By Neil Turitz
Portraits by Stephanie Zollshan + Abigail Fenton
Mindi Morin
Managing Director, Canyon Ranch
When you think of Canyon Ranch, spa days and pampering probably come to mind. But there’s a lot more to the place than that. The famed wellness resort also offers performance science, in-house doctors, nutritionists, Chinese medicine, and more—approaches both ancient and cutting edge.
“It’s not overstating it to say that we save peoples’ lives here,” Mindi Morin said. They take an integrative approach to everything that they do, and “we meet our guests where they are, performance-wise,” said Morin, “whether they want to run a marathon, get ready for a knee replacement surgery, or just be able to lift up their grandson.”
- Community Access To the Arts Gala – Lenox
The best event of the year. This is the first gala I ever attended, and I cried with joy the entire time. Watching these artists from all over our community come to life on stage, and all of the volunteers who bring together the arts, is pretty phenomenal. From that moment I was hooked. Like, how do I become more involved?
cataarts.org - MoonCloud – Great Barrington
Bartender Billy Jack Paul’s cocktails are like nothing you would ever imagine. Everything from the garnish to the glassware to the presentation just blows you away. When you walk into MoonCloud, you could be in any big city.
mooncloudgb.com - Jacob’s Pillow – Becket
Anything I’ve ever seen there is unique. The setting, the drive there, the stage that opens up and makes you feel like you’re in the woods—it’s all amazing.
jacobspillow.com - North Plain Farm – Great Barrington
This is our meat CSA and you can drop into their shop any time of year for their products and others from local partners. Don’t miss the bratwurst.
northplainfarm.com - Alta Restaurant and Wine Bar – Lenox
It’s like walking into Cheers, where everybody knows your name. You know you’re going to get an amazing meal.
altawinebar.com
Don’t miss:
Summer Supper Series – Visiting chefs provide world-class meals that celebrate seasonal fare in our magical setting.
canyonranch.com
Jacobs Pillow by Renato Mangolin
Alta @altawinebar
Kelley Vickery
Artistic Director and Founder, Berkshire International Film Festival
Kelley Vickery launched BIFF in 2006 on just two screens at Great Barrington’s Triplex Cinema with the goal of bringing world-class film—and filmmakers—to the beautiful area she called home. How it’s grown: BIFF is now a year-round enterprise that inspires and engages, and draws big names.
“I’m very excited to be honoring the incredible actor, Brian Cox, this year,” said Vickery. The main event is a four-day festival of film, talks, and parties that kicks off the summer season. But showcasing film is only part of Vickery’s mission. “We have nurtured so much young talent here in the Berkshires,” she said with pride, “and given them a platform.”
- Tanglewood – Lenox
If it’s Sunday afternoon, you can find me under a tree on the lawn at Tanglewood with friends and a delicious picnic foraged from Guido’s and Dare Bottleshop! I’m especially looking forward to pianist Yuja Wang on July 20 and the incomparable Yo-Yo Ma on August 3 and 10.
bso.org/tanglewood - High Lawn Farm – Lee
My adult kids (now 31, 29, and 27!) are obsessed with this. On many Friday afternoons in the summer, my daughter will take the train up for the weekend from NYC and it’s the first stop—she came up for a girls’ weekend and they went there for ice cream and to pet the cows. There’s no visit without it.
highlawnfarm.com - WIT Literary Festival – Lenox
My favorite way to end the summer season is to attend the annual WIT Literary Festival held by the Author’s Guild here each September. There are wonderful, inspiring, and moving talks from authors galore, and it sells out the minute it opens up! Dan Brown was the inaugural speaker. They had Rachel Maddow last year! September 26 to 28
authorsguild.org/event/wit-festival/ - Hiking and Lunching – Lenox
When friends and family come to visit, I take them for a hike in Kennedy Park, followed by lunch at my mainstay eatery, Bistro Zinc, then shopping at the many fabulous Lenox stores.
lenox.org | bistrozinc.com - “DayDream” at Berkshire Botanical Garden – Stockbridge
The BBG’s summer exhibits are really great. This one has works from Salvador Dalí and Annie Leibovitz, alongside contemporary artists like Roz Chast. Opens June 6.
berkshirebotanical.org
Don’t miss:
The Taste of BIFF – On opening night, we’re featuring 14 area restaurants under one tent to kick off the festival!
