After four months of intense construction, Laura Shack’s restaurant at 71 Church St. in Lenox has been transformed from the Roseborough Grill to Firefly. The name change implies a certain shift in atmosphere and food, which has in fact happened.
A rounded mahogany and copper bar, mica and mahogany ceiling lamps and deep earth-colored walls reflect Shack’s desire to, as she put it, update. “I needed to reinvent myself,†she said of the decision to overhaul her restaurant of almost 13 years. She’d been closing the restaurant in winter and decided that, among other changes, she wanted to keep the place open year-round.
A Manhattan native, Shack had a long association with the Berkshires before she moved here. Her father came to camp here as a boy, her grandmother had a cottage on Lake Buel, and her father went to Williams College. It was a natural place to explore when it was time to leave New York.
Now, a Richmond resident with a two-year-old, Shack decided to change in place.
The Northampton architect who designed the Firefly transformation, Thomas Douglas, is in evidence all around that city. He redesigned the Calvin, and designed Spoleto Express, Del Raye and Cha Cha Cha.
The work of Northampton artisans appear throughout in the new materials: Gerry Shattuck built the mahogany bar top and bar back, and Miriam Kaye created a glass mosaic, which divides the bar space from an entrance.
The copper bar was made by Shack’s husband, Brian Willnauer. D & S Builders of Pittsfield built the complete renovation.
Preston Morris will run the bar; Shack is the chef.
For those who go to restaurants for the food, changes are in evidence on the menu at Firefly as well. A Tapas menu is among the newest additions, which is heavy on Spanish, Asian and American food.
The bar menu will be available in a nearby dining room; there is also a more formal dining room.
Structurally the space looks different, though she points out that only one wall came down and a room entrance was moved.
Shack, as the chef, has a lot of energy, as is often the case. She’s holding three parties this weekend to open the place, including one for friends and old customers and one for the people who worked on the space. The restaurant will officially open Sunday. Call 637-2700 for more information.
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McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course.
The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication.
"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."
LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates.
"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.
The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.
"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back.
The city has lifted a boil water order — with several exceptions — that was issued late Monday morning following several water line breaks over the weekend. click for more