February is for Valentines & Love

Valentines Day is February 14, but at the Inn at Stockbridge bed&breakfast in the Berkshires we are celebrating love and Valentines all month long. Stay at the inn for 2 or more nights the entire month of February and we will have chocolate covered strawberries waiting in you room for your arrival. For a 3 night stay we will also have waiting for you a split of champagne. You can also take advantage of our stay more save more special the entire month as well as March & April.

Love can also be a bit dangerous. For a merry wicked time visit Shakespeare & Company in Lenox MA and see Les Liasons Dangerous.
Love is the ultimate weapon! This wickedly entertaining story of love, sex and betrayal is as sumptuously guilt-inducing as a decadent chocolate you just can't resist. Depicting the devious schemes of French aristocrats on the cusp of the Revolution, it heats up the intimate Bernstein Theatre at Shakespeare & Company this winter under the direction of Founding Artistic Director Tina Packer.

Packer directs Elizabeth Aspenlieder, who won the coveted Elliot Norton Award for her tour de force performance in Bad Dates last winter, and Josh Aaron McCabe, most recently seen last fall as Sherlock Holmes (and a host of other characters, both male and female) in the runaway hit The Hound of the Baskervilles. Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons) was ahead of its time as a novel in 1782 and it still may be ahead of its time today.
This play is running until March 21.

Cultural Berkshires for 2010

The Summer season 2010 in the Berkshires is on the web. Many of the cultural venues have announced their summer season. Tanglewood, Jacob's Pillow, Barrington Stage Company among others are selling tickets to the public. The Inn at Stockbridge Bed & Breakfast is taking summer reservations. If you are planning on visiting the Berkshires this summer please visit our web site and go to the links page. You can then view the schedules of all the venues as they are posted.
Why wait until the summer to visit the Inn. You can enjoy skiing and Valentines Day at the Inn at Stockbridge as well

Guests & Local Friends Come together at The Inn at Stockbridge

Alice Schiller , owner of the Inn at Stockbridge, continues this blog to highlight the various guests that return to the Inn year after year. Its always a pleasure when local friends and guests can meet in such a special place and catch up.
We had the pleasure of hosting Josh & Judy Weston last week. Josh & Judy are friends of some Andi & Jeffrey Goodman, local friends from West Stockbridge. At the Inn we often find that there is only one degree of separation. The Weston's and the Goodman's are friends as a result of a mutual friendship with George & Liz Ruderman who worked at General electric with Jeffrey. George spotted Jeffrey as a future leader at General Electric. George took Jeffrey under his wing and mentored him and treated him like an adopted son. Jeffrey feels he owes his success to George. Josh & Judy are friends of the the Rudderman's from New Jersey. Josh Weston is the former chairman of the board of ADP from 1986-1998 and is now honoray chairman. Today Josh Weston makes a continued contribution to the many boards he is on. He is heavily involved in Boys Town Jerusalem and the Museum of Natural History.
Judy supports the National Dance Institute founded in 1976 by Jacques D'Amboise. The NDI uses dance as a catalyst to engage inner city kids from NYC in Dance.
Its a pleasure to know Josh & Judy Weston who continue to make a strong contribution to so many various good causes and help to make this world a better place.
We hope Josh & Judy visit us next year choose to and take an upgrade from the Petite Room.
While in the Berkshires the Weston's visited Tanglewood and the various other cultural venues in the Berkshires

Thirty Years & Counting at The Inn at Stockbridge

Dr. Marvin & Naomi Lipman have the distinct honor of being the most long term guests at the Inn at Stockbridge B&B in the Berkshires. They even preceded us at the Inn. They have stayed in every room at the inn but love the Terrace room, they call it Marvin's room. Marvin & Naomi are photoed on the Terrace room private deck on which the love to listen to quiet music and read the New york Times.
The Lipmans have lived in Scarsdale for 43 years. Dr Marvin has been a member of the Scarsdale Medical Group for over 40 years. The group was started by Dr Herman Tarnower, the author of the Scarsdale Diet. Marvin is professor of Medicine at New York Medical College in Valhalla and is Chief Medical Advisor to Consumer Reports. I fondly remember when Dr. Lipman would edit his columns and constantly send and receive faxes. Computers now make this task simpler. Naomi was travel editor for the health and travel newsletter for many years.