Peter Lindbergh, “Helena and Martian,” for Vogue Italia, 1990
Mike Beck
Executive Director, Berkshire Botanical Garden
Mike Beck was a lawyer in New York City, but, in 2010, he was ready for a change. He and his husband had already bought a house in Richmond, and it was time for a permanent move. Beck got involved with the Berkshire Botanical Garden, and within two years was the executive director, a position he’s held ever since. In that time, the organization has increased in size from 15 acres to 24, and soon there will be a larger greenhouse to encourage year-round visits. “Even the tiny 150-square-foot space we had is such a nice escape,” he said. “We figured, if we build a larger space, people will come.”
- Casa Susanna – Leeds, NY
I haven’t explored the Catskills much, but we recently discovered this delicious Mexican restaurant at the Camptown hotel. The ambience is cozy, but with some groovy design. The food is unexpected and modern as well, featuring really fresh and colorful ingredients sometimes veering into the experimental.
camptowncatskills.com - Dog Walks at Wild Acres Park – Pittsfield
This is a walking path for people who are commitment phobic for hiking. Our dog loves it. It’s sort of Disney World for dogs because you have different environments—meadows, woodlands, and water.
cityofpittsfield.org - Finch – Hudson, NY
Finch is a two-story marketplace of home goods, clothing, books, and beauty products. I stop in whenever I’m in town, and especially like their curated second-hand mid-century furniture on display. It’s a great home design resource.
finchhudson.com - Bread from Mel the Bakery – Hudson, NY
We think this is, hands down, the best bread and pastries in a 30- or 40-mile radius. We buy four or five loaves and put them in the freezer.
melthebakery.com - Brunch at the Apple Tree Inn – Lenox
They have a terrific brunch in the big round room. The restaurant is called Báladi, and a lovely Israeli couple runs it. They make the most amazing pan-Middle Eastern food.
appletreeinnlenox.com
Don’t miss:
The BBG Garden Design Symposium – This is a new event we’re doing—because sometimes you just want to hear about really beautiful gardens. August 16, Canaan, NY
berkshirebotanical.org
Casa Susanna @casasusannacamptown
Max Morningstar + Maria Zordan
Owners, MX Morningstar Farm | Claverack, NY
Ask Max Morningstar and Maria Zordan, the married owners of MX Morningstar Farm near Hudson, New York, what sets their farm apart from others, and they’ll answer in a single word: consistency. “That’s one thing our customers will tell you,” Zordan said. “Consistent quality and customer service. High standards. It’s not precious—it’s nice things, well packaged.”
Consistency is right: the farm store is open seven days a week, year round, which is unusual in these parts. The farm operates on more than 50 acres, has a robust CSA membership, and the farm store is a community mainstay. “Our growing practices are centered around what we do well,” Morningstar explained. “Otherwise, we’re not going to do it.”
- Hudson Ferry Company – Hudson, NY
They do a Sunset tour and a Lighthouse tour, but we love the Shacks, Shipwrecks, and Sandbars tour. We did it for Maria’s birthday a couple years ago and it was fun and relaxing, a perfect combination for a hot summer evening.
hudsonferry.co - Whistle Down Farm – Hudson
We pick our own blueberries here. Nicholas and Eileen grow the best tasting blueberries we’ve ever had. They are focused on flavor above all and it really shows. Last year, we bought a case, thinking we would make jam or freeze some of them, but we ate them all.
whistledownfarm.com - Quinnie’s – Hudson, NY
Friday night is Burgers & Martinis night (Max is a martini guy, with gin, of course). They usually have live music, and it’s very kid-friendly. It’s low key, and their large outdoor space is highly enjoyable.
quinniesnewyork.com - Dinner and a Drive In – Leeds and Coxsackie, NY
We got this idea from the lovely Steph and Will (managers on the farm and a married couple) and we’re excited to try it: Grab takeout from Gracie’s Luncheonette, then head over to the Hi-Way Drive-In for a very vintage and lowkey evening. - The Klocke Estate – Claverack, NY
We come here for sunset cocktails, and the unforgettable view both inside and out. The drive up to the restaurant is truly majestic and the level of detail makes for a wonderful evening.
klocke-estate.com
Don’t miss:
Jimmy Nardello Peppers – Jimmy Nardello pepper season is in August and September—these peppers are truly exceptional, sweet with lots of complexity. It’s a fleeting season that deserves to be cherished.
mxmorningstarfarm.com
Esther Bell
Executive Director, Berkshire Botanical Garden
Deputy Director, The Clark Art Institute
Esther Bell has her dream job. After earning a master’s degree from the Williams College/Clark Graduate Program, she spent over a decade at museums in New York City, Cincinnati, and San Francisco, until The Clark came calling seven and a half years ago.
