Of all the islands in Casco Bay, Peaks Island is nearest and dearest to my heart. Easily reached by a 20 minute ferry ride from Portland, the island is approximately 2 miles by 1 mile and boasts beautiful views of Portland and Casco Bay.

The island is a throwback to a simpler way of life and is one of those places where people tend to make their own fun: except for some homes along the back shore, cottages are modest and low maintenance; the favorite mode of transportation for locals is the “island car”, an aging vehicle not requiring formal inspections;  kids can still play without constant adult supervision; and doors are frequently left unlocked.

Aside from someone being late for the ferry, life is fairly laid back.

You won’t find golf courses, either 18 hole or miniature. Nor will you find movie theaters, video arcades, or amusement rides, although those did exist in the past. But what you will find is a great way to enjoy the outdoors.

Exploring the island is great fun whether it’s poking along the rocky shoreline, looking for shells in the sandier beaches, trekking out to Battery Steele (an old WWII army bunker), biking along the entire shoreline, kayaking alongside sailboats and motor boats or hiking through the various paths in the interior of the island.

That’s not to say there aren’t other interests, because there are. Where else would you be able to visit a small museum devoted entirely to umbrella covers, yes you read that correctly, umbrella covers. The museum has been featured on NPR and the owner, Nancy 3, takes great pride in showing visitors around and giving background on the various covers on exhibit.

For history buffs, there is the Fifth Maine Regiment Hall. The Fifth Maine is maintained as a Civil War and local history museum and a cultural center. During the summer, it’s common to see events such as a pancake breakfast or “chowda” dinner.

Go to www.fifthmainemuseum.org for full details about the museum and to see a listing of events.

Several artists live on the island and many open their houses to visitors, but if you want one stop shopping,  there’s also the Gem gallery that displays various artists works.  The gallery is intimate, but contains a wonderful selection from paintings to ceramics  to fiber arts.  For more information on the artists and the Gem Gallery, visit peaksislandart.blogspot.com

No place would be complete without shopping and the island has a few gifts stores.  Take a Peak (www.takeapeaksisland.com ) sells a variety of gifts perfect for any occasion and Downfront sells t-shirts, hats, candy and other memorabilia.  If antiques are your thing, then check out the newly opened store, Antiques on Peaks (www.antiquesonpeaks.com).

For the adventurous there is Maine Island Kayak which offers day or longer term kayak trips and for those slightly less adventurous Brad and Wyatt’s Island Bike Service rents bicycles that can be used to tour around the island.

One nice thing about the bike rental place is that if no one is around, you can still rent a bicycle on the honor system.

If you’d prefer a more guided tour of the island,  Island Tours offers golf cart and walking tours (www.peaksislandtours.com).

While exploring, if you find yourself in need of refreshment, there are several options to choose from ranging from a local market that sells beverages and other essential supplies to restaurants offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. I highly recommend Peak’s Cafe for tasty sandwiches, great coffee and baked goods.

For some of the best ice cream around, stop by Downfront where you can get the tasty treat or sample my favorite, Moose Tracks. For more savory fare, The Cockeyed Gull boasts a back deck that gives you a stellar view of Casco Bay.

While sipping cocktails or sampling a meal, you can watch lobster boats at work or sailors out catching a good breeze. The Peaks Island House also features a back deck from which to view the action and if you’re lucky you may get to hear the sounds of Reggae Sunday (every Sunday during the summer, you can party to the sounds of a reggae band at Jones Landing, an establishment located just off the ferry landing) while eating your lobster roll.

Finally, there’s the Inn on Peaks Island. Visitors can choose to dine on burgers, seafood or other tasty nibbles outside or stay inside in the comfortable dining area or cozy bar. During the summer and fall, the Inn hosts many weddings, so it’s not unusual to rub elbows with a bride and groom and their entourage.
If doing your own cooking is what you enjoy, then no visit would be complete without a lobster dinner.  Fresh lobster can be purchased down by the ferry landing.

For places to stay, both inns have rooms with stellar views. The Peaks Island House, www.thepeaksislandhouse.com, has more traditional rooms as well as a separate little cottage. The Inn on Peaks Island, www.innonpeaks.com boasts swanky rooms complete with jacuzzi tubs and private decks.

