We like to keep our friends apprised of what's going on at The Red Lion Inn. Here are a few articles from our newsletter. Please check back from time to time for more.

Bedtime Story Winners Announced!

Our heartfelt thanks to all of you who submitted stories for our Bedtime Stories Contest. It was fun to see how a stay at the inn inspires our guests' creativity.  Entries took us on journeys to the past and the future while others relayed healing experiences.  There were stories of young love, longtime love and second chances.  And the winners are... Barbara A. Applebee, Dick Broszeit, Sheryle Ciccarelli, Francine S. Hall, Suzanne Lamb, Susan Lekatsas, G. Wayne Miller, Stacy Pecor, Sharon Ruetenik, Joe Sardinas, Dan Teager and Sam V. K. Willson - congratualtions!

Restoration Phase One a Success

Our ambitious plans for restoration & improvements created a stir in Stockbridge all through 2006. Between January and July, 28 guest rooms and baths in the south wing were renovated and all of the related infrastructure, from plumbing to alarms, was replaced, or, in the case of the windows, restored. We now have five ADA compliant accommodations, including two suites.

Seventeen fireplaces were fitted with gas inserts. King beds were fabricated to match the old iron and brass double bedsteads. The maple dressers, desks and bedside tables that furnished the guest rooms in 1897 are back in place, but there is fresh, comfortable new upholstered furniture in many of the rooms. A smattering of different art and accessories emphasizes the quirky and eclectic character of the Inn from Mrs. Plumb’s day into the future.

Outside, we created a sleek heated swimming pool and hot tub so that guests can take dips even while blizzards rage. Even the surrounding patio is heated! An adjacent garden and sun porch bring more elegance to the Inn’s back side. Our Main Street landscaping was also redesigned with granite curbing, raised plant beds and brick walks. Special efforts were taken to ensure the health of the elm trees planted by Jack  Fitzpatrick in the 1970s.

With the expected support of State and Federal historic preservation tax credits (and our friends at Berkshire Bank), we were able to forge ahead with a seasoned team that showed great understanding and respect for our 110-year old building. Architects are the award-winning, preservation specialists, Einhorn, Yaffee and Prescott, and our contractor is David J. Tierney Jr. Construction. Denig DesignAssociates provided the landscaping plans.

2007 will be a year of preparation and planning for two more phases of restoration, resulting in a sensitively updated and code compliant Red Lion, still full of the idiosyncrasies we cherish.

New Edition of Red Lion Cookbook Hot Off the Presses!

Our Gift Shop is now stocked with the latest edition of The Red Lion Inn Cookbook, tried and true old favorites and new recipes from recent years. Chef Brian Alberg’s contemporary regional contributions reflect his pleasure in providing hearty, innovative food to our guests through easy-to-follow recipes. The cookbook is available for purchase through our Gift Shop – stop by or call in an order (413 298-1623) and we’ll ship it to you in time for holiday gift-giving!

From Chef's Farm to Our Table

Executive Chef Brian J. Alberg is a strong proponent of sustainable farming – few chefs exhibit his level of commitment to the cause. This past summer and fall, Brian led tours of local farms by motorcycle for guests on our Roaring Ramble package. He now sources more than 40% of the ingredients for his menu locally – bringing the total the Red Lion spends each year with local farmers to a quarter million dollars! Brian brought his message of sustainability to a New York City audience during his seventh James Beard House dinner in October. Taking sustainable farming to a more personal level, Brian has successfully begun raising his own heritage breed pigs for the Inn’s winter menu. His pigs are hormone-free and eat a vegetarian diet consisting of high quality vegetables, grains, corn and soybeans – try our slow-roasted pork the next time you visit!