“The Clark was always a beacon of best practice,” she said, “and a museum that I greatly respected.” In her stretch, The Clark has increased its programming, and this summer’s outdoor exhibition, “Ground/work 2025,” takes advantage of the 140-acre campus and will be open for more than a year so visitors can experience it in all four seasons.
There’s also a recent major gift of important works from the foundation named for the late Aso O. Tavitian, local collector and philanthropist. “A lot of great stuff is happening here,” said Bell. “It’s really ambitious.”
- Dinner at Bluebird & Co. – Hancock
Bluebird is a family-friendly restaurant with farm-to-table plates and cocktails and a gorgeous outdoor setting at the base of Jiminy Peak. We like to take friends visiting from out of town there. It’s fun to show off the setting and cuisine.
eatatbluebird.com - Swimming at Sand Springs – Williamstown
This natural-spring swimming pool is great for small people—my kids are four and eight—but you don’t need kids to love it there. On a hot summer day, it’s so refreshing.
sandspringspool.org - Williamstown 4th of July Parade – Williamstown
This is the most heartwarming public event. All the town comes out, and every kind of community organization is marching. It’s just such an incredible, pure example of community and, afterwards, there’s a big lunch. - Caretaker Farm – Williamstown
This is our summer CSA. In the July-August window, it’s overflowing with the most beautiful produce. But it’s not only about that, it’s about community. (Sensing a theme here?) You see your friends, co-workers, and neighbors. And the tomatoes are the best I’ve ever had in my life.
caretakerfarm.org - Hiking at Field Farm – Williamstown
One thing I love about living here is all of the nature we have at our fingertips. It’s just kind of magic. The property at Field Farm is incredibly beautiful. There’s birdwatching, flowers, a cave walk, and forest hikes.
fieldfarm.org
Don’t miss:
Community Day at The Clark – Every summer we have this huge festival, with music, performances, food trucks, and art-making activities. It’s free and open to all. July 13.
clarkart.edu
Allyn Burrows
Artistic Director, Shakespeare & Company
If you think the Bard isn’t your thing, think again. In addition to productions of “The Taming of the Shrew” and “Romeo and Juliet,” Allyn Burrows has a cabaret called “Shake It Up.” “I try to serve up Shakespeare in different ways,” he said. “I’m not a purist. I like to do crazy things with it.” Burrows has been running Lenox’s Shakespeare & Company for nine seasons, but first worked with the company back in 1988 (and has himself appeared on their stages many times). He keeps things fresh in many ways—for example, while adjusting to a post-COVID lag in theater attendance, Burrows oversaw the creation of the 500-plus-seat Arthur S. Waldstein Amphitheatre in 2021, and had Christopher Lloyd break it in with his King Lear.
- Live Music – In the Berkshires
I especially like The Dream Away Lodge in Becket and The Lion’s Den in Stockbridge. I get to see guys like Johnny Irion and Benny “Fingers” Kohn. I’m a big fan of both, and they’re in “Shake It Up”—I have the distinct advantage of being able to put local musicians I think are awesome into my show.
thedreamawaylodge.com | redlioninn.com - Big Elm Taproom – Sheffield & Great Barrington
They brew their own beer, and it’s stupendous. The vibe is casual with a friendly atmosphere. It’s a great place for a summer beer.
bigelmbeer.com - Motorcycle Rides – On Local Roads
I have three motorcycles: a Honda Hawk, a Kawasaki KLR650, and a Kawasaki ZR-7. They’re not fancy, but they’re dependable. Routes 183, 57, and 53 are great rides. Taking Route 8 up to Vermont is a delight. It’s about getting on the road and experiencing the Berkshires, though I don’t go as fast as I used to. - Tennis at Bousquet Sport – Pittsfield
There’s a terrific tennis culture up here. You can really get your ya-yas out on the tennis court. There’s nothing like smashing a ball to help with focus!
bousquetsport.com - Patisserie Lenox – Lenox
Terrific atmosphere and incredible pastries would be enough, but there’s also the French music they play over the sound system. They serve ice cream in the summer, and the outdoor seating, looking out over Church Street, is gorgeous.
patisserielenox.com
Don’t miss:
“The Victim” by Lawrence Goodman – We have a world premiere right out of the gate. June 19–July 20.
shakespeare.org
Laurie Norton Moffatt
Director/CEO, Norman Rockwell Museum
You might say Laurie Norton Moffatt is a lifer. The director of Stockbridge’s renowned Norman Rockwell Museum began working there in college, and now she’s a year shy of having run the place for four full decades, overseeing its expansion and bringing acclaim to the art of illustration. When she started, there was no real catalogue of Rockwell’s work, but early in her run, she recalled, “we published a two-volume set of the 4,000 works he had created,” and under her leadership, the Museum became the first to receive the National Humanities Medal, America’s highest humanities honor.