There’s a vast difference in price between the two places and both fill quickly in the summer, so plan ahead if you’re thinking of staying. If you want a more rustic experience, the Eight Maine Regiment Museum and Lodging, www.8thMaine.org, provides basic rooms with shared bathrooms and a communal kitchen. Visitors get to experience what it was like for veterans of the Civil War to meet and share experiences in a lovely setting. For longer term stays, cottages in a variety of price ranges and locations are for rent. For some examples, visit www.portisland.com.

While summer is the best time to explore the island, fall can also be quite beautiful. The crowds die down after Labor day and by November, the locals have the island back to themselves until the next spring when the fun begins all over again. For more information on the island, check out www.peaksisland.info or www.peaksisland.com

PeaksGirl

South Newfane in Vermont is nestled in a scenic region in New England. But a visit to this jewel of an area will also uncover other gems if you’re an art lover.

Many artists call Newfane and the area surrounding the Rock River home. For the last 16 years the annual Rock River Artists Open Studio Tour has provided Vermonters and visitors alike a glimpse into this rich vein of talent. And this year the 17^th tour will be held on Saturday July 18^th and Sunday July 19^th, 2009.

This year, fifteen artists will open their homes, studios and grounds to visitors. Here are a few nuggets from this year’s tour:

• Photographer Christine Triebert will offer on-the-spot portrait sessions for tour-goers. Visitors to her studio can watch the shooting process in action, and participants will receive proofs in their e-mail inbox after the tour. Custom prints will be made on request.

• Leonard Ragouzeos will show a new series of portrait sketches and tool drawings in ink and will demonstrate his signature technique - using India ink on synthetic paper to create dappled, abstract surfaces that come together as images from a distance.

• Roger Sandes will introduce new work for children from a series developed with the New Editions online gallery, which promotes “Art from the Start” for kids.

• Raku artist Richard Foye will demonstrate his hands-on glazing techniques - lots of fire and smoke for the whole family to enjoy.

• Painter Susan Jarvis will unveil Bestiary, a new series of conceptual works including images from medieval and Renaissance bestiaries; this is the first time pieces from her new series can be seen on the tour.

• Lauri Richardson’s memorial installation, Flags of Freedom, Costs of War, will be on the Newfane Common for the month of July, with more than 4000 handmade flags - one for each American fatality in Iraq. (Visitors to Richardson’s mosaic studio are welcome to paint a flag to add to the memorial.)

• Naturalist painter Caryn King will return to the tour this year with new, strikingly colorful bird paintings, which sing to the viewer from found wood and other surfaces.

And this is just a sample of what to expect at this year’s show.

130-years ago there was speculation this area of Vermont held a gold vein just waiting to be tapped. While many came to speculate its discovery has remained elusive.

While you can still get your pan and spend leisurely time in Rock River hunting, may I suggest instead you check out the guaranteed gold discoveries you can find without expending any effort in the Rock River Artists Open Studio Tour this weekend?

Beginning at the historic Old Schoolhouse building in South Newfane, tour-goers can pick up a map and view samples of each artist’s work before setting out. Mid-tour lunch options in the area include the famous Ken’s Hot Dogs and the newly opened Newfane Café and Creamery. Light refreshments are offered at many stops along the tour as well.

The Rock River Artists Open Studio Tour is in its 17^th year. For more information on this weekend’s activities check out the official web site at: http://www.rockriverartists.com/

My appreciation to Paula Melton who supplied most of the information for this blog post.

And for more suggestions and ideas for things to see and do in the area check out our special Vermont destinations page here.

Another New England post by one of our writers is being prepared right now so be sure to visit again or just subscribe to our RSS Feed here and get notified automatically of events and news.

Yankee Traveler
Staff Writer
New England Online Magazine

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Here is Chef Kevin Long fifth Summer BBQ tip…

BBQ Tip #5:

Chef Long’s authentic Tare Sauce:

This is a spin on a classic Japanese Tare Sauce, traditionally used with Yakitori and Teppanyaki. The sauce can be used as a marinade, but is also great for basting skewers while cooking and can even serve as a dipping sauce.