While in the Berkshires they always visit Tanglewood and enjoyed Yo Yo Ma and Carmen Bernana. They enjoyed the Prisoner on Second Ave at the Berkshire Theatre Festival and Jacobs Pillow. The Lipmans now love to spend time in NYC and enjoy the culture of the Metropolitan Opera and Theatre and to spend time with their three grandchildren. Marvin & Naomi love the Berkshires and the Inn at Stockbridge and plan to return next year.

Mothers & Daughters Reunion at the Inn at Stockbridge

The Blog at the Inn at Stockbridge Bed & Breakfast in the Berkshires continues as the guests keep on coming to enjoy all the Inn and Stockbridge has to offer. I hope it will never end and so this blog will continue.
Three girls met became friends in Kenwood School in the 6th grade in Chicago over 60 years ago. The mothers married had children and careers but their friendship continues until today. They now get together with their daughters annually to keep the relationship strong. We are thrilled that the chose the Inn for their get together this summer. Paula Simon, Deedie Holtzman & Jill Randell are the mothers. Deedie's daughters are Arlene Holtzman, Susan Holtzman Frankel & Karen Holtzman. Jill Randell daughters are Liz Feirstein, Debbie Fisher and Paulas daughters are Shelly Myers and Jackie Simon. I was presented with a book that was put together by Paula Simon which contained their itinerary, beautiful photo collages, stories and wonderful poems and wonderful stories of their times together.
There were suggestions of a trip trip to the Norman Rockwell Museum, The Mount, Ventfort Hall, Chesterwood or Naumkeag. A spa day at Cranwell, afternoon shopping at art galleries. dinners were at Chez Nous, Cafe Lucia & Rouge. Evening entertainment included Jacob's Pillow and The Berkshire Theatre Festival. Mornings consisted of the wonderful breakfasts and catch up by the 10 ladies.

This was a fun filled weekend for all and a memorable time for us as well as the entire group.

You too can plan a fun filled weekend at the Inn at Stockbridge. Alice & Len Schiller will guide you to make all your dreams come true.

Guests as Well as Julie & Julia Motivate Blog at The Inn at Stockbridge

Yesterday I had the opportunity to see Julie & Julia. I was in my glory after the movie. This guest blog consumes me as Julia Childs consumed Julia. Cooking is another passion of Len & I at the Inn as well. I was a home economics teacher and taught food service with the NYC restaurant school and the NYC Board of Education. Preparing wonderful breakfasts for our guests at the Inn is another thing that we love to do. Len prepares great omelets and is called the omelet king by many of our repeat guests.

Hank and Jill Narrow from Allentown PA have been visiting the Berkshires for over 30 years and the Inn at Stockbridge B&B in the Berkshires for 10 years. They already reserved their weeks stay for next summer. The speak of the Berkshires as "an infusion of culture, peacefulness and tranquility in a pastoral setting." This year as in all the previous 30 years they went to Tanglewood. They especially enjoyed Mark Morris with Yo Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax and Chris Botti on the trumpet. The Narrow's enjoyed Prisoner of Second Ave at the Berkshie Theatre Festival.
They also visited Shakespeare & Co.
Hank & Jill dined at Cafe Lucia & Bistro Zinc.
Hank works for Iron Mountain as director of Partner Alliances. Jill is employed by Welcome Wagon. Jill also has a supplemental business as JSN fine arts where she represents emerging artists.
Jill and Hank plan to return to the Inn next year. They especially like us, Alice & Len Schiller who ensure guest satisfaction and create a wonderful atmosphere which is conducive to conversation and interaction with the other guests. We love meeting the guests at the Inn, cooking wonderful breakfast for them and helping them enjoy to Berkshires which we love.