Her primary goal was “to place Rockwell in the context of American illustration.” Mission accomplished.
- Berkshire South Regional Community Center – Great Barrington
My granddaughter is seven months old and spending time with her is a new life pleasure. I swim at Simon’s Rock but the splash pool at Berkshire South will be an easier introduction for her.
berkshiresouth.org - Open Swimming in Stockbridge Bowl – Stockbridge
I swim out to the middle of the lake and back every other day. If you get there early, you can watch the sunrise over the lake, and see the blue heron and eagles fly overhead. It’s just beautiful.
thesba.org - The Bookstore – Lenox
I have been going here for most of my adult life. I love just noodling around, poking through the books and finding titles. Owner Matt Tannenbaum is a wonderful human being and curator of people’s interests.
bookstoreinlenox.com - Once Upon a Table – Stockbridge
This restaurant in a little alleyway off Main Street is very intimate and the menu changes regularly. Everybody there is really wonderful and feels like family. Post-theater dinner after seeing a show at the Unicorn is an added treat.
onceuponatablestockbridge.com - Bascom Lodge — ADAMS
The WPA-period lodge on top of Mount Greylock is timber and stone, and just a beautifully hand-crafted building. It’s open only in the summer and fall, and you can have dinner. You can see Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, and Connecticut from there. It’s incredible on a full-moon night.
bascomlodge.net
Don’t miss:
“Hidden Worlds and Wonders”
Our juried outdoor sculpture installation features the art of contemporary creators (opens July 12). It’s presented in conjunction with our, “I SPY! Walter Wick’s Hidden Wonders” exhibit (opens June 7).
nrm.org
Elizabeth Sobol
President & CEO, Saratoga Performing Arts Center
In 2016, after more than three decades in the music industry, Elizabeth Sobol was ready to retire, leaving her adopted home of New York City for a beachfront condo in Miami. She had no interest in moving to Saratoga, even after SPAC called and asked her to consider coming on as the new boss. Then she went up to visit, and it was love at first sight. Walking around town, finding an outpost of her favorite bookstore (Northshire, see right), “it became a cosmic sign to me that I was meant to move here,” she said. Over the last decade, she has transformed SPAC with more than $10 million in upgrades to the campus, returning it to its glory as a premier performance space.
- Local Bookstores
I am a voracious reader, and Saratoga is a city for book-lovers: there is a fabulous indie bookstore called Northshire Books downtown. Only a few blocks away is the phenomenal antiquarian spot, Lyrical Ballad Bookstore. Triangulating both of those is the superb Saratoga Springs Public Library.
northshire.com
@lyricalballadbookstore - …then Reading over Lunch or Tea — SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY
After buying a few books, I can’t wait to get home to crack them open. I might go to this terrific café by day/restaurant by night, Walt & Whitman. Or to Saratoga Tea & Honey—I am a tea fanatic and having a first rate oolong, matcha, or pu’erh tea flawlessly prepared, along with a new book, is one of my great joys.
waltandwhitmanbrewing.com
saratogateaandhoney.com - Pitney Meadows Community Farm — SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY
I will often stop by just to look at all the beauty and abundance in the individual planting beds in the community garden, walk on some of the trails, or scoop up some vegetables, flowers, or maple syrup at the Pitney Farm Stand.
pitneymeadowscommunityfarm.org - Saratoga Spa State Park — SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY
There are exquisite hikes right here, the home of SPAC! I can leave my office and disappear down a trail to some of the curative mineral springs and be back at my desk in 30 minutes, completely refreshed.
saratoga.com/hotspots/saratoga-spa-state-park - Sushi by Bou — ALBANY, NY
I occasionally venture out of town for food experiences; one of my favorites is this Japanese omakase sushi restaurant. It’s unlike anything else in the region.
sushibybou.com
Don’t miss:
Powerful Female Performers
I’m looking forward to all our concerts, but will call out three amazing female singers: Laufey (August 9), Renée Fleming (August 15), and Cynthia Erivo (August 22), each with their own night with the Philadelphia Orchestra.
spac.org