After preparing the sauce, set aside half to use as a dipping sauce later without cross contaminating. Use this versatile sauce with Chicken thighs, Sea Bass, Sable Fish, Salmon, Skirt steak, Vegetable Kabobs. It is perfect any summer occasion.

Tare Sauce:

3/4 C. Mirin
1 C. Sake
1 C. Light Color Soy Sauce
3 T. Demerara Sugar
2 T. Sliced Scallions
1 T. Minced Ginger

Simply mix together.

You can find Chef Long BBQ #1 here - Chef Long BBQ #2 here - Chef Long BBQ #3 here, and Chef Long BBQ Tip #4 here.

Chef Kevin Long is Executive Chef of Shrine Restaurant, Lounge and Nightclub at MGM Foxwoods.

Next BBQ tip in one weeks time. And you’ll not want to miss next Friday’s tip for Chef Long’s Simple Jicama Salad and how you can use it to serve up an unforgettable BBQ meal.

Be sure to bookmark our site or subscribe to our RSS Feed here

About Shrine Asian Kitchen, Lounge and Nightclub

Owned and operated by Big Night Entertainment, the company behind some of Boston’s hottest nightlife venues including The Estate, Suite and Marina Bay Beach Club (formerly WaterWorks), the 21,000-square-foot nightclub, lounge and stylized dining venue offers a Las Vegas-style nightlife experience with an Asian flair.

The space is a powerful blend of Asian inspiration and style with a touch of smoldering decadence. The 21,000 square-foot, two-story venue accommodates up to 1,200 guests and features two outdoor fire-pit terrace spaces overlooking MGM Grand’s luxurious, fan-shaped pool.

Shrine also boasts an open kitchen, a 225-seat restaurant and two private dining rooms, which can accommodate groups as large as 12 to 40 people. Shrine also boasts the only state-of-the art custom Funktion One Sound System and DJ booth in New England, 40 VIP bottle service tables, 2 full-service bars and a frozen vodka and champagne bar.

We’ll be posting BBQ tips from Chef Kevin Long throughout the season so let us know how you enjoy them in the comments section below, and tell your friends to stop by and pick up the recipes themselves.

And why not take a trip to MGM Grand at Foxwoods and sample the Shrine Restaurant first hand.

The Mystic Country region of Connecticut has many places of interest and to discover them check out our special East Connecticut destinations page here.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

If you enjoyed this article please share with others at your favorite sites below:

The Tall Ships are visiting Boston Harbor July 8^th - 13^th under the banner of Sail Boston 2009.

If you went in 2008 then you know what a wonderful event this is for all the family - and if you didn’t…

well make time this week or at the weekend to check out one of the great tall ships displays along the east coast in 2009, and see schooners from around the world.

With the current economy there were political whispers that it may not happen this year, and my understanding is there was some serious negotiations with the city required keeping it alive, but it is here and it all begins on July 8^th.

The Tall Ships fleet consists of many types of schooner rigs from not only the U.S. but from Brazil, Uruguay, France, Canada, Barbados, Netherlands, U.K., Russia, Ireland, Argentina, Portugal and Belgium. The variety of sails is what makes this such a special event. Each ship and rig is unique and it’s a wonder to look at them how they traversed the open ocean and its mighty storms and survived.

The ships will be docked at various points around Boston Harbor. The public viewing ships include:

Amistad, Eagle, Picton Castle, LeEithne and Spirit of Bermuda at Charlestown Navy Yard Pier 1 and 4.

At Fish Pier you’ll find Sagres, Mircea, Captain Miranda and Cisne Branco, all waiting for your inspection.

And Concordia, Libertad, and Kruzenshtern are docked at the Seaport World Trade Center.

There are many privately docked Tall Ships at Fan Pier and Rowes Wharf, and at the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse, Boston Harbor Shipyard and Marina and at Cottage Park Yacht Club. You should take time out to visit these as well and take you camera to capture these links to our past before they disappear.

Boston Harbor Cruises is offering special harbor cruises leaving from their Long Wharf location - right next to the New England Aquarium, so you can get close up and different perspective of these marvelous sea vessels. These will be popular and so plan to get there early.

In addition to visiting and touring the Tall Ships there are also special events going on around the city and harbor such as music concerts, festivals, and even a special crew and cadet soccer tournament UMass in Boston.