A Couple of Many Talents Enjoys the Inn at Stockbridge

Robert & Joan Gerhart, has chosen to spend time at the Inn at Stockbridge, in the heart of the Berkshires, again this summer. As you have already realized after reading my blog I enjoy chatting with the guests and to discover life events that make people who they are. Robert and Joan spent their early years as friends in Redding PA and ended up marring many years later. Robert started his life's journey at Albright college and knew he wanted to be a reporter. A professor recommended him to a local paper and he lasted 10 years. He then started a public relations firm and worked on the campaign of George Rhodes for Congress. Robert figured if he could run other peoples campaign he could run his own. He then moved on to run and become the State Representative of Pa and then run and become State Senator. During this time he continued to write the weekly newspaper the New Era which he ran from 1948-1979. Robert also edited the monthly AAA Magazine for PA which he did for 56 years. As a result of AAA he became interested in the hotel business and developed and ran Diamond Beach Resort in Wildwood New Jersey. He ran the Play Den from 1967-1986. He then went to Naples Florida and started a club called the Oasis.
Joan also has a very interesting background. She lived in Saudi Arabia for 12 years. Joan and Robert enjoy their life together traveling all over the world. They have been to Africa, Asia Eastern and Western Europe. They love visiting the Berkshires and always choose to stay at the Inn at Stockbridge. We treat our guests well. After having a difficult time after a Tanglewood concert finding their car in the rain we lent them our pass for the next evening. They were thrilled.
I asked Robert what the key to his success was. He said that all his decisions were gut decisions and that he had a wonderful wife and partner. We look forward to welcoming Robert & Joan back to the Inn for many years to come.

Tanglewood on Parade and Astronomy under the Stars

This Year Tanglewood on Parade on July 28 is adding a new spin to the days program. It is adding Music and Astronomy Under the Stars - Not Just for Kids!
An extravaganza of music and fun for music lovers of all ages. Activities begin at 2pm with special guest, Dr. Donald Lubowich, from Hofstra University’s Astronomy Outreach Program offering stargazing for adults and children with telescope observations of the Sun, Moon, Jupiter, star clusters, and nebulae. This NASA sponsored event is part of the worldwide 2009 International Year of Astronomy, celebrating the 400th anniversary of Galileo using a telescope for astronomy.

This NASA-sponsored event is part of the worldwide 2009 International Year of Astronomy, celebrating the 400th anniversary of Galileo using a telescope for astronomy.

This all came about as a result of Dr Don Lubowich, a frequent guest at the Inn at Stockbridge asking us if we had any contacts at Tanglewood. We put him in touch Kim in marketing and the rest is history.

This is what Len & I enjoy about owning the Inn at Stockbridge. We meet a variety of interesting guests, we get to know them and build a network of wonderful people that we can bring together to make exciting things happen for all to enjoy in the Berkshires and everywhere in this wonderful world that our guests come from.

Alice & Len Schiller Enjoy the Berkshire Theatre Festival

Last night Len & Alice Schiller owners of the Inn at Stockbridge had the pleasure of seeing the Einstein Project at the The Berkshire Theatre Festival. This was truly a unique wonderful production, different from anything we ever saw. The Einstein Project by Paul D'Andrea & Jon Kleinand directed by Eric Hill is a fascinating look at one of the Titans of the 20th century: Albert Einstein. This truly unique theatrical experience seeks to humanize and contextualize a man that we all think we know. Through conversations with his son Edmond and his colleagues, we are truly able to visualize the man who, however reluctantly, ushered in the Atomic Age.
The Inn at Stockbridge is less then a mile from the BTF and as owner innkeepers and Berkshire residents we thrilled with this years program. We already saw the Faith Healer and Broadway by the Year and look forward to the entire season when we will see the Prisoner of Second Ave & Ghosts on the main stage and Candide and Sick in the Unicorn Theatre.
We are thrilled that the Berkshire's has so much to offer the guests at our Inn and they can truly enjoy Culture in the country.

