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DAVETREK ADVENTURES |
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2009 BERKSHIRES LABOR DAY Weekend at the SHAKER Mill Location: Shaker Mill When: Thursday Night, September 3 - Monday, September 7, 2009 Please click the appropriate link, below: RSVP For The Weekend Here Please Answer All Questions on the RSVP form Deadline for signup is Monday, August 24, 2009 Early Bird Deadline is Sunday, August 16, 2009 FAQ FOR THE WEEKEND - What you should bring, and more information than you ever really wanted to know...Let us know if anything has been missed of substance - I doubt it! DIRECTIONS TO THE SHAKER MILL Tanglewood Jazz, Outdoor Activities, Cultural Events, Museums & Family Fun for the Weekend DETAILS OF THE WEEKEND I am pleased to announce our 1st Labor Day Weekend at the Shaker Mill. We will be going my favorite place, the Shaker Mill Inn, located near the beautiful Berkshires, in NY. We go to the Shaker Mill a few times per year and its quite popular. Since the Shaker Mill is not too large, we try to accommodate as many as possible, but this will be limited to less than 50 adults ( the numbers varies based on how many people we fit into some rooms). We also intend to have a bonfire on Saturday Night and a BBQ on Sunday night. Please RSVP quickly, as this will sell out, possibly by the early bird deadline. Don’t delay or you will be closed out. I will set up a waiting list, in case of cancellations. SIGN UP - Complete the RSVP form here, and sending in your $100 deposit (see Costs, below). PLEASE MAKE SURE TO ANSWER ALL RELEVANT QUESTIONS. THIS HELPS MAKE THE WEEKENDS BETTER AND SIMPLER TO RUN. DATES & ACTIVITIES ON THE WEEKEND The dates of the weekend are THURSDAY Night, September 3 to Monday September 7, 2009. I am also offering this weekend with several options, based on prior feedback from people on the event. Some items of the Berkshires are still open , Tangelwood is open for the Jazz Festival on Sunday, Sept 6, as well as the other cultural events such as Shakepeare & Co ( Plays) on Sept 4 & 6th and all of the world class museums, such as the Clark ( art), the Hancock Shaker Village, etc. There is also whitewater rafting, biking and hiking, along with many other outdoor activities. There are events for all ages and people during the summer, so if you want a staycation, here is your opportunity! To see some of the events and activities on offer, go to Berkshires Summer Activities page I have set up. Also, see Activities, below, for a highlighted version of the events on offer. Options for staying at the Shaker Mill: Option 1 - Thursday Night, Sept 3 to Monday Sept 7 Option 2 - Friday, Sept 3 to Monday Sept 7. I highly recommend coming up Thursday night, as this will allow a full day on Friday. Also, if some want, for an additional $45 per person we might allow folks to stay till Tuesday Sept 8. Let me know if this would interest you, on the RSVP form. Let me know on the RSVP form which option you would like to choose. Since we will sell out, preference will go to people who want to stay the entire time (Sept 3 to Sept 7). CRAFTS DAY We hope to have a CRAFTS DAY again, where you can learn some local crafts. The crafts we are exploring are: basket weaving, watercolors, working a loom, woodworking, , jewelry making, knitting/nalbinding, paper cutting, and perhaps a kosher cooking class led by yours truly. Time will tell as to which we crafts we will ultimately offer. Details to follow for those coming, but let me know if you are able to lead a craft class, or if you are interested in this part of the weekend. This will likely occur on Sunday, September 6. ACTIVITIES In Spring/Summer & Fall, there are things like boating, bike riding, hiking, and many more of the museums are open. In July and August, we also have the ability to go to concerts at Tanglewood, and other events at Jacob’s Pillow and other regional dance and music festivals. In the Winter, there are weather dependent winter sports in the area such as Downhill & Cross Country Skiing (Jiminy Peak is nearby), snow boarding, snow tubing, snowmobiling (expensive), hiking, museums & other events for those not into outdoor activities. There are wonderful museums such as a Norman Rockwell (everyone loves this one), MASS MOCA, a contemporary art museum, and the Clarke, as well as the Hancock Shaker Village, where they recreate shaker life from the 1800s. In all seasons, we will also have movies at night, and maybe some karaoke! Let me know your interests & movie picks in the RSVP form. Here is a recent article from the NY Times about local events and links to local attractions. Here are links to Tanglewood, & Shakespear & Co. We will organize people to go on hikes, museums, biking, and other activities. Let us know your preferences on the RSVP form. We intend to have a BBQ & a bonfire