The Sail Boston 2009 event, along with the recent July 4^th Concert and Firework display on Boston signal the real start of the summer festivities in the city. It’s been a cool and damp early summer so far in New England, but with the arrival of the Tall Ships I sense a wind of change, and I urge you not to miss this opportunity to celebrate the heritage of Boston and New England with the ocean and it’s unique past with the Tall Ships.

I’ll be there and hope to see you there as well.

For lots more details on the ships and locations see the official Sail Boston web site at www.sailboston.com

Boston is the most historic city in the U.S. to visit and yet it is small and very easy to walk around and see lots. For more suggestions and ideas for things to see check out our special Boston destinations page here and for tons of free things to do in Boston click here.

Another New England post by one of our writers is being prepared right now so be sure to visit again or just subscribe to our RSS Feed here and get notified automatically of events and news.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

If you enjoyed this article please share with others at your favorite sites below:

Here is Chef Kevin Long fourth Summer BBQ tip…

BBQ Tip #4:

Chef Long’s summer marinade:

Combine 3 oz. of Dijon Mustard, 1 oz. extra virgin olive oil. 1 lemon, a crumble of fresh or dry lavender and a pinch of crushed chili flake.

You can find Chef Long BBQ #1 here and Chef Long BBQ #2 here and Chef Long BBQ #3 here.

Chef Kevin Long is Executive Chef of Shrine Restaurant, Lounge and Nightclub at MGM Foxwoods.

Next BBQ tip in one weeks time. And you’ll not want to miss next Friday’s tip for Chef Long’s authentic Tare Sauce and how you can use it to serve up an unforgettable BBQ meal.

Be sure to bookmark our site or subscribe to our RSS Feed here

About Shrine Asian Kitchen, Lounge and Nightclub

Owned and operated by Big Night Entertainment, the company behind some of Boston’s hottest nightlife venues including The Estate, Suite and Marina Bay Beach Club (formerly WaterWorks), the 21,000-square-foot nightclub, lounge and stylized dining venue offers a Las Vegas-style nightlife experience with an Asian flair.

The space is a powerful blend of Asian inspiration and style with a touch of smoldering decadence. The 21,000 square-foot, two-story venue accommodates up to 1,200 guests and features two outdoor fire-pit terrace spaces overlooking MGM Grand’s luxurious, fan-shaped pool.

Shrine also boasts an open kitchen, a 225-seat restaurant and two private dining rooms, which can accommodate groups as large as 12 to 40 people. Shrine also boasts the only state-of-the art custom Funktion One Sound System and DJ booth in New England, 40 VIP bottle service tables, 2 full-service bars and a frozen vodka and champagne bar.

We’ll be posting BBQ tips from Chef Kevin Long throughout the season so let us know how you enjoy them in the comments section below, and tell your friends to stop by and pick up the recipes themselves.

And why not take a trip to MGM Grand at Foxwoods and sample the Shrine Restaurant first hand.

The Mystic Country region of Connecticut has many places of interest and to discover them check out our special East Connecticut destinations page here.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

If you enjoyed this article please share with others at your favorite sites below:

Here is Chef Kevin Long third Summer BBQ tip…

BBQ Tip #3:

Chef Long’s recipe for a quick and easy brine for pork, beef, or chicken.
Brining the meat  24–48 hours in advance will ensure it cooks as plump and juicy as possible

Combine 4oz natural sugar, 3oz of Kosher Salt, 1 slice of sweet onion, 40 oz cold water

You can find Chef Long BBQ #1 here and Chef Long BBQ #2 here.

Chef Kevin Long is Executive Chef of Shrine Restaurant, Lounge and Nightclub at MGM Foxwoods.

Next BBQ tip in one weeks time. Be sure to bookmark our site or subscribe to our RSS Feed here

About Shrine Asian Kitchen, Lounge and Nightclub

Owned and operated by Big Night Entertainment, the company behind some of Boston’s hottest nightlife venues including The Estate, Suite and Marina Bay Beach Club (formerly WaterWorks), the 21,000-square-foot nightclub, lounge and stylized dining venue offers a Las Vegas-style nightlife experience with an Asian flair.