The Inn at Stockbridge, Shakespeare & Co and Special Guests

The Inn at Stockbridge Bed & Breakfast in Stockbridge Ma has been very fortunate to have had some wonderful repeat guests over the years. Alice & Len Schiller, owners of the Inn for fifteen years consider many of their guests special friends who they have grown fond of. One of these special ladies is Frances Martinson. Frances & her late dear husband Paul have and continue to be a part of our inn family since we arrived. The Martinsons have been an integral part of Shakespeare & Co since its founding. Frances's late husband Paul was a big supporter of Shakespeare in the Park since the 60's. Martinson Hall in the Public Theatre is named after him. They have been Trustee's of the Public Theatre and have been trustee's of Shakespeare & Co for over 30 years. Frances continues to be a great supporter of Tina Packer and all her efforts to make Shakespeare & Co what it is today.
Frances is also philanthropic in New york City as well. She is a trustee of the Pearl Theatre as well as a trustee of the American Folk Art Museum.
I had the pleasure of seeing two of Shakespeare & Co shows this season . Yesterday I went with Frances to see "Pinter's Mirror", three one act plays by Harold Pinter as well as " the Actor's rehearse the Story of Charlotte Salomon. This tells the mother daughter story, artistic journey and ultimate tragedy of Charlotte Salamon. I would highly recommend both productions.
A visit to the Berkshire's, a stay at The Inn at Stockbridge and a visit to Shakespeare & Co should be on your to do list this summer. After all if Frances supports both the Inn at Stockbridge and Shakespeare & Co it must be the best.

Visit the Cultural Berkshires and stay at The Inn at stockbridge

Culture in the Country is in full swing for the 2009 summer season. Stay at the Inn at Stockbridge and enjoy it all. Alice & Len Schiller, owners of the Inn had the pleasure of attending two shows at the Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge already.
Faith Healer by Brian Fried and directed by Eric Hill. It was described by The New York Times as" Intricate and self contradicting, the narrative has the addictive pull of a detective yarn" It is the story of Francis Hardy as he travels across the British Isles performing a series of almost vaudevillian faith healings along with his wife Grace and loyal manager Teddy. This is playing until July 4.
We also saw Broadway by the Year, created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel produced in special arrangement with the Town Hall in New York City. Enjoy this cabaret style show performed by an all star cast as they sing the best songs from Broadway Shows of the 1930's and 1964. This will be performed until June 27.
We are anxious to see their other productions as well. The Einstein Project, Prisoner of Second Ave, Ghosts, Candide, Sick and Red Remembers.
We will make sure to keep you informed.

Cultural Partnerships in the Berkshires this Summer

Art, nature and music come together in perfect harmony in the Berkshires and the Inn at Stockbridge this summer. No trip to the Inn is complete without visiting the Clark and Tanglewood. they are so easy to get to from the Inn at Stockbridge-just a 45 minute drive through the bucolic Berkshire Hills for Stockbridge to williamstown and with their special offer of only $45 for two Clark admissions and two Tanglewood lawn tickets its very affordable.

The Clark features an outstanding collection of Impressionast, American and Old Master paintings set among 140 scenic acres with hiking and walking trails. On view this summer, Dove/O'Keeffe: Circles of influence and through the Seasons: Japanese Art In Nature.

Maestro James Levine returns to Tanglewood this summer with dynamic programs including an all Tchaikovsky opening, as well as Mahler's Sixth Symphony and Stravinsky's Rite of Spring.

The Berkshires is rich with museums and other cultural events, abundant outdoor recreation and world renowned festivals alive with music, theatre, and dance. a trip to the Inn at Stockbridge should be on you must do list this summer.

