AUGUST 2026
Dorset, VT RV Park - First time out camping this year since we got motorhome repairs done. We met Perry and his family at Dorset RV Park and Zachary (my youngest grandchild) came with us on his maiden voyage of camping. PJ and Zach are both 14 years old right now, so it was a fun time for them. A local quarry is within walking distance and they went everyday, even 3 times on the last day there. The day that I went, it started pouring before we left and the walk home was long and wet. Kegan, Cassidy and 1-year-old Isabella were there as well. As always, we ate well and Zach loved everything about it.
Leanna got her first car and it’s a beauty! 2014 Berry Red Forrester with 70k miles. It is so clean inside and out and it has a sunroof which is approved by sister, Lily.😂
BUTI (Boston University Tanglewood Institute) invited us to their annual Community Day in order to show appreciation to the town of Lenox for allowing them to have a 6-week summer music camp on the grounds next to Tanglewood, Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer home. This is an arial view of the lawn at Tanglewood offered by a local gallery.
We set up in front of the Groton Library, a beautiful stone building which houses the students. This is their 60th year and over 10,000 alumni strong as a leader in the field of classical music education. For many, it is a summer of exploration and discovery. And for some, is the pivotal moment when a student dares to pursue a life in the arts. For students ages 10 through 20, BUTI has summer training programs for all orchestral instruments, voice, piano, and composition, ranging in duration from two to six weeks.
Every attendee got a free t-shirt and was entertained by these talented students.
Another feature was Bella Santorella doing a Drag Story Hour.
Happy 17th Birthday Jacob Ryder ❤️
Spectacle Pond - We decided to take Sunday afternoon ride through Tyringham and Sandisfield to check out activity at Spectacle Pond. Someone told me that a dilapidated house that Rich drew is no longer there. I was sure it was on the right side of the street and Rich through the left, so drove all the way to Sandisfield without spotting any remnant at all. Turned around and on the way back, sure enough, just before the pond on the side Rich said it was, a few corner stones and tree stumps remained. No other sign of it. They are putting a gas pipeline through that area which was contested by locals.
This is the rendering that Rich drew:
Maggie, maple syrup vendor and lifetime native, had been in the house. There was no water or electricity when 4 children were raised here. They had a well and gas lamps.
Adirondacks - Took a day trip to visit Perry and Nora’s campsites at Rogers Rock on Lake George, NY. On the way there we passed Brant Lake which is about 10 miles long. With trees and occasional farms to the right of us, the views of the lake were interrupted by camps to the left of us. Folks from NYC, NJ, and CT find respite in these beautiful mountains. It’s’ impossible to put into words the different shades of green which will be a glorious rainbow of fall colors soon. The babbling brook peppered with stones and rocks meanders to the right until it opens up to the southern tip long span of Lake George.
Listening to my Autio app by Hear-here through the radio helps us better understand the history of the area that we are driving through. Obviously, New England was totally engaged in the Revolutionary War to divide from England.
PLAY FOR PEACE DAY - we had a pool/jam party with food, drink, ukes, vocals and great friends!
Trip to Queensbury, NY - The day of Rich’s appointment, we to visit his sister, Eileen and husband, Steve. They are cleaning out the cellar and have boxes of old family pictures. Separating them all by family member is an extra step they take.
We got so carried away with memories and stories of old, that three and a half hours flew by very quickly. The town of Whitehall has as many nicknames for people as Lee does.
Their gorgeous hydrangea…
BUB (Berkshire Ukulele Band) was asked to perform at an OLLI event. Osher Life Long Learning Institute offers educational programs throughout Berkshire County. In order to do that, they have substantial donors and this was an Appreciation Night at Edith Wharton’s home, The Mount - 125 attended. We gathered on the marble porch and played two 20-minute sets with a couple of speakers in the middle. Then we were able to partake of the amenities (bar, food and tours of the building and the gardens).
It was a lovely evening and quite enjoyable. A familiar woman made eye contact with me and even approached to ask where Rich was. For the life of me, I could not place where I knew her from. I kept looking without looking at her illegible name badge. Racked my brains throughout the performance until the end when she came to me to chat. I told her I also played with the Music Academy - she proclaimed, Yes That’s where I know your from. As soon as she said that, I knew! Marietta! Sooooooo embarrassed! We have been sitting next to each other for 2 months at the Music Academy. Right next to each other with many good conversations before class! Oy!
It’s a Small World - At Farmers Market, we have met many characters and told/heard a plethora of stores to boot. We had a customer, Karen, very interested in a small pine needle jug that Rich made. She mentioned that she had an enormous amount of woven baskets and such in her home. I asked where she lives and it is Westbrook, ME. Oh, we go through Westbrook to get to our camp in Raymond, ME a couple of times a year. We then noted that if you talk to people long enough, you find a connection. Her husband, Paul, then joined us and she told him about Raymond and I added that my great grandfather built a cabin on Panther Pond in 1901. Panther Pond? I know a Bob VanWyck on Panther Pond - we went to law school together at University of Maine and had many a good time. Really - we are next door neighbors to the VanWyck’s! We talked about his parents and how Betty, Bob’s mother, made homemade bread and slathered it with butter. We could all smell it when it came out of the oven and raced to the cook house to indulge ourselves. On top of that, my baby sister is in Maine now for a visit - I will send her this picture of you to share if she see’s Bob. In fact, she moved out to Tucson as a young woman and actually stayed at Bob’s brother Dee’s house until she could find her own apartment. She met her husband there and still resides in Tucson. By the way, she bought the jug!
Camping at Chenango RV Park in NY with Nora next… stay tuned.