The space is a powerful blend of Asian inspiration and style with a touch of smoldering decadence. The 21,000 square-foot, two-story venue accommodates up to 1,200 guests and features two outdoor fire-pit terrace spaces overlooking MGM Grand’s luxurious, fan-shaped pool.

Shrine also boasts an open kitchen, a 225-seat restaurant and two private dining rooms, which can accommodate groups as large as 12 to 40 people. Shrine also boasts the only state-of-the art custom Funktion One Sound System and DJ booth in New England, 40 VIP bottle service tables, 2 full-service bars and a frozen vodka and champagne bar.

We’ll be posting BBQ tips from Chef Kevin Long throughout the season so let us know how you enjoy them in the comments section below, and tell your friends to stop by and pick up the recipes themselves.

And why not take a trip to MGM Grand at Foxwoods and sample the Shrine Restaurant first hand.

The Mystic Country region of Connecticut has many places of interest and to discover them check out our special East Connecticut destinations page here.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

If you enjoyed this article please share with others at your favorite sites below:

The Mount Washington Hotel Resort is hosting a jam-packed big activities weekend to celebrate the nation’s birthday July 3-5, 2009. Here’s what to expect.

If a weekend of activities including tennis, fun runs, chalk drawing, military dramatizations, riveting storytelling and lectures, with evening movies and musical performances in the scenic beauty of the White Mountains, then don’t think twice but head for the Mount Washington Hotel Resort this July 4^th Independence weekend.

The distinct resort in the heart of the Presidential Range is preparing to make this July 4^th an unforgettable experience for its guests and you’re invited.

Words on Lodging:

And the words are “Great Packages.” Packages are available for July 3-5, 2009 special weekend starting at $239 per person based on double occupancy and two night minimum stay. For more information on the Independence Day packages, contact their reservation department at 800.258.0330.

Friday, July 3, 2009:

9:00am - 12:00pm Just for fun Tennis Round Robin at the clay courts.

4:00pm - 5:00pm Evening Lecture with Dr. John Resch: The American Revolution

5:00pm - 6:00pm Beer Tasting: Grab a pint of organic amber ale by Peak Organic.

6:30pm - 7:30pm Dinner with a Special Guest

7:30pm - 9:30pm Storytelling and Sing-A-Long by Campfire

8:00pm - 10:00pm Family Evening Movie - Johnny Tremain

9:00pm - 10:45pm Musical Performance - Program of Civil War Era music.

Saturday, July 4, 2009:

8:00am - 9:00am Independence 5k Run - Put on your joggers for a trip around the hotel.

9:00am - 10:00am Mount Rushmore Photo Shoot - A once in a lifetime photo op.

10:00am - 11:00am A Soldier’s Mother Tells her Story - Civil War through a Mother’s Eyes.

10:00am - 8:00pm The Crossing - Dramatization of George Washington’s attack in 1776.

10:00am - 11:00am Dance Lesson with Joel Silvestro - Two left feet are welcome.

10:30am - 11:00am Patriotic Chalk Drawing - You bring the imagination everything else is supplied.

11:0am Call to Arms - Demonstrations and reenactments by historical organization.

11:00am - 12:00pm Family Challenges - sack races, tug of war, obstacle course and more.

12:00pm - 1:00pm Waffle Ball

12:00pm - 4:00pm The Finest BBQ - A traditional BBQ with all the fixings you’d expect.

1:00pm - 2:00pm Family B-I-N-G-O - You now how to play and we’ll provide the fun.

2:30pm - 3:00pm Battle of the Balloons - You will get wet with this water balloon fight.

3:30pm - 4:00pm Duck Race - Decorate and duck and race it against all competitors.

4:00pm - 5:00pm Meet Teddy Roosevelt - See Ted Zalewski brings Teddy back to life.

6:00pm - 9:00pm North Meets the South - A dinner of two cuisines joined in harmony.

8:00pm - 10:00pm Family Evening Movie - On the Town: Franky, Gene and Jules delight.

9:00am - 11:00pm American Celebration Dance - Plan for some great music and dance the night away!

Sunday, July 5, 2009:

7:00am - 9:00am Breakfast with Abe, Teddy and Betsy Phelps

Enjoy the rest of your stay at the resort with its first-class facilities and activities. No rush to leave.

