Editor's Note

EDITOR’S NOTE

Over the past few months, major travel guides have been telling the world what we already know: The Berkshires are full of great things to do!

Most recently, Travel + Leisure magazine touted The Berkshires as having it all — from beautiful hiking trails and lakes to craft brews and cultural hot spots. The article, which also appears on Yahoo! News and other syndication sites, encourages readers to eat their way through Great Barrington, shop at the Lee Outlets, stroll through our museums and hike our mountains.

As a lifelong resident of the Berkshires, I know how easy it is to take what we have for granted and to forget how lucky we are to live in a place where the arts intersect with nature in a very special way. There are very few places where world-class cultural institutions are within minutes of breathtaking views and access to hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing and a plethora of other outdoor activities.

This summer, we have a lot to celebrate! Jacob’s Pillow is celebrating its 90th anniversary and the reopening of the newly renovated Ted Shawn Theatre. Shakespeare & Company is celebrating its sapphire jubilee — 45 years — and the reopening of the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre, which was shuttered by COVID-19. Similarly, Barrington Stage Company is celebrating the reopening of its St. Germain Stage.

Speaking of anniversaries, Berkshire Mountain Distillers, in Sheffield, is celebrating its 15th anniversary and the full return of summer with a line of Cultural Cocktails that can be enjoyed at each of the 15 cultural venues, as well as at participating restaurants and bars around the county. I recently had the pleasure of sipping on a Berkshire Sunset, while watching the sunset during an opening reception for Viewescapes, the George Rickey sculpture show at Naumkeag. It was the most “normal” moment I’ve had in three years.

Preparing the 2022 edition of Summer Previews was a little bit of an overwhelming experience, after two years of so few events. At one point, I thought of pinching myself to make sure this wasn't part of a dream. I’m still finding it hard to believe that so many venues are planning full seasons, including Tanglewood, which returns with a 10-week slate of events that includes the return of James Taylor’s Fourth of July performance, as well as a 90th birthday celebration for beloved conductor John Williams and a special tribute to Stephen Sondheim.

The return to indoor theater productions

may still require masking, but even if it does, how can you not wear one when it means we’ll be in the spaces where our favorite venues will be able to operate full tilt?

There’s no shortage of art, music, theater and dance happening this summer. When you’re not attending an event, we encourage you to head out to dinner at one of our many excellent restaurants. If you’re looking for greener paths, you’ll find a list of five Berkshire hikes with great views, written (and hiked) by Greta Jochem. If you’re looking for a flatter adventure, check out Scott Stafford’s story about the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, which, with a newly opened segment in Pittsfield, stretches 13.7 miles.

And, should you want to take a break and put your feet up and read a book, we suggest stopping at a local bookstore before doing so to pick up a book by a Berkshire author.

We hope you’ll keep this calendar of events on hand and refer to it every time that feeling that there’s “nothing to do” comes around. A quick flip through our summer guide and you’ll soon have “too many” things to do!

Here’s to having “too many” things to do this summer!

Jennifer Huberdeau, features editor