Berkshire Bounty: A Fall Calendar

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Fall is high season in the Berkshires and visitors are advised to book accommodations early. The Summer White House, an original Berkshire Cottage built in 1885 for New Yorker J. Egmont Schermerhorn, has availability in the next several weekends (17 Main St., Lenox, 413-637-4489). There are no vacancies on October weekends at Birchwood Inn, but rooms are still available in November (7 Hubbard St., Lenox, 413-637-2600). The nearby Shakespeare & Company is presenting the American premiere of “The Secret of Sherlock Holmes” by playwright Jeremy Paul, in honor of the 120th anniversary of the British detective. The 30-year-old theater company is also planning a gathering of Sherlock Holmes scholars and enthusiasts October 19–21 (70 Kemble St., Lenox, 413-637-1199).

At the Thaddeus Clapp House in downtown Pittsfield (74 Wendell Ave., Pittsfield, 413-499, 6840), proprietor Becky Smith bubbles with a civic spirit and knowledge of the area. The bed and breakfast in a Victorian mansion is situated within steps of the Colonial Theater, where the Berkshire Bach Society plays Saturday, October 6, and the Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández performs Sunday, October 21 (11 South St., 413-997-4444). A few blocks away is the Barrington Stage Company (30 Union St., Pittsfield, 413-236-8888), where the musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” originated. In October, the company presents a revue of Kander and Ebb songs, “The World Goes Round,” directed by the company’s founder, Julianne Boyd; and in November it brings back a popular offering from last year, “Fully Committed,” a one-man show about an out-of-work actor who answers the reservation line at a hot Manhattan restaurant.

The sense of community in the Berkshires is strong, and visitors are welcome to participate. A great way to experience local residents’ openness at close range is to attend a fundraiser. On Sunday, September 30, the Becket Washington P.T.O. holds its first annual Hilltown Hoot, with folk and Americana music by Arlo Guthrie’s children Abe, Sarah Lee, and Annie, and Johnny Irion and others (noon-7 p.m., Washington Park, Route 8, Washington, $5 to $25, 413-623-8757). On Saturday, October 13, Ferrin Gallery presents “Locally Grown, Locally Thrown,” an event consisting of an exhibit, throwing demonstrations, and a dinner with local produce served on locally made pottery. Proceeds benefit the local art school IS183’s Ceramics Department (events start at noon, dinner at 8 p.m., Ferrin Gallery, 433 North St., Pittsfield, $30 to $100, reservations by October 10 at 413-442-1622).

And though it’s tucked away, it’s worth a visit to the Dream Away Lodge (1342 County Rd., Becket, 413-623-8725), a rustic restaurant, bar, and listening room, with miles of trails around it. Sixth-generation Berkshire musician Bobby Sweet performs his original folk-roots-jazz songs there on October 20.

Coffee shops in the region are the best place to write a postcard, run into fellow New Yorkers, or to pick up free, wireless Internet access. Those who have brought a book to read may also find the time here to press some leaves between its pages, or e-mail photos of the brilliant foliage back home.

WHERE TO GRAB COFFEE

Tunnel City Coffee, 100 Spring St., Williamstown, Mass., 413-458-5010

Lenox Coffee, 52 Main St., Lenox, Mass., 413-637-1606

Fuel, 286 Main St., Great Barrington, Mass., 413-528-5505

Rubi’s, behind 264 Main St., Great Barrington, Mass., 413-528-0488

LEAF-PEEPING GUIDES ON THE WEB

Information on the natural resources of the Berkshires can be found at the following Web sites:

Berkshire Visitors Bureau; berkshires.org

Berkshire National Resources Council; bnrc. net

Massachusetts Audubon Society; massaudubon.org/Nature_ Connection/sanctuaries

Mount Greylock State Reservation; mass. gov/dcr/ parks/mtGreylock The Trustees of Reservations; thetrustees.org.


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