Archive for September, 2009

Well, here we are just post Labor Day Weekend – was summer ever really here this year?  It’s the unofficial start of fall up in the Litchfield Hills/Southern Berkshires and the first shots of vibrant color are beginning to appear here and there. The nights are crisp and star studded; the gardens are waking up to a blanket of lacy frost and the days are sundrenched.

The change of season has brought with it an amazing week for Rock Hall.  French Filmmaker/Director and Sandisfield resident Diego Ongaro, whose short film Rice and Meat 2008 was shown at this summer’s Cannes Film Festival, made the quick trip over to Colebrook with his father Gianni who is visiting this week from Paris. 

As a “souvenir” for his very charming “pere,”  Diego shot Gianni and I enjoying an autumnal horse drawn carriage ride through the Norfolk/Colebrook countryside in a fantastic antique carriage owned and driven by Loon Meadow Farm’s own Beth Podhajecki, while her magnificent Percheron Sara, led the way.  

Loon Meadow Farm has arranged to give Rock Hall guests an incredibly reduced rate on door to door carriage rides for two persons up until the end of 2009.  Michael and I are so excited we are throwing in a split of premium French Champagne or our signature Valrhona steaming hot chocolate.  As an added bonus, the ever-delicious Pastorale in Lakeville, CT has offered to give Rock Hall guests a 25% discount on the dining portion of their bill if they book our “Road Show” package so take a peak at our Specials Page and get all the details.  You will be transported both literally and figuratively so don’t miss this opportunity to romance the one your with and treat your taste buds. 

Speaking of things “Literal” grab a copy of September 2009 Berkshire Living and immediately turn to page 50 to read Gladys Montgomery’s “Rock On,” a wonderful piece that describes Rock Hall’s roots and renowned Palm Beach Architect Addison Mizner’s vision for Rock Hall - our own amazing Mediterranean Revival Manse  – which he originally  built for Jerome Alexandre right here in Colebrook CT.  High Praise for Gladys’ success in writing about the social/political/economic context within which Rock Hall was created and kudos to Jane Feldman on her fantastic photography…FYI the  “family retainer” Michael most resembles would be – say – Al Pacino – if  Mr. Pacino ever were to  portray an incredibly debonair innkeeper……..wow!

Gladys was not the only person surprised to find a Mizner property in Litchfield County…The National Register of Historic Places was flabergasted!  Upon learning of the existance of our architectural gem they sent over a delegation from Hartford to see it with their own eyes.  We are delighted to report that with the assistance of Steve Bedford, a New Hartford resident and highly respected Architect/Consultant/Architectural Historian, we are anticipating being a member of the Historic Register perhaps as early as mid-October…

More media – Did you catch my interview this past Tuesday with the incomparable Joan Hamburg and her terrific daughter Liz on WOR710 Talk Radio?  Joan and Liz, who describes herself as a serial entrepreneur, spoke with me during the “Launch Pad” segment of the show.  It’s available on podcast if you’d like to hear about our decision to change career paths and turn Rock Hall into an award winning resort style B and B…

How excited are we to hear that Edible Nutmeg may be sharing a story soon on Michael’s mouth-water gravlax???  That is music to our foodie ears.  When one of the publisher’s dropped by the other day I suggested they do a piece on Infinity Bistro – so thankful to have a terrific dining spot just down the road, and the music isn’t bad either – HA!  Speaking of Infinity Hall, if you haven’t checked out their fall line up  – you must.  They have some great performers coming up – you may even get a glimpse of them at breakfast here at Rock Hall if you reserve your rooms soon….

Cannot sign off before giving a quick, but heartfelt shout-out to Photographers Dorota Kaminska of NYC  via Warsaw and Edward Acker, Lenox MA based photographer extraodinaire, for the beautiful images they created on our website…. What can we say about Larry Black of Colorway Design in NYC???  We can say Web Wizard/Graphics Great/all around incredibe human being – many thanx – as always!!!!!!!!!!!

Have to run. More soon.

To all our previous guests – we were delighted you shared your good company with us and the pleasure was ours.

To our future guests – we are the friends with the ten thousand square foot, impeccably restored Manor House we want to share with you that you just haven’t met yet!

Best,

Stella