For more details on this special event and information on the resort check out their official web site at: www.MountWashingtonResort.com

The White Mountains of New Hampshire is a popular destination for four-season vacationers and for more ideas and suggestions for attractions check out our special White Mountains Vacations page here.

Another New England post by one of our writers is being prepared right now so be sure to visit again or just subscribe to our RSS Feed here and get notified automatically of events and news.

Yankee Traveler
Staff Writer
New England Online Magazine

If you enjoyed this article please share with others at your favorite sites below:

Here is Chef Kevin Long second Summer BBQ  tip…

BBQ Tip #2:

Brazilian Trick: Re-season the food with salt and pepper while grilling to ensure that the flavor is not lost in the grilling process.

You can find Chef Long BBQ #1 here.

Chef Kevin Long is Executive Chef of Shrine Restaurant, Lounge and Nightclub at MGM Foxwoods.

Next BBQ tip in one weeks time. Be sure to bookmark our site or subscribe to our RSS Feed here

About Shrine Asian Kitchen, Lounge and Nightclub

Owned and operated by Big Night Entertainment, the company behind some of Boston’s hottest nightlife venues including The Estate, Suite and Marina Bay Beach Club (formerly WaterWorks), the 21,000-square-foot nightclub, lounge and stylized dining venue offers a Las Vegas-style nightlife experience with an Asian flair.

The space is a powerful blend of Asian inspiration and style with a touch of smoldering decadence. The 21,000 square-foot, two-story venue accommodates up to 1,200 guests and features two outdoor fire-pit terrace spaces overlooking MGM Grand’s luxurious, fan-shaped pool.

Shrine also boasts an open kitchen, a 225-seat restaurant and two private dining rooms, which can accommodate groups as large as 12 to 40 people. Shrine also boasts the only state-of-the art custom Funktion One Sound System and DJ booth in New England, 40 VIP bottle service tables, 2 full-service bars and a frozen vodka and champagne bar.

We’ll be posting BBQ tips from Chef Kevin Long throughout the season so let us know how you enjoy them in the comments section below, and tell your friends to stop by and pick up the recipes themselves.

And why not take a trip to MGM Grand at Foxwoods and sample the Shrine Restaurant first hand.

The Mystic Country region of Connecticut has many places of interest and to discover them check out our special East Connecticut destinations page here.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

If you enjoyed this article please share with others at your favorite sites below:

The Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, Massachusetts has released its event schedule for 2009, and as always it has an ambitious program for the summer and fall. Here is just a selection of events scheduled for this year.

The season at Hancock Shaker Village runs from Saturday, May 23 through Sunday, October 18, 2009. Situated on an expanse of farm, field, and woodland, the restored Village includes 20 historic buildings, heirloom medicinal and vegetable gardens, 22,000 examples of Shaker furniture, crafts, tools, and clothes that depict daily life at the Shakers’ City of Peace through its 225 years.

Events also include heritage breed farm animals and gardens and hiking trails.

There are daily tours, craft and cooking demonstrations, lectures, and a variety of activities for children and families, as well as a Museum Store and Shaker-inspired cuisine at the Village Harvest Café. The Discovery Room offers hands-on opportunities for kids of all ages to try their hand at chair seat weaving, working at a loom, trying on Shaker-style clothing, or milking a life-sized replica of a cow.

Currently exhibited in the Chace Gallery of the Center for Shaker Studies through Labor Day is Gather Up the Fragments. This is the last season to see Gather Up the Fragments in the Berkshires, as the exhibit will travel nationally in 2010.

New This Year:

Chef Michael Roller, formerly of the luxury resort Blantyre in Lenox, MA, has revamped the Village Harvest Café with inspired interpretations of rustic Shaker cuisine utilizing fresh produce grown on sight.

The Museum Store now features an expanded section of hiking books and walking sticks for visitors to take advantage of on Village trails, as well as in the adjoining Pittsfield State Forest. Hikers are welcome to park for free at the Village; maps to the Pittsfield State Forest are available at the front desk. Beginning in July, the Village will introduce a new audio tour that will be available free with admission, details about which will be announced later this summer.

