Wheatleigh Going Up for Sale

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STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — One of the county's most exclusive hotels is not completely closing this Valentine's Day. 
 
But the owners of Wheatleigh, L. Linfield and Susan Simon, did confirm to The Berkshire Eagle that they will on putting the 1893 Italian-style villa up for sale later this year.
 
It will close as a hotel but will be open for private rentals and for weddings and events that were booked through the summer. 
 
iBerkshires and other media posted an announcement made Monday on the hotel's Facebook page: 
 
"It is with great sadness, we bid you all a fond farewell. The Wheatleigh ownership has made the difficult decision to close the property, and put it up for sale as a private residence. Our last day of operation will be February 14th. We thank you all for sharing your lives with us, and we wish you all the very best as we usher in a new chapter for the house we all love."
 
The Eagle reported Wednesday that the post was a hoax by "an unhappy former employee." The newspaper reported that the Simons are seeking to options for the hotel's future and that the company that was managing it the last few years is no longer involved. 
 
Banking and railroad magnate Henry H. Cook built the Berkshire cottage as a summer home. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and, at one point, was designated five stars by Forbes. It is listed on the Leading Hotels of the World website. It passed out of the Cook family and for a short time was a jazz and folk music school and resort, connected to the Music Inn, and then as a summer hotel. 
 
The Linfords purchased the property in 1983 as Su Lin Inc. It was refurbished in the early 1990s and renovated it in 2002. It's assessed at about $4 million. 
 
It has 19 rooms and suites on 22 acres designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Within walking distance of Tanglewood, the hotel has been a frequent stop for notable celebrities over the years. It is known for its fine dining, wine cellar and luxuriously appointed accommodations. 
 
Updated on Feb. 7, 2024; 2 p.m.

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Berkshire Health Systems Dedicates Fairview Hospital Laboratory to Gene Dellea

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems has dedicated the renovated Fairview Hospital Laboratory to Eugene Dellea, the longtime former president of Fairview and the former Hillcrest Hospital, and a senior leader at BHS for decades. 
 
The Gene Dellea Laboratory at Fairview Hospital is designed to honor Dellea's extraordinary legacy of service to healthcare in Berkshire County,
 
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Monday, June 29, at Fairview, bringing together nearly 50 guests, including Dellea's family and friends, local elected officials including state Rep. Leigh Davis, BHS trustees and staff, and Fairview employees. 
 
Welcomed by BHS President & CEO Darlene Rodowicz, a series of speakers reflected on his decades of dedication to healthcare in the Berkshires, his leadership at Hillcrest and Fairview, and his lasting impact on patients, colleagues, and the community. Speakers included Dr. Alec Belman, Fairview chief of staff; Tony Scibelli, BHS vice president and Fairview chief operating officer; and Select Board Chair Stephen Bannon, also a Fairview pharmacist.
 
Bannon presented Dellea with a special citation recognizing his lifelong commitment to the health and wellness of Berkshire County residents. Dellea himself shared heartfelt stories from his early years managing the lab at Hillcrest Hospital and his many years serving Fairview.
 
The celebration also recognized the generous anonymous donors whose $1 million gift made it possible for Fairview Hospital to renovate and move the clinical laboratory. The upgraded space supports improved infrastructure, new diagnostic technology and equipment, and a more convenient location for patients and staff. 
 
"This meaningful investment honors Gene's remarkable legacy while strengthening the care Fairview provides to the nearly 30,000 people who rely on its laboratory services each year," said Rodowicz.
 
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