a museum visit that you should definitely schedule this summer or fall.  Like MOMA, its larger counterpart in New York City, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (“MoCA”) is a pleasure to visit in any season.  Located in North Adams, Massachusetts, in the heart of the Berkshires, this museum is a joy to all of the senses.  The exhibits change frequently and include not only visual art, but music and tactile experiences which are clearly designed to be stimulating and thought-provoking. 

With respect to the current exhibit of the work of Petah Coyne (see above) Sebastian Smee from The Globe loved the show saying, “MASS MoCA, the most consistently stimulating museum devoted to contemporary art in New England, has space to burn, making it the ideal place to show this kind of work. I admired the fearlessness of her aesthetic, which is the absolute antithesis of minimalist cool.” Read the rest of the review.

Also at the MoCA is a fantastic exhibit of recent photographs by artist/actor Leonard Nemoy, along with many other shows, concerts and presentations.  Visit the MoCA website for more information and a calendar of events.

The greatest thing about visiting the MoCA is that it is located right in the middle of two of our great Distinctive Inns, Deerfield Inn and Gateways Inn.  It is a wonderful, scenic drive from either locations to the MoCA.  Combine your museum visit with a relaxing stay at either Inn and also enjoy the fabulous dining experience that either can offer.  So don’t hesitate to call either inn to schedule your visit this summer or fall.

La Terrazza at the Gateways Inn in Lenox, MA will be hosting another in their series of Single Malt Scotch Pairing Dinners in June!  The date for this six-course pairing dinner will be Saturday, June 19th, 2010. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception at 7 p.m., followed by the dinner featuring Single Malt Scotches from Glenlivet …”the Single Malt that started it all”. We are privileged to have Glenlivet Ambassador, Ricky Crawford, as our presenter and speaker for the evening.  For those that do not enjoy Single Malt Scotches, wine will also be available.

 A special Single Malt Pairing Dinner menu has been created for the evening and features: (more…)

When planning your New England getaway, Tanglewood should be at the top of the list.  Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra located in Lenox, MA, has now announced the summer schedule for its 2010 season.  Opening the festivities on June 27 with a performance by the Mark Morris Dance Group, the season goes throughout the summer, ending with the annual Jazz Festival, September 3-5.  Tickets for the 2010 Tanglewood season are now on sale to the general public, with several events already sold out, so do not delay if you want to attend some of these spectacular concerts.  (more…)

Tired of wine tasting dinners?  Take the opportunity to visit La Terrazza at Gateways Inn as they have a new twist of the traditional dinners.  Gateways Inn will be hosting two Single Malt Scotch Pairing Dinners this January. These five-course pairing dinners will be held on January 21st and January 23rd and both will start with a cocktail reception at 7 P.M.  For both dinner events, they are featuring a Scottish menu paired with Selections from the Laphroaig & Ardmore Collections. The cost for each dinner is $70.00 per person, plus tax and gratuity.  

For reservations call (413) 637-2532 or toll free 1-888-492-9466.  The menu for the evening includes:  (more…)

This is the perfect time of the year to support the Toys for Tots, and this is just what the Gateways Inn has in mind!  They will be hosting the First Annual Teddy Bear Tea in Lenox, MA and they are very excited!  The Teddy Bear Tea will be held on four days, December 12th, 13th, 19th, and 20th from 2-4 P.M.  Everyone is invited to attend and to bring along a special teddy bear or toy, which will be donated to the Toys for Tots.  For those guests donating a teddy bear or toy, admission to the Tea will be at $10.00 each.  If you do not have a teddy bear or toy to donate, admission to the Tea will be $22.00 each.

Toys for Tots began in 1947 when Major Bill Hendricks, USMCR and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. The idea came from Bill’s wife, Diane. In the fall of 1947, Diane handcrafted a Raggedy Ann doll and asked Bill to deliver the doll to an organization, which would give it to a needy child at Christmas. When Bill determined that no agency existed, Diane told Bill that he should start one. He did. The 1947 pilot project was so successful that the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 and expanded it into a nationwide campaign. That year, Marine Corps Reserve units across the nation conducted Toys for Tots campaigns in each community in which a Marine Reserve Center was located. Marines have conducted successful nationwide campaigns at Christmas each year since 1948. 

Contact the Gateways Inn at 1-888-492-9466 to reserve a space to enjoy the First Annual Teddy Bear Tea today!

by Rebecca, Quantum Hospitality

Please Join us for another family friendly traditional Thanksgiving Dinner hosted by La Terrazza at the Gateways Inn! Cost: $50.00 Per Person + Plus Tax & Gratuity Serving 12Noon-6PM.

Thanksgiving Dinner Menu

STARTERS

Butternut Squash Soup Maple Drizzle, Toasted Walnuts

 Or

 Equinox Farms’ Mixed Mesclun Salad Dried Cranberries & Sultanas, Balsamic Vinaigrette

 Or

Baby Beets Salad Rawson Brook Farm Chevre, Sherry Vinaigrette, Micro Greens

Or

Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli Parmesan Cream Sauce, Toasted Hazelnuts

(more…)

Gateways Inn is excited about the 69^th Tanglewood Season in Lenox, MA.  The Tanglewood Music center is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and is the setting for a wide variety of musical performances each year.  The season starts on June 26th and is filled with many exciting performances.  We feel that there is no better way to spend a summer evening than spreading out a picnic blanket and listening to live music as the sun sets and the stars magically appears in the sky above.

The 2009 season will include performances by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.  Other highlights will include James Taylor, Diana Krall, Yo-Yo Ma, Sheryl Krow, and many others!  A list far too long to be all inclusive.  After an enjoyable evening at Tanglewood, return to the Gateways Inn for a late night dinner and an evening of romance in your luxury accommodations.

We encourage everyone planning to attend Tanglewood to make room and dinner reservations early as we do sell out quickly.  Ticket information can be obtained at Inquire about tickets at http://gonewengland.about.com/cs/maartsculture/a/bltangletickets.htm and we look forward to seeing you this Summer!

by Rebecca, Quantum Hospitality

The Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Lenox, Massachusetts. The Sanctuary has 1,314 acres of land which holds seven miles of trails that weave through meadows, forests, wetlands, and even the Lenox Mountains.

The Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a large and growing beaver population, birds, and June-blooming Mountain Laurel. The peaceful scenery is also blooming with an abundance of flowers and wildlife.

The Sanctuary offers canoe trips on the Housatonic River beginning in mid-May until Columbus Day. Admission to the Sanctuary is $4 for adults and $3 for children.

Lenox is also home to the picture-perfect, elegant yet comfortable Gateways Inn. This enchanting inn is located in the Berkshire Hills with breathtaking views and 12 recently restored guest rooms. In the summer, lunch and dinner are served daily at the inn’s restaurant.

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Lenox Massachusetts, in Berkshire County, has beautiful mountains to both the East and the West, making this town in Western MA a perfect location to go horseback riding.

Aspinwall Equestrian Center has riding lessons through the scenic trails of Kennedy Park and the Lenox Mountains. Aspinwall Equestrial Center offers group lessons as well as private lessons, from beginners all the way to advanced riders. The Center takes riders on one hour rides, half day rides or even adventures that last overnight!

After your riding lesson, be sure to relax at the Gateway’s Inn – a beautiful Manor house with European charm. The Gateways Inn has 12 lovely guestrooms and offers breakfast and dinner in its charming dining room.

Aspinwall Equestrian Center is open Monday through Friday from 8AM to 8PM. Contact Terry Cook at 413-637-4894 or by email at trockinghorse39@yahoo.com .

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