Mt. Sinai Guided Hikes:

On June 20, August 22, September 19, and October 10, 2009 hike into history on a three-mile trek to the site of the most intense spiritual activities of the Hancock Shakers. During the 1840s, the Shakers established a “feast ground” atop a holy hill they dubbed Mount Sinai.

Here they received spirit messages, dances, visions, and songs. This hike retraces their pilgrimage, pausing to see the Shaker reservoir and North Family mill sites, with reenactments of songs and testimonials from the “mountain meetings” in the Shakers’ own words.

This is recommended for experienced hikers, and each hike will begin at 9:30am and conclude with a picnic lunch. Admission to the Village grounds is included, and advance registration is required. Rates: Members $28/Non-Members $35

“Mr. Lincoln’s Chair: The Shakers and Their Quest for Peace”:

On July 11^th, 2009 at 2:00pm there will be a lecture and book signing with author Anita Sanchez. “Mr. Lincoln’s Chair” presents the Shakers against the backdrop of the Civil War, contrasting their peaceful lives with the carnage of America’s bloodiest battles. The Shakers’ struggle to obtain conscientious objector status led them all the way to the White House for an audience with President Abraham Lincoln.

This lecture is for anyone interested in the Shakers and their unique way of life, as well as for those fascinated by the life of Lincoln. It takes a look at Lincoln from a different point of view: the Commander-in-Chief of the Civil War as seen through the eyes of America’s early conscientious objectors.

This event is free with regular admission and is part of Lincoln Trail in the Berkshires, a collaboration of 14 historic sights and museums organized by Chesterwood. See www.lincolntrailintheberkshires.com for more details.

Oval Box Workshop:

Students will make a nest of four boxes and learn about carving swallow tails, bending the box, and installing tops and bottoms. Students will also have the opportunity to examine some samples of fine Shaker craftsmanship from the HSV collection.

This is a chance for woodworking beginnings to get a great start, and for more experienced woodworkers to develop a new skill. No previous experience required. Rates: Members $190/Non-Members $210 on August 8 and 9, 2009, 9am to 4pm.

16th Annual Age of Iron Weekend:

Make a date on August 15 and 16, 2009 to attend a session with iron men and women from throughout New England who’ll demonstrate the art of blacksmithing and metalwork.

Craftsmanship techniques dating from the 17th through the 21st centuries, Japanese hardware, tool making, engraving, and Viking and Shaker forging will be on display.

Hand-wrought creations from participating blacksmiths will be for sale and those who make custom ironwork for the home will be available to discuss specific commissions.

Many participants will be dressed in period costumes. Forges and workshops will be set up around the historic Village for family activities, demonstrations, and opportunities for visitors to try their hand at being the Village “smithy.”

Co-sponsored with the Berkshire Blacksmith’s Association. This event is free with regular admission.

Timberframing Workshop:

Participants will learn September 23-27, 2009 the craft of timber frame construction using 18th and 19th century tools and techniques, completing the parts and assembling the frame of a small building.

Instructional demonstrations and discussions supplement the hands-on learning activities. Tools and materials provided. Rates: Members $430/Non-Members $475. Register directly with the instructors, Jack Sobon (413.684.3223) or Dave Carlon (413.684.3612).

Hancock Shaker Village Country Fair - 12th Annual:

Fall is finely in the Berkshires when the 12^th annual Hancock Shaker Village Country Fair is celebrated this year on September 26 and 27. There will be a kid’s tent filled with Shaker-inspired games, a farmers’ market with samples of heirloom vegetables to taste, vendors and demonstrations of old-time farm-related crafts and trades, wagon rides, and more.

This year’s pie contest will be judged by New Yorker writer Susan Orlean and Berkshire Living editor Lesley Ann Beck.

The farmers’ market will be judged by WAMC President Alan Chartock and MCLA professor Roselle Chartock. The crafts will be judged by Red Lion Inn owner Nancy Fitzpatrick and photographer Lincoln Russell. This event is free with regular admission.

Spinning and Weaving Week:

As part of National Spinning and Weaving Week, Hancock Shaker Village highlights Shaker textiles October 4-10, 2009. Visitors will see historic demonstrations and have opportunities to try a hand at tasks that would have been accomplished by Shaker Sisters at Hancock.

