Sister Clymena’s Chicken Pie, pot roast of beef cooked with cranberries, potatoes with rosemary, Sister Mary’s Zesty Carrots, tomato basil soup, and ginger cake are among the Shaker specialties served at Hancock Shaker Village’s Shaker Suppers this fall.
This year, the suppers will be offered September 7, 14, October 5, 12, 13, 19 & 20. Suppers are preceded by an optional guided tour and followed by a program of Shaker music. Special holiday suppers without a guided tour are offered November 29, 30, December 21 & 28.
The optional guided tour begins at 5:30 p.m. Visitors learn about Shaker life as they stroll the herb gardens and explore the 1826 Round Stone Barn, 1793 Laundry/Machine Shop and 1830 Brick Dwe11ing. At 6:30 p.m., hosts costumed in period attire greet guests and serve hors d’oeuvres and specialty hard ciders in the historic kitchen of the 1830 Brick Dwelling where for nearly 130 years the Hancock Sisters prepared three meals a day for as many as one hundred Shakers.
Following the singing of a Shaker grace, dinner is served by candle light in the Believers’ Dining Room, where the Hancock Shakers took their repast. Caterer Paul Proudy, who also manages The Village Cafe at Hancock Shaker Village and was recently recognized by Yankee Magazine, utilizes recipes from "The Best of Shaker Cooking" by Amy Bess Miller, founding President of Hancock Shaker Village, to prepare the meal.
The meal begins with a hardy soup - cream of potato and leek, and tomato basil are two of the chef’s favorites-served with bread, followed by a fresh garden salad. The entree and accompaniment selections vary each week, making use of fresh, seasonal ingredients. Dinner is served buffet style so guests can savor the assortment of Shaker flavors. A typical menu may include: Sister Clymena’s Chicken Pie, ham baked in cider, and pot roast of beef; herbed rice and roasted potatoes; Sister Mary’s Zesty Carrots and green beans with dill. Dessert features Shaker ginger cake, chocolate pound cake, and apple crisp served with tea and coffee.
Following dessert, guests convene in the Meeting Room, where the Shakers held their weeknight religious services, for a performance of Shaker music. Music played an important part in Shaker life and was seen as a gift to be shared with members of the community. All Shakers sang during worship services, regardless of musical talent, and we encourage guests to lift their voices in song during Simple Gifts.
Reservations for Harvest Dinners are required and can be made by phoning (800)817- 1137, Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., or at the Hancock Shaker Village ticket desk. The cost is $50 per person for dinner only, or $55 for dinner, evening tour, and Village admission. A child (under 18) admission is available for $25. Hancock Shaker Village is open daily 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Village is located on Route 20, five miles west of Pittsfield. Further information on the Village and its programs and special events is available by telephoning (800)817-l137, or at www.hancockshakervillage.org.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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