Jim’s 75th. Lenox, MA (Aug 20-22 )

We left the boat in Schenectady, rented a car and drove to Lenox, MA to visit our friends Dan and Madeline Hajjar.  They have a family cottage on Laurel Lake where they spend each summer.  We have been there several times before and always enjoy the area and the company.  Situated in the heart of the Berkshire Mountains, the area is well known for its natural beauty, arts and entertainment, and availability of good restaurants.  Beginning in the 1800s it attracted many luminaries from the art and literary world as a place to spend the summer.

Our long weekend there consisted of fine dining, kayaking on the lake, visiting the art fair in Stockbridge, and enjoying a ride on the newly refurbished carousel in downtown Lenox.  The visit culminated in a birthday celebration for Jim at a good Italian restaurant, but not before spending the afternoon at the Hancock Shaker Village.  This is a remarkably well restored and preserved village showing Shaker life in the mid to late1800s and on into the early 20^th century.  The Shaker cult was devoutly religious, devoted to efficiency and innovation, and progressive in their farming methods.  If they had changed one central tenant in their creed they would probably still be around in greater numbers today.  They were committed to celibacy.  (Not sure how they thought that was going to work long term.)

 

Debby and Jim on the Carousel