* Clark admission tickets are valid June 7-September 7, Tanglewood lawn tickets valid for all BSO and Boston Pops concerts (excludes Popular Artist Series)

Engaged at The Inn at Stockbridge

Patrick Harney & Alethea Pieters are thrilled to announce their engagement on April
3,2009. Patrick was so anxious to propose to Alethea and wanted it to be perfect. Alice & Len Schiller and Sandra MacDonald arranged for champagne and a cheese platter to welcome them into the Rockwell Suite at The Inn at Stockbridge.
Patrick & Alethea met in June 2007 through some mutual friends at The Tavern on the Water in Charlestown. Upon being introduced to Alethea, he immediately asked her out on a date.
Alethea works for Governor Duval Patrick as director of appointments and Patrick works as a trust officer at the PNC Bank.
In order to surprise Alethea Patrick told her they were visiting his brother in NY. It was from his brother that he heard about the Inn. He told Alethea that the should stop in Stockbridge to see the Cultural Berkshires. Little did she know that he was planning on proposing at the Inn. They were on the phone after the proposal to announce their engagement to friends and family. A June 2010 wedding is planned.

Alethea and Patrick plan on visiting the Inn at Stockbridge often. Alethea is a violinist and Patricks sister sang with the Tanglewood Chorus. A love of music runs through their blood.

We wish Patrick and Alethea a wonderful life together and are thrilled that the Inn at Stockbridge will be a memorable place for them.

Anniversary Specials at The Inn at Stockbridge

Spring is here at The Inn at Stockbridge. The new buds are peeking through, the days are longer and life is good. Len & Alice Schiller are entering their 15th year as owner of the Inn at Stockbridge. Alice and Len are also celebrating their 38 anniversary. As a celebration we are offering some great specials. Please check our our anniversary specials
The Berkshire cultural institutions are announcing their new seasons and it looks great.
Keep checking this blog as I announce exciting things that are happening in the Berkshires. Our Stockbridge Bed & Breakfast is ready for you to be our guest.

Theatre in December in the Berkshires

Len & I had the privilege to go to the Barrington Stage Company last night in the stage 2 at the VFW Hall in Pittsfield. This wonderful life is a holiday feel good show. So how is it that a movie that made it into the American film Institutes Top 100 films and still continues to move and inspire people without fail every holiday season was the first and only film of Frank Capra's Films, was not a financial success and lost every one of the five Oscars for which it was nominated in 1946?. It's a wonderful life was Frank Capra's gift to the world after World War 11. Improving the individual and bringing a more hopeful outlook on life is the only way you can improve a nation. George Bailey illuminates everything about us that make us all part of the human race. We all have been through the thing where we would rather die than live. It the idea of triumphing over the highs and lows of life which makes it an enduring classic, and why it is so relevant this holiday season.

I hope you enjoy this one man play as much as I have. Perhaps we can all change the world by spreading hope, love, redemption and sharing. May you visit us at the Inn at Stockbridge and touch your world as well.

Summer in the Berkshires

Alice & Len Schiller, owners of the Inn at Stockbridge are thrilled to be in the Berkshires for their 14th season as owners of the Inn. This season is off to a great start. Alice & Len have been busy checking out the offerings at the various venues to assist their guests in planning their stays. There is something happening every day we even need a day of rest.
Last week James Taylor appeared at Tanglewood. He always puts on a wonderful show. We went to the Art Festival at Butternut, heard the reading of the Decoration of independence at Shakespeare & Co. We went to Tanglewood again and heard La Trojans by Berlioz. Monday was a film at the Jewish Film Festival, Tuesday was the Pops at Tanglewood. We heard and saw a wonderful production of A Little Night Music by Sondheim. Tuesday afternoon I went on a hike with my Women's hiking group and saw the arches at Chester. This was railroad arches that were built in the 1930's. It was a bit strenuous but wonderful. Thursday was the Book Club Play at the Berkshire Theatre Festival. This was a wonderful new play that I strongly recommend.