on Sunday afternoon/night July 5th, weather permitting... DESCRIPTION OF THE SHAKER MILL & PICTURES The Mill is large, comfortable and cozy, on 4 floors with 17 bedrooms (4 to 6 single rooms, 10 to 12 doubles, and a few triples). Each bedroom has its own bathroom, and most rooms have double beds. Some folks will also be in two rooms in an adjoining building. The exact room configurations will depend on how many people we get… For PICTURES OF THE SHAKER MILL visit: http://community.webshots.com/album/35229966KnOlmh SHAKER MILL’s website: http://www.shakermillfarminn.com/ The Mill has a dining room for 50, a huge kitchen, a beautiful large and airy SUN ROOM at the back where you can see a stream and WATERFALL. On the same floor there is a Study with an adjoining Living Room and a ROARING FIREPLACE between the two rooms. There is also a nice nature walk through woods nearby. The Mill has a caretaker on site to keep the fireplace lit and tend to any other needs. Pets are welcome, but must be approved in advance. Let me know on the RSVP Form. HELPING ON THE WEEKENDS For first timers to my weekends, we run these events at a lower cost by having everyone help out during the event. You will each be assigned a job during your stay, usually working an entire meal as your ‘duty’. LEAVING TIME, RIDES Candle Lighting for Friday, Sept 4th is 7:04 PM. Please note that it takes a MINIMUM OF 2.5 hours - 3 hrs from Manhattan and Northern NJ to get to the Shaker Mill, and at least 3 hours for Brooklyn, Queens and other points. For those coming on Friday, you will need to leave preferably at 1:30 pm, but in no case later than 2:30 PM. I will arrange rides for those who need, so if you are driving let me know if you can take passengers. Drivers will be reimbursed. Singles, couples and families are welcome. We usually have a nice mix of each. In addition, singles in double/triple rooms will share a room. Let me know any rooming preferences you might have. We can have up to 35 people for this event. COSTS For the period indicated below (includes room & board; all activities & Crafts will have additional fees) EARLY BIRD - RSVP by Sunday, August 16, 2009 Option 1 - Full Labor Day Weekend arriving Thursday Night - ( 4 nights, Thursday 9/3 to Monday, 9/7) $299 per person, double per person (standard) $285 per person, triple (limited number) $369 per person, single (very limited number, if available) $585 per couple Option 2 - Partial Labor Day Weekend - (Friday, 9/4 to Monday, 9/7) $275 per person, double per person (standard) $260 per person, triple (limited number, if available) $349 per person, single (very limited number, if available) $535 per couple Standard - For RSVPs between 08/17 and 08/24 Option 1 - Full Labor Day Weekend arriving Thursday Night - ( 4 nights, Thursday 9/3 to Monday, 9/7) $325 per person, double per person (standard) $309 per person, triple (limited number) $399 per person, single (very limited number, if available) $620 per couple Option 2 - Partial Labor Day Weekend - (Friday, 9/4 to Monday, 9/7) $299 per person, double per person (standard) $285 per person, triple (limited number, if available) $375 per person, single (very limited number, if available) $575 per couple Child Rate - Under 5 - $25 per child Ages 5 to 15 - $50 per child
FOR THOSE GETTING RIDES, DRIVING COSTS ARE $25 ($12.50 each direction), payable directly to your driver. Please make sure to pay the drivers, since they are doing us all a favor by going out of their way and taking extra time to get there by picking people up. I will be checking to make sure this occurs. DEPOSIT REQUIREMENT TO RSVP: In order to complete your reservation, you must make a $100 deposit ($200 for couples and families), postmarked or sent to paypal by the deadlines at the top of this page. PAYMENT METHODS - CHECK OR PAYPAL You may pay in one of two ways, via check or via paypal. Via Check: please send the payment/deposit , made out to “David Brotsky” And mail it to: David Brotsky In order to get the discounted rate for a given deadline, you need to have your deposit payment postmarked by the deadlines above. $100 deposit required for individuals, $200 for couples and families. Via Paypal Send me the payment/deposit via PayPal, via my email address: davetrek@gmail.com $100 deposit required for individuals, $200 for couples and families. In order to get the discounted rate for a given deadline, you need to make your deposit payment into paypal by the deadlines above. RSVP NO LATER THAN MONDAY, AUGSUTY 24, 2009. PS. Feel free to send this to GOOD friends, but DO NOT BROADCAST this your list - This is not a 'public' event. RSVP form FAQ FOR THE WEEKEND - What you should bring, and more information than you ever really wanted to know...Let us know if anything has been missed of substance so we can include it for the future. DIRECTIONS TO THE SHAKER MILL |