Fiber artists from the Village and local guilds will bring traditional cloth-making to life-flax processing, spinning, dying, and weaving. Shaker textiles from the Village collection will also be on display. This event is free with regular admission.

Renewable Energy at the City of Peace: Shaker Water Power Archeology Tour:

There is a two-hour tour of the history of the Hancock Shakers’ 19th century water power technology on October 4, 2009, 3pm to 5pm. The tour includes a demonstration of the 1858 water turbine in the Laundry and Machine Shop, a tour of other history renewable energy sites and topics within the Village (hydro, solar, wind, biomass, architectural features, sustainable/green town planning), and an easy to moderate level hike up Shaker Brook to view archaeological sites of Shaker mills and dams.

Co-sponsored by the Upper Housatonic Valley Heritage Area and Massachusetts Historical Commission Archaeology Month. Tour included with regular admission. Free for Housatonic Heritage Walks participants.

These events are in addition to all the exhibits and artifacts on display every day with admission. For more details on each event and on visiting the Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, check out the official web site at: www.hancockshakervillage.org

Massachusetts offers the visitor and resident a rich assortment of museums and outdoor adventures and for more ideas and suggestions of things to see and do in the state check out our special Massachusetts Vacation section here.

Another New England post by one of our writers is being prepared right now so be sure to visit again or just subscribe to our RSS Feed here and get notified automatically of events and news.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

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The warmer weather has arrived in New England and we all have thoughts of vacations and BBQ with special friends. And our blog welcomes a special friend this summer…

Chef Kevin Long.

Kevin Long is highly regarded as one of the Boston area’s most promising young chefs, and all this summer he’ll be providing you with tips and recipes to make your cookouts sizzle.

After working in the kitchens of several family-owned restaurants on the South Shore, Kevin joined the cooking line at Tosca in 1995, where he was quickly appointed Sous Chef of the award-winning restaurant.

Kevin joined forces with restaurateur Seth Woods for the opening of Aquitaine, one of the Boston South End’s most celebrated restaurants where he worked as Chef.

After honing his skills in the city for a year, Kevin returned to his roots to take the reins as Executive Chef at Tosca. In July of 2005, Kevin expanded his role and took on the role of Executive Chef at Caffé Tosca, Tosca’s sister restaurant.  Kevin has also cooked at the James Beard house numerous times and has participated in Boston’s Spinazzola Gala for over ten years.

In his new role as Executive Chef of Shrine Restaurant, Lounge and Nightclub at the new MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Connecticut, Kevin is taking his passion for using only the finest quality product and is creating high quality, creative cuisine with Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Pacific Rim influences.

Here is Chef’s Long summer season opener…

BBQ Tip #1:

1. Continually baste food with vegetable oil or 10% blended oil.  This enhances superior browning over dry cooking on the grill and prevents sticking.

Next BBQ tip in one weeks time. Be sure to bookmark  our site or subscribe to our RSS Feed here

About Shrine Asian Kitchen, Lounge and Nightclub

Owned and operated by Big Night Entertainment, the company behind some of Boston’s hottest nightlife venues including The Estate, Suite and Marina Bay Beach Club (formerly WaterWorks), the 21,000-square-foot nightclub, lounge and stylized dining venue offers a Las Vegas-style nightlife experience with an Asian flair.

The space is a powerful blend of Asian inspiration and style with a touch of smoldering decadence. The 21,000 square-foot, two-story venue accommodates up to 1,200 guests and features two outdoor fire-pit terrace spaces overlooking MGM Grand’s luxurious, fan-shaped pool.

Shrine also boasts an open kitchen, a 225-seat restaurant and two private dining rooms, which can accommodate groups as large as 12 to 40 people. Shrine also boasts the only state-of-the art custom Funktion One Sound System and DJ booth in New England, 40 VIP bottle service tables, 2 full-service bars and a frozen vodka and champagne bar.

We’ll be posting BBQ tips from Chef Kevin Long throughout the season so let us know how you enjoy them in the comments section below, and tell your friends to stop by and pick up the recipes themselves.

And why not take a trip to MGM Grand at Foxwoods and sample the Shrine Restaurant first hand.

The Mystic Country region of Connecticut has many places of interest and to discover them check out our special East Connecticut destinations page here.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

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