This weekend also appears to be promising. There is so much to do in the Berkshires. It is truly a cultural paradise.
We are thrilled to see so many of our regular guests. Its a wonderful feeling to be owners of the Inn, seeing all our wonderful guests and enjoying all the Berkshires has to offer.

Shakespeare & Company

Alice & Len Schiller, owners of the Inn at Stockbridge are proud to by supporters and advertisers of Shakespeare & Company. We were treated to a wine and cheese party the other night and saw their new play. This was not an ordinary wine and cheese party. There were over 400 guests from all over the county. The event was catered by our friends Lynn & Christian from Ketchup to Caviar. Everything was perfect, weather setting and surroundings.

Alice & Len were then treated to see the Ladies Man, the mother in law of French farce by Charles Morey. It was directed by Kevin Coleman & starred Annette Miller as the mother in law and Elizabeth Aspenlieder, both great actresses. Annette Miller starred as Golda Meir in "Golda".
This was a convoluted story with whip-smart dialogue. It is set in Paris at the turn of the century about a suave doctor whose young wife and fire breathing mother in law suspect infidelity. The doctor gets deeper into his own soup the more he tries to prove his innocence. This is a must see if you want a good laugh.

Berkshire Cultural Season has begun

The 2008 Berkshire cultural season has begun. Alice & Len Schiller owners of the Inn at Stockbridge are fortunate to have seen the new show by the Barrington Stage Company while in previews. "I Am My Own Wife" is a Tony Award winning play by Doug Wright in the one man play starring Vince Gatton. It tells the story of of an East German transvestite Charlotte van Mahisdorf who incredibly eluded both the Nazis and communists with a combination of cleverness and deceit. We loved this play and recommend it to our guests.

In the coming weeks we are going to the Spelling Bee also by the Barrington Stage Company. Shakespeare and Company is offering the Ladies Man, the mother in law of French farce by Charles Morey. The inn is an advertiser and we are invited to a reception and showing of the play. Alice & Len love the beginning of the season and look forward to welcoming all their guests.

Berkshire International Film Festival

The Mahaiwie Theatre in Great Barrington is hosting the Berkshire International film Festival this year from May 15- May 19.

Visit the Berkshires during the spring, stay at the Inn at Stockbridge and enjoy the best in foreign film. Among the showings are Boxing Day, Man on Wire and Begging Naked.
This is only the beginning of what appears to be a wonderful cultural season.

Wonderful Summer In the Berkshires

It is great to be in the Berkshires and owner of the Inn at Stockbridge Bed & Breakfast. Our guests have been wonderful. It is great to see our long term guests who are now friends. The weather has been wonderful, Tanglewood has been the best ever. Last night was Tanglewood on Parade. Imagine James Levine, Keith Lockhart, John Williams, the 1812 overture and fireworks all in one night on the great lawn. That was last night another great evening.
On Tuesday I had the pleasure of going with my hiking group to the Becket Quarry for a wonderful hike. The quarry was once in operation and it is now a park. It was a wonderful time for all. My Berkshire friends are great.
I continue to play Mah Jong with my regular group as well. Yesterday I lost.
Its great to be able to operate the Inn and enjoy the Berkshires at the same time.
Life is wonderful.

Shakespeare & Company

Tina Packer playing Cleopatra, I was curious. I know Tina lost weight but could she pull it off. Like everything else Tina does she did it with finesse.
Tina created this wonderful venue. I remember when she had her company at the Mount. Shakespeare was out of this venue and then bought the National music Center on Kembell St. It was a great endeavor, but her supporters had faith. One of our long time dear guest Frances Martinson and her late husband Paul were founders. We followed the progress and are now thrilled with the results.
Yes Tina was a great Cleopatra. she can do anything she sets her mind to.

The Inn at Stockbridge Bed & Breakfast is extremely busy with all our wonderful guests.. We are receiving wonderful feedback from all the cultural venues, the weather is great. What more can one ask for. Culture in the Country.