July 2025
Day trip to Newport, RI was a delightful experience. Rich drove us in sister Cindy’s car and immediately said, I gotta get me one of these. We have been passengers many times in Terri and Jim’s KIA Sportage Hybrid - such a comfortable ride. Now behind the controls was a whole new experience for him.
Founded in 1639, Newport was one of the most important port cities in the North American British Colonies during the 18th century, with commerce that included the importation and sale of enslaved persons, as well as manufactures, such as whale-oil candles, rum and fine furniture. In the Gilded Age it became a fashionable summer playground with the likes of the Vanderbilts and Astors building magnificent “Summer Cottages” along the coast line. We got the grand tour of Newport...
By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea…
Sister Leslie’s daughter, niece Sarah, has lived there for 15 years and has been very successful in her enterprises. At this time she is partnered with 2 spas and has other ventures in the works. Her 3-story abode is in a historic 1700’s house with a small footprint, but a climb up some steep, spiral stairs and a good sized porch on the 2nd level. Really cute setup… even has an all-in-one laundry washer/dryer.
We were treated to massages...
The view from Sarah’s office…
Had fish ’n chips at Antonio’s and got on the road by 3pm. I had a ukulele session at 6:30 to get to. Had planned on skipping it when we first made our plans, but since then have scheduled a performance, so I needed to be there.
Later in the week back in Massachusetts, “window shopping” for a KIA Sportage Hybrid became a full day of discussion, decisions, paperwork for financing, insurance, and registration - and VOILA! We are the proud owners of this beauty, aka Rocket.
International Folk Dance classes have begun - the first day we did 7 different dances and 2 line dances! It was a good workout and educational as well. The instructor, Elaine, read the interpretation of the songs we danced to.
The second class was held on the hottest, muggiest day of the summer so far. Thankfully the room is air conditioned, but it was still exhausting. I especially enjoyed learning the Tarantella.
Trail Marshall (3rd time Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker) strolled through Lee Farmers Market and came to our booth to get out of the hot sun. He passed through Lee many weeks ago, but got a ride back from New Hampshire in pursuit of a treasure box along the trail. It is said that a bit coin investor distributed treasure boxes on trails across the country - they are not buried either. Hmmmm.
I introduced him to another vendor, Doug, who thru hiked (Georgia to Maine) the Appalachian Trail in 1987. Doug is now a bee farmer and sells his honey products at the market every Saturday. He brings a hive in a glass frame to illustrate the bees at work. The queen bee is identified with a colorful microdot on her back.
Rich’s 83rd Birthday was celebrated at Perry’s house - pool party. It was also the first time we met Isabella AnnMarie - 1 month old.
Four generations of Colombs❤️❤️❤️❤️
Back in Lee, I had a great visit with family visiting from Florida. They moved there from Lee several years ago, and are still impressed with how beautiful Berkshire County is when they visit in the summer. We look forward to seeing them much more this winter in sunny Florida.
Lynn, Zippy and sister Mary Jo
Wyantenuck Golf Course was the scene of the tournament that my son, Randy, and his lifelong pal, Jeff, ended up winning the Championship! Jeff’s dad called me to see if we wanted to ride down to Gt. Barrington to watch them finish. We had nothing going on, so off we went. They were 2 up when we arrived and maintained the lead for the remainder of the course. The match was delayed almost an hour due to heavy rain and nearby lightning/thunder. It has been a while since I have gone to see them finish, so this made me very happy. The Berkshire Eagle did a very nice article and referred to the fact that they played bogey-less golf for FOUR consecutive 18-hole rounds. When one is down the other digs deep to compensate - back and forth and so it goes. Also, this was a repeat of last year’s tourney win for them. They grew up as neighbors and played sports together throughout high school and beyond. They won the Western Mass HS Super Bowl with Jeff as QB and Randy as Receiver.
Berkshire Ukulele Band (BUB) performed under a tent during the community dinner in Great Barrington. It was a gorgeous evening for this event and we did get rave reviews.
See a short video in the body of this email.
Our friends, Dave and Penny, from North Ranch do a travel journal which we follow - so we were happy to read that they made their way cross country to New England. We decided to meet for lunch at Franco Martini’s Restaurant in Croton on Hudson. It is a beautiful 2-hour ride for us and well worth it to catch up with them over Italian cuisine. Dave made it a point to ask for an order of 6 wings to go for each of us because that was our “thing” at the Wild West Saloon. These did not even compare, but put a smile on our face while eating them for dinner later. We really never dreamed that we would see each other again being so far apart, so who knows when we will meet up again?
Another day in New York State to deliver a commissioned piece for Rich’s cousin, David, of the 100-year-old gazebo at his home in Lake George. This home used to be the servants' quarters for a castle no longer there. It was built solid and still remains in excellent condition. When they bought it, there was a scene painted on the wall of the kitchen by a local artist. You can see Rich’s rendition of a slightly different angle framed in the forefront.
This is what the inside of the gazebo looks like now. He is considering offering it to the historical society before it deteriorates any further.
I asked if it was OK to take pictures to share here. As you enter the house, you see a big sign COLOMBO which was the name of David’s boat.
The wainscoting on the walls and the ceilings is pristine. When he insulated the house for year round living, he removed the exterior to install it so as to not disturb it.
The floors gorgeous as well.
After a nice visit over a cup of coffee, we moseyed on to Perry’s to celebrate young Nora’s birthday, Lyn’s birthday, and Erich’s retirement from Glens Falls Hospital as an X-Ray technician.
I am happy to report that Rich went to a Uke class with me which was for Beginners. He did very well since he hadn’t touched one since January! Hope that he will join a group with me Nokomis Beach, Florida this winter. 🤞
Myself, Dee and Kathy have made real strides to walk each weekday (except dancing day for me) on a 2-mile flat section of Lenoxdale. We go rain or shine, hot or cold, just about every day. Dee got a new hip 6 months ago and we are forever grateful for modern medicine to keep us active.
Happy Retirement to Tucson bro-in-law, Jim ❤️🎊🎉
More time for tastings now…
